If there's one thing you can count on with the NFL draft, it's change. Prospects change and evolve over their college years, and so do evaluations. And for my latest Big Board for the Class of 2022, you're going to see lots of change from my preseason rankings.
Yes, my No. 1 overall prospect is the same, but I did an overhaul in several other spots, especially at quarterback. With most prospects having played four games so far, that's enough of a sample to move guys up and down, though I of course take into account their entire careers and how they project as NFL players. Still, though, there is a lot of quarterback uncertainty in 2022. Usually around this time, we know who the No. 1 guy is. With Oklahoma's Spencer Rattler and North Carolina's Sam Howell struggling, though, there are no guarantees at the top of the board.
So let's get into my list of the top 25 prospects overall, along with my top 10 prospects at every position. This is an outstanding class for top-tier wide receivers and edge rushers, but there are questions at a few other positions.
A couple of notes on my rankings, which should sound familiar:
There is a lot of projection involved, particularly for my top 25. Many of these prospects have started only a handful of games, and so I'm not yet writing up detailed scouting reports. I expect many of them to be stronger, faster and better as we get closer to next April's draft, so I'll adjust my rankings as the season moves on.
Heights and weights are based on what we have from schools; we don't get official numbers until the 2022 combine next March.
Jump to: Position rankings
1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
HT: 6-5 | WT: 250 | Previously: 1
Due to an ankle injury in the season opener, Thibodeaux has played only 19 snaps so far this season, but he did have a strip-sack in those limited plays. I'd like to see him get healthy, but he doesn't have a lot more to prove on the college level. Thibodeaux, the No. 1-ranked high school recruit in 2019, is an elite pass-rushing talent with the quickness and bend to get double-digit sacks annually at the next level. He had nine sacks as a true freshman in 2019, and he had three sacks and 9.5 total tackles for loss in seven games last season.
2. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
HT: 6-4 | WT: 219 | Previously: 5
Hamilton, one of the most versatile defenders in the country, moves up three spots from my preseason rankings. He had two interceptions against Florida State and added another in the win over Purdue. He now has eight in his career since 2019. Hamilton has the size to move up to the line of scrimmage and help in the run game, and he has the speed and range to cover pass-catchers out of the slot. He's exactly what NFL teams want in their first-round safeties.
3. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
HT: 6-1 | WT: 195 | Previously: 3
I wrote a little about Stingley and his ceiling on Monday, and he's the top corner in this class even though he hasn't been consistently great since 2019 (and now is dealing with a foot injury). This ranking is all about his upside. His freshman film, when he was one of the best players on LSU's national title team, is tremendous. He didn't play as well last season, but that can mostly be attributed to the entire LSU defense being dreadful. He has shown that he can lock down SEC receivers. There are going to be questions about his up-and-down play, but NFL teams will see more good tape than bad and draft him based on his ceiling.
4. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
HT: 6-7 | WT: 360 | Previously: 4
Neal is another prospect I mentioned in my Monday mailbag. He's an elite left tackle prospect with a massive frame and stellar physical traits. Check out this clip of him showing off those skills. Neal started at right tackle last season and was Bama's starting left guard as a freshman in 2019. He moved over to the left side this season, taking over for first-round pick Alex Leatherwood. He is the complete package, excelling as a run-blocker and also in moving his feet as a pass-protector.
5. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
HT: 6-6 | WT: 265 | Previously: 13
In the preseason, I led off my write-up on the Michigan edge rusher with "I think Hutchinson could have a big year." Well, that's what he's doing. He has 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble in four games, showing powerful moves and relentless pursuit of quarterbacks. He looks outstanding so far. Hutchinson played only 144 defensive snaps last season before he injured his leg against Indiana and had to have surgery, and the Michigan defense cratered after he was hurt. He was outstanding as a sophomore in 2019, putting up 4.5 sacks and creating havoc in the backfield (10.5 total tackles for loss).
6. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
HT: 6-5 | WT: 310 | Previously: NR
Cross has taken the next step. He was utterly dominant against a good LSU front last weekend. He stalemates edge rushers. Cross has long arms and good feet, and his coaches rave about his work ethic and attention to detail. He showed potential last season, his first as a starter, but he's also asked to do a lot in Mike Leach's offense, and so he had some poor pass-blocking reps. He allowed five sacks and 13 pressures on 556 pass blocks last season, according to tracking from ESPN Stats & Information. If Cross has indeed turned the corner, he could be a top-10 pick.
7. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
HT: 6-4 | WT: 290 | Previously: 6
Leal is one of my favorite prospects in this class, a versatile defensive lineman who could play in any defense at the next level. I like his potential as an interior penetrator a little more than I do as an edge rusher, and he has the frame to put on a few more pounds. But he plays incredibly hard and is always in the right spot. Leal has already matched his 2.5 sacks from last season, when he also had a forced fumble and an interception off Alabama's Mac Jones.
8. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
HT: 5-11 | WT: 184 | Previously: NR
Dotson is an explosive wideout having a great season. Look how open he is on this 49-yard touchdown against Wisconsin. And check out Penn State's first offensive play against Villanova, a 52-yard strike to Dotson in which he showed acceleration at the catch. He isn't catching many screens and short routes -- his average air yards per target is 12.2 yards, which is consistent with his four-year career at Penn State. He can break tackles after the catch. While Dotson had a few drops in 2019 and 2020, he hasn't dropped any of his 35 targets this season. He's on pace for a spectacular season.
Matt Corral throws three touchdown passes and rushes in four times in a 61-21 Ole Miss win vs. Tulane.
9. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
HT: 6-0 | WT: 193 | Previously: 10
Wilson played mostly out of the slot last season, catching 43 passes and averaging almost 17 yards per reception, but he has done most of his damage outside in 2021. He's dynamic with the ball in his hands and can run away from defenders after the catch. Here he is doing that against a Minnesota defensive back for a 56-yard score. Ohio State's offense has been up and down so far this season, but Wilson has caught 23 passes for 391 yards and three scores. His versatility will help at the next level, too. He and Chris Olave form one of the best wideout tandems in the country.
10. Drake London, WR, USC
HT: 6-5 | WT: 210 | Previously: 20
London has been on a tear to start the season. He is tied for the FBS lead in catches (39) and has the most receiving yards (540) in the country. Those have come on a whopping 58 targets in four games. USC's offense has struggled, but you can't blame London, who has a huge frame. London, who played on the USC basketball team in 2019-20, towers over Pac-12 defenders, and he can outleap just about any corner. He had 72 catches for 1,069 yards and eight touchdowns from 2019 to 2020. The only downside so far is that he has three drops after just one the previous two seasons. If he cleans those up, he will challenge to be the first receiver off the board next April.
11. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
HT: 6-3 | WT: 235 | Previously: NR
Lloyd has been incredibly impressive for the Utes this season. He has 46 tackles and has added two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. He penetrates past linemen at the snap, but Utah also uses him often in coverage, showing off his range as an off-ball linebacker. Lloyd was used more as a pass-rusher in 2019, and he showed off with 6.5 sacks. The versatility stands out as a major plus. I've been really impressed by his 2021 tape so far, and he has a chance to be a first-round linebacker next spring.
Spencer Rattler has his pass intercepted by Jackie Matthews who swoops in and dives to make the grab on the deflected ball.
12. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
HT: 6-1 | WT: 188 | Previously: 14
I wrote in May that Olave probably would have been a Day 2 pick had he entered the 2021 draft, and now he has a chance to be the No. 1 wideout in 2022. He's one of the best deep threats in this class -- he averaged 15.0 air yards per target from 2018 to 2020 -- and is an improved route runner with stellar hands. Those air yards per target have dropped a little bit, but he already has 136 yards after the catch. He can make defenders look silly in coverage and with the ball in his hands. Olave has three receiving touchdowns this season, giving him 25 for his Buckeyes career.
13. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
HT: 6-6 | WT: 340 | Previously: NR
Of course Davis' size sticks out, but he's not just a space eater in the middle of the Bulldogs' defense. He has the physical tools to beat interior offensive linemen with pass-rushing moves. That's to go with his tremendous power off the snap. Davis has 1.5 sacks already this season, and he's stellar against the run for one of the best defenses in the country. He's not going to be a perfect fit for every NFL defense, but look at the damage that the 6-foot-4, 347-pound Vita Vea has done to offenses with the Bucs. Davis could be a game-changer.
14. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
HT: 6-7 | WT: 321 | Previously: NR
Penning destroys edge rushers at the FCS level. He's consistently dominant in both the run and pass game. "Rugged" is the word I'd use to describe his game. And though he's not playing against NFL-caliber players every week, I think he has a chance to be an elite guy. He has played mostly at left tackle for the Panthers, who had 2021 third-rounder Spencer Brown on the right side from 2017 to 2019. Penning has flashed more than Brown did.
15. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
HT: 6-1 | WT: 215 | Previously: 15
Finally -- a quarterback. You'll notice a big shift in QBs in this updated Big Board, but Willis has deserved the No. 1 spot. I wrote about his start earlier this month, noting how he has improved as a passer down the field. He has thrown 10 touchdown passes and no interceptions while adding four rushing scores. He ranks third in the FBS in Total QBR (89.5) and is completing 71.6% of his passes. Liberty lost at Syracuse last weekend, but Willis was great. The Auburn transfer had a big 2020 season, throwing 20 touchdown passes and just six interceptions while adding 14 rushing TDs and 944 yards on the ground. He has improved this season. The next big game for the Flames is at Ole Miss on Nov. 6.
16. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
HT: 6-3 | WT: 290 | Previously: NR
Linderbaum is one of the best center prospects in recent memory. He can do everything, and he excels as a puller to either side. He doesn't have many weaknesses. ESPN Stats & Information tracks sacks allowed, and has him down for one, which came all the way back in 2019. I'm a huge fan of his game.
Best center in college football... pic.twitter.com/CLZuhZA4c0
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) September 28, 2021
17. Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
HT: 6-5 | WT: 315 | Previously: NR
I just mentioned the sacks attributed stat that ESPN tracks, and it has zero down for Petit-Frere's entire Buckeyes career. I couldn't find any, either, when I went back to his tape. After starting on the right side last season, he has proved to be just as steady and consistent at left tackle this season. A former five-star recruit, Petit-Frere just keeps improving.
18. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
HT: 6-3 | WT: 232 | Previously: 12
Burks is another prospect I wrote about recently, as he tore up Texas A&M and gave the Aggies' defensive backs fits. Check out his speed on this 85-yard touchdown catch. He has a big catch radius and can play inside or outside, though he's doing most of his damage out of the slot. He has 19 catches for 373 yards -- an average of 19.6 -- with two touchdowns. He had seven scores a year ago. Concentration drops are definitely an issue, but he's going to battle for the top wideout spot in a deep class.
19. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
HT: 6-0 | WT: 190 | Previously: 21
As I wrote in my preseason Big Board, I really liked McCreary's tape after watching more of Auburn this summer. He's instinctive and has nice size. He can cover and help against the run. He got beat a few times last season, but he has been more consistent so far this season. He has added two more interceptions -- including this pick-six -- after having three in 2020.
20. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
HT: 6-0 | WT: 200 | Previously: NR
I went deeper on Corral's upside on Monday, and he has been incredibly impressive this season, throwing nine touchdown passes and no interceptions. He ranks fourth in the FBS in QBR (89.3). He's not the biggest quarterback, but he has touch and accuracy and a good-enough arm. He doesn't crater under pressure. If he can avoid the disaster games that he had last season -- 11 combined interceptions in two games against LSU and Arkansas -- he's going to be in the first-round mix.
Georgia LB Nolan Smith gets to the QB and forces a fumble vs. South Carolina.
21. Adam Anderson, OLB, Georgia
HT: 6-5 | WT: 230 | Previously: 16
Out of all the 2020 tape I studied over the summer, Anderson's might have been the most surprising -- in a good way. He flies off the edge to get to quarterbacks and never takes plays off. He had a great season as an edge rusher, racking up 6.5 sacks, 17 QB pressures and two forced fumbles. So far this season, Anderson has three more sacks and eight pressures. He is likely to stick as a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level, and he has the potential to be a big-time sack artist.
22. Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
HT: 6-9 | WT: 380 | Previously: NR
Yes, you read his height and weight correctly. Faalele is massive; Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy pointed out his rare measurables over the summer. He is extremely agile for his size, which is particularly noteworthy since he started playing football only in 2017, when he moved from Australia and joined the IMG Academy. Faalele started 19 games at right tackle for the Golden Gophers in 2018 and 2019 before opting out of the 2020 season. He's back now and is off to a terrific start. I've been impressed with his ability to move his feet in pass protection, and he's a better pass-blocker than he is run-blocker at this point. There's a lot to like about Faalele's ceiling.
23. Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State
HT: 6-5 | WT: 262 | Previously: NR
Johnson had 6.5 sacks in two seasons at Georgia before transferring to FSU, and he has come close to matching that in four games. He has 5.5 sacks -- tied with Aidan Hutchinson for the most in the FBS -- and 10 total pressures in four games. He's a classic defensive end with some bend and burst off the edge. Johnson has also drawn two penalties against him, so offensive tackles are having issues keeping him in front of them.
24. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
HT: 6-0 | WT: 195 | Previously: 19
As I wrote in May, Booth was overshadowed nationally last season by Derion Kendrick, who is now at Georgia, but the tape showed something different. He was really, really good. If you're looking just at his counting stats -- two interceptions, four total pass breakups -- you don't see how he locked up wideouts. Quarterbacks rarely threw Booth's way. That has been the same this season, as he doesn't have the counting stats, but he is one of Clemson's most important players.
25. Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma
HT: 6-1 | WT: 205 | Previously: 2
Check out my mailbag for a fuller explanation of Rattler's tough start, but he just simply hasn't played well in four games. He has been too reliant on his elite arm talent, throwing too many passes into double and triple coverage. He hasn't been accurate enough. Rattler looks more like a fringe first-rounder than the Heisman favorite and top-five pick I thought he would be coming into the season. Now, there is still time to turn it around; he didn't play well early last season, either. But he has taken a step back based on this four-game sample, which means he's now my third-ranked quarterback.
Rankings at every position for the 2022 NFL draft
Quarterbacks
1. Malik Willis, Liberty
2. Matt Corral, Ole Miss
3. Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma
4. Sam Howell, North Carolina
5. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
6. Kenny Pickett, Pitt
7. Carson Strong, Nevada
8. Tanner McKee, Stanford
9. Jayden Daniels, Arizona State
10a. Kedon Slovis, USC
10b. Phil Jurkovec, Boston College
Running backs
1. Breece Hall, Iowa State
2. Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
3. Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
4. Tyler Goodson, Iowa
5. Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
6. Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
7. Pierre Strong Jr., South Dakota State
8. Zamir White, Georgia
9. Rachaad White, Arizona State
10a. Chris Rodriguez Jr., Kentucky
10b. Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
Fullbacks/H-backs
1. Jeremiah Hall, Oklahoma
2. Brayden Willis, Oklahoma
3. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Maryland
4. Sean Dykes, Memphis
5. Zander Horvath, Purdue
6. Case Hatch, Arizona State
7. Monte Pottebaum, Iowa
8. Roger Carter, Georgia State
9. Clint Ratkovich, No. Illinois
10. John Chenal, Wisconsin
Wide receivers
1. Jahan Dotson, Penn State
2. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
3. Drake London, USC
4. Chris Olave, Ohio State
5. Treylon Burks, Arkansas
6. Jameson Williams, Alabama
7. John Metchie III, Alabama
8. Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama
9. Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland
10a. George Pickens, Georgia
10b. Justyn Ross, Clemson
Tight ends
1. Trey McBride, Colorado State
2. Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
3. Cade Otton, Washington
4. Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
5. Jahleel Billingsley, Alabama
6. Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State
7. Cameron Latu, Alabama
8. Teagan Quitoriano, Oregon State
9. Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
10a. James Mitchell, Virginia Tech
10b. Grant Calcaterra, SMU
Offensive tackles
1. Evan Neal, Alabama
2. Charles Cross, Mississippi State
3. Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
4. Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State
5. Daniel Faalele, Minnesota
6. Jaxson Kirkland, Washington
7. Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
8. Kellen Diesch, Arizona State
9. Abraham Lucas, Washington State
10. Andrew Stueber, Michigan
Guards
1. Ikem Ekwonu, NC State
2. Jamaree Salyer, Georgia
3. Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
4. Logan Bruss, Wisconsin
5. Zion Johnson, Boston College
6. Thayer Munford, Ohio State
7. Marquis Hayes, Oklahoma
8. Emil Ekiyor Jr., Alabama
9. Dylan Parham, Memphis
10a. Ed Ingram, LSU
10b. Justin Shaffer, Georgia
Centers
1. Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
2. Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
3. Grant Gibson, NC State
4. Alex Forsyth, Oregon
5. Dohnovan West, Arizona State
6. Alec Lindstrom, Boston College
7. Doug Kramer, Illinois
8. Nick Ford, Utah
9. Michael Maietti, Missouri
10. Ben Brown, Mississippi
Defensive ends
1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
2. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
3. DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M
4. Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
5. George Karlaftis, Purdue
6. Ali Gaye, LSU
7. Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State
8. Zach Harrison, Ohio State
9. Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
10a. Tre Williams, Arkansas
10b. Amare Barno, Virginia Tech
Defensive tackles
1. Jordan Davis, Georgia
2. Haskell Garrett, Ohio State
3. Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma
4. Jayden Peevy, Texas A&M
5. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
6. Thomas Booker, Stanford
7. John Ridgeway, Arkansas
8. Travis Jones, Connecticut
9. Zachary Carter, Florida
10. PJ Mustipher, Penn State
Inside linebackers
1. Devin Lloyd, Utah
2. Christian Harris, Alabama
3. Nakobe Dean, Georgia
4. DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
5. Henry To'oTo'o, Alabama
6. Mike Rose, Iowa State
7. Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin
8. Damone Clark, LSU
9. Chance Campbell, Mississippi
10a. Jeremiah Gemmel, North Carolina
10b. Ventrell Miller, Florida
Outside linebackers
1. Adam Anderson, Georgia
2. Brandon Smith, Penn State
3. Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
4. Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma
5. Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina
6. Drake Jackson, USC
7. Aaron Hansford, Texas A&M
8. Channing Tindall, Georgia
9. Nolan Smith, Georgia
10a. Boye Mafe, Minnesota
10b. Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati
Cornerbacks
1. Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
2. Roger McCreary, Auburn
3. Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
4. Trent McDuffie, Washington
5. Kaiir Elam, Florida
6. Martin Emerson, Mississippi State
7. Josh Jobe, Alabama
8. Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
9. Mykael Wright, Oregon
10a. Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska
10b. Derion Kendrick, Georgia
Safeties
1. Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
2. Jaquan Brisker, Penn State
3. Jalen Catalon, Arkansas
4. Lewis Cine, Georgia
5. Verone McKinley, Oregon
6. Jordan Battle, Alabama
7. Daxton Hill, Michigan
8. Nick Cross, Maryland
9. Markquese Bell, Florida A&M
10. Jalen Pitre, Baylor
Kickers and punters
1. Cade York, LSU (kicker)
2. Jake Camarda, Georgia (punter)
3. Gabe Brkic, Oklahoma (kicker)
4. Will Reichard, Alabama (kicker)
5. Adam Korsak, Rutgers (punter)
6. Blake Hayes, Illinois (punter)
7. Anders Carlson, Auburn (kicker)
8. Austin McNamara, Texas Tech (punter)
9. Cameron Dicker, Texas (kicker and punter)
10a. Ryan Stonehouse, Colorado State (punter)
10b. D.J. Arnson, Northern Arizona (punter)
Long-snappers
1. Damon Johnson, USC
2. Ethan Tabel, Illinois
3. Austin Spiewak, Iowa
4. Keegan Markgraf, Utah
5. Cal Adomitis, Pitt
6. John Taylor, Duke
7. Brian Keating, Connecticut
8. Billy Taylor, Rutgers
9. Justin Mader, Texas
10. Karsten Battles, Oregon