The 2022 NFL Draft is upon us. It’s here. After months of speculation and years of analyzing the prospects, the day is here. Round 1 kicks off with 32 picks and an unprecedented state of ambiguity heading into the opening stanza. Not in recent memory has there been a draft that has this much unknown leading up to the first round. Setting the tone, Pro Football Network has you covered from every angle with this 2022 NFL Draft preview.
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2022 NFL Draft Preview: What to expect
The best way to say what to expect surrounding Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft is to enter a cliché — expect the unexpected. As true as that expression may be, we certainly can take a couple of stabs with what we think might happen, what we think should happen, and ultimately how comfortable we are with certain prospects.
Our analysts each took different angles with their final mock drafts. PFN Chief Draft Analyst and NFL Insider Tony Pauline gave his own projections with his 3-Round Mock Draft. This mock was a good look at what the teams are at the very least leaking or discussing around open doors.
Yours truly decided it was a smart idea to write a 7-Round Mock Draft and give analysis for every pick. All 262 picks as if I was the general manager of each team. It was smart, right? This is the best example of what an individual analyst’s big board could do based on team fit, draft capital, and the way a mock draft shakes out.
More content to help you know what to expect in Round 1
With being picked in Round 1, the first in each position group will be labeled as the top player at each respective spot on the field. Who is going to be the first quarterback selected? Which edge defender actually should go first? We’ve broken that down in-depth for a few of the closer position battles.
Jermaine Johnson II of Florida State made a case to be EDGE1 late in the cycle. And don’t worry, PFN’s Ian Cummings’ Big Board of the Top 300 Players wasn’t the only one to have Johnson as EDGE1. It’s actually a growing trend. Yours truly also has Johnson as the No. 1 edge defender. And like Ian, I too have Johnson as the top overall player.
Now, as far as the other position battles to watch in Round 1 — quarterback is the big one. Has Malik Willis really done enough to take QB1 by storm? And are we confident in him at that position?
There is a duo of Ohio State wide receivers expected to be first-round picks. But Garrett Wilson has done enough to separate himself at the top of the class, right? And, last but not least, as he so eloquently put it himself, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is CB1 and it’s “not even close.” Or is it?
Sleepers
Everyone wants to know who else to watch in the NFL Draft. Which players are a bit past the mainstream coverage? Who can you act like you knew about ahead of time while arguing with your friends at the bar after he was picked? Those are known as sleepers, and we’ve got you covered.
Our 2022 NFL Draft Sleepers series goes deep:
Wide Receivers
Offensive Tackles
Edge Defenders
Tight Ends
Player Rankings for the 2022 NFL Draft
At Pro Football Network, we’ve got you covered in terms of player rankings. Need to confirm your rankings? Maybe want to find out about a player or two? Perhaps you want to know where we’ve got you ranked even? Our team of analysts has been hard at work for years to craft these big boards and, ultimately, our consensus.
Ian Cummings’ Top 300 Players
Oliver Hodgkinson’s Top 300 Players
Tony Pauline’s Top Players
Cam Mellor’s Top 300 Players
PFN’s Consensus Top 300 Players
Each analyst crafted their Top 300 Big Boards — those boards were factored into the giant Consensus Big Board that we’ve utilized for our prospect discussions. It’s a long endeavor, but certainly one that is necessary.
2022 NFL Draft Guide & Scouting Reports
Looking for even more content? Perhaps even more in-depth reporting on each of the top prospects? The Pro Football Network 2022 NFL Draft Guide is the answer. Become the smartest fan in your draft room by grabbing the PFN Draft Guide.
Over 215 full scouting reports by our team of analysts. And even more than 800 reports from PFN’s Tony Pauline.
Secure your copy of the 2022 NFL Draft Guide now.
