The top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft; The most pressing need for each NFC East team; A Big 12 corner who will turn heads at the NFL Combine; And much more; Taking a look at Christian Watson. 2022 September 2 2023 NFL Draft 3-4 Defensive End Rankings 2023 NFL Draft 3-4 Defensive End Rankings John Vogel September 2, 2022 in 2023 Rankings, Player Rankings - 6 Minutes 1. He has one of the highest floors in this DE class and a fairly high ceiling. With such a deep class, there should be some diamonds in . He is a freak athlete though and a special pass rusher. San Francisco could also use some help at defensive back after the group has been thinned out over the years. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. He had 40 tackles and four sacks in 2019. 7/10/21: Jackson played well in 2020, recording 20 tackles, two sacks and an interception. He has an elite combination of size, strength, a Drake is a quality prospect who possesses impressive athletic ability: he has a unique combination of speed, agility, power as wel David Ojabo may have the greatest upside of any player in the 2022 NFL Draft class with a unique combination of size, strength, an Arnold Ebiketie is an impressive pro prospect who has top-level athletic skills - he's explosive, has elite speed around the edge, Johnson has been rocketing up draft boards after his dominating 2021 season with FSU. He needed to show more pass-rushing talent. Aidan Hutchinson goes first overall in 2022 NFL Mock Draft He totaled 9.5 sacks, 52 tackles, four forced fumbles, 13.5 tackles for a loss and three passes batted on the year. Thomas wisely accepted an invitation to play in the Senior Bowl, where he put together an okay performance. With his production, its no surprise that Thomas brings a constant motor from start to finish. Players are identified as Pro Bowlers if they were selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career. He wants to with suddenness and athletic ability as a run defender, moving and slanting. 2022 NFL Draft: NFC East team-by-team needs, picks and grades for Cowboys, Commanders, Giants, Eagles . With Aidan Hutchinson commanding a lot of attention, Ojabo broke out in 2021, recording 35 tackles, 11 sacks, five forced fumbles and three passes defended. Top 10 Defensive Ends in the 2022 NFL Draft | 6-10, Kayvon Thibodeaux and David Ojabo were listed in our outside linebacker rankings, projected to be the No. Prospects No. Best of defensive ends | 2022 NFL Scouting Combine Watch the highlights of the defensive end, EDGE rusher group at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. Azeez Ojulari was the featured defender, while Johnson, Adam Anderson and Nolan Smith rotated for snaps. He has seen time at multiple alignments in the Michigan defense, ranging from a traditional defensive end to a 3-technique, and even lined up over the center. 1 overall pick when the Jacksonville Jaguars arrive on the clock in late April. Teams are worried, however, about how much Thibodeaux loves football and the focus he has on "his brand." In the NFL, Malone could be too undersized to play defensive end and might be better off as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Perrion Winfrey is one of the top defensive tackles on the board. If production is a pre-requisite for you at edge rusher, then youll like Cameron Thomas. Pro Football Network, LLC. He had a superb freshman season for the Ducks, doing an excellent job of getting after the quarterback and totaling nine sacks, 35 tackles, a forced fumble and three passes batted. He had a decent week of practice at the Senior Bowl. The NFL advance scouts listed Mafe as an outside linebacker, but at his size, he could grow into being a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. He totaled 5.5 sacks with 24 tackles in a solid debut. Team sources say Thibodeaux is worthy of being a high first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and feel he has the upside to possibly be a Khalil Mack-type rusher at the next level. This gives Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry a true . After his impressive practices in Mobile, more team evaluators think Johnson will go late in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He has risen during the 2022 NFL Draft process, and he will probably end up as one of the first players drafted. Powerful, yet surprisingly agile for his size, he also plays the game with competitive toughness. And while his length is slightly below average, Mafe compensates with his ability to win around the edge. [2], Draft activities were held around two main locations on the Las Vegas Strip; invited players walked a red carpet stage constructed on the man-made lake in front of the Bellagio and its fountains. Like Sanders above him, Kingsley Enagbare returned to school despite receiving significant interest in the previous draft cycle. Hall looks like the rare five-technique prospect who is capable of putting pressure on the quarterback. The versatile DE has the physicality to play multiple positions along the defensive line. 105) and tight end Greg Dulcich (2022 . 7/10/21: Anthony was a backup in 2018 and 2019 before earning playing time as a junior in 2020. The 64, 240-pounder significantly elevated his stock in a season where he accounted for half of the Gamecocks sacks. Alongside the release of that big board, new positional rankings have also been compiled. Moreover, he appears to have developed physically over the offseason. NFL Draft picks 2022: Complete list, results, selections of Round 1. . 4/27/22: Ebiketie played well for the Nittany Lions in 2021, picking up 62 tackles, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumble. The junior put together an impressive 2021, including a number of games against good opponents in which he wreaked havoc. 4/27/22: Johnson was a dangerous pass rusher for Texas A&M in 2021, recording 8.5 sacks and 31 tackles. We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. Of course, his monster 2021 campaign inflated those values. 4/27/22: Thomas played well for Oklahoma in 2021, getting after the quarterback. Seahawks 2023 NFL pre-draft visits tracker 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, Day 2 open thread: Defensive backs and special teams The opportunity cost of re-signing (or tagging) Geno Smith 4/27/22: Clemons recorded 32 tackles, seven sacks and one forced fumble in 2021. From the college perspective, here are the best defensive end and edge rusher prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has everything you look for Aspiring college or profootball journalist? Walkers athleticism is legitimately otherworldly, and on tape, his power is just as potent. It was a big jump from his underclassmen years as a backup. Nick Suss. 1? For purposes of schematic differentiation, projected stand-up rushers such as Kayvon Thibodeaux and David Ojabo were listed in our outside linebacker rankings. Hunter, who has posted at least 12.5 sacks in three of his first six seasons appeared in just seven contests last season after tearing his pectoral muscle. Yet, he has the tools to be a big EDGE as well for teams who like to move their linemen around and exploit matchups. 4/27/22: Johnson totaled 70 tackles, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes batted in 2021. He has excellent size at 65 and 258 pounds, with incredible length. Enagbare should become one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft class with another season of profound performances under his belt. Impressed? Last season, six edge rushers were drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Hes incredibly explosive, demonstrates excellent body movement, and exhibits tremendous play speed. Nik Bonitto is one of the drafts best outside linebackers. Chambers recorded five sacks in 2019 and 4.5 sacks in 2018 playing at University of Houston. It wasnt just Paschals skill set that stressed offenses, but also how he was used because he could take on a multitude of different roles. His best fit in the NFL could be as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Get the latest NFL Draft prospect rankings from CBS Sports. 7/10/21: Barno has some serious speed with a frame to get bigger as he ages in the NFL. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. There could be as many as 10 prospects selected from the IDL class on the. $$ Pure WalterFootball with no advertisements for $7.99 a month. Sources say he bombed some interviews and team visits. He broke out as a sophomore for the Wolverines as a tough defender who flashed pass-rush ability. Ferguson is a durable and experienced tight end, playing in 47 . 2022 NFL Draft - 4-3 Defensive End Rankings. 38: Carolina NY Jets NY Giants Atlanta, No. Multiple NFL team sources say there isn't a significant difference between Johnson and top-10 picks like Aidan Hutchinson. With Anderson and Smith returning to the Bulldogs, Johnson transferred to Florida State. He had 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2020. Pro Football Network strives to passionately deliver purposeful, captivating, and exceptional football content. For the NFL, Ebiketie is undersized to be a defensive end and probably would fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker. The 2022 NFL Draft might not have the high-end quarterback talent, but the amount of . He is an interesting player because team sources say he shows some ability as a pass rusher, including functional strength to get off blocks, but that does not translate to defending the run, where he needs to get stronger for the NFL. In 2020, he was even better than his sophomore year, recording 58 tackles with 6.5 sacks, one interception, one pass defended and a tremendous six forced fumbles. INDIANAPOLIS - The 2023 NFL draft shapes up as a referendum on bigger-than-average edge rushers. There are even more pass-rush playmakers ready and waiting to push their way up draft boards this fall. They say that his tape and skill set are superb, but the off-the-field issues could push him down into the mid-rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft or lower. He is a well-rounded base end who can hold his ground against the run and rush the passer. 4/27/22: Charlton was decent for Mississippi State in 2021 with 35 tackles and four sacks. There is no doubt that Ojabo is very fast off the edge with the ability to bend underneath offensive tackles. 154: Washington Philadelphia Jacksonville, "Giants trade 11th draft pick to Chicago Bears", "End Of An Era: Seahawks Trade Russell Wilson To Denver Broncos", "New York Jets trade Jamal Adams to Seattle Seahawks, get two first-round picks", "2022 NFL draft trade tracker: Every deal for a first-round pick", "Browns trade for Texans QB Deshaun Watson in deal that includes three first-round picks", "Sources: Fins deal No. Its not much of a surprise, especially after seeing how Walker fared at the NFL Combine. 24 overall Consensus Big Board: TE1, No. Quietly productive as a freshman, Gunter has been defensively dominant in the rest of his college football seasons. Techie with an interesting slant on player evaluation? In his two-year career, Harrison has contributed just 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Thomas was buried on the depth chart behind Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant prior to 2019. [Shrug emoji]", A director of player personnel sent the following on Anderson earlier in the year: "I think he's a first-rounder; I haven't done enough tape to finalize how high, but he has all the traits. 7/10/21: Paschal was a tough competitor in the ground game in 2020, but he did not produce much in the pass rush. Hall has good length and speed, but he is too light to line up every down on the inside. Pro Football Network, LLC. 4/27/22: Gunter was solid for Coastal Carolina in 2021, but it would have helped him to have a more productive season. 42: Washington Indianapolis Minnesota, No. 42. In 2021, VanValkenburg totaled 58 tackles and 5.5 sacks. 2022 NFL Draft: The top 11 interior defensive linemen Teams AFC East Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans Titans AFC West. 44 with the Texans, pick up 68, 108, 124", "Chargers Acquire Six-Time Pro Bowl Outside Linebacker Khalil Mack", "2022 NFL draft: Bills trade back twice in second round with Buccaneers, Bengals", "Atlanta Falcons trade Julio Jones to Tennessee Titans", "Broncos trade star LB Von Miller to Rams for two 2022 NFL Draft picks", "Jaguars trade 2020 first-round CB C.J. Rookie defensive end Amar Barno put together a solid start to his professional career in his debut season in 2022. He could conceivably play as a 3-4 defensive end or a 3-technique in a base 4-3 scheme. Some NFL scouts gave Johnson a high projection on their preseason watch list. The production alone was impressive. Yet, theres no doubting his ability as a ferocious pass rusher. They think he is safe pick to turn into a solid, if unspectacular, pro. The injury also could cost Ojabo a spot in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft. The LSU pass rusher can already be found in several first-round mock drafts, including from Pro Football Networks Cam Mellor. That expectation does inflate Hutchinsons value a bit, but hes still an exciting prospect. video. Ohio State lists him at 66 and 268 pounds, and he looked impressive at Ohio States spring game. Thomas has quality size to him to go along with speed and athleticism. 6", "Philadelphia Eagles trade QB Carson Wentz to Indianapolis Colts for two draft picks", "Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints shake up first round of 2022 NFL draft with multipick trade", "Packers trading Davante Adams to Raiders; WR signing 5-year, $141.25M deal", "Ravens trade WR Marquise Brown to Cardinals for first-round draft pick", "49ers Make Blockbuster Pre-Draft Trade Up to No. Heres a look at the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. USC hurt his production by moving him around, playing him somewhat at outside linebacker, dropping him into coverage, and reducing his pass-rushing opportunities. The 2022 NFL Draft big board rankings are reflective of Bucky Brooks' top five 2022 NFL Draft prospects by position 1.0 and ESPN's NFL Draft "Best Available" list. They view Hutchinson as a solid double or triple, but not a grand slam. He also brings a violent disposition with his hands. Oklahoma has quite a few eligible defensive linemen in the 2022 NFL Draft. Lets take a look. His ability to neutralize the oppositions ground game is underrated. That will be a terrifying prospect, as he establishes himself as one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft class. He totaled 42 tackles with four sacks. Jackson (6-4, 275) had an impressive debut for the Trojans in 2019. Paris Johnson Jr. - Ohio State. 7/10/21: In 2020, Johnson was part of a loaded group of edge rushers at Georgia. Get ready for the 2023 NFL Draft with positional and big board rankings from the team at The NFL Draft Bible. 2022 NFL draft: The top 11 quarterbacks 1 Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) Height: 6'4 5/8 (69th) Weight: 254 (20th) 40-Yard Dash: 4.58 seconds (93rd) 10-Yard. Perrion Winfrey is one of the top defensive tackles on the board. Furthermore, Karlaftis has the ability to play both inside and out, making him extremely versatile. Boye Mafe, Minnesota; Malik Vann, Cincinnati; Jordan Strachan, South Carolina; Ochaun Mathis, TCU; Will McDonald, Iowa State, Anthony Richardson Combine Results: Florida Star Makes Case for QB1, Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland | NFL Draft Scouting Report, 2023 NFL Combine Hand Size Results: Notable Quarterback Measurements and More, 2023 NFL Combine Risers: Christian Gonzalez, Deonte Banks, and Brian Branch Perform Well. Last season, in his first opportunity to be the dominant leader of the defensive line, he secured only 4.5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. Ojabo is superb at slapping at the ball while taking the quarterback down as well. Hall helped himself with a quality week at the Senior Bowl. David Ojabo *, Michigan 5. 4/27/22: Thibodeaux recorded 49 tackles, seven sacks, one pass batted and two forced fumbles in 2021, but he also spent much of the year dealing with a balky ankle. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama, 6-foot-4, 310 pounds. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame. Having made little impact in his first three seasons with the Sooners, Thomas exploded into life during his redshirt junior campaign. He could be more of a backup designated pass-rusher in the NFL. Paschal lost his 2018 season to fighting malignant melanoma, but after beating cancer, he returned to the field in 2019 to put together a quality year for Kentucky. Anderson is tremendous pass rusher who produces quarterback pressure at an insane rate. There's a load of heavy, stout defensive ends who played last college season at 270, 275 or 280 . With Chase Young out for almost all of the season, Sweat was the Commanders . Hall looks like the rare five-technique prospect who is capable of putting pressure on the quarterback. Team sources say Clemons could be a third- or fourth-round pick who develops into being a starter in the NFL. video Kyle Hamilton's 2022 NFL. He doesnt have an elite get-off, but he possesses a good sense of timing around the edge. 7/10/21: Hall was listed as a defensive tackle on NFL teams' preseason watch list, but at his current size, he would have to move to defensive end in the NFL. No one mistakes Enagbare for being a speed rusher, but the former Gamecock does have an enticing skill set with his length, play strength, and bend capacity. He had 57 tackles, 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and one pass defended on the year. The first five selections were defensive players, the second-most taken at the start of a draft after the six in 1991. Which defensive ends currently round out the top 10? His 4.53 40-yard dash, 38 vertical, and 125 broad jump are all reflections of his elite athleticism. The imposing defensive end racked up 12 tackles for loss amongst 31 total tackles. Although Zach Harrison may not be cut from the same cloth as Chase Young and the Bosa brothers, he can still be one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. He possesses a delightful change-of-direction ability, remarkable lateral agility, and, to top it off, he has excellent play speed. Thibodeaux is the top defensive end and is also widely regarded as one of the top players in the entire 2022 NFL Draft class. Moreover, he accounted for 60% of South Carolinas forced fumbles. 4/27/22: Some in the media are projecting Thomas in the first round, but team sources said they don't have him that high. Thomas could be better in 2021 now that he has more starting experience. We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. 3 to SF; get Eagles' No. Ever since his explosive freshman season when the college football world was introduced to Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Oregon DE has been earmarked to be at the top of the 2022 NFL Draft. Since the 2021 draft, the NFL, under 2020 Resolution JC-2A, rewards teams for developing minority candidates for head coach and/or general manager positions. After sending Tarron Jackson to the NFL just months ago, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers have the potential to send another pass rusher to the pros. He follows a trend of undersized edge rushers from Clemson that includes the likes of Vic Beasley and Shaq Lawson. He totaled 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks and six passes broken up in 2021. After an offense-heavy draft in 2021, there is more defensive promise in 2022. Who will be the top defensive ends for the 2022 NFL Draft? He has great strength, violent hands, and a relentless motor. Here is what one area scout said about Anderson around the same time, "I think he goes in the first, but I wouldn't take him in the first because of his run defense and he's just a designated pass rusher. Given his height and weight, however, Ebiketie is not a good fit as a hand-in-the-ground base end for a 4-3 defense. His power certainly comes first, but he does flash great burst off the line, as well as modest ankle flexion around the edge. At 63, 260 pounds, Smith might not appear as imposing as his teammate. 4/27/22: Tisdale recorded eight tackles and zero sacks in 2021 from playing over four games before going out for the season in early October. Anthony will need to increase his pass-rush production and show improvement as a run defender to rise. Tall, strong, and long, Gunter plays the game with a relentless motor. The draft concluded with rounds 4-7 on Saturday, April 30. 2022 NFL Draft l Day 2 ends with yet another receiver picked By The Associated Press April 29, 2022 LAS VEGAS (AP) The Latest on the NFL draft. But if he plays with a hand in the dirt at the NFL level, it could help him attain better leverage, while maximizing his athletic traits. Williams was phenomenal in 2021 and one of the best defensive lineman in the nation. The former five-star recruit who was ranked as the best player in the state of Ohio in the 2019 recruiting class has yet to produce to the level of expectation statistically. The 2022 NFL Draft is now in the books, and the Steelers selected five offensive players and two defensive players to add to the mix. 4/27/22: Chambers played well in 2021, creating a buzz in the scouting community.