The first round of the 2022 NFL draft was full of surprises, included plenty of trades, and featured a few head-scratching selections.
Some of those surprising picks left plenty of the draft’s top-rated players still available for Day 2, which will feature rounds two and three.
Here are the best players still on the board on the second day of the draft, which begins Friday night at 7 p.m.:
Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean
Despite being a tad undersized (6-0, 225), Dean was the heart of the Georgia defense. He’s a rangy playmaker who fires into gaps and strikes defenders. The only concerns about his game center on his size and the possibility that he might be forced to run around blocks in the NFL.
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis
Willis has a cannon for an arm, and can threaten defenses with his legs. He has the speed and athleticism needed to pick up chunk yardage, and proved that by rushing for 2,131 yards during his college career. The biggest concern is that he has sloppy mechanics, and doesn’t attack the middle of the field consistently.
Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr.
Booth, who pulled down five interceptions in his last two seasons at Clemson, has good size (6-0, 194), long arms and loose hips. He plays the position with the confidence, and route recognition a cornerback needs to cover elite receivers. Problem is, he was only a one-year starter at Clemson.
Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick
Kendrick is a high-ceiling prospect who has the type of competitive demeanor to play at an All-Pro level in time, and he has excellent body control. Teams must get past a few character concerns for him to become a top-50 selection.
Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon
Gordon, who had a phenomenal final season at Washington, is at his best when he’s in off-man coverage. He’s aggressive in run support and has impressive leaping ability. The fact he can play the nickel spot and has special teams experience makes him a heavy workload option for whichever team drafts him.
Penn State pass rusher Arnold Ebiketie
The Temple transfer showcased explosive pass-rushing traits during his one season at Penn State, where he produced 62 tackles and 9.5 sacks. He’s a tad small (6-2, 250) for an edge rusher, but plays with power and physicality.
Michigan State tailback Kenneth Walker III
Walker led all Power-5 running backs in rushing in his one season at Michigan State after transferring from Wake Forest. He had 1,636 yards and 18 touchdowns in helping lead the Spartans to an 11-2 record and win over Pitt in the Peach Bowl.
Iowa State tailback Breece Hall
Hall has an NFL-ready body at 5-foot-11, 217 pounds, and he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash to boot. Hall’s combine performance complemented his on-field production with the Cyclones where he ran for 1,472 yards and 20 touchdowns. He has size, speed and explosion.
Colorado State tight end Trey McBride
McBride, who caught 164 passes for 2,100 yards and scored 10 touchdowns, has elite ball skills and the quickness needed to get open against NFL linebackers. He goes hard as a blocker, which gives him a chance to be a three-down tight end. But he has average speed and isn’t elusive with the ball in his hands.
North Dakota receiver Christian Watson
Watson, who caught 105 passes for 2,139 yards and 14 touchdowns in his four seasons, is one of the best athletes in this draft. At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds — and running a 4.3 time in the 40-yard dash — he’s a physical specimen that could blossom quickly if paired with the right quarterbacks.
Alabama linebacker Christian Harris
Harris is a true three-down linebacker with loose hips, speed and athleticism needed to cover in space. His quickness and speed allow him to beat blockers, but he also has the size (6-2, 230) needed work in traffic. However, offenses seemed to target him in coverage in college and that could become an issue in the NFL.
Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker
Brisker is a fast and instinctive safety who has the skill set to play in the box, the post, and serve as a nickel cornerback. He can hold his own against the run and has ball skills (five interceptions in three seasons). He tends to stare down quarterbacks and lacks route recognition, so it could be a season or two before he’s ready to be viewed as a reliable NFL starter.
Michigan defensive end David Ojabo
Ojabo might have been a first-round pick if he didn’t tear his ACL at his pro day in April. Before the injury, his athleticism allowed him to close on plays effectively. He logged 11 sacks in the 2021 season, but that was the only season he thrived in his collegiate career.
Baylor safety Jalen Pitre
Pitre is a rangy, fast, physical safety who has the skill set to play in the box, and could potentially excel as a nickel cornerback. He played the star position in his final two seasons at Baylor, and pulled down four interceptions while recording 30 tackles for loss and six sacks in those two years. His lack of size (5-foot-11, 198 pounds) might limit him as a blitzer, but it’s clear that this top-100 talent will eventually develop into an NFL starter, and could potentially be a Pro Bowl talent. Expect him to be selected by the third round.
LSU linebacker Damone Clark
Clark is a large (6-3, 245) well-proportioned linebacker whose length and speed help him in coverage. He has an aggressive temperament, and his effort is never lacking. While he was highly productive (135 tackles, 5.5 sacks and one interception) in his final season at LSU there’s still room for growth and improvement.
Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall
While Tindall was a role player for the Bulldogs’ elite defense, he flashed playmaking ability and traits that indicate he’s an athletic mover who could become a sideline-to-sideline defender. The only knock on Tindall is that he seems hesitant when dropping into zones. But he can be a core special teams player who brings value to the third phase of the game.
Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder
Ridder was a winner at Cincinnati in his four years as a starter, consistently keeping the Bearcats atop the American Athletic Conference and leading the team to a College Football Playoff berth last season. His accuracy and ball placement needs work to be considered a viable NFL passer, but he also possesses tremendous athleticism behind center, running a 4.52-second 40-yard dash.
Sam Houston cornerback Zyon McCollum
McCollum, a five-year starter for an FCS program, is a ballhawk (13 interceptions) who has a good combination of size (6-2, 200) and speed (4.33 in the 40-yard dash). He’s instinctive, possesses phenomenal ball skills, and catches the ball at its highest point. He’s also physical against the run. His biggest challenge will be adjusting to wideouts who match his size, speed and athleticism.
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell
Howell’s 3,056 yards passing and 24 touchdowns in 2021 can actually be considered a down year after he threw for 3,500 or more yards and 30-plus touchdowns each of his first two seasons. That was a byproduct of losing receiver Dyami Brown and the big running game he had with backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter. But Howell has the talent to become an NFL starter, and might be the sleeper in this draft.
Baylor receiver Tyquan Thornton
Thornton, who was timed at 4.28 in the 40-yard dash, is one of the fastest players in this draft class. But the 6-foot-2, 181-pounder is more than just speed. Thornton, who caught 143 passes for 2,242 yards and scored 19 touchdowns in his four seasons at Baylor, has an impressive catch radius and sticky hands. He could become an NFL star with proper coaching.
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