It’s been almost a week since Travon Walker first heard his name mentioned by Commissioner Roger Goodell. Now that the dust has settled a bit, it’s time for me to take a look at the team selection. Which players left the board earlier than expected and who was able to get reinforcements for the squad relatively late? Stay tuned for the best and worst picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
–
–
One important note first: Directly after the draft, it is often difficult to predict which picks will pay off and which ones were more of a “miss”. In addition to the player’s talent, there are many other decisive factors: Does the coach rely on the player from the start? In what situation did an athlete end up? And will he be spared serious injuries?
Purely from a value point of view, however, it is quite possible to separate the good picks from the more daring picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Just because a player eventually establishes himself as a solid prospect in the league, there may still be better options on the board at the time he was selected. But enough of the preamble, let’s get started with my favorite picks.
The best picks in the 2022 NFL draft
Malik Willis, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
When: Round 3, Pick #86
College: Liberty
Landing spot: Excellent
For me, the biggest steal of the draft is former Liberty quarterback Willis. Given the massive upside that Willis brings, there’s simply no good reason why the 22-year-old shouldn’t go off the board until Round 3. Quarterback is by far the most valuable position on the field, and talent like Willis is hard to find.
Yes, Willis is probably a multi-year project, don’t expect him to challenge Ryan Tannehill for his starting job right in Season 1. The latter doesn’t really have a block anyway, as he recently pointed out in the media. Still, if Willis can work on his weaknesses in training – his pocket presence in particular for me – he can quickly become a star in this league given his physical tools.
Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Baltimore Ravens
When: Round 1, Pick #25
College: Iowa
Landing spot: Questionable
Linderbaum was in the top 10 on the big board by many draft experts, but slipped in the draft due to the (comparatively low) value of the center position and simply a lack of teams with a real need in the middle of the O- lines. The Ravens gratefully struck late in the first round, even though they’re not the best fit for Linderbaum’s skill set.
Tyler Linderbaum career at Iowa (@PFF):
169 gap scheme snaps (70.4 grade)
765 zone snaps (96.3 grade)Baltimore’s run game is predicated on gap scheme (~70% of run plays)… Interesting fit.
— Anthony Treash (@PFF_Anthony) April 29, 2022
Linderbaum excelled at college in Iowa’s Wide Zone Scheme primarily on the second level, in Baltimore the 22-year-old will have to work a lot more on the line of scrimmage. He certainly has the physical ability to do it, but there’s no guarantee of success. Still, pick 25 is a massive steal for such talent in my opinion.
Skyy Moore, Wide Receiver, Kansas City Chiefs
When: Round 2, Pick #54
College: Western Michigan
Landing spot: Excellent
What better landing spot than Moore to the Chiefs? It was a dream of many Kansas City fans even before the draft, and it actually came true. For me, Moore was a clear first-round pick because of his strong route running and safe hands. In college, Moore dropped just three of his 125 targets in 2021 — no wonder, given that he had the biggest hands of any wideout (over 10 inches!) at the annual Combine in Indianapolis.
Despite his small stature, Moore also had no trouble against press coverage in college, and his 26 broken tackles by catch led the FBS last season. In short: He is a complete package and now plays together with the best quarterback in the league. He’s no Tyreek Hill 2.0, but I think Moore has all the makings of Rookie of the Year.
Skyy Moore is going to be unleashed ? pic.twitter.com/w07qbSmhzT
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) May 3, 2022
Worst picks in the 2022 NFL draft
Cole Strange, Guard, New England Patriots
When: Round 1, Pick #29
College: Chattanooga
Landing spot: Gut
“Strange” is a good way to describe the Patriots’ first-round pick. The Rams, who traditionally haven’t had a pick in the first two rounds, reportedly speculated on getting Strange on Day 2 with their first pick (#104). Strange was a sleeper on many drafters’ boards and a possible target late in the second round. But in the first round? That’s too early for my taste.
Again, this isn’t meant to be a hit against Strange, who I think has the potential to become a star in the league. The fit in New England is actually good. At that time there were simply better and, above all, safer prospects for me than the 23-year-old. If Strange, like Travis Frederick in 2013 with the Cowboys, develops into an all-star, the Patriots will not care much about any criticism.
Alontae Taylor, Cornerback, New Orleans Saints
When: Round 2, Pick #49
College: Tennessee
Landing spot: Gut
Taylor barely made the top 100 on any big board and still went off the board within the first 50 picks. While the 23-year-old was rocketing up the draft boards just before the draft due to his athleticism and size, I think the Saints would have gotten Taylor a round later. But maybe New Orleans knew something that we outsiders don’t.
Alontae Taylor is long as hell and can fly. Although he is a little stiff. Taylor, Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Marcus Maye… @Saints secondary is getting pretty pretty pretty good
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 30, 2022
Whatever the case, Taylor is pretty much the prototype cornerback the Saints are looking for. He is 1.83 meters tall, weighs 90 kilograms and showed his speed in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.36 seconds. Just as an aside: Marshon Lattimore (1.83 meters, 88 kilograms) ran the same time in 2017 at the Combine. So I think Taylor could quickly establish himself as a starter.
And now it’s your turn: Who do you think were the biggest steals in the draft? And which player on my list do you absolutely disagree with? Write us your opinions on our social channels!
–
