The NFL season is right around the corner and while all 32 franchises are trying to make their final roster decisions, I wanted to take a different approach to roster building. Inspired in part by the annual NFL Top 100 players list, voted on by the players in the league, I wanted to know who the top 100 players would be to start a team with in 2022.
There are a variety of factors that went into creating this list. Let me lay out the criteria.
First, age played a major role in determining which players made this list. Only six players over the age of 30 made the list. Positional value was the other big driving force behind these rankings. There is no doubt that Jonathan Taylor is one of the best young players in the game right now, but you wouldn’t pick him first overall to start an NFL franchise from scratch. The positional value of running backs is simply not high enough to warrant that. Neither is the longevity of the position on average. You most likely want to find a player who is going to last a long time to build your franchise around. There are a few notable exceptions to that rule. With that in mind, I prioritized quarterbacks, offensive tackles, cornerbacks, edge rushers and wide receivers. There are plenty of instances where a more talented player slid down the board a little further simply because they played a less valuable position.
There were a few other factors I considered, including years remaining on contract, contract structure and salary commitments. There is a reason why rookie contracts are so valuable, especially when you hit on a star. That player is now on a team friendly deal with several years of team control built in.
If you missed the previous entry, you can find it here.
With all of that in mind, let’s continue our countdown to No. 1. Check back Thursday for players 40 to 36.
45. Quenton Nelson, G, Indianapolis Colts Age: 26 Years remaining on contract: 1 2022 cap hit: $13.75 million There are few players who have dominated the league as thoroughly and consistently as Nelson has since the moment he stepped on an NFL field. He is a four-time All-Pro and a four-time Pro Bowler in his first four seasons. He is coming off his worst year as a pro, which still resulted in a second-team All-Pro designation and a Pro Bowl selection. Positional value and contract structure are what holds Nelson back from being higher on this list. I have no doubt that the Colts will re-sign Nelson, but he is in the final year of his rookie deal with no long-term extension in place. He is going to cost a lot to keep, which is saying something because he already carries the largest cap hit for a guard in the entire league by nearly $1.5 million. He is that good, but it is easy to question paying an interior offensive linemen that much money.
44. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Age: 29 Years remaining on contract: 2 2022 cap hit: $10.32 million Evans is one of the most consistent receivers in NFL history. He has had at least 1,000 yards receiving every single season he has been in the league. He also has 75 career touchdown receptions, including 27 over the past two years. He is definitely nearing the end of his prime, but he still looks like he could have a few great years left in the tank. He has a very affordable cap hit for this season, but 2023 carries a cap hit north of $23 million. His contract expiring heading into his age 31 season could put teams in a tough spot. However, if Evans is still producing like he has up to this point, it would be easy to justify re-signing him.
43. Evan Neal, OT, New York Giants Age: 21 Years remaining on contract: 5 2022 cap hit: $4.46 million I get that not everyone is going to agree with this one, but I am sticking true to my draft board for right now. I had Neal as my highest-rated player entering the 2022 NFL draft. Nothing I have seen or read so far has led me to change my mind on that front. The Giants are going to start him at right tackle for now, but I think he is a future left tackle in this league. He is a great run blocker and has the traits to develop into an asset in pass protection as well. Neal will turn 22 in September. If he hits like I think he will, he could be a franchise tackle in the league for the next decade.
42. Shaquille Leonard, LB, Indianapolis Colts Age: 27 Years remaining on contract: 5 2022 cap hit: $11.17 million Where do I even begin with Leonard? He is a four-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, not to mention the 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is an elite tackler with a nose for making big plays. His 17 forced fumbles are tied for second most since he entered the league, trailing only T.J. Watt. Don’t discount his ability in pass coverage either. Leonard is a complete player with plenty of years left in his prime. My only knock against him would be his contract situation. He has a cap hit of at least $19.7 million for the final four years of his deal, which is very high for an off-ball linebacker, but when you have elite talent, you have to pay to keep said elite talent.
41. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams Age: 29 Years remaining on contract: 5 2022 cap hit: $17.80 million The triple crown winner has arrived. Kupp became the first receiver since Steve Smith Sr. in 2005 to lead the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in a dominant season that nearly saw him eclipse 2,000 yards. He is a perfect fit in Sean McVay’s offense. As much as I love Kupp, I am a little hesitant to put him higher on this list. For as good as he was, he has topped 1,000 yards only one other time in his five-year career. He will also turn 30 next offseason and has a lot of money tied up in his remaining contract. The counter argument to all of this is that we have finally seen Kupp at his best when he has a quality quarterback. I’m hedging my bets a bit putting him here.
Follow the Aftermath via email to get every article delivered right to your inbox. Enter your email in the text box to subscribe. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. You can also check out our weekly podcast Draft Season Never Ends with new episodes every Friday, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
The NFL season is right around the corner and while all 32 franchises are trying to make their final roster decisions, I wanted to take a different approach to roster building. Inspired in part by the annual NFL Top 100 players list, voted on by the players in the league, I wanted to know who the top 100 players would be to start a team with in 2022.
There are a variety of factors that went into creating this list. Let me lay out the criteria.
First, age played a major role in determining which players made this list. Only six players over the age of 30 made the list. Positional value was the other big driving force behind these rankings. There is no doubt that Jonathan Taylor is one of the best young players in the game right now, but you wouldn’t pick him first overall to start an NFL franchise from scratch. The positional value of running backs is simply not high enough to warrant that. Neither is the longevity of the position on average. You most likely want to find a player who is going to last a long time to build your franchise around. There are a few notable exceptions to that rule. With that in mind, I prioritized quarterbacks, offensive tackles, cornerbacks, edge rushers and wide receivers. There are plenty of instances where a more talented player slid down the board a little further simply because they played a less valuable position.
There were a few other factors I considered, including years remaining on contract, contract structure and salary commitments. There is a reason why rookie contracts are so valuable, especially when you hit on a star. That player is now on a team friendly deal with several years of team control built in.
If you missed the previous entry, you can find it here.
With all of that in mind, let’s continue our countdown to No. 1. Check back Wednesday for players 45 to 41.
50. Tre’Davious White, CB, Buffalo Bills Age: 27 Years remaining on contract: 4 2022 cap hit: $16.4 million I will admit, I am probably a bit too high on White, who is coming off a torn ACL. That being said, I really love his game. He has been an impact player since he came into the league, finishing as runner up for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2017. He was an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in 2019 and 2020. I expect he likely would have been in 2021 as well if not for the knee injury. His advanced metrics in coverage are great every year. What sells me even more on White is his contract situation. His cap hit hovers right around $16 million for the next four seasons, which is very affordable for an elite cover corner. It ranks third for the position in 2022, but drops to 14th in 2023 and even lower beyond that.
49. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins Age: 23 Years remaining on contract: 4 2022 cap hit: $6.16 million Given what receivers are being paid in the NFL these days, getting Waddle at just north of $6 million is a bargain. Waddle became just the second rookie receiver in NFL history to haul in 100 catches, surpassing Anquan Bolden’s record of 101 set in 2003. He is a huge threat in space and excels at generating separation in small spaces. His acceleration is incredible. It is only one year of production, but in an offense that was far from prolific passing the football, Miami ranked 17th in yards per game last season, I think this was about as strong of a start as you could have hoped for.
48. Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Detroit Lions Age: 22 Years remaining on contract: 5 2022 cap hit: $6.49 million Hutchinson has come a long way from the foot injury that cost him the remainder of the 2020 college season. He became the first defensive player to finish as the runner up for the Heisman since Manti Te’o in 2012. That was thanks in large part to a monster senior season featuring 14 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. I love his motor and his polish as a pass rusher off the edge. I think he is going to be a star in this league for a long time to come. I am willing to invest in that upside.
47. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins Age: 28 Years remaining on contract: 5 2022 cap hit: $6.49 million Catch him if you can. Hill will get the chance to remind everyone that he was a great receiver before Patrick Mahomes came along now that he is with the Dolphins. He has been a Pro Bowler every season of his career and a three-time All-Pro. He has led the league in yards from scrimmage per touch in two different seasons so far as well. You might be wondering why he isn’t higher, given all of the accolades. He is clearly in the prime of his career, but I worry a little bit about his longevity as a player whose game is so heavily predicated on speed and his contract situation. Hill’s cap hit for 2022 is very easy to swallow, but balloons to over $31 million in 2023. Still, he is a game-changer with the ability to take the top off a defense at any moment. That is worth investing in.
46. Ahmad Gardner, CB, New York Jets Age: 22 Years remaining on contract: 5 2022 cap hit: $6.08 million First and foremost, happy 22nd birthday to Sauce! The Jets top pick has looked the part so far in the preseason. After not allowing a touchdown during his collegiate career, he was not even targeted during his first preseason. I am not sure how important that stat really is, but Gardner brings length, talent and swagger to a position that demands all of them to be considered elite. Gardner was my No. 2 player in this past draft class and I think he is going to be one of the best corners in the league very quickly. His rookie deal will keep him at an affordable cap hit for the foreseeable future as well.
Follow the Aftermath via email to get every article delivered right to your inbox. Enter your email in the text box to subscribe. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. You can also check out our weekly podcast Draft Season Never Ends with new episodes every Friday, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
The NFL season is nearly here and college football had its soft opening this past weekend. We will get the full slate of college action Labor Day weekend followed by the NFL kickoff a few short days later.
Not surprisingly, I’m already thinking about the 2023 NFL draft though. This is my first mock draft since my way-too-early edition, which I published right after the draft in May. While a lot of time has passed, not a ton has changed. I’ve had a chance to watch a bit more film in the offseason, but with no games being played, there is very little new information to impact a players’ draft stock.
This draft class is shaping up to be an exciting one, with tons of quality quarterbacks and one of the best edge rushing prospects we have seen in a few years.
With that in mind, I did not create the draft order, so don’t get at me if you don’t like where your favorite team is picking. These odds are the latest from Vegas Insiders’ consensus. Tiebreakers were determined by strength of schedule.
1. Houston Texans (+29000) – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State As much as I personally like Davis Mills, it is going to be hard to justify passing on a quarterback. Especially when it is in as talented a quarterback class as this one. Heading into the season, Stroud is my top-rated passer. He passes the eye test. Plus, he put up monster numbers a year ago and has an NFL-caliber arm. Houston will be able to use all of the additional picks from the Deshaun Watson trade to surround him with talent and put him in a position to succeed.
2. Atlanta Falcons (+23000) – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama This is another tricky one. The Falcons could ride it out with Desmond Ridder, who they drafted in the third round in 2022. However, I think he would have to show a lot of promise for Atlanta to pass up on Young. The 2021 Heisman winner is incredibly accurate and a plus athlete. He is a bit undersized, but that hasn’t stopped him from lighting up SEC competition so far. Kyle Pitts, Drake London and the impending return of Calvin Ridley would give Young a strong set of receivers to grow with.
3. Seattle Seahawks (+17000) – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky Geno Smith just won one of the least compelling quarterback battles in NFL history. He beat out Drew Lock, who arrived as part of the Russell Wilson trade this offseason. In short, the Seahawks need a quarterback. Levis is my third at the position for me entering 2022 and worthy of being a top-three pick. He checks all of the physical boxes and played better than just about anyone against Georgia during the regular season last year. He will need to cut down on turnovers and prove he can consistently perform at a high level. I like his upside a lot.
4. Chicago Bears (+14400) – Will Anderson Jr., EDGE, Alabama Chicago lucks their way into the best player in the draft at this spot. This really is a best-case scenario for the Bears, who will have no reason to consider moving on from Justin Fields. Instead, they can find a replacement for Khalil Mack. Anderson, in my opinion, should have won the Heisman last season. That’s how good he was. His stats look like something out of NCAA Football 14 and he is built to play on Sundays. No need to overthink this one.
5. New York Jets (+14100) – Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia Despite the buzz of potentially replacing Zach Wilson should the Jets end up with another high draft pick, I think he will get one more year to prove himself. New York’s biggest need will likely be at offensive tackle, but this is a weaker class at the position. Instead, Joe Douglas will go with the best player available, grabbing Carter from Georgia. Because the Bulldogs defense was stacked with NFL talent, Carter rotated in a lot. He will be featured much more heavily in 2022. It will give him the chance to wow fans and scouts with his incredible motor and physique. With Quinnen Williams set to play 2023 on his fifth-year option, Carter could either be his partner in crime, or his replacement.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (+13000) – Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU Give Trevor Lawrence a true No. 1 receiver! Jacksonville has a good amount of depth at the position, but lacks a clear go-to playmaker. Boutte could be exactly that. He was off to a blistering start in 2021 with 509 yards and nine touchdowns in just six games before an ankle injury ended his season. He will have a new quarterback in 2022, but his size, speed and playmaking ability should keep him in the top-10 conversation.
7. Carolina Panthers (+12100) – Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson There is certainly a chance the Panthers take a quarterback if they are picking in the top 10. Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are both on expiring contracts. I think Carolina could run it back with Mayfield if he can show signs of regaining his 2020 form. In that case, bolstering their linebacking corps would make a lot of sense. Simpson is a potential game-wrecker with good range and some pass rushing ability. He had 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in 2021 and seems poised for an even bigger season.
8. Detroit Lions (+12000) – Grayson McCall, QB, Coastal Carolina Detroit has been linked to rookie quarterbacks for the past two drafts, but have instead opted to build their roster elsewhere. I think the time has come for them to grab a successor to Jared Goff. With the top three off the board, McCall is my next highest-rated quarterback at this point. He is incredibly accurate and shows good ability to improvise when the play breaks down. His numbers were fantastic in 2021 and I am excited to see what he can do this upcoming season.
9. New York Giants (+11800) – Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami Perhaps the Giants will go after a veteran quarterback in this scenario. Think Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield. However, I still think there is one last quarterback worth going in the top 10. There is a lot of projection here with Van Dyke with only nine starts under his belt so far. However, he flashed more than enough upside and potential to warrant being in this spot at the end of August. He checks every box from a size perspective as well. It would be really interesting to see how he would develop under Brian Daboll.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (+8000) – Keele Ringo, CB, Georgia Pittsburgh definitely needs an upgrade along the offensive line, but it’s still a bit early for the offensive linemen in this class. Instead, they can rebuild a cornerback room that needs an injection of young talent. Ringo put himself on the national radar with a pick-six to close out the National Championship game. It capped a strong season from the redshirt freshman. He has great size at 6’2″ and moves really well, especially for a bigger corner. He would compete for a starting job in Pittsburgh as a rookie.
11. Washington Commanders (+7600) – Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina With five quarterbacks off the board already, it is hard to imagine Washington picking a sixth one this early. That might mean another year with Carson Wentz at the helm or potentially Sam Howell getting a crack. Instead, the Commanders can opt to retool their secondary. Smith dominated in 2021 with three interceptions and 11 pass deflections. He has great size at 6’1″ and should be a candidate to start from Day 1 or provide some much-needed depth.
12. New England Patriots (+4200) – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State As a Jets fan, this might be my worst nightmare. New England has desperately needed a playmaking receiver for a few years now. There might not be a better option than Smith-Njigba. He racked up 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as the third option in Ohio State’s offense. I can only imagine what kind of numbers he will put up as the top option this year. Mac Jones would greatly benefit from adding Smith-Njigba to the Patriots offense.
13. Houston Texans via Cleveland Browns (+3900) – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson After grabbing a quarterback at the top of the draft, Houston shifts its focus to the other size of the ball. With Jonathan Greenard locking down one defensive end spot, Murphy would be a great player to pair with him. He put up some impressive numbers with 12 sacks and 25 tackles for loss through his first two seasons. His burst off the line is great and he has really good instincts. The Texans have a long rebuild ahead, so finding key players to build around is going to be important. I believe Murphy could be one of those blue-chip players.
14. Miami Dolphins (+3900) – N/A The NFL stripped the Dolphins of their first-round draft pick in 2023 as punishment for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton.
15. Tennessee Titans (+3800) – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson Another Clemson defender coming off the board in the first half of the first round. Bresee had his season cut short in 2021 due to injury, appearing in just four games. He had a good freshman season with four sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. He has the size and strength to thrive in the NFL. For Tennessee, Bresee would create a talented from three with Denico Autry and Jeffery Simmons. Mike Vrabel would definitely love to solidify his front seven.
16. Philadelphia Eagles via New Orleans Saints (+3800) – Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama With the first of two picks in Round 1, the Eagles look to solidify their cornerback room around Darius Slay. Ricks is supremely talented and has good production from his first two seasons at LSU with five interceptions. He will get a chance to continue to grow his game playing for Nick Saban now at Alabama. There is some durability concern with Ricks. He missed the final six games of the 2021 season and had offseason back surgery. If he can clear those medical red flags, I think he is worth a first-round pick.
17. Las Vegas Raiders (+3600) – Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern The Raiders seem ready to end the Alex Leatherwood experiment at tackle with rookie seventh-round pick Thayer Munford likely starting at right tackle this year. Perhaps Munford will negate the need for a new tackle. If not, Skoronski definitely should. The Northwestern man put on a solid display to open the 2022 season against Nebraska. Pairing him with Kolton Miller would give the Raiders two really good tackles tasked with keeping Derek Carr upright.
18. Minnesota Vikings (+3600) – Akheem Mesidor, DL, Miami Minnesota has built depth in a lot of places on defense, but there is still room to improve their defensive line. Mesidor is one of my favorite prospects in this class. He is a dynamic pass rusher who excels at shedding blocks and collapsing pockets. He put together two strong seasons with West Virginia before transferring to Miami. I think he could start for Minnesota at defensive end as soon as next season.
19. Arizona Cardinals (+3500) – Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama This might seem a little bizarre given that James Conner is still under contract, but he will be in his final season of his contract in 2023. Plus, Arizona’s offense is all about speed and big-play ability. Gibbs brings that in spades. He would bring another element of dynamism to this offense. He is my favorite running back in this class at this point. The potential of him playing with Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins, Rondale Moore and Hollywood Brown is enticing.
20. Philadelphia Eagles (+2280) – Nolan Smith, EDGE, Georgia The Eagles continue to retool their defense with Georgia prospects. After taking Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean in 2021, adding Smith feels fitting. Plus, he fills a need for this defense. Brandon Graham is in the final year of his contract and Philly does not have a clear successor to him at defensive end. Smith is a bit undersized for this role, but his speed and bend off the edge could make him a good fit.
21. Indianapolis Colts (+2240) – Clark Phillips, CB, Utah There are not a ton of areas where the Colts need to upgrade. Corner is probably the biggest one. Stephon Gilmore and Kenny Moore are both quality starters, but both will be free agents following the 2023 season. Phillips could provide some depth right away and projects as a future starter. He is a bit undersized, but he plays much bigger. I like his play style and I’m excited to see what he will do in his junior year at Utah.
22. Cincinnati Bengals (+2080) – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame Cincinnati lost C.J. Uzomah this offseason and never found a true replacement. Hayden Hurst is only on a one-year deal and Drew Sample has yet to provide much production. Mayer would fix all of that and give Joe Burrow yet another weapon to work with. He is a proven receiver and a solid blocker. Picking up an asset in the passing and running game while filling a position of need feels like a great option.
23. Dallas Cowboys (+2000) – Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State Dallas’ offensive line has quickly become an issue. Tyron Smith is injured again and La’el Collins is now in Cincinnati. Johnson will get a chance to showcase his talents at tackle after kicking inside to guard last year for a few appearances. He has the right build for an offensive tackle at the next level, standing 6’6″, 315 pounds. He will definitely get tested in the Big Ten this season. If he can hold up against the best the conference has to offer, don’t be surprised if he is the first tackle off the board.
24. Baltimore Ravens (+1880) – Jordan Addison, WR, USC In case you haven’t heard, the Ravens need help at receiver. I actually really like both Rashod Bateman and the depth they have built, but they lack proven starters. Addison is obviously not proven at the NFL level, but he did tear up college football in 2021, claiming the Biletnikoff Award as Kenny Pickett’s top target with Pittsburgh. Now he will play that same role with Caleb Williams at USC. I expect he would be happy to have Lamar Jackson as the next quarterback he gets to play with.
25. Seattle Seahawks via Denver Broncos (+1700) – Noah Sewell, LB, Oregon Seattle is in full tear down mode right now. They have lost a lot of quality at linebacker in recent years, headlined by Bobby Wagner’s departure this offseason. Asking Sewell to replicate his production right away would be unfair, but he has the pedigree and skill to help cushion the blow. He is a physical presence in the middle of the defense.
26. Miami Dolphins via San Francisco 49ers (+1600) – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas I was split here on grabbing a potential replacement for Tua Tagovailoa and continuing to build around him. I obviously opted for the latter with Robinson. He is a powerful runner who makes defenders pay for attempted arm tackles. When he plays fast and downhill, there are few running backs as productive as him in the country. He has great hands and shows signs of being able to pass protect. He would unquestionably be an upgrade over everyone Miami currently has on its roster.
27. Los Angeles Chargers (+1380) – Jaheim Bell, TE, South Carolina There is definitely a push in scouting tight ends to simply target traits and hope to coach them up at the next level. Bell doesn’t fall squarely into that category, but he definitely falls more in line with Mike Gesicki and Kyle Pitts when it comes to play style. He is a mismatch in space and uses his big frame to win contested balls down the field. I am excited to see him catching passes from Spencer Rattler this season. For the Chargers, he would be a long-term solution at the position after relying on free-agent stop gaps in recent years.
28. Green Bay Packers (+1140) – BJ Ojulari, EDGE, LSU After losing Za’Darius Smith this offseason, the Packers have very little depth at edge rusher. Preston Smith and Rashan Gary represent quality starters at outside linebacker. Ojulari could be a rotational option who eventually takes over for Smith, who will turn 30 in November. The LSU edge rusher is coming off a solid season where he had 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Receiver is still an option, but I think Green Bay will wait on the development of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs.
29. Detroit Lions via Los Angeles Rams (+1100) – Brian Branch, DB, Alabama After taking McCall with their first pick in this round, Detroit should be relatively set on offense. Brad Holmes can turn his attention to the defensive side then, where linebacker and safety look like potential needs. Branch is a versatile playmaker who can move around the formation. I believe he could play either safety spot at the next level, but what makes him even more valuable is his ability to drop down and play nickel corner. He would bring a much-needed infusion of talent to this Lions secondary.
30. Kansas City Chiefs (+1020) – Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU Even after adding Skyy Moore and signing JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency, it feels like the Chiefs still have a need at receiver. It is important to remember Smith-Schuster is only on a one-year deal. Johnston would bring some size and big-play ability to this offense. At 6’4″, he is a vertical threat, but he has run after the catch ability as well. The Chiefs made it clear they don’t want to spend big money on the position, so adding receivers in the draft feels like a priority.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+770) – Devin Leary, QB, NC State NC State is primed for a big season and Leary is a huge part of that. He balled out in 2021 with 35 touchdowns and just five interceptions. It was a huge jump from what we had seen in his first two seasons with the Wolfpack. Circle October 1st as a date to watch for when he gets his toughest test of the year against Clemson. For the Buccaneers, it feels more and more like this Tom Brady’s last ride. He had his mysterious absence from training camp coupled with a 40-day retirement and reports that he tried to join Dolphins ownership. Kyle Trask has shown no signs of being the guy, so it is time to find a new successor.
32. Buffalo Bills (+600) – Brandon Joseph, S, Notre Dame Jordan Poyer is in the final year of his contract. Micah Hyde will be a free agent after 2023. They are both 31 years old as well. It might be time for the Bills to start thinking about what is next in their defensive backfield. Joseph arrives in South Bend following a stellar junior season with Northwestern. He is a ballhawk with nine interceptions over his past two seasons. He is a proven tackler as well with the size needed to contend in the NFL.
Follow the Aftermath via email to get every article delivered right to your inbox. Enter your email in the text box to subscribe. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. You can also check out our weekly podcast Draft Season Never Ends with new episodes every Friday, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
The NFL season is right around the corner and while all 32 franchises are trying to make their final roster decisions, I wanted to take a different approach to roster building. Inspired in part by the annual NFL Top 100 players list, voted on by the players in the league, I wanted to know who the top 100 players would be to start a team with in 2022.
There are a variety of factors that went into creating this list. Let me lay out the criteria.
First, age played a major role in determining which players made this list. Only six players over the age of 30 made the list. Positional value was the other big driving force behind these rankings. There is no doubt that Jonathan Taylor is one of the best young players in the game right now, but you wouldn’t pick him first overall to start an NFL franchise from scratch. The positional value of running backs is simply not high enough to warrant that. Neither is the longevity of the position on average. You most likely want to find a player who is going to last a long time to build your franchise around. There are a few notable exceptions to that rule. With that in mind, I prioritized quarterbacks, offensive tackles, cornerbacks, edge rushers and wide receivers. There are plenty of instances where a more talented player slid down the board a little further simply because they played a less valuable position.
There were a few other factors I considered, including years remaining on contract, contract structure and salary commitments. There is a reason why rookie contracts are so valuable, especially when you hit on a star. That player is now on a team friendly deal with several years of team control built in.
If you missed the previous entry, you can find it here.
With all of that in mind, let’s continue our countdown to No. 1. Check back Monday for players 50 to 46.
55. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, Carolina Panthers Age: 21 Years remaining on contract: 5 2022 cap hit: $5.01 million I love building in the trenches, especially along the offensive line. My team building philosophy has long been to put together an elite offensive line and figure out the rest of the offense around that. Ekwonu is a road grader with immense upside. He has a ways to go in pass protection, but I am willing to bet on his physical gifts and great size, much like the Panthers did. Those traits give him the chance to be a franchise left tackle and a perennial Pro Bowler. Finding quality tackles in the NFL is difficult. If I could grab Ekwonu and hang onto him for the next decade, I would be thrilled.
54. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills Age: 28 Years remaining on contract: 6 2022 cap hit: $11.74 million I have been a fan of Stefon Diggs for a long time. He was a star in Minnesota, but he has morphed into a superstar in Buffalo. Diggs has posted four straight 1,000-yard seasons, attended the past two Pro Bowls and earned a spot on the AP All-Pro First Team in 2020. That was the year he led the league in receptions and yards. He has become Josh Allen’s go-to target. Diggs is a technician who breaks down opposing corners with his route running. As long as he can create separation, he will be valuable. However, I am a bit concerned about the length of his contract. There are a lot of players I would love to have locked down for the next six years, but Diggs will be 35 by the time his deal expires. Very few receivers are able to produce at a high level into their mid 30s. Each of the final five years on his deal carry a cap hit north of $20 million. He can be released heading into 2027 for a minimal dead cap hit, but it will be hard to move on from him before then.
53. A.J. Terrell, CB, Atlanta Falcons Age: 23 Years remaining on contract: 2 2022 cap hit: $3.90 million Terrell has very quickly become one of the league’s elite cover corners. Don’t believe me? He was named an All-Pro in 2021 after posting a PFF grade of 82.6, allowing just 4.8 yards per target and forcing incompletions on half the balls thrown his way. His size and speed make him an ideal fit to guard just about any receiver in the league. At just 23, he has the prime of his career still ahead of him. Not to mention that paying a No. 1 lockdown corner less than $4 million is a bargain. His payday will come down the line, but I will take the value that comes with his rookie deal for now and hope he can replicate this form.
52. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles Age: 23 Years remaining on contract: 4 2022 cap hit: $4.58 million The first receiver since Desmond Howard in 1991 to win the Heisman fared well in his first NFL season. He racked up 916 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie campaign. Those numbers might not jump off the page, but it is important to remember that no one threw the ball less this past year than the Philadelphia Eagles. In a run-heavy offense, those are some solid stats to put up. Smith is shifty and crafty. His skill set makes him an asset in just about any system. He is definitely a bit undersized, but he has not let that stop him so far. Getting a solid No. 1 receiver or elite No. 2 receiver at this price is incredible value when you see how much money the NFL is giving wideouts right now. If I can save in that department and spend elsewhere, I think that puts me in a good position to succeed.
51. Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, New York Giants Age: 21 Years remaining on contract: 5 2022 cap hit: $5.70 million Another rookie shows up here. I am very high on Thibodeaux’s traits and upside. His production was a bit inconsistent during his college career, but he looked sharp in the preseason before suffering a knee injury. I know a lot of the feedback I have gotten so far is that I am too high on these rookies. Perhaps, I am. This is my first time doing these rankings and I want to learn from them. However, rookie contracts are invaluable, especially for players at high-value positions like quarterback, edge rusher and offensive tackle. I will take Thibodeaux’s deal and bank on him paying huge dividends at a fraction of the cost.
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The NFL season is right around the corner and while all 32 franchises are trying to make their final roster decisions, I wanted to take a different approach to roster building. Inspired in part by the annual NFL Top 100 players list, voted on by the players in the league, I wanted to know who the top 100 players would be to start a team with in 2022.
There are a variety of factors that went into creating this list. Let me lay out the criteria.
First, age played a major role in determining which players made this list. Only six players over the age of 30 made the list. Positional value was the other big driving force behind these rankings. There is no doubt that Jonathan Taylor is one of the best young players in the game right now, but you wouldn’t pick him first overall to start an NFL franchise from scratch. The positional value of running backs is simply not high enough to warrant that. Neither is the longevity of the position on average. You most likely want to find a player who is going to last a long time to build your franchise around. There are a few notable exceptions to that rule. With that in mind, I prioritized quarterbacks, offensive tackles, cornerbacks, edge rushers and wide receivers. There are plenty of instances where a more talented player slid down the board a little further simply because they played a less valuable position.
There were a few other factors I considered, including years remaining on contract, contract structure and salary commitments. There is a reason why rookie contracts are so valuable, especially when you hit on a star. That player is now on a team friendly deal with several years of team control built in.
If you missed the previous entry, you can find it here.
With all of that in mind, let’s continue our countdown to No. 1. Check back Friday for players 55 to 51.
60. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys Age: 23 Years remaining on contract: 3 2022 cap hit: $3.82 million There is a very good chance that Lamb finds himself much higher on this next year. Up to this point, he has benefitted from playing across from Amari Cooper. Now, he will get a chance to prove himself as the bonafide No. 1 option. There is no doubt he has been impressive in his short NFL career so far. 153 catches, 2037 yards and 11 touchdowns across two seasons is nothing to sneeze at. Keep in mind that he didn’t have Dak Prescott for much of his rookie year. His production has been solid, but it doesn’t really compare to his peers. There are 15 different receivers with more yards over the past two seasons. Still, I believe Lamb can be a true top target in an offense. Plus, I love getting a receiver on a rookie contract these days, especially when you see how much the top receivers are netting on the open market.
59. Devin White, LB, Buccaneers Age: 24 Years remaining on contract: 2 2022 cap hit: $9.53 million How in the world is White still only 24 years old? He has three really impressive seasons under his belt already, including a Pro Bowl selection and an All-Pro nod. 15 sacks for an off-ball linebacker over three seasons is fairly uncommon. White is a downhill playmaker who struggles in coverage. He really has not developed that area of his game much either since entering the league. White won’t be a fit in every defense, but Tampa Bay has done a good job of maximizing his value. On top of that, still being on his rookie contract makes him much more affordable. He will inevitably land a big pay day when his rookie deal is up, but until then I will take the value that comes with having a star defender on a controlled deal.
58. Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals Age: 27 Years remaining on contract: 3 2022 cap hit: $14.49 million Two years ago, most NFL fans had never heard of Hendrickson. Now, he is on his way to becoming a household name. He showed out in his final season with the Saints, earning a big contract with the Bengals in the offseason. One season in, it looks like a great investment by Cincinnati. Hendrickson has 27.5 sacks over the past two seasons. The only players with more in that span are T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett. If he keeps up this level of production, he will be one of the best value contracts in the NFL. His cap hit maxes out at $17.5 million over the final three years of his deal. That number ranks 18th among edge rushers in 2024. It’s a big if, but if Hendrickson keeps producing at this level, I can safely say there will not be 17 edge rushers better than him.
57. Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers Age: 25 Years remaining on contract: 5 2022 cap hit: $7.08 million I was a bit skeptical of Alexander when he was coming out of Louisville back in 2018. I thought he was a bit undersized and lacked the measurables to be a true shutdown corner. He got better through each of his first three seasons, culminating in an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 2020. Injuries limited him to just five games, including the postseason, but even in limited game action, Alexander reminded everyone just how impactful he can be for a defense. Look for him to be back at full strength and back to locking up opponent’s top receivers in 2022. His cap hit for this season is very affordable, but Alexander’s extension goes into effect in 2023. He carries a cap hit of at least $20 million for the remainder of his deal. Not ideal, but the guaranteed money makes it much easier to swallow. I expect he will be worth the money, too.
56. Travon Walker, EDGE, Jacksonville Jaguars Age: 21 Years remaining on contract: 5 2022 cap hit: $6.80 million This might feel a bit low for the No. 1 overall pick in the most recent draft, at least relative to some of the other rookies that have yet to appear on this list. However, that is largely because I believe the Jaguars grabbed the wrong guy. I’m not writing off Walker yet. Far from it. I think he could wind up being a Pro Bowl caliber player. I just think there were better options on the board. Walker was incredibly versatile at Georgia, lining up anywhere from defensive tackle to off-ball linebacker. His production is solid, if unspectacular, but his upside is what Jacksonville will be banking on. If he hits, five years of a potentially elite pass rusher on a rookie deal is invaluable.
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