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 65 to 61.
70. Roquan Smith, LB, Chicago Bears Age: 25 Years remaining on contract: 1 2022 cap hit: $9.74 million Smith has been in the news quite a bit this offseason, holding in, demanding a trade and bad-mouthing the Bears front office to the media. His contract situation definitely pushed him down this list a little bit for me. Taking a player who has a very uncertain future and is looking to reset the market at a position that is not quite as valuable is dicey. I have a tough time swallowing the idea of paying an off-ball linebacker $20 million plus per season. That being said, Smith is on here because he is enormously talented and only 25 years old. He is coming off back-to-back All-Pro seasons and has proven to be a well-rounded playmaker. I love the player, I just don’t love the situation I would find myself in taking him to build a team around.
69. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, Houston Texans Age: 21 Years remaining on contract: 5 2022 cap hit: $6.31 million Talk about a risk-reward scenario. Stingley enters the NFL having played just 10 games over his final two collegiate seasons. Despite injuries and a lack of playing time, he was still selected third overall this year. What Houston is banking on and what talent evaluators pointed to during the pre draft process was Stingley’s top-end potential when fully healthy. As a freshman back in 2019, he was arguably the best corner in the country. He flashed that extreme upside again during the pre draft process where it seemed as though he was finally back at full health. If Stingley is able to regain that form, he should be one of the front runners for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Getting an elite lockdown corner on a rookie deal is something I am willing to gamble on. Maybe he turns out to be Jeff Okudah, but he might also end up being Jalen Ramsey.
68. Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams Age: 31 Years remaining on contract: 3 2022 cap hit: $24 million This was one of the toughest players to rank. On one hand, you have the greatest interior pass rusher in league history, who leads the league in sacks since he entered and has a resume longer than the runtime of The Batman. On the other hand, Donald is 31 years old, mulled retirement this offseason and has a monstrous contract. He will have the fifth-largest cap hit in the league for the 2023 season. Despite the negatives, it is hard to pass on the game-changing eight-time Pro Bowler, seven-time All-Pro, three-time Defensive Player of the Year. I told you his resume was long. If I was doing this list a few years ago, Donald would be a lock for the top 25. Now, it is a little harder to justify taking him with his career inevitably beginning to wind down, but there is simply no way I could leave him off the list.
67. Elgton Jenkins, OL, Green Bay Packers Age: 26 Years remaining on contract: 1 2022 cap hit: $4.72 million Versatility is incredibly valuable in the NFL, especially along the offensive line. Teams always look for players that can line up at multiple positions to give them depth. No offensive lineman offers more versatility than Jenkins. He has started at tackle, guard and center for the Packers since joining the team in 2019 and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2020 at left guard. Having a player who could be a solid tackle or a dominant guard is a true luxury. Now, there are a few knocks on Jenkins. He is coming off a torn ACL that cost him the second half of the 2021 season. He is also in the final year of his rookie contract. It is hard to pin down exactly where he will fall in terms of pay structure given his ability to line up at multiple positions, but I would make it a priority to keep him around.
66. Odafe Oweh, EDGE, Baltimore Ravens Age: 23 Years remaining on contract: 4 2022 cap hit: $2.58 million Oweh is just getting started. A raw pass rusher with great physical traits coming out of Penn State, he flashed that incredible ability during his rookie season in Baltimore. It yielded five sacks, three forced fumbles and 27 pressures in what mostly amounted to a situational role. There is certainly a lot of projection involved here, but I think Oweh has the makings of a special edge rusher in the NFL. He will get a chance to step into a full-time starting role in 2022 and I expect him to make the most of it. Taking a chance on a high-upside 23-year-old with four years left on his rookie contract seems like a very reasonable risk to take here.
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Already thinking about 2022? That’s the Jets fan in me. Always getting ready for the next draft. Gives me something to talk about every December and January when New York is out of playoff contention.
Anyway, I am just starting the process of watching film of the class of 2022. A few players I am familiar with after scouting them prior to them deciding to return to school. Then of course, names like Kayvon Thibodeaux, Evan Neal and Derek Stingley Jr. are known around college football because of their five-star status coming out of high school. Mix in a few quarterbacks and a bunch of receivers and we have an intriguing class.
The 2022 draft will likely look nothing like this. This is mostly just an exercise to identify some of the top players for next year and potential team needs on the NFL side. It’s also a lot of fun if you ask me. It makes it really interesting to go back and compare to the real draft a year later. I’ve been doing that with my first 2021 mock the past few days.
I did not decide the draft order. It is based on Super Bowl odds provided by William Hill. If you don’t like where your team is picking, take it up with them.
Without further ado, let’s dive into my first mock for the 2022 NFL draft.
1. Houston Texans (200-1) – Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma Apologies to Davis Mills, but if the Texans are picking first overall, I don’t see them passing on a quarterback. Spencer Rattler is the latest Oklahoma quarterback to draw national attention. He is a front-runner for the Heisman and should have the Sooners in position to challenge for the College Football Playoff. A quick glance at his 2020 tape will show some inconsistent performances early in the season, but his arm talent is impressive. It is very early in the scouting process for 2022, but Rattler has the early lead for QB1.
2. Detroit Lions (150-1) – Sam Howell, QB, UNC Detroit opted not to take one of the quarterbacks in the 2021 draft, passing on Justin Fields and Mac Jones. If the Lions ended up with the second pick in the 2022 draft, you can bet that Jared Goff did not transition well to the Motor City. Sam Howell is a bit undersized, but has a live arm and is not afraid to air it out. It will be interesting to see how he fares with so much of his supporting cast now in the NFL. Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome all were drafted over the weekend.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (100-1) – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU Possibly the best cornerback prospect to come out since Jalen Ramsey, Derek Stingley Jr. is a reliable, sticky cover corner. He locates the ball well in coverage and does an excellent job pressing off the line. There are a few instances in his play where he grabs receivers after getting beat off the line, but overall, he is a great player. For Cincinnati, who lost William Jackson III in free agency this year, he would fill a huge need.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (100-1) – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama When you have your franchise quarterback, it is best to invest in protecting him. Evan Neal is a mountain of a man who moves like someone 100 pounds lighter than him. He has yet to play left tackle at Alabama, but should take over the position this season with Alex Leatherwood heading to the NFL. Jacksonville can get by for a year with Cam Robinson playing on the franchise tag, but he will likely be gone next year, creating a huge opening on Trevor Lawrence’s blindside.
5. New York Jets (100-1) – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon Independent of position, Kayvon Thibodeaux is the top player in this class. After dominating his freshman season, Thibodeaux had a much more modest 2020, posting three sacks in seven games. His size and speed make him one of the most coveted prospects in this class. New York has been in search of a dominant pass rusher for well over a decade. Thibodeaux has the potential to wreak havoc in Robert Saleh’s scheme.
6. New York Giants (75-1) – Kedon Slovis, QB, USC If the Giants are picking this high, Daniel Jones’ days in New York are likely numbered. Dave Gettleman has surrounded him with a lot of offensive talent, signing Kenny Golladay and drafting Kadarius Toney. There are no more excuses. Assuming New York is searching for a new quarterback, Kedon Slovis could be a great fit. He wowed as a freshman before turning in a rockier sophomore campaign. If he can cut down on his turnovers and regain his 2019 form, he will be challenging for the top quarterback spot in this class.
7. Philadelphia Eagles (75-1) – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida Philly missed out on the top corners in the 2021 draft. This team has a huge need across from Darius Slay. Kaiir Elam could be the perfect player to fill it. He is long at 6’2″ and has good speed in the open field. His eye discipline is impressive from the limited film I’ve watched so far. I’ve also appreciate his willingness to make contact as a tackler. He is not afraid to hit people.
8. Las Vegas Raiders (70-1) – DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M After cutting Maurice Hurst and ignoring the position in the draft, the Raiders have a massive need at defensive tackle. Enter DeMarvin Leal. He is built like a prototypical three-technique tackle. His first step is good and he has a nose for the football. Even if he doesn’t get home, his presence is felt as a pass rusher. Las Vegas would benefit big time from having him on the interior of its defensive line.
9. Carolina Panthers (60-1) – Zion Nelson, OT, Miami I thought the Panthers might select an offensive tackle early in this past draft. They did grab Brady Christiansen in the third round, but that is not enough to make me think they couldn’t use more help. Zion Nelson worked his way into the starting left tackle role at Miami in 2020 and excelled. He brings all the size teams are looking for at the position and could be Carolina’s starting left tackle in 2022 in this scenario.
10. New York Giants via Chicago Bears (50-1) – Christian Harris, LB, Alabama After selecting a quarterback, Dave Gettleman turns to the defense here. Christian Harris is a do-it-all playmaker. He can drop in coverage like a safety or make plays around the line of scrimmage like a linebacker. He already has two years of experience as a starter in Alabama’s defense under his belt. The Giants would benefit from his sideline-to-sideline range.
11. Atlanta Falcons (50-1) – Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State I like what the Falcons did in the 2021 draft, but they still have yet to address their need on the edge. Zach Harrison has been used primarily as a situational rusher up to this point, but has the length to excel in a 4-3 defensive end role. He came on strong towards the end of the year for the Buckeyes and could be poised for a true breakout season in 2021.
12. Washington Football Team (50-1) – Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati Washington crushed the 2021 draft, at least on paper. They filled some needs and built quality depth across the roster. However, they still do not have a plan for the quarterback position. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Taylor Heinicke are currently the only two options on the roster. Desmond Ridder earned some late first-round love before opting to return to school. He is big and mobile. Without question, there are some mechanics you would like to see him improve, but he has enough tools to be in the first-round conversation.
13. Minnesota Vikings (40-1) – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame The last time Minnesota drafted a safety from Notre Dame in the first round worked out pretty well for them. Harrison Smith is now 32 though and Anthony Harris departed in free agency. Kyle Hamilton led the Irish in tackles this season. At 6’4″, 219 pounds, he could probably fit into a hybrid linebacker roll in today’s NFL. He started all year at safety for Notre Dame, but he can move around the formation and make plays. The Vikings will sign up for that.
14. Arizona Cardinals (40-1) – Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC Arizona is relying on a number of veteran players to produce in pass rushing situations this year. J.J. Watt is 32 and Chandler Jones is 31. The team could use some youth on the outside. Drake Jackson had a quieter 2021 season after picking up 5.5 sacks as a freshman. He is a bit of a tweener, able to line up as a 4-3 end or a 3-4 outside linebacker. His versatility could boost his draft stock as the year rolls on.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers (35-1) – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State Few teams need offensive line help like the Steelers. Charles Cross started all 10 games at left tackle for Mississippi State in 2020. He checks all the boxes from a physical perspective and should be set for another year of facing elite competition in the SEC.
16. Los Angeles Chargers (35-1) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State Chris Olave was a borderline first-round player before returning to school. He was Justin Fields’ favorite target and will form one of the nation’s best receiver duos with Garrett Wilson in 2021. It will be interesting to see if Olave can gel as quickly with Ohio State’s new starting quarterback.
17. Tennessee Titans (30-1) – George Pickens, WR, Georgia Tennessee built some quality depth with Senior Bowl standouts Dez Fitzpatrick and Racey McMath in the 2021 draft. Maybe one of them will develop into a quality starter, but outside of A.J. Brown, this team is lacking in proven options. George Pickens is a bit of a question mark at the moment. He had surgery on a torn ACL in April and will likely miss most, if not all of the 2021 season. His game tape from the previous two years is impressive though and at 6’5″, he will have plenty of suitors in the NFL.
18. New England Patriots (30-1) – Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama Rumors continue to fly about the future of Stephon Gilmore. The team could be betting on the development of 2019 second-round pick Joejaun Williams, but I think corner will be one of the team’s top needs next year. Josh Jobe is a physical corner with good size. He will get a chance to be Alabama’s No. 1 option with Patrick Surtain II now in the NFL.
19. Philadelphia Eagles via Miami Dolphins (28-1) – Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia At 6’6″, 330 pounds, Jordan Davis is a problem. Philly can continue to rebuild its defense with a high-upside space eater. Davis is quicker than most people his size should be. He is routinely double teamed and does well at not allowing offensive linemen into his body. He could be in for a monster season at Georgia.
20. Dallas Cowboys (28-1) – Sevyn Banks, CB, Ohio State Dallas missed out on the top corners in this draft class, so I have to imagine they would target one next year if given the chance. Sevyn Banks is a long, fluid defensive back coming off a solid season at Ohio State. He needs to work on his open-field tackling. The effort and form is lacking right now. His coverage skills are well above average. I am looking forward to watching more of him.
21. New Orleans Saints (25-1) – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State The Saints went heavy on defense in the draft, but they still need to find a receiver to complement Michael Thomas. Why not return to his alma mater? Garrett Wilson was arguably the better Ohio State receiver this past season. His production took a dive in the second half of the year though. If Wilson can replicate his hot start and this time maintain it, he will be in the conversation to be the first receiver selected.
22. Indianapolis Colts (25-1) – Thayer Munford, OT, Ohio State Indy essentially passed on the offensive tackle class this year. I expect Chris Ballard will find a veteran stop-gap option, but a long-term solution is still needed. Thayer Munford enters his fifth season with the Buckeyes having already played in 46 collegiate games. He has been rock solid and should be among the top linemen selected next year.
23. New York Jets via Seattle Seahawks (25-1) – Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M Building in the trenches is often a recipe for success. After grabbing the top edge rusher in the class, Joe Douglas grabs the top interior linemen. Kenyon Green has a mean streak and was an All-American in 2020. He certainly passes the eye test to be an NFL lineman and looks like a reliable pass blocker in the limited tape I’ve watched so far. He would continue to solidify the Jets offensive line in an effort to protect Zach Wilson.
24. Denver Broncos (20-1) – Perrion Winfrey, DL, Oklahoma Anyone else surprised to see the Broncos picking this late? Who am I to doubt Vegas though. Denver’s biggest need is an edge rusher, but there aren’t any I think are worth going here that fits Vic Fangio’s scheme. Instead, they grab a versatile defensive lineman to prepare for the future. Perrion Winfrey picked up steam as the 2020 season rolled on. He finished the year with six tackles for loss and solidified himself in the starting lineup.
25. Cleveland Browns (18-1) – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan It is hard to find many clear needs for this Browns team on paper. Jadeveon Clowney is on a one-year deal though, so finding a replacement would make sense. Aidan Hutchinson is a prototypical 4-3 end. He had his season cut short in 2020 due to injury, but should be ready to bounce back.
26. Green Bay Packers (16-1) – John Metchie, WR, Alabama Another Alabama wide receiver goes in the first round. John Metchie will get his chance to shine after sitting behind an all-star group of receivers over the past two years. That’s not to say Metchie hasn’t made plays either. He finished 2020 with close to 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. This year, he will be “the guy” though in this offense. For Green Bay, he would be a great No. 2 option across from Davante Adams with every single receiver, other than recently-drafted Amari Rodgers, set to be a free agent next offseason.
27. Baltimore Ravens (14-1) – Cade Mays, G, Tennessee The Ravens took big Ben Cleveland to develop along the interior of the offensive line. Kevin Zeitler is 31 and Bradley Bozeman is a free agent after the season, so this is still a potential need. Plus, building in the trenches is always smart. Cade Mays is a former five-star recruit with great size and tons of experience. He would be up for the task of keeping Lamar Jackson healthy.
28. Detroit Lions via Los Angeles Rams (14-1) – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas Detroit grabbed its quarterback of the future and now can find him a weapon to develop with. Treylon Burks was one of the top receivers in the SEC in 2020. He has a big frame with good run after the catch ability. He could be primed for a huge season and a rise up draft boards.
29. Miami Dolphins via San Francisco 49ers (14-1) – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah One of my favorite players in this draft class, I’ve been tracking Devin Lloyd since 2019. He is fast and diagnoses plays well. Utah moves him all over the formation to create confusion. He is best as an off-ball linebacker, but he has shown some ability to rush the passer as well. For Miami, I think Lloyd would challenge for a starting spot right away and that Brian Flores would get the most out of him.
30. Buffalo Bills (13-1) – Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M Buffalo stacked up on defense in 2021, but still has a clear need at tight end. Jalen Wydermyer is the best one in the class and has the production to back it up. He would be another receiving option for Josh Allen and could cause headaches for opposing defenses with his size and speed.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-2) – George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue Even after drafting Joe Tryon, Tampa could go edge rusher again to help lessen the blow of impending free agents. George Karlaftis had a truncated 2020 season between injury and COVID-19. However, he absolutely dominated in 2019, posting 17 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks as a true freshman. If he can get back to that type of disruptor in 2021, he will not still be on the board by pick 31.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (21-4) – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson Kansas City rebuilt its offensive line this offseason, which means it can turn its attention back to the defense. Charvarius Ward and Bashaud Breeland are both free agents after this season and the Chiefs do not have much proven depth. Andrew Booth Jr. could step in as a potential starter at one of those two corner spots. He is incredibly athletic and should have a chance to prove himself this year as Clemson’s top corner.
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