NFL Draft: A Look at Some of the Top Prospects

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Who are the top college prospects this offseason declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft? Defensive End Aidan Hutchinson from Michigan, defensive end Kayvan Thibodeaux from Oregon, and offensive tackle Evan Neal from Alabama are a few just to name.

A lot of analysts are saying that this year isn’t a quarterback draft with just two of the top-20 being QBs. Most NFL teams have a solid starter so the main focus is the best available talent for their specific team needs.

Hutchinson was dominant and destructive this season, racking up a program-record 14.5 sacks while adding 12 TFL and two forced fumbles. Thibodeaux is an explosive, long, and bendy edge rusher who’s only just scratching the surface of what he could be. He has a 91.5 pass-rushing grade and 46 pressures this season, even with a limited set of pass-rush moves, according to Pro Football Focus.

Some defensive backs emerged at the top as well. Cornerback Derek Singletary from LSU and safety Kyle Hamilton from Notre Dame. Singletary has allowed only a 41.1% completion percentage for his career and has been starting since his freshman year. Hamilton has great size at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. A modern hybrid defender who can do whatever is asked. Even though he missed Notre Dame’s final five games with a minor knee injury, he came down with three picks and three pass breakups in his first seven games.

Offensive linemen could have their name called in the top-10 possibly. Tackle Evan Neal from Alabama, a massive 6-foot-7, 350-pounder is one of the most imposing linemen coming out of this year’s draft and he has great athleticism with his ability to move. He’s only allowed 22 pressures the past two years between left and right tackle showing his versatility. Center Tyler Linderbaum is regarded as the best center prospect most have seen in a while. He was already the highest-graded center in the country in 2020, but he has taken his game to new heights in 2021 earning a 95.3 overall grade.

But don’t sleep on the quarterbacks though, they are still something to keep an eye out for the NFL. QB Kenny Pickett from Pittsburgh is the single biggest riser at the quarterback position. Pickett didn’t earn a single sub-70.0 game grade all year. After managing only 10 big-time throws in 2020, Pickett totaled 29 this season. In his fourth year as a starter, Pickett looked decidedly different, according to Pro Football Focus. QB Matt Corral from Ole Miss flashed his athleticism even more this season, racking up 713 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.