Handing out report cards to the league
It’s too early to determine what a drafted player will be in the NFL, but it’s never too soon to evaluate whether a team addressed its needs or not in the 2022 draft.
Take a look at how our NFL columnist grades each team’s draft, and forecasts what they should expect from their rookie class: Arizona Cardinals: BTrading the 23rd pick to the Ravens for Marquise Brown was a wise move because he’s better than every receiver in this draft class, and his relationship with Kyler Murray could win over the disgruntled quarterback who is seeking a mega deal. Colorado State’s Trey McBride (pick No. 55) was the best tight end in this class. Atlanta Falcons: B
The Falcons came into the draft with scraps at receiver, which explains why USC’s Drake London was their choice as the first wideout selected with the No. 8 pick. But it’s surprising they didn’t add another receiver. Taking Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder in the third round was a wise move because Marcus Mariota hasn’t proven he’s a top-20 quarterback in the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens: A
The Ravens annually make the most of every selection, and this year was no different considering I love all 11 of their picks. Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (No. 14) was the best player in the draft in my opinion. Center Tyler Linderbaum (No. 25) is a Day 1 starter. David Ojabo (No. 45) was a top-15 talent in the draft who slid due to an Achilles’ injury he suffered at his pro day.
Buffalo Bills: A
The Super Bowl contender added quite a few missing pieces during the draft. Former Gators standout Kaiir Elam gives them a man coverage cornerback with press ability to put across from Tre’Davious White. James Cook
is a near-perfect fit for the outside-zone concepts the Bills use. Boise State’s Khalil Shakir was one of the best slot receivers in this draft and should help ease the offseason release of Cole Beasley.
Carolina Panthers: C With the sixth pick the Panthers were able to get their left tackle of the future in North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu, the most physically dominant offensive lineman in this class, and they were also able to grab Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral much later than expected with the 94th pick. Chicago Bears: B
The trade that allowed Chicago to land quarterback Justin Fields last year prevented the Bears from having a first-round pick, but that didn’t stop Chicago from adding impactful players. Washington cornerback Kyle Gordon (No. 38) and Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker (No. 48) were two of the top-rated players at their position.
Cincinnati Bengals: CThe Bengals placed an emphasis on adding defenders who can help Lou Anarumo’s unit tighten up with its first three picks. Michigan safety Daxton Hill (No. 31), Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and Florida defensive lineman Zachary Carter should all be able to carve out important roles as rookies. Cleveland Browns: B The Browns didn’t have a pick until the third round because of the offseason trade that landed quarterback Deshaun Watson. They also failed to unload quarterback Baker Mayfield and his $19 million contract. But Cleveland did managed to add some talent on defense with their first two picks, adding cornerback Martin Emerson from Mississippi State (No. 68) and Alex Wright from UAB (No. 78). Dallas Cowboys: B
The Cowboys are one of the best teams when it comes to talent evaluation, so don’t be surprised if Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith and Mississippi pass rusher Sam Williams become immediate contributors, if not starters. Denver Broncos: B
The offseason trade for Russell Wilson meant the Broncos weren’t on the clock until the end of the second round. Denver still managed to make two quality additions at areas of need, selecting Oklahoma pass rusher Nik Bonitto with the 64th pick, and then adding UCLA tight end Greg Dulcich, a potential Noah Fant replacement, at pick No. 80.
Detroit Lions: C+ Landing Aidan Hutchinson with the second pick after Travon Walker went first overall to the Jaguars was a dream come true. Trading up 20 spots for injured Alabama receiver Jameson Williams was an aggressive move, one that could benefit the offense tremendously in 2023 when his knee injury fully heals. But where’s the quarterback? Jared Goff can’t be Detroit’s final answer. Green Bay Packers: B
It will take years to replace a talent like Davante Adams, but the Packers did add three receivers — North Dakota State’s Christian Watson (34th pick), Nevada’s Romeo Doubs (No. 132), and Nebraska’s Samori Toure (No. 258) who all bring something different to the unit.
Houston Texans: A
The Texans potentially added five starters in this second draft class of a massive rebuild. Derek Stingley was viewed as one of the best cornerbacks in the draft. Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green was rated one of the best guards. The addition of Jalen Pitre in the second round gives coach Lovie Smith some versatility in the secondary, and Christian Harris might be more talented than any linebacker on Houston’s roster. Indianapolis Colts: CThe Colts did not have a pick in the first round due to the trade of quarterback Carson Wentz from the Eagles, and added four underwhelming players on Day 2 in Cincinnati receiver Alex Pierce, Virginia tight end Jelani Wood, Central Michigan offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann and Maryland safety Nick Cross.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C Trent Baalke put together a solid draft class for Jacksonville, and the general manager needs Travon Walker (first overall selection), Devin Lloyd (No. 27), Luke Fortner (No. 65) and Chad Muma (No. 70) to become immediate starters, if not contributors to help him keep his job.
Kansas City Chiefs: BAs usual, the Chiefs made the most of their late selections, adding five players who could become starters in their second or third season with some developmental time. Cornerback Trent McDuffie, who the Chiefs had to trade up to pick No. 21 to get, can play both man and zone coverage well.
Las Vegas Raiders: B The Raiders were not on the clock until the third round because of the offseason trade that produced Davante Adams, and Las Vegas’ first three selections — Memphis guard Dylan Parham, Georgia tailback Zamir White and LSU defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr. — all have the talent to become starters in time.
Los Angeles Chargers: B
The Chargers used the 2022 draft to fortify the offensive line, and add defensive backs to the secondary, addressing two of the team’s glaring needs. Zion Johnson (No. 17) and Jamaree Salyer (No. 195) both have the talent to start at guard.
Los Angeles Rams: C+ The Rams continued their distinctive philosophy by adding developmental prospects with the team’s eight draft picks. Logan Bruss is an aggressive Wisconsin guard with potential to play multiple positions.
Miami Dolphins: B
The Dolphins weren’t on the clock until the end of the third round because of the offseason trade that delivered Tyreek Hill, one of the biggest playmakers in the NFL. And with pick No. 102 they selected Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall, an explosive athlete who has the potential to be a Day 1 contributor. The rest of the picks — Texas Tech receiver Erik Ezukanma (No. 125), California edge rusher Cameron Goode (No. 244) and Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson (No. 247) — were general manager Chris Grier sticking to his best-player-available philosophy. Minnesota Vikings: CThe Vikings agreed to move from 12 to 32 in a trade with the Lions, and still got the second-best safety in this draft in Lewis Cine. Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth (No. 42) has the talent to start. New England: D
History has proven that the Patriots don’t value early draft picks, and don’t use them effectively either. That’s why the selection of Chattanooga offensive guard Cole Strange in the first round was laughed at by most draft analysts.
New Orleans Saints: B Moving up to the 11th overall pick to take Ohio State receiver Chris Olave was a wise decision, and could be the best move of the draft considering the early run on receivers that took place in the first round. Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning was one of my favorite linemen in this draft, but he’ll need some time to settle in.
New York Giants: C+ The Giants drafted like rebuilding franchises should, touching just about every area of that team but tailback and quarterback. Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux (No. 3) and Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal (No. 7) should be Day 1 starters.
New York Jets: A+
The Jets exited the draft with five potential starters in cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, receiver Garrett Wilson, pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II, tailback Breece Hal and tight end Jeremy Ruckert. Philadelphia Eagles: B+ The Eagles put together a meat and potato draft, adding Jordan Davis with the 13th pick, center Cam Jurgens with pick No. 51, and then doubling down on linebacker by selecting Georgia’s Nakobe Dean and Kansas’ Kyron Johnson. Pittsburgh Steelers: B Rather than moving up in the draft to make Kenny Pickett the selection, the Steelers stayed at 20 and got their potential quarterback of the future. Then the Steelers added two other players with first-round talent in Georgia receiver George Pickens and Texas A&M defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal.
San Francisco 49ers: B The 49ers held onto receiver Deebo Samuel, but still have work to do to prevent a hold-in (when a player shows up to avoid being fined, but says they’re injured and won’t practice) over a new contract. The nine players selected will all likely begin their NFL careers as role players, being groomed slowly.
Seattle Seahawks: C The Seahawks are in a massive rebuild, and the draft restocked the shelves of talent to be developed. Offensive tackles Charles Cross (No. 9) and Abraham Lucas (No. 72) could be rookie starters. Not addressing the quarterback position is a little bit of a head-scratcher.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B
The Buccaneers traded out of the first round and took Houston defensive lineman Logan Hall with the 33rd overall pick. Hall has some good tape as a multigap defender. The sleeper pick is Sam Houston State cornerback Zyon McCollum (No. 157), a player with a ton of athletic potential. Tennessee Titans: B The Titans traded A.J. Brown to the Eagles during the first round, and then used the pick they acquired to move him to add a replica of the Pro Bowl receiver in Treylon Burks with the 18th pick. Adding Liberty quarterback Malik Willis in the third round (No. 86) was a good move because he has the tools to beat out Ryan Tannehill.
Washington Commanders: C
Trading draft picks for quarterback Carson Wentz could turn out to be a massive mistake, and so could over-drafting Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson, who was taken 16th overall. But selecting North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell could save this draft class, especially if Washington is patient with him.