The 2022 NFL Draft is just a couple of months away. But before Roger Goodell takes the podium to announce the first pick, the NFL Combine will kick off in Indianapolis. Who are the top 2022 NFL Draft prospects at each position participating in this year’s Combine?
Top 2022 NFL Draft prospects at the NFL Combine
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021Â NFL Combine was canceled. However, it aims to come back with a vengeance this year, taking over Lucas Oil Stadium once again. The NFL has officially invited 324 athletes to the 2022 Combine, but not all invitees will participate.
Top names such as Ole Miss QB Matt Corral and USC WR Drake London are likely to miss the event due to injuries. Additionally, prospects who know they won’t yield good testing results will presumably decline the offer.
On-field drills begin March 3 and conclude March 6. NFL Network will provide coverage beginning at 4 PM ET for each session except Sunday, which is scheduled to start at 2 PM.
- Thursday, March 3
Quarterbacks - Friday, March 4
Running backs, offensive linemen, special teams - Saturday, March 5
Defensive linemen and linebackers - Sunday, March 6
Defensive backs
2022 NFL Combine: Top offensive NFL Draft prospects
While most NFL fans tune into the Combine for the on-field drills, there is much more going on for the players. They undergo physical measurements, medical and drug testing, and interviews with NFL clubs. With all 32 franchises in attendance, it is arguably an NFL prospect’s biggest test.
Nevertheless, for viewers, the on-field portion of the Combine includes position-specific drills, the 40-yard dash, bench press (225-pound repetitions), vertical jump, broad jump, 20-yard shuttle, 60-yard shuttle, and the three-cone.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the top offensive prospects at the 2022 NFL Combine!
Quarterbacks
- Malik Willis, Liberty
- Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
- Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
- Carson Strong, Nevada
- Sam Howell, North Carolina
Although many have criticized the 2022 QB class (rightfully so), there is immense potential to be had. Malik Willis will not run at the Combine and will only throw — although he possesses RB-like physicals. He may not be near the athlete Willis is, but Desmond Ridder should test well in his own right.
Carson Strong has a lingering knee issue that NFL teams will be sure to ask him about and monitor at the Combine. He stated it was osteochondritis dessicans — a condition where a small segment of bone separates from its surroundings due to a lack of blood supply. As for Sam Howell, he simply needs to produce decent numbers to maintain his first-round potential as the tape speaks for itself.
The biggest headliner in the QB room may actually be the size of Kenny Pickett‘s hands. After not measuring at the Senior Bowl, Pickett said he would at the Combine. There is talk of his double-jointed thumbs mitigating the downside from his small hands. Yet, with this much talk about it, his hands have to be incredibly tiny, which will definitely deter NFL decision-makers.
Running Backs
- Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
- Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
- Breece Hall, Iowa State
- Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
- Dameon Pierce, Florida
Isaiah Spiller and Breece Hall are the consensus 1A and 1B in this class. But Kenneth Walker III is more than worthy of being in the discussion. In fact, he is my RB1. All three will aim to separate from the rest with stellar Combine performances.
Dameon Pierce put his name firmly in the mind of NFL Draft analysts thanks to an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl. Meanwhile, Kyren Williams needs to weigh in above 200 pounds to secure a Day 2 or high-Day 3 pick.
Also, watch the vertical jump for the RBs, as it highlights a player’s lower body explosiveness.
Wide Receivers
- Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
- Treylon Burks, Arkansas
- Chris Olave, Ohio State
- Christian Watson, North Dakota State
- Jahan Dotson, Penn State
With London and Jameson Williams presumably out due to injuries, all eyes will be on Garrett Wilson, Treylon Burks, and Chris Olave. Wilson and Olave should generate excellent speed and agility numbers, while Burks is a freak of nature at 6’3″ and 225 pounds.
However, those three are cemented at the top of the class. So, I’m keeping an eye on 6’4″, 211-pound FCS star Christian Watson, who many expect to shine at the Combine. On the other end of the height scale, Jahan Dotson could register below 5’10”, but he reportedly ran a 4.33 40 time in the summer.
Lastly, Justyn Ross (back) and George Pickens (ACL) have missed significant time in their college careers with serious injuries. Ross will only be going medical testing at the Combine, but it’s important no red flags pop up. Hopefully, Pickens can put on a show and prove that his athleticism is intact.
Tight ends
- Trey McBride, Colorado State
- Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
- Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
- Cole Turner, Nevada
- Greg Dulcich, UCLA
Tight ends don’t typically receive much fanfare at the Combine unless they put up Vernon Davis-esque numbers. Regardless, Trey McBride can make himself some money with a solid showing. Similarly, Isaiah Likely can rise up boards if he weighs more than his listed 240 pounds without zapping his athleticism.
A player to watch is UCLA’s Greg Dulcich, who is one of the more athletic tight ends in the class.
Offensive tackles
- Evan Neal, Alabama
- Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
- Charles Cross, Mississippi State
- Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State
- Daniel Faalele, Minnesota
This is one of the more athletic tackle classes in recent memory. However, OT1 Evan Neal has opted not to participate at this year’s Combine. Nevertheless, Charles Cross is the smoothest mover at the position (with underrated strength). Ikem Ekwonu is the brand ambassador for pancakes. And Daniel Faalele moves extremely well for a man of his size (6’9″, 380 pounds).
Cross and Ekwonu could cement their top-10 status with quality showings, but Faalele has the most to gain — and lose. But my money is on him cutting his weight down and testing well.
Oh, and don’t forget about Bernhard Raimann and Trevor Penning. It’s easy to see Raimann’s tight end background — he is uber-athletic for an OT. Penning is no slouch either, but he is more known for his physicality.
Interior offensive linemen
- Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
- Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
- Zion Johnson, Boston College
- Dylan Parham, Memphis
- Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Tyler Linderbaum is a generational center prospect, and without taking positional value into account, he would be a top-10 pick. Nevertheless, he won’t compete at the Combine do to a mid-foot sprain. But Kenyon Green shouldn’t have issues showcasing his versatility at the event.
With a strong showcase, Zion Johnson should secure an early-Day 2 selection. Furthermore, Dylan Parham doesn’t receive nearly as much attention, but he will put his athleticism on display.
2022 NFL Combine: Top defensive NFL Draft prospects
With the offensive players out of the way, it’s time to discuss a defensive class full of supremely athletic prospects.
Defensive Tackles
- Jordan Davis, Georgia
- DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M
- Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
- Travis Jones, Connecticut
- Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
Let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way. Jordan Davis is listed at 6’6″ and 340 pounds, both of which rank in the 95th percentile among NFL DTs. He moves extremely well on tape, so if he can replicate that in his numbers, he should be a lock for Day 1. Teammate Devonte Wyatt has an argument as DT1 of the class with his pass-rushing prowess and explosiveness.
It’s a little unfair to clump DeMarvin Leal with the DTs as he can legitimately play on the edge. With a good performance at the Combine, teams may be more willing to try him out there before forcing him inside.
Edge Defenders
- Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
- David Ojabo, Michigan
- Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
- George Karlaftis, Purdue
- Travon Walker, Georgia
This edge class is by far the best in recent memory. The top four players could go in the first 10 picks, and no one would bat an eye. We all know Kayvon Thibodeaux and David Ojabo will turn heads but don’t sleep on Travon Walker. He is an elite physical specimen who can drop into coverage at 6’5″ and 275 pounds.
Aidan Hutchinson and George Karlaftis may not blow anyone away, but power is the name of their games. Moreover, Jermaine Johnson II, Drake Jackson, and Boye Mafe, among others, could earn generational wealth with outstanding testing (Bruce Irvin, anyone?).
Linebackers
- Nakobe Dean, Georgia
- Devin Lloyd, Utah
- Christian Harris, Alabama
- Channing Tindall, Georgia
- Quay Walker, Georgia
The theme of freak athletes continues with the linebackers. Nakobe Dean is a 6’0″ heat-seeking missile and should quiet doubters with impressive numbers. Devin Lloyd has little to prove, but it never hurts to piece together a formidable Combine. Christian Harris is a former safety who hasn’t lost a step, so he should do well enough. The other Georgia linebackers, Channing Tindall and Quay Walker, also possess straight-line speed and lateral athleticism.
Other names to monitor at the 2022 NFL Combine include Troy Andersen, Brandon Smith, Chad Muma, and Brian Asamoah. For linebackers, I like to watch the 20-yard shuttle as it displays change-of-direction ability and body control.
Cornerbacks
- Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
- Kaiir Elam, Florida
- Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
- Trent McDuffie, Washington
- Kyler Gordon, Washington
Unfortunately, Derek Stingley Jr. is dealing with a foot injury and won’t perform. Additionally, Andrew Booth Jr. is reportedly dealing with a strained quad that will keep him on the sidelines. Where Booth shines with finesse, Kaiir Elam wins with physicality and technique. He battled injuries in 2021, but if he is fully healthy, he should join Booth in lighting up the Combine.
Ahmad Gardner famously didn’t allow a touchdown in three collegiate seasons. He has the prototypical build and elite wingspan to thrive in press coverage. The Washington CBs, Trent McDuffie and Kyler Gordon, will dominate the Combine. They are twitchy athletes with incredible leaping ability and burst, enough to warrant high-end draft capital.
Other names to know are Martin Emerson, Roger McCreary, Tariq Woolen, and Marcus Jones. Emerson is limited athletically but can get by with his size and length. Similarly, McCreary displayed average athleticism on tape, though he has concerningly short arms. If they can put on a good showing at the Combine, it would put some minds at ease.
Meanwhile, Woolen is an intriguing mid-to-late-round prospect. His size/speed combination is threatening, and he was built for an event like the Combine. Jones is extremely fluid in transition, owning some of the best hips in the class. Still, he is nothing more than an electric kick returner and slot corner, which is still valuable.
Safeties
- Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
- Daxton Hill, Michigan
- Lewis Cine, Georgia
- Jaquan Brisker, Penn State
- Jalen Pitre, Baylor
If Kyle Hamilton can reach or surpass his numbers from Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List, teams would be foolish to let him slide out of the top 10. Daxton Hill is an athletic safety with slot versatility, which should be easy to see at the Combine. Lewis Cine is a hard-hitting split-field prospect but could increase his draft stock with above-average speed and agility totals.
Moreover, Jaquan Brisker is a linebacker-sized safety who, if he tests as I believe he will, could be an early-Day 2 pick. Last but certainly not least is Baylor’s Jalen Pitre. The man can simply play ball. Pitre is sudden, shoots out of a rocket, and reads and reacts with quick processing.
While the 40-yard dash is “important” for all positions, it is especially so for safeties as it translates well to playing in the deep middle of the field.
