Which cornerbacks were drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft? Which teams selected them, and how does the 2022 class compare to previous years?
Which Cornerbacks Were Drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Let’s take a look at the CBs drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. The position got off to a fast and furious start, with two players at the position selected in the first four picks. Not surprisingly, things slowed down from there, with just two more cornerbacks getting drafted in the rest of Round 1.
Derek Stingley Jr., LSU | Round 1, Pick 3 | Houston Texans
Derek Stingley’s college career was somewhat upside down. He exploded onto the scene as a freshman with six interceptions in 15 games. However, a combination of COVID and injuries limited him to just 10 more games, and he could not reel in another pick.
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Ultimately, Stingley’s talent and potential ceiling led the Texans to make him the first cornerback drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. Injuries limited him to nine games as a rookie in Houston. Nevertheless, Stingley showed enough to demonstrate that he can be a cornerstone of this secondary for years to come.
Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, Cincinnati | Round 1, Pick 4 | New York Jets
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner was the second CB to be selected inside the top five. While Gardner’s statistics with nine interceptions and 16 passes defensed were impressive, the fact that he didn’t allow a touchdown in his three collegiate campaigns stands out most. As a result, he became the highest-drafted player in the University of Cincinnati’s history.
Gardner exceeded even the loftiest expectations, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year while also becoming the first rookie cornerback in more than four decades to be named a first-team All-Pro.
Trent McDuffie, Washington | Round 1, Pick 21 | Kansas City Chiefs
Trent McDuffie was part of a pair of talented cornerbacks at Washington University. While his statistics didn’t necessarily jump off the page, McDuffie was viewed as an NFL-ready CB worthy of his first-round selection. And he came through for the eventual Super Bowl champions, starting 11 games while issuing 44 tackles and a sack.
Kaiir Elam, Florida | Round 1, Pick 23 | Buffalo Bills
Kaiir Elam was another player who didn’t blow away scouts with his statistics. However, viewed as one of the most pro-ready cornerbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft class, Elam headed to a high-stakes situation on an AFC title contender. He fit right in, garnering two interceptions and 41 tackles in 13 games — including six starts.
Rounds 2-7
5) Roger McCreary, Auburn
R2-P35 | Titans
6) Kyler Gordon, Washington
R2-P39 | Bears
7) Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
R2-P42 | Vikings
8) Alontae Taylor, Tennessee
R2-P49 | Saints
9) Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska
R2-P60 | Bengals
10) Martin Emerson, Mississippi State
R3-P68 | Browns
11) Marcus Jones, Houston
R3-P85 | Patriots
12) Coby Bryant, Cincinnati
R4-P109 | Seahawks
13) Damarri Mathis, Pitt
R4-P115 | Broncos
14) Akayleb Evans, Missouri
R4-P118 | Vikings
15) Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama
R4-P119 | Ravens
16) Jack Jones, Arizona State
R4-P121 | Patriots
17) Joshua Williams, Fayetteville State
R4-P135 | Chiefs
18) Damarion Williams, Houston
R4-P141 | Ravens
19) Decobie Durant, SC State
R4-P142 | Rams
20) Tariq Woolen, UTSA
R5-P153 | Seahawks
21) Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State
R5-P157 | Buccaneers
22) DaRon Bland, Fresno State
R5-P167 | Cowboys
23) Samuel Womack, Toledo
R5-P172 | 49ers
24) Christian Benford, Villanova
R6-P185 | Bills
25) Gregory Junior, Ouachita Baptist
R6-P197 | Jaguars
26) Derion Kendrick, Georgia
R6-P212 | Rams
27) Ja’Sir Taylor, Wake Forest
R6-P214 | Chargers
28) Tariq Castro-Fields, Penn State
R7-P221 | 49ers
29) Montaric Brown, Arkansas
R7-P222 | Jaguars
30) Faion Hicks, Wisconsin
R7-P232 | Broncos
31) Deane Leonard, Ole Miss
R7-P236 | Chargers
32) Chase Lucas, Arizona State
R7-P237 | Lions
33) Christian Holmes, Oklahoma State
R7-P240 | Commanders
34) Kalon Barnes, Baylor
R7-P242 | Panthers
35) Jaylen Watson, Washington State
R7-P243 | Chiefs
36) Christian Matthew, Valdosta State
R7-P244 | Cardinals
How Many Cornerbacks Were Drafted in 2022?
There were 36 cornerbacks selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. This fell just short of the 37 that were drafted in 2021. A total of 55 DBs were selected throughout the 2022 draft. That falls short of the 2021 number (59) but is higher than any other single draft since 56 were taken in 2017.
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Prognosticators had suggested as many as six cornerbacks could be picked in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. So it was a bit surprising that only four came off the board in the opening frame. And while it marked the lowest number of first-round CBs in the last three drafts, it was on par with the average number of cornerbacks drafted in Round 1 in the previous 10 years (4.1).