Ahmad Gardner

2022 NFL Franchise 100: No. 45-41

Chris McGlynn Football, NFL , , , , , , ,

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.

Draft Season Never Ends: 2022 NFL Draft Crushes

Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL, Podcast , , , , , , , , ,

New episodes dropping every Friday! Every year, there are a few prospects you fall in love with during the predraft process. Chris breaks down his biggest 2022 NFL draft crushes and teases The Aftermath’s upcoming draft contest.

You can find every episode on Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or wherever you find your podcasts. As always, I appreciate reviews, feedback and when you hit that subscribe button.

NFL Draft Daily: My 2022 NFL draft crushes

Chris McGlynn Draft, Football, NFL , , , , , , , , ,

NFL Draft Daily looks at top stories, historical trends, player performances and more all through the lens of the NFL Draft. After all, there are only 15 days until the 2022 NFL draft. Check back in tomorrow for another entry.

We all have crushes. For most people, they are probably famous celebrities they fantasize about. For me, it’s NFL draft prospects that I would love to end up on my favorite team. Yes, I am aware that I’m weird.

Call them whatever you want. “My guys,” “draft crushes” or something of that nature. These are players that I might be a bit higher on than most or you were one of the first members on the hype train for. In recent years, I’ve had a few. In 2020, it was guys like Bryce Hall, Bradlee Anae and Tyler Biadasz. In 2021, Creed Humphrey, Liam Eichenberg and Paulson Adebo were high up on the list. Sometimes, you hit on guys that should have been taken earlier (Humphrey and Hall) and sometimes you whiff badly (Anae and possibly Eichenberg).

Overall, this is mostly a fun exercise where I can give some love to some of my favorite prospects in the draft. Feel free to let me know who your favorite draft crushes for this year are on Twitter @cmcglynn84.

Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
I didn’t say I was the only one who was going to be high on some of these players. Like most, I am a huge fan of Sauce. I love big, long corners capable of playing press man. Gardner is that and then some with impressive speed for his size and great ball skills. His 33.5-inch arms only make me love him more. He was dominant in his time at Cincinnati and seems poised to be a true lockdown corner in the NFL. I have him as the No. 2 player on my board. I really hope the Jets select him at No. 4.

Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
I mentioned Bradlee Anae before. It was actually watching Anae’s tape in preparation for the 2020 draft that I first noticed Lloyd. He played in kind of a rover or star linebacker role for Utah that season, rushing the passer and dropping into coverage. He was overshadowed by players like Anae, Leki Fotu and Francis Bernard on that defense, but I liked what I saw. He was a redshirt sophomore then. Last season, I had him ranked as a top 75 player before he announced he was returning to school. He debuted at No. 29 in my Way-Too-Early 2022 mock draft back in May. Now I have him as a top 10 player on my big board. I love his versatility and physical traits. I could see him sliding on draft day because I don’t think the league prioritizes off-ball linebackers as much, but man he is a fun player to watch.

Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia
You can take your pick of Georgia defenders this year. There are a lot of them that are going to get drafted. It is hard to put on film from 2021 and not get distracted from the player you are watching. That is what kept happening for me when I would try to watch Jordan Davis or Nakobe Dean. Instead, I would end up focusing on Wyatt. He is so physical at the point of attack and aggressive in attacking pass rushing lanes. I think he will be a good 5-tech end at the next level. I know everyone has caught up on him, but I think he should be the first Georgia player selected this year.

Cade Otton, TE, Washington
While the trend for tight ends in the NFL has been for them to be big receivers rarely lined up inline, I still think there is some value in finding a more traditional tight end. He has the versatility to line up at the end of the line and serve as an extra blocker or flex out in the slot. What impresses me most is how willing Otton is to take on contact. This is easily the best example I can find of just that.

Otton blasts Hutchinson off the line and knocks him off his feet. Hutchinson absolutely dominated that game, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying on Otton’s part. His balance after first contact is a huge plus. He does a great job creating leverage as a run blocker as well. He never put up gaudy stats, but I think he is going to be a very productive tight end at the next level.

Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
How about another tight end? McBride caught my attention at the end of the 2020 season with 330 yards and four touchdowns in just four games. He took it to another level in 2021. In stark contrast to Otton, McBride posted monster numbers this past season. He reeled in 90 receptions for 1121 yards and a touchdown during his senior season. He is an above average blocker with fantastic hands. He reportedly ran in the mid 4.5s at his pro day as well, so he certainly has the requisite speed needed to excel at the next level. With the ability to line up inline, flexed out or on the boundary, McBride is going to be a really fun chess piece for offensive coordinators to have at their disposal.

Sincere McCormick, RB, UTSA
I love this Roadrunner. I shouted out one of his teammates in Tariq Woolen yesterday in my favorite small school prospects in this draft. He is a compact tackle breaker with some pass catching ability. He had close to 4,000 yards rushing and 68 receptions in his three years at UTSA. His 40-time was a bit of a red flag, but he plays much faster on film and had several long touchdown runs this season. His contact balance is particularly impressive, allowing him to run through arm tackles. He could be very effective as a one-cut back that can contribute on passing downs. I like him going early in the third round.

Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Another linebacker and another Georgia defender. I love Walker’s coverage ability and versatility. He is big at just under 6’4″, weighing in at 241 pounds, but he can fly around the field. He posted a 4.51 40-time to back up the speed we saw on tape. He dominated Alabama as well, racking up eight tackles and six pressures in the National Championship Game. Finding a linebacker that can drop into coverage, generate pressure on the blitz and showcase sideline-to-sideline range is hard. He has scheme versatility and can line up at middle linebacker or as an off-ball outside backer. Sign me up for that. I think Walker is a legitimate first-round talent.

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.