Team Grades for Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft
Rounds 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft are now in the rear-view mirror. Lots of trades took place, and 3 quarterbacks were taken, but none in the second round. There were some surprising slides and some egregious reaches, but that’s what the draft is all about: different teams judge and value various players in their own ways. Here, I grade how each team fared on day 2. The number of picks owned by each team is taken into account, and trades are considering when determining the value that a team acquired when selecting a particular prospect.
All team picks are grouped together, and the teams are listed in reverse order of their records (i.e., what the order would have looked like if no picks were ever traded). Each player is accompanied by a value in parentheses such as (2-44). In this case, the player was picked in the 2nd round with the 44th overall selection. I also add an up arrow ↑ if the team traded up for the player, and I add a down arrow ↓ if the team traded down before making their pick. * means that the team acquired the pick in a pre-draft trade or a draft-day trade for a player.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – C Luke Fortner, Kentucky (3-65); LB Chad Muma, Wyoming (3-70*) : C-
This was a lackluster haul for the Jaguars, mainly because they traded their second-round pick to acquire Devin Lloyd at #27. The Muma pick was acquired from Carolina in the CJ Henderson deal. Fortner is a fine replacement for the retired Brandon Linder, and any move to protect Trevor Lawrence should be graded highly. Muma was a very confusing choice. I like the player; he is a run-stuffing thumper with better-than-advertised athleticism. But why take another inside LB when you just traded up yesterday for the same position? The Jaguars had too many other needs to make a luxury pick. - Detroit Lions – DE Josh Paschal, Kentucky (2-46↓); S Kerby Joseph, Illinois (3-97): B
I don’t love the Paschal pick even though he’s a great story (he beat cancer while in college and was the only 3-time captain in school history). He’s a long, strong player with upside, but this is another case of a team with a bunch of needs doubling up on a single position when they adequately addressed it early (Aidan Hutchinson). At least they traded down to get him as part of their move up for Jameson Williams. Joseph, on the other hand, was a fantastic choice. He lasted in the draft because he had only 1 year of strong production, but he has length and coverage skills, plus he’s a ballhawk. - Houston Texans – DB Jalen Pitre, Baylor (2-37); WR John Metchie III, Alabama (2-44*); LB Christian Harris, Alabama (3-75↑): B+
Bill Belichick disciples sure like their Alabama players. The Texans got two of them here, but one was a much better choice than the other. I’m quite high on Metchie, but he tore his ACL in the SEC championship game, so Houston could’ve easily gotten him in round 3 of 4. Harris required a trade up, but they only paid a 5th-round pick to make the move. Harris has good measurables and decent production, but there are questions surrounding his instincts. A good coach will be able to get the most out of him. Pitre was their highest selection of the day, and it was a good one. Pitre profiles as a Tyrann Mathieu-type player, and he had multiple responsibilities at Baylor, so he should be ready to play on day 1. - New York Jets – RB Breece Hall, Iowa State (2-36↑); TE Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State (3-101↓): C
This grade is more of a product of how well they did in round 1 than anything else. The team only paid a 5th-round pick to take the draft’s first RB, but they could’ve stayed where they were and got Kenneth Walker, who I like better. Ruckert was a peculiar choice given that the team just signed CJ Uzomah and Tyler Kroft in free agency. Ruckert should be a fine player, but they didn’t fill a need here. - New York Giants – WR Wan’Dale Robinson, Kentucky (2-43↓); G Joshua Ezeudu, North Carolina (3-67); CB Cordale Flott, Louisiana State (3-81*) : D+
The Giants made one good move and two bad ones. First, they traded down twice and grabbed extra capital before grabbing Robinson, a speedster who should really help Daniel Jones. I wonder if this is trouble for Kadarius Toney. The other two picks were major reaches. The Giants needed a guard, and Ezeudu should be alright, but he isn’t a special prospect. I didn’t have him on my day 2 board. The same is true of Flott; he could be needed if James Bradberry is traded, but this was at least 2 rounds too early. - Carolina Panthers – QB Matt Corral, Mississippi (3-94↑): C-
Carolina only had one pick on day 2, but they entered the day with none. This pick cost them a 2023 3rd rounder, and I am not fond of mortgaging picks in future, better drafts. Still, the Panthers have been searching for a QB. Their talks with the Browns regarding Baker Mayfield stalled, and I can’t say that Corral will be any worse. He’s easily the best of the 3 QBs taken on day 2; he has more natural throwing ability and accuracy, and he rallies his team around him. Sam Darnold still likely has more upside though. - Chicago Bears – CB Kyler Gordon, Washington (2-37), S Jaquan Brisker, Penn State (2-44*); WR Velus Jones, Jr., Tennessee (3-71): B-
Two out of three of these picks were great moves. Gordon would have gone in round 1 if he ran a bit faster, as he’s a long corner with good cover skills coming from a CB factory in Washington. He should start right away. Velus Jones is one of my sleepers in this class. He’s got good size and excellent speed (4.31-second 40); his issue is that he’s a 6th-year player, so he’s old for a rookie. He produced at both USC and Tennessee and should be a WR2 at least. The Brisker move is what damaged Chicago’s grade. I had Brisker as a 3rd-round prospect at the earliest, and this was the 2nd-round pick the team acquired for Khalil Mack. The Chargers can be officially declared the victors of that swap. - Atlanta Falcons – DE Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State (2-38↑); LB Troy Andersen, Montana State (2-58*); QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati (3-74); DE/OLB DeAngelo Malone, Kentucky (3-82*): C-
Atlanta certainly had quantity here, but the quality is a bit lacking. Ebiketie is extremely raw, but he has a lot of upside like his predecessor Odafe Oweh. Anderson is a really interesting guy who played QB and RB before becoming an LB. He’s a great athlete who does well at whatever position he plays, so I like that choice. I am not a fan of the Ridder pick. He profiles as a backup QB, and I don’t think he’s better than Marcus Mariota. Malone is a good edge rusher for a team that sorely needs one, but this was the pick acquired in the Matt Ryan trade, so that return feels weaker now. - Denver Broncos – OLB Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma (2-64*); TE Greg Dulcich, UCLA (3-80↓): B+
Denver had a quality night. Bonitto is a pure edge rusher, which is perfect for a team that had the lowest pass rush pressure rate in 2021. He does not offer a whole lot in the run game. Dulcich was TE2 for many people, and the Broncos traded down to get him. He’s an athletic player with upside, though I’m more fond of Charlie Kolar. - Seattle Seahawks – DE Boye Mafe, Minnesota (2-40*); RB Kenneth Walker, Michigan State (2-41); OT Abraham Lucas, Washington State (3-72): B
Another team that did well on 2/3 of their picks. Mafe was projected by some to go late in the first round, so I like the value here. He should help Seattle’s poor pass rush. Kenneth Walker was a bad fit here. He’s my favorite RB in the class, but the Seahawks still have the good but oft-injured Chris Carson, as well as Rashaad Penny, who broke out last year under Adrian Peterson’s tutelage. Lucas was great value in the third frame; he’s a local kid that will be a great bookend to their new LT Charles Cross. - Washington Commanders – DT Phidarian Mathis, Alabama (2-47*); RB Brian Robinson, Jr., Alabama (3-98↓): D-
More Alabama lovers. The only reason I’m not failing Washington is that I like both players. Mathis is a solid DT, though he doesn’t possess a ton of upside. Why did Washington draft him though with two first-round ALA DTs already on the line (Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen)? I ask the same question about Robinson. He’s a strong bruiser back, but isn’t that what Antonio Gibson is? They took duplicate players without selecting any high-impact options. - Minnesota Vikings – CB Andrew Booth, Jr., Clemson (2-42↑); G Ed Ingram, Louisiana State (2-59↓); LB Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma (3-66↓): A-
Minnesota did well tonight in spite of the questionable trades that got them here. I don’t know why they kept trading back to help teams in their own division, but what they did with some of their new selections was great. They traded back up for Booth, who could have been taken as early as #25, so that was an excellent move. After trading down a couple more times, they landed on Ed Ingram, a rock that should be a boon for Kirk Cousins, and Brian Asamoah, who fills a need at linebacker with athleticism (even though it was a slight reach). - Cleveland Browns – CB Martin Emerson, Mississippi State (3-68↓); DE Alex Wright, UAB (3-78); WR David Bell, Purdue (3-99): F
The Browns didn’t participate until today due to the Deshaun Watson trade, and boy did they look rusty. All three of their selections were reaches. I did not have any of these players going until day 3. Emerson and Wright may be decent, but the Browns got poor value. Wright is the best of the bunch as he at least fills a need. Bell also fills a need, but only slightly, as I don’t see him as anything better than a WR4. He put up gaudy numbers at Purdue, but he can’t separate from defenders because of his lack of speed. I don’t expect him to translate well to the next level. - Baltimore Ravens – DE/OLB David Ojabo, Michigan (2-45); DT Travis Jones, Connecticut (3-76): A+
The Ravens only had their two original day 2 picks, but they sure made them count. Baltimore got absolute steals in both cases, as both players could have conceivably been selected in the first round. Ojabo was going in the top 15 if not for a torn Achilles at his pro day. He’s only played football a few years, but he has an impressive pass rush move set and a great first step. Patience should pay off here. Jones was equally good value. A potential late first rounder, Jones impressed at the combine and was a productive interior rusher. He could stand to get a bit stronger at the point of attack, but NFL coaches will fix that. - Miami Dolphins – LB Channing Tindall, Georgia (3-102*): B
After their costly trade for Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins only had a late third-round compensatory pick over the first two days of the draft, so I couldn’t give them higher than a B. However, they selected a really good player. The 7th Bulldog defender off the board, Tindall was another key piece of that championship defense, and he has tons of speed for a linebacker. He flies around the field, which should serve Miami well against New England’s stable of backs and Breece Hall. - Indianapolis Colts – WR Alec Pierce, Cincinnati (2-53↓); TE Jelani Woods, Virgina (3-73*); OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan (3-77↓); S Nick Cross, Maryland (3-96↑): A
Having sat out round 1 due to last year’s ill-fated Carson Wentz trade, the Colts needed to do well on day 2, and they had a really strong night. In one trade down, they acquired Pierce and Raimann, two high-value players. Pierce is a big receiver with surprisingly good speed, and he should be a nice complement to Michael Pittman. Raimann, a converted tight end, probably needs to play right tackle in the NFL due to his short arms, but he could have easily been selected a round earlier. Woods is a raw tight end who seems to be just scratching the surface of his potential. This pick could look really good a couple years from now. I didn’t love the trade up for Cross, but he’s a good player that didn’t cost too much, so it’s not a big deal. - Los Angeles Chargers – S JT Woods, Baylor (3-79): B-
With only one pick after trading for Khalil Mack, the Chargers did not have a particularly eventful night. They obtained one player, a fast cover man from Baylor. I think they could have gotten him a little later, but the team needs as much secondary help as they can get in the AFC West. - New Orleans Saints – CB Alontae Taylor, Tennessee: B
Taylor is listed as a cornerback, but he can also play safety. He’s not the biggest guy, but he has fantastic closing speed and should be an asset to the New Orleans secondary. I give them bonus points for not reaching on a QB. They only had one pick due to various trades. - Philadelphia Eagles – C Cam Jurgens, Nebraska (2-51); LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia (3-83): A+
The Eagles had an amazing night. First, they got the second-best center in the class in Jurgens to eventually succeed Jason Kelce. Plus, Jurgens makes his own beef jerky. How can you not love that? Philly’s highlight though was undoubtedly Dean. Despite being slightly undersized, Dean had a first-round grade from me and many others due to his football IQ, versatility, leadership, and playmaking. He supposedly fell because of his refusal to have surgery on his pectoral. But this far? This will likely go down as the steal of the draft. - Pittsburgh Steelers – WR George Pickens, Georgia (2-52); DT/DE DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M (3-84): A+
It was good to be a team in Pennsylvania on day 2. Like Philly, Pittsburgh gets an A+ for their two-player haul. Pickens would have likely been a first-round pick if he hadn’t been injured and experienced a lost season. He’s big, fast, and strong, and he makes tough contested catches. Leal also could have gone more than a full round earlier. His inconsistency caused him to fall, but with Mike Tomlin and TJ Watt around, his motor should be full-go. His versatility is an added bonus. - New England Patriots – WR Tyquan Thornton, Baylor (2-50↑); CB Marcus Jones, Houston (3-85): C+
One good move, one mediocre move. I don’t understand what New England did in round 2. They traded up to grab a receiver, but they didn’t take a guy like Georgie Pickens or Skyy Moore. They chose the fastest WR in the draft, but that doesn’t guarantee anything (remember John Ross at #9 overall a few years back?). I like the Jones pick much better. He’s the best return man in this draft by far, and he has sticky coverage. His only downside is his size; at 5’8″, he might be relegated to the slot. - Las Vegas Raiders – G Dylan Parham, Memphis (3-90↓): A-
I normally penalize a team that trades away picks, but not when the return is Davante Adams. With their lone pick in two days (at a home draft no less), they got a great value. Parham is a quality lineman who projects as a potential Pro-Bowl guard. Derek Carr will surely appreciate that as he cooks with his college pal Adams. - Arizona Cardinals – TE Trey McBride, Colorado State (2-55); DE Cameron Thomas, San Diego State (3-87); DE Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati (3-100*): C+
Arizona picked a good player that they didn’t need. McBride is considered the top TE in this class by many, but the team just paid up to re-sign Zach Ertz. This is an early pick to spend on a second TE. Thomas is a bit of a polarizing prospect. He has a low floor but a high ceiling, which is just fine late in the 3rd round. Sanders was their better edge pick. With his great first step, he was very effective for the Bearcats and might contribute to replacing Chandler Jones. - Dallas Cowboys – DE Sam Williams, Mississippi (2-56); WR Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama (3-88): D
Yikes. Leave it to Dallas to take a talented player with major character concerns. Williams had double-digit sacks in the SEC West, and based on talent alone, he might be a top-20 player. However, he was removed entirely from many draft boards due to various issues. These include an expulsion from his first high school and a felony sexual battery charge that led to his suspension from Ole Miss (the charge was later dropped, albeit dubiously). This was simply too early, and it’s a bad look for a team that’s known to take on troubled players. Tolbert is a better pick. He’s a bit of a wild card due to his questionable level of competition, but he was the clear best WR available when Dallas selected him. - Buffalo Bills – RB James Cook, Georgia (2-63↓); LB Terrel Bernard, Baylor (3-89): B+
Cook’s draft stock really rose over the past couple months. Scouts had knocked him for his slight build and lack of between-the-tackles running ability. His receiving ability was his calling card. He’s the best pass-catching back in this class, and that clearly held value for Buffalo even if I thought he was taken too early. Bernard is a sneaky good selection. Linebackers that can stay on the field on third downs aren’t common at this point in the draft, so Buffalo did well there. - Tennessee Titans – CB Roger McCreary, Auburn (2-35↓); OT Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State (3-69↓); QB Malik Willis, Liberty (3-86↑): B-
The Titans had a lot of great moves undone by their final pick. Tennessee received both 35 and 69 by trading down from 26, and they got good value at 35 and incredible value at 69. McCreary is probably a slot corner due to his size, but he’s a good one. He has nice cover skills and is a willing and able tackler. Petit-Frere has left tackle upside to some, and at one point he was being mocked at the end of the first round. It’s the QB that hurt the Titans’ grade. Not only did they draft a guy who can’t read defenses or avoid turnovers against Power 5 schools, they traded up to do it! Ryan Tannehill can’t feel good right now between this and the loss of AJ Brown, and the Titans might be ceding the AFC South to the Colts. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DE/DT Logan Hall, Houston (2-33↓); G Luke Goedeke, Central Michigan (2-57↑); RB Rachaad White, Arizona State (3-91): B
Yet another 2/3 haul. Logan Hall is a good fit for Tampa as a versatile defensive lineman that can play outside in a 3-4. The team also got extra capital by trading down. Goedeke is a converted TE, just like his teammate Bernhard Raimann. Tampa lost two guards to free agency/retirement, so even after acquiring Shaq Mason, they needed to select another. The real question mark is White. I had him in the 5th round or later, as he’s a jack of all trades, master of none. Brady will probably like him because he’s a good receiver out of the backfield, but this is terrible value with guys like Isaiah Spiller still available. - Green Bay Packers – WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State (2-34↑); G Sean Rhyan, UCLA (3-92): A
THEY FINALLY TOOK A RECEIVER! I don’t care if they traded way up the draft order to do it. If they grabbed any player among this tier of WRs, I was giving them an A. Think of it as positive reinforcement. In all seriousness, Watson could’ve easily gone in round 1. Players who are 6’4″ don’t generally run 4.36 40s, and that’s not something you can teach. Rodgers should LOVE him. He’ll also be fond of Rhyan, a quality guard that any quarterback would appreciate. - San Francisco 49ers – DE Drake Jackson, USC (2-61); RB Tyrion Davis-Price, Louisiana State (3-93); WR Danny Gray, SMU (3-105): D+
SF started off great with Jackson. There were rumors that he could sneak into round 1. That would’ve been a reach, but the end of round 2 is much more appropriate. I have no clue what they were thinking the rest of the night. Kyle Shanahan is the last person who should be picking an RB before day 3. His zone scheme can make anyone look like a star. Has he forgotten about last year’s 6th round pick (Elijah Mitchell) so soon? To top it off, they took a 7th-round RB. I had at least 6 guys ahead of Davis-Price at this point. Gray was another reach. He’s fast, but he might be a one-trick pony. Guys like that are a dime a dozen. - Kansas City Chiefs – WR Skyy Moore, Western Michigan (2-54↓); S Bryan Cook, Cincinnati (2-62); LB Leo Chenal, Wisconsin (3-103): B+
KC smartly traded down if Moore was their man, but they had to be sweating when they saw 3 receivers drafted within the few picks the moved past. Moore definitely profiles as a Chief. He’s a smaller speedster who was incredibly productive at a smaller school. Reminds me of a (very) poor man’s Tyreek Hill. Cook is another solid player. This is a bit earlier than I’d have liked, but every team in the AFC West needs good DBs. KC got good value for Chenal. He’s a smart linebacker who’s great against the run, which should complement George Karlaftis, their first-rounder who can’t play the run, nicely. - Cincinnati Bengals – CB Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska (2-60↑); DE Zachary Carter, Florida (3-95): A-
The Bengals clearly knew the objective entering this draft: take snaps away from Eli Apple. Daxton Hill will probably play at safety, while Taylor-Britt can man the outside. Cincinnati traded up a few spots to make this pick, but that likely needed to happen because Taylor-Britt was the last of the second-round-worthy corners. Carter is a nice find late in the third frame. He’s not a great run stuffer, but he pushes the pocket well and should help them get after QBs like Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson. Sounds like an exact replacement for Larry Ogunjobi. - Los Angeles Rams – G Logan Bruss, Wisconsin (3-104): C
Look who finally joined the party! The Rams were the last team to make a pick in this draft due to various trades, and their grade reflects that. However, I think GM Les Snead is ok with this. It’s just a feeling I get from the shirt he wore at his team’s Super Bowl parade. The pick is nothing inspiring; Bruss is a college tackle that will move inside at the next level. That said, he can develop into a solid starter that protects Matthew Stafford, so there’s nothing to complain about here.