NFL Draft 2022 - Round 2

The Buccaneers address a need with their first pick, getting a quick, explosive versatile pass rusher for Todd Bowles to help replenish depth after not bringing back aging Jason Pierre-Paul.

Grade: B

(from JAX)

Watson rose up draft boards after his incredible athletic display at the Combine. He has ideal size (6-4, 208 pounds) and he taps well into his speed. He will continue to get better operating as Aaron Rodgers’ new young outside No. 1. He is a vertical threat but can be more than that and will round out into a complete receiver.

Grade: A+

(from MIN via LV)

The Titans didn’t have a pressing need at defensive back but took one of the best players available. McCreary has the size, physicality and fluity to play in anywhere in downfield coverage.

Grade: B

(from NYJ)

The Jets make the first running back for someone who fits their zone scheme, but they get a little docked for not trading up for Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker instead. Hall stands out with his ability to elude tacklers and explode for big plays in the open field. He will start out as a home-run hitter to complement second-year player Michael Carter but can turn into a complete feature back.

Grade: B

(from NYG via CAR)

After losing safety Justin Reid in free agency and taking Derek Stingley Jr. for outside corner, the Texans land a hybrid cover man and run support player for Lovie Smith. He can work the slot well and is comfortable with his instincts in man and zone.

Grade: A

The Falcons had a putrid pass rush last year (only 18 sacks) and wanted to jump on a high-upside sack artist  of choice for their 3-4. Ebiketie offers good natural strength and explosiveness and can round out into a complete outside linebacker after initially producing situationally.

Grade: A

(from NYG)

The Bears were awful in cornerback coverage away from rising young star Jaylen Johnson last season and needed to make this a priority with their first pick. Gordon is a nice-sized cover man who gets physical and aggressive to make plays on the ball.

Grade: A

The Seahawks needed to revamp their pass rush with a high-energy player for Pete Carroll. Mafe got some late first-round consideration for showing off his athleticism and explosiveness in getting after the QB during the draft evaluation season.

Grade: A+

(from DEN)

There’s nothing wrong with Walker being the second running back taken after Breece Hall, but it’s a shaky pick for Seattle after one-time questionable first-rounder Rashaad Penny’s late breakout and Chris Carson still being a factor when healthy. That said, both players have major durability issues and between this pick and first-round tackle Charles Cross, the Seahawks are trying to restore their power run-heavy approach minus Russell Wilson.

Grade: B-

The Vikings brought back fading Patrick Peterson because of hurting depth but they still need to address corner to get the ideal complement to well-rounded Cameron Dantzler. Booth's size, strength and aggressiveness that add up to big plays on the ball make him an ideal protegé for Peterson.

Grade A+

(from IND)

Robinson is a big playmaker out of the slot, both with quickness after the catch and some speed to get downfield. The Giants needed more dangerous weapons for Daniel Jones, so it will be interesting to see what happens with the roles of Sterling Shepard and 2021 first-rounder Kadarius Toney after this pick.

Grade: B

(from ATL)

Metchie uses his technical skills, including quickness and route-running, to flat-out make big plays. The Texans moved up to get his outside No. 1 qualities to pair with Nico Collins and Brandin Cooks to boost  the strong-armed Davis Mills in Year 2.

Grade: B

(from CLE)

The Ravens love Odafe Oweh, their late first-rounder from 2021 and Ojabo is his best friend and also was inspired by his explosive, relentless play in getting after the quarterback, a reason why he rose up boards fast through the Combine before suffering an Achilles' injury at his pro day. Baltimore can stash Ojabo for the future as an impactful situational pass rusher at first.

Grade: A+

The Lions make a questionable pick of a Day 3 prospect but at least he makes sense to support No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson in upgrading the edge. Paschal is a reliable rock of a pass rusher with some sturdiness against the run who could work to be more explosive.

Grade: C

(from MIN via WAS)

Mathis is a beefy nose option but also has some inside pass-rush burst. He just will be limited to being a rotational player in their strong front four behind Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, also Crimson Tide products.

Grade: B-

(from IND)

This is an indication the Bears will feature more three-safety looks in their secondary given Eddie Jackson and DeAndre Houston-Carson are pretty productive, although Jackson is deciling a bit. They went best defensive player available here, as Brisker is adept at making plays all over the field with his great speed and range plus smarts to read quarterbacks well in coverage.

Grade: A

(from LAC)

The Saints join the Lions in taking a Day 3 talent, but he does feel a need to help in slot coverage with their strengths lying on the perimeter and safety for Dennis Allen. Taylor offers good size and fluidity for zone coverage.

Grade: C

With better big-play wideouts such as Skyy Moore and George Pickens on the board, the Patriots made a shaky trade up for a deep Day 3 talent. Thornton with an ideal frame (6-2, 181 pounds) is an extremely fast receiver (see his 4.28 in the 40) and will provide Mac Jones with a needed perimeter vertical threat, but it feels more like a classic Raiders pick than a Bill Belichick one this early.

Grade: C

(from KC)

The Eagles do address a need with retiring Brandon Brooks and aging Jason Kelce with a potential future interior starter, but Jurgens is backup material first. He is a compact well-rounded blocker, but with his athleticism needing to be developed more, he just was a more comfortable Day 3 pick.

Grade: C

Pickens is an intriguing physical size-speed prospect to pair with first-round QB Kenny Pickett, giving them extra playmaking pop beyond Diontee Johnson and Chase Claypool, tapping into Pickett’s deep-ball accuracy.  The Steelers are confident he will be more durable and put his intangibles together in the NFL. 

Grade: A

Pierce is another dynamic size-speed prospect because he can both stretch the field with his frame and also use his body to win on possession routes. He’s the ideal complement to another nice-sized target, Michael Pittman Jr. and can be an immediate impact receiver for Matt Ryan.

Grade: B

(from MIN via GB via LV)

The Chiefs can get excited about a potential Tyreek Hill replacement with great big-play upside coming out of the slot. Skyy can really fly in a similar frame to Hill (5-10, 195 pounds) and has blazing playing speed. Patrick Mahomes has someone new to track his accurate deep balls off his strong arm. Moore can also burn after the catch.

Grade: A+

(from MIA)

McBride is the top tight end prospect in this class with his strong frame, hands and toughness to go along with his ability to stretch the saem as a route-runner. It’s just a bit curious for the Cardinals given they re-signed both Zach Ertz and Maxx Williams. McBride will need to wait until 2023 to have impact in their 12 personnel.

Grade: B 

The Cowboys needed to improve their speed and burst in getting to the QB minus Randy Gregory and this is an ideal pick with solid value. Williams is also strong, athletic and smart, using a variety of power and finesse pass-rush moves to get to the quarterback. 

Grade: A

The Buccaneers trade up to fill a need inside after losing Ali Marpet to retirement and Alex Cappa in free agency. Goedeke, a converted tight end, is limited to guard as a powerful run blocker with a mean streak. It was a bit early to jump on more of a Day 3 talent.

Grade: B-

The Falcons had a need to an active tackler and playmaker after losing Foyesade Oluokun in free agency. Anderson can do just about everything effectively. He brings good smarts and work ethic to plug and play.

Grade: B

(from TEN)

Ingram is a solid inside pass protector who still has room to grow as a run blocker, but he has the athletic profile the Vikings like. Although he was a Day 3 prospect on some boards, the situation gives him a good chance to start at guard for them as a rookie.

Grade: B+

(from GB)

The Bengals needed to give themselves more secondary depth with shaky Eli Apple complementing Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton. Taylor-Britt is an experienced and aggressive cover man who needs some polish to go from flashy ballhawk to well-rounded in coverage.

Grade: A

(from BUF via TB)

The 49ers needed some pass-rush versatility behind Nick Bosa and this is a good first pick from this class that aligns with the value. Jackson is a good fit in their scheme with his agility.

Grade: A

The Chiefs needed good rotational safety depth behind Justin Reid and Juan Thornhill with Daniel Sorenson not returning. Cook is smart and physical and profiles as a potential starter, hitting hard and cleaning up all over the field.

Grade: B

The Bills needed more reliable speed and quickness in a complementary role to late-season breakout Devin Singletary. Cook can’t be a workhorse like older brother Dalvin but he can provide some big-play juice playing off Josh Allen’s downfield passing game. He should take over as their primary receiver from the backfield.

Grade: A

(from CIN)

Bonitto has good versatility and quickness. He’s just as comfortable going after the quarterback as he is dropping back in help in coverage. With Randy Gregory expected to play up front in the 3-4, Bonitto is the ideal outside linebacker complement to Bradley Chubb.

Grade: A

(from LAR)