The South Carolina DE has plenty of juice to take off after the passer. He could be a tweener defensive tackle/end, and he should probably gain weight to play on the inside as a pro. Last season, six edge rushers were drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Hutchinson is expected to lead the Wolverines defense and help cement his position as one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. Team sources say Thibodeaux is worthy of being a high first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and feel he has the upside to possibly be a Khalil Mack-type rusher at the next level. He has an elite combination of size, strength, a Drake is a quality prospect who possesses impressive athletic ability: he has a unique combination of speed, agility, power as wel David Ojabo may have the greatest upside of any player in the 2022 NFL Draft class with a unique combination of size, strength, an Arnold Ebiketie is an impressive pro prospect who has top-level athletic skills - he's explosive, has elite speed around the edge, Johnson has been rocketing up draft boards after his dominating 2021 season with FSU. They will gather on the field for the first time when the team holds their rookie minicamp May 13-15. 1? The 64, 240-pounder significantly elevated his stock in a season where he accounted for half of the Gamecocks sacks. 4/27/22: Tragedy struck for Ojabo when he tore his Achilles during Michigan's pro-day workout. Kayvon Thibodeaux *, Oregon 3. George Karlaftis *, Purdue 6.. The defensive linemen in the 2022 NFL draft class may be one of the best classes in recent years. 7/10/21: Mafe played well in the shortened 2020 season, totaling 27 tackles with 4.5 sacks and two passes batted. 4/27/22: Teams sources say Williams would be a first- or second-round pick if it weren't for significant character concerns that could cause him to go undrafted. Anderson should be a top-10 or top-15 pick if he keeps playing like he did against Clemson. He's sufficient versus the run because he can find it and can win with quicks and athletic ability. The NFL advance scouts listed Mafe as an outside linebacker, but at his size, he could grow into being a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. The imposing defensive end racked up 12 tackles for loss amongst 31 total tackles. At 66, 250 pounds. Rookie defensive end Amar Barno put together a solid start to his professional career in his debut season in 2022. Gunter has quality size to be an edge defender in the NFL. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. 7/10/21: In limited action because of a lot of cancellations in 2020, Smith was solid. Thomas had four sacks in 2020 and 5.5 in 2019. But if he plays with a hand in the dirt at the NFL level, it could help him attain better leverage, while maximizing his athletic traits. 4/27/22: Ebiketie played well for the Nittany Lions in 2021, picking up 62 tackles, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumble. Instead, its Florida States Jermaine Johnson II. Mafe had a career season at Minnesota in 2021 and followed it up with a stellar showing at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. The injury also could cost Ojabo a spot in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft. He also has to up his pass-rush production with the Bulldogs. He's turned all three picks in the past two drafts into starters in right guard Quinn Meinerz (2021, No. Projecting for defensive end roles in the NFL, the top defensive end in the 2022 NFL Draft isnt Hutchinson or Karlaftis. There are even more pass-rush playmakers ready and waiting to push their way up draft boards this fall. Lets take a look. The 2022 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 28. . He has everything you Travon Walker is a prospect who is still a better athlete than a football player. The statistics are sensational. 7/10/21: Thomas contributed somewhat in the pass rush in 2020, but he did not produce well in run defense. Smith started playing better afterward, including putting up a big game against Penn State. Gunter was forced to sit out the 2019 season before transferring back to Coastal Carolina for 2020. His natural instincts to go for the strip sack are phenomenal. The first round was held on Thursday, April 28, and was followed by the second and third rounds on Friday, April 29. [1], The league awarded the draft to Las Vegas on April 23, 2020 after the Raiders officially relocated to Las Vegas. He totaled 35 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass batted. Jack Borowsky Jul 5, 2021 1:08 PM EDT The. The Coastal Carolina defensive end also led the nation with 6 forced fumbles in 2020. carry receiving threats up the seam or play man-to-man against tight ends. He helped himself with a good week at the Senior Bowl and worked out well at the combine. 98), outside linebacker Baron Browning (2021, No. Half of his sacks came in one game versus LSU. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds. This has provided a further showcase of his athletic ability to impact multiple phases of the game. 39 min read Last year saw tight end Kyle Pitts, termed the "unicorn" in many circles, come off the board. On the year, he had 47 tackles and six sacks. 2022 NFL Mock Draft: A Debate Over the Best Defensive End Might Kayvon Thibodeaux not be the best defensive prospect in the upcoming draft class? Defensive End Rankings 2022 NFL Draft Home Positions DE ALL QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACK WIDE RECEIVER TIGHT END OFFENSIVE LINE DEFENSIVE LINE EDGE LINEBACKER DEFENSIVE BACK #1 RANKED - SCOUTING REPORT 97 Aidan Hutchinson POSITION RANK #1 OUR RATING 94.8 DE All Scouts Average Overall Rank 2.7 All Scouts Average Position Rank 1 Height Feet 6-7 His power certainly comes first, but he does flash great burst off the line, as well as modest ankle flexion around the edge. 24 in passing yards allowed (4,160) and No. The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder has the strength to set the edge in the ground game and has the length to play 3-4 five-technique defensive end. He has risen during the 2022 NFL Draft process, and he will probably end up as one of the first players drafted. At 63, 260 pounds, Smith might not appear as imposing as his teammate. Last fall, the Cincinnati pass rusher was a late riser up draft boards, earning buzz as a potential Day 2 selection. By the end of this weekend, we'll have a much clearer idea on how the Arizona Cardinals, . 7/10/21: Hutchinson was excellent to open 2020, collecting 13 tackles and a pass batted before going down with an ankle fracture that required surgery. He put together impressive games against Florida and Georgia. 2022 September 2 2023 NFL Draft 3-4 Defensive End Rankings 2023 NFL Draft 3-4 Defensive End Rankings John Vogel September 2, 2022 in 2023 Rankings, Player Rankings - 6 Minutes 1. His best fit in the NFL could be as a 3-4 outside linebacker. After a relatively disappointing defensive draft last April in terms of first-round pass rushers, the top of the 2022 NFL Draft could feature multiple defensive ends. On top of being very fast, Anderson shows an uncanny ability to bend his long frame. Off the snap, it is as if he has been shot out of cannon as he explodes upfield with shocking speed. He broke out in 2018 with 49 tackles and five sacks, but transferred to N.C. State after the season. If he continues on an upward curve with all those attributes, he will comfortably end up as one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. Boye Mafe will be a 24-year-old rookie, but regardless of age, his sheer upside should have teams jumping to the podium in the top 50. He has seen time at multiple alignments in the Michigan defense, ranging from a traditional defensive end to a 3-technique, and even lined up over the center. BIO 1 18 -- Travon Walker Georgia 6'5" 272 JR 2022 NFL Mock Draft Defensive End Rankings: Travon Walker, Georgia Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State George Karlaftis, Purdue . Charlton has the ability to be a capable edge defender, but needs to get stronger. 86 overall in Round 3 after trading up with Raiders", "Carolina Panthers use 3rd-round draft pick on QB Matt Corral amid Baker Mayfield trade speculation", "Colts trade up and draft Maryland safety Nick Cross in the third round", "Vikings acquiring TE Chris Herndon from Jets in trade following Irv Smith Jr.'s knee injury", "New Vikings CB Akayleb Evans Ready to Learn From Patrick Peterson", "Panthers trade into 4th round, select LB Brandon Smith", "Raiders trade up to No. While Thibodeaux was solid, he didn't dominate on the field and he also showed a poor motor with taking plays off consistently. You dont earn 14 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, and take home Heisman runner-up honors on accident. It wasnt just Paschals skill set that stressed offenses, but also how he was used because he could take on a multitude of different roles. Teams are worried, however, about how much Thibodeaux loves football and the focus he has on "his brand." With strong, precise hands, Enagbare can maximize his length and combat extensions. He follows a trend of undersized edge rushers from Clemson that includes the likes of Vic Beasley and Shaq Lawson. 7/10/21: Tisdale is a big defensive end who is a tough run defender at the point of attack. Standing around 65, 266 pounds, Thomas is an impressive athlete for his size. Smith needs to become a more consistent pass rusher this coming season. * - denotes 2023 prospect. SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION HOLIDAY BOWL. Hutchinson has been the most dominating pass-rusher in college football during the 2021 season and easily outperformed the presump Thibodeaux has out-of-this-world athletic ability and as a result, is in the running for being the top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft George Karlaftis is a freakish athlete with an elite massive frame and is a natural dominating pass rusher. 2022 NFL draft: The top 11 quarterbacks 1 Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) Height: 6'4 5/8 (69th) Weight: 254 (20th) 40-Yard Dash: 4.58 seconds (93rd) 10-Yard. He showed some pass-rush potential alongside quality size and speed. At the next level, Paschal has a curious projection. 7/10/21: Malone was a dangerous quarterback hunter over the past three seasons for the Hilltoppers. Perrion Winfrey is one of the top defensive tackles on the board. 38", "Colts trade down in the second round of NFL Draft with Vikings", "Browns trade down from No. NFL Draft picks 2022: Complete list, results, selections of Round 1. . 7/10/21: In 2020, Johnson was part of a loaded group of edge rushers at Georgia. Here's a closer look. They wonder and question if he snuck out after curfew and bed check, so Anderson's situation is a huge mess for his draft stock. Copyright 2019-2023. At 63 3/4, 261 pounds, Mafe has the frame density, explosiveness, speed, and the bend to sink below the corner. Apr 15, 2022, 4:52pm ET in NFL News Top 10 Best defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft Teams in need of a dynamic edge rusher are going to have plenty of opportunities to fill that role as the 2022 NFL Draft is loaded with top defensive ends. He came up with some clutch plays in USC's comeback win over Washington State. Raiders officially relocated to Las Vegas, No. The draft concluded with rounds 47 on Saturday, April 30. INDIANAPOLIS - The 2023 NFL draft shapes up as a referendum on bigger-than-average edge rushers. There were many talented defensive linemen in the 2021 NFL draft, but the 2022. He is going to be freak at the combine and pro day. Oklahoma has quite a few eligible defensive linemen in the 2022 NFL Draft. Thomas was buried on the depth chart behind Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant prior to 2019. Given his height and weight, however, Ebiketie is not a good fit as a hand-in-the-ground base end for a 4-3 defense. He has one of the highest floors in this DE class and a fairly high ceiling. Carter was very productive for the Gators this past season and flashed numerous times at the Senior Bowl in early February. He could rise as a senior if he can leverage his experience to build off his four-sack junior year. Moreover, he accounted for 60% of South Carolinas forced fumbles. Azeez Ojulari was the featured defender, while Johnson, Adam Anderson and Nolan Smith rotated for snaps. Barno broke out in 2020, recording 6.5 sacks with 43 tackles, two forced fumbles and two passes batted. Here's how a team's director of player personnel summarized Hutchinson, "I think he's a good athlete with speed and a pretty good get-off.