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    NFL Draft Grades 2022 Analysis and grades for all 7 rounds in 2021 NFL Draft
    A Jaguars fan in the crowd holds a DUUUVAL Draft sign during the team's NFL Draft party Thursday evening. Jacksonville Jaguar fans showed up at Daily's Place for the 2022 NFL Draft party which saw the Jaguars pick University of Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker as their first pick of the draft where the team had the first overall draft pick Thursday evening, April 28, 2022. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union] Jki 042822 Jags2022draftpa 11
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    NFL Draft Grades 2022: Analysis and grades for all 7 rounds in 2022 NFL Draft

    With the 2022 NFL Draft over, how did the draft classes for all the teams grade? Which teams impressed and who struggled?

    By Ryan Gosling

    With the 2022 NFL Draft now in the books, how do the grades for every team shape up? Which NFL teams impressed, and which teams’ grades suffered because of some questionable selections?

    In case you missed some of the action, make sure to check out the full 2022 NFL Draft results.

    NFL Draft Grades 2022 | NFC East

    Here are the 2022 NFL Draft grades for the four NFC East teams.

    Dallas Cowboys

    • Round 1, Pick 24: Tyler Smith
      OT, Tulsa
      Grade: D-
    • Round 2, Pick 56: Sam Williams
      DE, Ole Miss
      Grade: B-
    • Round 3, Pick 88: Jalen Tolbert
      WR, South Alabama
      Grade: A+
    • Round 4, Pick 129: Jake Ferguson
      TE, Wisconsin
      Grade: A-
    • Round 5, Pick 155: Matt Waletzko
      OT, North Dakota
      Grade: A+
    • Round 5, Pick 167: DaRon Bland
      CB, Fresno State
      Grade: B+
    • Round 5, Pick 176: Damone Clark
      LB, LSU
      Grade: B+
    • Round 5, Pick 178: John Ridgeway
      DT, Arkansas
      Grade: A
    • Round 6, Pick 193: Devin Harper
      LB, Oklahoma State
      Grade: A-

    The selection of Tyler Smith on Day 1 set a tone that felt like it would be impossibly difficult to overcome. However, pick after pick, the Dallas Cowboys slowly but surely rebuilt their draft grade with a selection of significant picks. One of those, Matt Waletzko, all but confirms that Smith’s long-term future is on the interior. Damone Clark won’t play immediately, but he’ll be an impact player in the future.

    John Ridgeway might not feel like a sexy pick right now, but he can be the anchor of the defensive front for years to come. When you consider that a lot of fans wanted Jordan Davis to perform that role, it’s better value. Sam Williams almost feels like a perfect fit for the Cowboys in ways that are both good and not so great. The Cowboys hit all their needs – and some with impeccable value. But, the value of the 24th overall pick casts a cloud over their overall draft grade.

    Overall Grade: B-

    To see a full analysis of the Cowboys draft class, check out the Cowboys 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    New York Giants

    The new regime in charge of the New York Giants couldn’t have asked for a better start than the selections of Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal. Securing franchise-altering, game-changing pieces on either side of the trenches was exactly what was required. They emerged from Day 1 triumphant. However, maybe a little bit of the old Giants mindset emerged on Day 2 and 3.

    There were some questionable choices, highlighted by the over-drafting of Wan’Dale Robinson. There were a couple more reaches – I’m looking at you in particular, Cordale Flott – and bizarrely, the Giants selected prospects on a North Carolina offensive line that was routinely blamed for Sam Howell’s demise. Finishing in a similar euphoric style they started with, they get a linebacker bargain in Darrian Beavers. It wasn’t quite the success that Day 1 had promised, but it was a success nonetheless.

    Overall Grade: B

    To see a full analysis of the Giants draft class, check out the Giants 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    Philadelphia Eagles

    An extremely active Philadelphia Eagles team was entertaining early in the 2022 NFL Draft. Trading up to catch – not literally, my word – a falling star in Jordan Davis, they plugged a need with a player who has the potential for greatness with his sheer size and freakish athletic prowess. With the top wide receivers off the table, landing a proven product via trade in A.J. Brown might prove to be a stroke of genius.

    Cameron Jurgens felt like a reach, but it was reported that was his range, and the Eagles grabbed an offensive lineman with versatility and talent. Howie Roseman getting a first-round-caliber linebacker without using a first-round pick was quite the workaround to maintain historical precedent. Time will tell if the severity of Nakobe Dean’s injury impacts his NFL career, but a third-round pick is essentially nothing. The Eagles’ overall grade from the 2022 NFL Draft could have been elite. Nonetheless, failure to address what is arguably their biggest need at cornerback chips away at it a little.

    Overall Grade: B+

    To see a full analysis of the Eagles draft class, check out the Eagles 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    Washington Commanders

    • Round 1, Pick 16: Jahan Dotson
      WR, Penn State
      Grade: D-
    • Round 2, Pick 47: Phidarian Mathis
      DT, Alabama
      Grade: C-
    • Round 3, Pick 98: Brian Robinson Jr.
      RB, Alabama
      Grade: B-
    • Round 4, Pick 113: Percy Butler
      S, Louisiana
      Grade: C-
    • Round 5, Pick 144: Sam Howell
      QB, North Carolina
      Grade: A
    • Round 5, Pick 149: Cole Turner
      TE, Nevada
      Grade: B-
    • Round 7, Pick 230: Chris Paul
      OT, Tulsa
      Grade: B
    • Round 7, Pick 240: Christian Holmes
      CB, Oklahoma State
      Grade: C

    Let’s start with the bright spots. Because after that, it goes downhill pretty quickly for the Washington Commanders. Getting Sam Howell in the fifth round is Grade A work. Yes, there are holes in his game, but there were also holes in his offensive line. After Kenny Pickett, Howell might be the most likely rookie to make the starting job his own. When he does, Jahan Dotson could be his go-to guy.

    That doesn’t stop the Penn State pass catcher from being a ginormous reach at 16. If there’s any consolation for Commanders fans, Dotson has extensive experience catching wayward passes from an average QB (that doesn’t relate to Howell). The 1-2 punch of Dotson and Phidarian Mathis set a tone that the Commanders’ class never really recovered from. Boy, does Washington love Alabama defensive tackles.

    Overall Grade: C

    To see a full analysis of the Commanders draft class, check out the Commanders 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    NFL Draft Grades 2022 | NFC North

    Here are the 2022 NFL Draft grades for the NFC North teams so far.

    Chicago Bears

    • Round 2, Pick 39: Kyler Gordon
      CB, Washington
      Grade: B+
    • Round 2, Pick 48: Jaquan Brisker
      S, Penn State
      Grade: B+
    • Round 3, Pick 71: Velus Jones Jr.
      WR, Tennessee
      Grade: F
    • Round 5, Pick 168: Braxton Jones
      OT, Southern Utah
      Grade: B
    • Round 5, Pick 174: Dominique Robinson
      EDGE, Miami (OH)
      Grade: A
    • Round 6, Pick 186: Zachary Thomas
      OT, San Diego State
      Grade: B-
    • Round 6, Pick 203: Trestan Ebner
      RB, Baylor
      Grade: C+
    • Round 6, Pick 207: Doug Kramer
      C, Illinois
      Grade: B+
    • Round 7, Pick 226: Ja’Tyre Carter
      OT, Southern
      Grade: B+
    • Round 7, Pick 254: Elijah Hicks
      S, California
      Grade: C+
    • Round 7, Pick 255: Trenton Gill
      P, NC State
      Grade: C

    Without a first-round pick, the Bears struggled to get elite talent added to their roster. Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker were tabbed first-round picks at one point, but fell to 39th and 48th, respectively. Chicago didn’t address the offensive line need until the fifth round. Braxton Jones, Zachary Thomas, and Doug Kramer were all good at the collegiate level, but it feels like Justin Fields is going to get his cardio in this fall again.

    Overall Grade: D

    To see a full analysis of the Bears draft class, check out the Bears 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    Detroit Lions

    The Detroit Lions have officially entered the Bryce Young/CJ Stroud sweepstakes by not selecting a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft. Which is fine considering the talent they brought in elsewhere. They kept Aidan Hutchinson home with the second overall pick and added a monster at 12 in WR Jameson Wiliams. Josh Paschal felt like a bit of a reach, but Kerby Joseph brings great football IQ to the defense. Two highly underrated picks came on Day 3 when they added TE James Mitchell and LB Malcolm Rodriguez.

    Overall Grade: B+

    To see a full analysis of the Lions draft class, check out the Lions 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    Green Bay Packers

    Nearly everyone anticipated the Packers to take a wide receiver with one of their first-round picks, but the staff had other plans. Days 1 and 2 brought in Quay Walker, Devonte Wyatt, Christian Watson, and Sean Rhyan. The final day featured Romeo Doubs, Zach Tom, Kingsley Enagbare, Tariq Carpenter, Jonathan Ford, Rasheed Walker, and Samori Toure. It might not have been the draft many anticipated, but there’s some great talent on the back end, and the receiver need was filled as well.

    Overall Grade: B

    To see a full analysis of the Packers draft class, check out the Packers 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    Minnesota Vikings

    In honor of former General Manager Rick Spielman, the Vikings kept the tradition of trading back going by trading with the Detroit Lions. Days 1 and 2 featured Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr., two players that will elevate a secondary that needs talent. The Ed Ingram pick was a stretch for many reasons, but Brian Asamoah brings great athleticism to the linebacker room. Day 3 was hit or miss. Esezi Otomewo and Vederian Lowe are picks that felt like reaches, while Akayleb Evans, Ty Chandler, and Jalen Nailor are more proven commodities.

    Overall Grade: B+

    To see a full analysis of the Vikings draft class, check out the Vikings 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    NFL Draft Grades 2022 | NFC South

    Here are the 2022 NFL Draft grades for the NFC South teams so far.

    Atlanta Falcons

    There were some genuine home runs for the Atlanta Falcons in Las Vegas. Looking back with the benefit of hindsight, if their plan all along was to take Desmond Ridder in this 2022 NFL Draft class, then the selection of Drake London is a genius move given how Ridder used Alec Pierce and Josh Whyle in Cincinnati.

    Landing Arnold Ebiketie was excellent value for a player many thought might sniff the first round. Between Ebiketie and DeAngelo Malone, one of them is going to be the pass-rush star Falcons fans have been yearning for. Troy Andersen was a slight reach for me, and John FitzPatrick doesn’t remotely move the needle even as late-round investments go. However, I think Falcons fans should be happy with how things panned out, especially given how the board fell early on.

    Overall Grade: B+

    To see a full analysis of the Falcons draft class, check out the Falcons 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    Carolina Panthers

    With all the concern about how the Carolina Panthers were going to over-draft a QB at pick 6 and ultimately end up with a car crash of a 2022 NFL Draft class, they actually put on something of a masterclass of getting value. If Christian McCaffrey stays healthy, Ikem Ekwonu is going to single-handedly guarantee him a 2,000-yard season. They got the quarterback they wanted, good value at linebacker and edge, and added another vicious offensive lineman in Cade Mays. All in all, a much greater success than anyone could possibly have imagined.

    Overall Grade: B+

    To see a full analysis of the Panthers draft class, check out the Panthers 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    New Orleans Saints

    • Round 1, Pick 11: Chris Olave
      WR, Ohio State
      Grade: B-
    • Round 1, Pick 19: Trevor Penning
      OT, Northern Iowa
      Grade: A
    • Round 2, Pick 49: Alontae Taylor
      CB, Tennesee
      Grade: F
    • Round 5, Pick 161: D’Marco Jackson
      LB, Appalachian State
      Grade: A
    • Round 6, Pick 194: Jordan Jackson
      DT, Air Force
      Grade: C

    The New Orleans Saints came into the 2022 NFL Draft with two clear objectives as far as I’m concerned. Those were adding a playmaker and a pass protector for QB Jameis Winston. With the objective secured on Day 1, the rest of the draft was something of a mixed bag. While I love Alontae Taylor, pick 49 felt like a reach for the Tennessee cornerback.

    D’Marco Jackson was a testing warrior whose times translated to tape, and he was rewarded with a fifth-round pick, which I feel was warranted. However, they reached again for Air Force defensive tackle Jordan Jackson with better DTs on the board. Did the Saints get better? Yes. Could they have done better? Also yes.

    Overall Grade: C

    To see a full analysis of the Saints draft class, check out the Saints 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers

    • Round 2, Pick 33: Logan Hall
      DT, Houston
      Grade: B+
    • Round 2, Pick 57: Luke Goedeke
      G, Central Michigan
      Grade: B+
    • Round 3, Pick 91: Rachaad White
      RB, Arizona State
      Grade: B+
    • Round 4, Pick 106: Cade Otton
      TE, Washington
      Grade: B
    • Round 4, Pick 133: Jake Camarda
      P, Georgia
      Grade: A
    • Round 5, Pick 157: Zyon McCollum
      CB, Sam Houston State
      Grade: A+
    • Round 6, Pick 218: Ko Kieft
      TE, Minnesota
      Grade: B
    • Round 7, Pick 248: Andre Anthony
      EDGE, LSU
      Grade: C

    The Tampa Bay Buccaneers weren’t a team with a whole raft of needs coming into the 2022 NFL Draft. Yet, you leave Las Vegas with the feeling that somehow, they got significantly better. While some fans struggle to get overly excited by the selection of a Central Michigan OT, Luke Goedeke could develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber guard for the Bucs.

    They added the best pass-catching running back to an offense operated by a quarterback who made James White look like the best running back in the world at times. Rachaad White is going to be a star in Tampa Bay. The Bucs stole Sam Houston State CB Zyon McCollum in the fifth.

    Overall Grade: B+

    To see a full analysis of the Buccaneers draft class, check out the Buccaneers 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    NFL Draft Grades 2022 | NFC West

    Here are the 2022 NFL Draft grades for the NFC West teams so far.

    Arizona Cardinals

    • Round 2, Pick 55: Trey McBride
      TE, Colorado State
      Grade: A
    • Round 3, Pick 87: Cameron Thomas
      DE, San Diego State
      Grade: B+
    • Round 3, Pick 100: Myjai Sanders
      EDGE, Cincinnati
      Grade: C+
    • Round 6, Pick 201: Keaontay Ingram
      RB, USC
      Grade: A
    • Round 6, Pick 215: Lecitus Smith
      G, Virginia Tech
      Grade: A
    • Round 7, Pick 244: Christian Matthew
      CB, Valdosta State
      Grade: D
    • Round 7, Pick 256: Jesse Luketa
      EDGE, Penn State
      Grade: A
    • Round 7, Pick 257: Marquis Hayes
      G, Oklahoma
      Grade: A+

    The early-round picks weren’t tough sells for the Cardinals, but it wasn’t a home run group, either. And with a big gap from Round 3 to Round 6, it might’ve been hard for Arizona to bridge the gap. That said, the Cardinals played the board very well past the 200th pick. Keaontay Ingram, Lecitus Smith, Jesse Luketa, and Marquis Hayes were all high-value selections, relative to their consensus rankings. The Cardinals left something to be desired at positions of need like WR and DT, but their Day 3 performance bumped them up at least a notch from Days 1 and 2.

    Overall Grade: C+

    To see a full analysis of the Cardinals draft class, check out the Cardinals 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    Los Angeles Rams

    • Round 3, Pick 104: Logan Bruss
      OL, Wisconsin
      Grade: C-
    • Round 4, Pick 142: Decobie Durant
      CB, South Carolina State
      Grade: A-
    • Round 5, Pick 164: Kyren Williams
      RB, Notre Dame
      Grade: C+
    • Round 6, Pick 211: Quentin Lake
      S, UCLA
      Grade: B-
    • Round 6, Pick 212: Derion Kendrick
      CB, Georgia
      Grade: C+
    • Round 7, Pick 235: Daniel Hardy
      EDGE, Montana State
      Grade: A
    • Round 7, Pick 253: Russ Yeast
      S, Kansas State
      Grade: B+
    • Round 7, Pick 261: AJ Arcuri
      OT, Michigan State
      Grade: B+

    With no pick in the Top 100, it was going to be difficult for the Rams to make much noise with their 2022 NFL Draft. And to be fair, as the defending Super Bowl champions, they didn’t need to. Nevertheless, the 2022 NFL Draft class for the Rams did leave a bit more to be desired. Logan Bruss, while a solid player, was a bit of a reach on Day 2. Kyren Williams may not have been a necessary pick. The same goes for Derion Kendrick, who might not have the athleticism to stick around for long. Creative late-round picks like Decobie Durant, Daniel Hardy, and Russ Yeast gave this group a boost, but it’s still closer to average than spectacular.

    Overall Grade: C

    To see a full analysis of the Rams draft class, check out the Rams 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    San Francisco 49ers

    Getting their draft started at No. 61, the San Francisco 49ers arguably got their guy who fits their defense best. Drake Jackson has bend and strength, a great get-off, and terrific athleticism. Jackson’s upside is great, and he adds a nice complement opposite Nick Bosa.

    The 49ers then went AWOL and selected Tyrion Davis-Price from LSU. There were certainly other much more talented running backs on the board. There definitely were other positions of need on the board in general at pick No. 93. We know the 49ers aren’t shy at taking or signing running backs, but this one is a shocker.

    Overall Grade: C+

    To see a full analysis of the 49ers draft class, check out the 49ers 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    Seattle Seahawks

    The Seahawks came out of the early rounds on uncertain ground after bringing talented running back Kenneth Walker into a congested running back room. But they more than recovered with a strong Day 3 performance. Coby Bryant is an early starter at cornerback, while Tariq Woolen is a worthwhile gamble on traits in Round 5. In Round 7, the Seahawks stacked two promising receivers in Bo Melton and Dareke Young. Melton, in particular, has the tools to be a weapon on offense sooner rather than later. Meanwhile, Boye Mafe and Tyreke Smith both bolster the edge rush. Questions still remain for some of these picks, but the Seahawks took a few steps in the right direction.

    Overall Grade: B

    To see a full analysis of the Seahawks draft class, check out the Seahawks 2022 NFL Draft grades.

    Next Page: NFL Draft Grades 2022 | AFC

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