The numbers for the prospects on offense are in, and now the attention turns to the defense. With eye-popping numbers coming in amongst specific drills at the 2022 NFL Combine, can the front-seven prospects continue the excitement? As we inch closer to the 2022 NFL Draft, let’s see how these prospects test in some of their final appearances before draft night. PFN has everything you need to know, including how to watch the 2022 NFL Combine.
How to watch the 2022 DL/LB NFL Combine drills
- Start Time: 4 PM ET
- Channel: NFL Network
- Live Stream Options:
- Sling
- Hulu + Live TV
- fuboTV
- YouTube TV
- NFL Mobile App
What to expect from the 2022 DL/LB drills
As opposed to the big boys on the offensive line, it appears as though the top-tier talent from the defensive line will be on full display at the 2022 NFL Combine. Currently, Pro Football Network’s Chief NFL Draft Analyst Tony Pauline has three defensive ends ranked among the top five overall prospects on Pro Football Network’s Top 300 Big Board.
They are Oregon Ducks DE Kayvon Thibodeaux coming in first overall, Michigan Wolverines DE Aidan Hutchinson at second, and Purdue Boilermakers DE George Karlaftis fifth overall. These are the only three defensive ends on Pauline’s big board with first-round grades.
The next edge rusher — Georgia Bulldogs DE Travon Walker — comes in at No. 25 overall but with a second-round grade. However, from first to 25th, there’s only one defensive tackle, Walker’s fellow teammate Jordan Davis (11th overall).
While the Day 1 talent might be thin, the 2022 defensive line class is deep in Day 2 talent. Keep an eye out for those second and third-round steals.
Can the Combine help define a deep linebacker class?
Saying the defensive line class has depth is an understatement compared to the other positional group taking the field today at the 2022 NFL Combine. Pauline currently has 15 linebackers within the first 66 prospects. This count does include Michigan Wolverine David Ojabo being labeled as an outside linebacker. However, according to Pauline, he ranks as the highest LB and the sixth overall prospect.
Just one spot behind him is Utah Ute OLB Devin Lloyd. The difference between these two is extremely minimal as far as their ranking goes.
However, Lloyd will hope to have a strong Combine performance to keep Georgia Bulldog ILB Nakobe Dean behind him in the rankings. These three have a whole cavalcade of LBs behind them poised to boost their draft stock in line with the top dogs.
This group includes Oklahoma Sooners Nik Bonitto and Brian Asamoah, Georgia’s Channing Tindall and Adam Anderson, Alabama’s Christian Harris, and many more. It will be intriguing to see what the LB rankings look like when the 2022 NFL Combine concludes.
Stay tuned to Pro Football Network
PFN will have boots on the ground in Indianapolis to give you the latest updates from the Combine. Be sure to tune into PFN’s Twitch channel at 2 PM ET on weekdays as well. Pro Football Network Daily’s host Cody Roark brings you the latest news and updates from around the NFL.