The 2022 NFL Draft is upon us, with the first round televised next Thursday, April 28th. Every year I look forward to meeting up at the Taco Mac & watching the draft with my friends. As a long-suffering Falcons fan, it’s always interesting to see who my team decides to draft next. Our recent drafts have produced mixed results, for every Kyle Pitts there’s always a Vic Beasley. This is common for most teams, as nobody truly knows how these college players will perform. Still though, there’s always a sense of optimism & excitement in the air as draft day approaches. Let’s take a look at some of the most burning questions that will be answered during the draft.
Who goes 1st overall?
To the surprise of absolutely no one, the Jaguars own the first overall pick again this year. Last year, they selected QB Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 pick & the jury is still out on him. This year, their decision (should they decide to stay put) likely comes down to three players: Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson, Georgia DE Travon Walker, & Alabama OT Evan Neal. There’s no real consensus No. 1 prospect in this year’s draft, though all of these guys are great. It’s just a matter of preference, team need, and value in terms of trade offers they may receive. With Jaguars GM Trent Baalke noting that “you’re always open for business” in regards to the first overall pick, that could make for a draft shakeup in a wild NFL offseason full of such things.
Which team takes a QB first?
Teams such as the Panthers, Falcons, Seahawks, & Saints are in the quarterback market. Unfortunately for them, this draft class in terms of QB prospects is reportedly not a great one. That said, which team will break the ice & start the inevitable first round run on quarterbacks? My money is on the Panthers, as they have been burned by veterans Sam Darnold, Teddy Bridgewater, & Cam Newton in recent years, and their need at the position is glaringly obvious. I’m not sure it will be with the team’s No. 6 pick though, as QB-needy teams may trade down in an effort to get their franchise guys at a more affordable value while gathering extra draft picks.
Will teams with multiple 1st rounders stick & pick?
The Lions, Texans, Giants, Jets, Eagles, Saints, Packers, & Chiefs control this year’s draft, with these teams accounting for half of the total picks in the first round this year (16/32). Each team has two 1st round selections via trades with other teams over the past couple of years. It’s unlikely that the Giants (Nos. 5 & 8) will make both of their picks given their cap situation. What about the rest of these teams though? Will they stick & pick or trade down for more picks? These decisions will shape the course of this year’s draft, and that’s why it’s exciting to watch.
Do we see any draft day trades?
Given the description of the situation above, I believe we will see tons of draft day trades. The Bears, Broncos, Browns, Dolphins, Colts, Raiders, & 49ers don’t have 1st rounders this year. That’s why it seems highly likely that we will see some trade action between the “haves” (teams with multiple firsts) and the “have-nots” (teams without a first) as we approach this year’s draft. It’s also possible that we see more action on the trade front, with names such as QB Kyler Murray, QB Baker Mayfield, & CB James Bradberry amongst players potentially being dealt. Draft day is usually a let down in terms of trade action, but this wild offseason could change that.
Bonus: Over/under on Roger Goodell boos
A draft night tradition unlike any other, fans who attend the NFL Draft repeatedly boo NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell every time he walks to the stage announcing a draft pick. Last year, 160,000 people attended the draft in Cleveland despite rain & cold weather conditions. I believe there will be around 175,000 people in attendance this year, given that it’s hosted in Las Vegas & Covid restrictions for the event will surely be relaxed compared to last year’s event. There are 32 teams in the league, which means I predict 6 million boos for our favorite commish! There’s no way to record this information of course, but it’s always a fun exercise nonetheless.
The Sports Beacon 