The college football season is winding down, which only means the next logical thing to do is look ahead to the way too early 2022 NFL draft preview. Last year’s draft was the year of the quarterback, with five signal callers going in the top 15 picks (ironically the one picked last – Mac Jones at #15 – having the most success.
2022 is going to be a lot different, not just because teams have stocked up with young talent on offense but also because the stock of QBs, WRs, RBs is a bit thin this year. Be sure when you start to make your NFL Draft bets, head to BetUS and get great early odds! Here’s a look at the crop of players that are going to be altering NFL point spreads for years to come.
Kayvon Thibodeaux DE Oregon
It’s been since Myles Garrett in 2017 that a defensive player has gone #1 overall in the NFL draft, but the Browns have to like that return on investment with the dominant pass rusher leading the NFL in sacks. Kayvon Thibodeaux looks to be on that same level, and at 6’5”, 258 pounds he can dominate just like Garrett or Washington’s Chase Young.
In a recent game against Colorado, the Buffaloes had an average time of 2 seconds to throw the football when Thibodeaux was on the field. That kind of pressure makes your whole defense better.
Derek Stingley CB LSU
There will be at least two secondary players taken in the top 5 of the 2022 NFL draft, and there’s a great chance that Derek Stingley is the first one off the board. Stingley is a burner (4.3 40 time) who some are calling the best all-around athlete in the draft. He’s got good size too (6’1”, 194) and an injury history won’t deter teams.
Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
At 6’4” 221 the obvious comps for Kyle Hamilton are former Washington safety Sean Taylor, which is why he’ll be off the board in the top 5 next spring. Hamilton will be a starter on day one, and he’s been called a unique prospect that you “take if available even if you don’t need a safety.”
Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan
Michigan may have up to three or four defensive players taken in the first round of the 2022 draft, but Aidan Hutchinson is the cream of that crop. Hutchinson suffered a season ending leg injury last season but has bounced back to earn an FBS leading 93.1 grade from PFF.
Nakobe Dean LB Georgia
The Chicago Bears are liking the return on investment from Roquan Smith, who looks like a perennial All-Pro after being selected #8 in the 2018 draft. That has teams high on another Butkus Award nominee from Georgia, Nakobe Dean. Dean isn’t the biggest at 6’0, 225, but he can blitz and is great in pass coverage with freakish athletic ability that will make him an asset as a top 10 pick in the Spring.
We’re not going to have the Trevor Lawrence’s, Justin Fields’ Mac Jones’, or even Jamar Chase’s of the college football world called early in the 2022 draft, but teams will be getting defensive cornerstones that will become the foundation of their clubs for years to come. Get on the NFL Draft betting odds at BetUS today!
