Grading Each Positional Group in the 2022 NFL Draft

I am back!!! Let's get some posts on here. No need for a long-winded intro, let's dive into this!

OFFENSE

Quarterbacks: C

Apart from Malik Willis and Sam Howell, who both have their respective issues, no quarterback offers the sheer upside to lead a franchise for the foreseeable future. There are five starter-quality options, though! Similar to the 2021 class, the depth past the top guys is horrible. Only Carson Strong and Bailey Zappe provide any form of starting upside (maybe Kaleb Eleby can grab a roster spot?).

Running Backs: C+

With a lack of top-end talent, this grade is capped. The depth is insane, though! Breece Hall is my RB1 with Kenneth Walker being the only other 3-down potential starter. Guys like Ty Chandler and Keontay Ingram offer some upside late in day three, though!

Tight Ends: D+

With one top option and a few TE 2 options, there is not really anything to rave about here. Watch out for J. Woods and G. Dulcich as potential starters, but the options are thin.

Wide Receivers: B

This class is heavily overrated. Luckily for the prospects in the 2022 draft, not many teams need a true WR1. Garrett Wilson and Drake London are the only two that I feel comfortable putting in that conversation. The rest are WR2s at best and need to be a supporting piece not the primary. The depth is not that great, either. The top-two rounds are loaded, but there is not much after that.

Offensive Tackles: D+

There are three really solid offensive tackles. That is it. Two guys who are older and have some potential sit in that realm as well, but any team needing an actual starter needs to go into the top 10 (cough cough Saints). Guard hopefuls like Kenyon Green and Tyler Smith provide more upside than the two tackles mentioned before. So, yeah, not a good class at all.

Interior Offensive Linemen: B

With Tyler Linderbaum, Zion Johnson, Tyler Smith, Kenyon Green, Sean Rhyan, and more, this guard/ center class actually has some solid options. Even Thayer Munford, Cole Strange, and more provide excellent depth. This IOL class is being slept on.

DEFENSE

Interior Defensive Line: D+

So, there is Jordan Davis and Travis Jones that provide real game-changing ability. No disrespect to Devonte Wyatt, but he is an excellent contributor. The first two can truly potentially stand on their own and be cornerstones. Perrion Winfrey has his issues (and upside!) as does Logan Hall. After those five, it gets scarce quickly.

Edge Rushers: A

Not only is edge stacked at the top of this draft, but it is amazing in the second and third rounds as well. Most drafts might have Kingsley Enagbare be a top-30 pick. He is available in the third round, most likely. Third-day rushers drop off quickly, though. The only real potential talents are Tyreke Smith and Michael Clemons, who both have their issues.

Linebackers: A

I may put this as an A+ when all is said and done. The top does not have a clear leader: Nakobe Dean is a stud but is scheme-specific at his size, Devin Lloyd is solid but nothing out-of-this-world, and Leo Chenal is also scheme-specific. With that sounding negative, I need to

emphasize that these guys have starter talent immediately. Then round two gets even more loaded

with Christian Harris, Brian Asamoah, and others. Even

round three, even round four, is loaded with talent. There

is yet again a big drop-off, but it is much later than most

positions.

Cornerbacks: C+

This draft features very few CB1 potential talents: Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner, Derek Stingley Jr., and Kaiir Elam. Other corners, like Trent McDuffie (scouting report is on the site!) have deficiencies like height and scheme-specificity. The depth is horrible, too. Zyon McCollum is a sleeper to know with perfect size and great athleticism, but he needs time to develop.

Safeties: B-

This class was projected to be A+. Then, three top-tier talents returned (rip). With Kyle Hamilton, Daxton Hill, and others, this class still has damn good talent at the top. Even guys like Kerby Joseph and Nick Cross provide starter potential in the late second to early third. The issue lies in what is after: nothing. I should give this class a C+,

but the top five to seven talents are too damn good.