With the 2022 NFL draft inching closer -- Round 1 begins April 28; mark your calendars -- I wanted to reset my Big Board rankings ahead of the stretch run of the season.
Evaluating this quarterback class, it's becoming clear that there isn't a unanimous top guy and that it might take the college all-star games and combine to lock in the rankings. That's not necessarily unique on its own, but what makes it different than the past few classes is that I don't see any of these quarterbacks being worthy of going No. 1 overall. Still, even if I don't personally have a quarterback ranked in the top 10, one of the 32 teams might have a different opinion. There's a long way to go until April.
Let's get into my list of the best 25 prospects overall, along with my top 10 prospects at every position. Two notes on my rankings, same as always:
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 the draft, so I'll adjust my rankings as we get closer to it.
Heights and weights are based on what we have from schools; we don't get official numbers until the 2022 combine in March.
Jump to: Position rankings
1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
HT: 6-5 | WT: 250 | Previously: 1
After missing a few games because of an ankle injury he suffered in the season opener, Thibodeaux has been spectacular since returning. In a win at UCLA, he had a strip sack, another sack and nine total tackles. Against Cal the week before, he had a sack and 10 total pressures. 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 leads the FBS in pressure percentage (21%). He had nine sacks as a true freshman in 2019 and had three more and 9.5 total tackles for loss in seven games last season.
2. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
HT: 6-4 | WT: 219 | Previously: 2
Hamilton hasn't played since he suffered a right knee injury on Oct. 23 against USC. Notre Dame needs Hamilton, one of the most versatile defenders in the country. 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 running game and 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
Like Hamilton, Stingley hasn't played in a while, as he's dealing with a foot injury. I wrote about him and his ceiling earlier this fall, and he's the top corner in this class even though he hasn't been consistently great since 2019. 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: 5
Neal is another prospect I mentioned in my mailbag in September. 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 has 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: 6
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 seven sacks and a forced fumble, showing powerful moves and relentless pursuit of quarterbacks. His 18.6% pressure percentage ranks third in the country. He looks outstanding. Hutchinson played only 144 defensive snaps last season before he injured his leg against Indiana and had to have surgery; 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: 7
Cross has taken the next step. He has allowed just one sack and four pressures this season, and that's with playing in a pass-heavy Mike Leach offense. He was dominant against a good LSU front earlier this season and more than held his own against the mega-talented Alabama defense. 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 Leach's offense, and so he had some poor pass-blocking reps. He allowed five sacks and 13 pressures on 556 pass blocks in 2020. Based on his 2021 tape so far, I see a top-10 pick.
7. Drake London, WR, USC
HT: 6-5 | WT: 210 | Previously: 4
London was having a phenomenal season before fracturing his right ankle against Arizona on Oct. 30. The injury will cause him to miss the rest of the season. He had 88 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 11 catches and 136 yards per game. 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. I noticed a few drops this season -- he has five after just one the previous two seasons -- but he does have soft hands and a huge catch radius.
8. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
HT: 6-3 | WT: 235 | Previously: 8
Lloyd has been incredibly impressive for the Utes, filling the stat sheet each week. He has 81 total tackles and has added six sacks, 17 tackles for loss, three interceptions (check out this pick-six) 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, racking up 6.5 sacks. He has 14.5 for his career. The versatility stands out as a major plus. I've been really impressed by his 2021 tape, and he has a chance to be the first off-ball linebacker taken in April's draft.
Jamari Brown forces a fumble, which is picked up by George Karlaftis and taken for a Purdue touchdown.
9. Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia
HT: 6-0 | WT: 225 | Previously: 13
I picked Dean earlier last month as a rising prospect to watch, after he was tremendous in the Bulldogs' 37-0 shutout of Arkansas. He's the leader of one of the best defenses in recent college football history. Georgia is allowing 3.8 yards per play (second behind Wisconsin) and has allowed only two rushing scores all season. Quarterbacks playing against the Bulldogs have posted a 14.2 QBR, which is worst by far in FBS. Dean runs sideline-to-sideline to blow up plays and is a sure tackler once he finds the ball carrier. He has 39 tackles, 3.5 sacks -- he's a great blitzer -- and an interception this season.
10. David Ojabo, DE, Michigan
HT: 6-5 | WT: 250 | Previously: NR
Ojabo has been one of the most impressive newcomers in the country this season. A third-year sophomore who spent his youth in Nigeria and Scotland (check out my new colleague Jordan Reid's piece on him for more), Ojabo has eight sacks and four forced fumbles playing on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson. He has flashed advanced pass-rush moves -- check out this spin on the right tackle for a strip sack against Indiana -- and his athletic traits pop on tape. While Ojabo needs to work on his all-around game, there's a lot to like. He's still young; he could develop into a elite edge rusher.
11. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
HT: 6-2 | WT: 185 | Previously: 11
Williams made my list of potential first-round sleepers last month, and he just keeps getting better. He's averaging 19.3 yards per reception and ranks 11th in the country with 415 yards after the catch. He can take the top off the defense with his speed, and he has shown that he can track the ball and adjust while it's in the air. Watch him on this 76-yard score against Mississippi State. Williams has been Alabama's best receiver this season, and I didn't expect the Ohio State transfer to have such an immediate impact. Plus, he has two kickoff return touchdowns.
12. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
HT: 6-4 | WT: 290 | Previously: 10
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 5.5 sacks this season after getting 2.5 last season, when he also had a forced fumble and an interception off Alabama's Mac Jones. He has nine total tackles for loss.
13. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
HT: 6-3 | WT: 290 | Previously: 12
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's a fantastic run blocker. He doesn't have many weaknesses. Linderbaum allowed just one sack in the 2019 and 2020 seasons combined. He has allowed two this season, but I'm still huge fan of his game and upside regardless.
14. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
HT: 5-11 | WT: 184 | Previously: 16
Dotson is explosive. He had an incredible leaping catch against Illinois last month, and look how open he is on this 49-yard touchdown against Wisconsin. Plus, check out Penn State's first offensive play against Villanova, a 52-yard strike to Dotson in which he showed acceleration at the catch. While he had a few drops in 2019 and 2020, he has only dropped one this season. He has 71 catches for 932 yards and nine scores, three of which came in the Nittany Lions' win over Maryland over the weekend.
Malik Willis throws a 4-yard TD pass
15. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
HT: 6-7 | WT: 321 | Previously: 9
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. He could be an early NFL starter.
16. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
HT: 6-0 | WT: 193 | Previously: 18
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. He has 43 catches for 687 yards and six touchdowns, though he missed the win over Nebraska over the weekend with an unspecified injury. His versatility will help at the next level. Wilson and Chris Olave form one of the best wideout tandems in the country.
17. Ikem Ekwonu, OT/G, NC State
HT: 6-4 | WT: 320 | Previously: NR
Ekwonu bullies pass-rushers. He toys with them. He has played both guard and tackle in his career, but he has excelled at left tackle, allowing only four pressures on 311 pass-blocking snaps this season. He moves his feet well in the run game and can get to the next level. My only question is his arm length and whether he might move inside to guard at the next level. He can be a really good player at either position, but I could see teams preferring him inside.
18. Cameron Thomas, DL, San Diego State
HT: 6-5 | WT: 270 | Previously: NR
Thomas is one of the most versatile defensive linemen in the country, wreaking havoc on offenses while playing both tackle and end. He has created 36 total pressures (just one behind Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson), 19 while lined up on the edge and 17 while lined up in the interior of the line. He has 6.5 sacks this season and 16 for his career. Thomas has 18 tackles for loss this season, as he can penetrate in the run game and seek out ball carriers behind the line of scrimmage. Thomas is a fun defender to watch.
19. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
HT: 6-2 | WT: 195 | Previously: 24
Elam sprained his knee earlier this season and missed a few games, but he has been good when he has played. His 2020 tape is inconsistent -- he got beat for a couple long touchdowns -- but in five games in 2021 he has allowed just 42 receiving yards as the closest defender in coverage. That's an average of 3.5 yards per attempt in his direction. Elam has long arms and good instincts; he has six career picks. He can play press coverage and lock up wideouts.
20. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
HT: 6-3 | WT: 220 | Previously: 15
Pickett remains my top quarterback, but the reality is that I'm not enamored with this QB class so far. I don't see an elite, top-10 pick in this group. Now, we see every year that quarterbacks rise based on need at the top of the draft; just because I don't have one ranked in the top 10 doesn't mean all 32 teams agree. Pickett or Malik Willis or Matt Corral could still rise. The fifth-year senior Pickett has been incredibly impressive this season, throwing 29 touchdown passes with three interceptions. He ranks third in the country in QBR (86.4). Pickett was up-and-down the past two seasons, throwing 18 picks and averaging 6.9 yards per attempt. He's up to 9.3 this season. He is accurate to all three levels of the field, has shown patience in taking the checkdown throws when necessary and has good zip on his throws.
Now, he has started 45 games in his Pitt career, so NFL teams will like that he has experience. (The last first-rounder with that many starts was Baker Mayfield with 46.) But Pickett dealt with an ankle injury in an inconsistent 2020 season, so scouts and execs are going to have to be comfortable with his improvement and believe that he's an improved quarterback. The signs are there, and his ability to use his legs to maneuver the pocket and scramble when he has to is underrated.
21. George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
HT: 6-4 | WT: 270 | Previously: NR
Don't be fooled by Karlaftis only having two sacks this season. He affects games in other ways and his pressure numbers (16%) stack up well next to the best edge rushers in the country. He gets double-teamed often along the Purdue front and he is physical in fighting through them. He's tough -- he plays to the whistle and runs down whoever has the ball. Karlaftis played just three games last season; a positive COVID-19 test in November cut short a promising campaign. As a freshman in 2019, he had 7.5 sacks and 17 total tackles for loss. I think he will test well at the combine too.
Bryce Young finds Jameson Williams over the middle for the 58-yard Alabama touchdown.
22. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
HT: 6-1 | WT: 188 | Previously: 21
Ohio State's pass-catching group is one of the best in the country, which means Olave and Wilson don't have huge counting stats. I'm not worried; just turn on the tape and watch Olave get open. I wrote in May that he could 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. He can make defenders look silly in coverage and with the ball in his hands. Olave has 10 receiving scores this season, giving him 32 for his career.
23. Brandon Smith, OLB, Penn State
HT: 6-3 | WT: 241 | Previously: NR
Smith is not much of a pass-rusher, but he's the complete package for an off-ball linebacker who can make plays in space and cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game. He has range and versatility to play multiple positions, and he sticks backs when he tackles. It's the range that will make him appealing to NFL teams who crave big linebackers with athletic traits to play on passing downs. He has 61 tackles and four pass breakups this season.
24. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
HT: 6-3 | WT: 232 | Previously: 23
I wrote about Burks earlier this season, 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 48 catches for 799 yards with eight touchdowns. He had seven scores a year ago. Concentration drops are an issue, but he's going to battle for the top wideout spot in a deep class. I want to see how he tests at the NFL combine next March.
25. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
HT: 6-1 | WT: 215 | Previously: NR
Willis is back on the Big Board, but really he was just outside the top 25 in my previous update. I dropped him after back-to-back three interception games against so-so opponents, but he impressed me in Saturday's loss to Ole Miss -- even as he threw three more picks. The Flames offense was overwhelmed by the Rebels' defensive talent, and Willis was sacked nine times. But he hung in and battled and made some nice throws in the second half. He's doing the best with the talent around him. Even with those nine picks, the Auburn transfer ranks 13th in the country in Total QBR (77.5). He's completing 66.4% of his passes and averaging 9.2 yards per attempt. We also have to take into account his value as a running threat; he has 26 rushing scores over the past two seasons. Willis is going to be in the mix to be the top quarterback off the board.
Rankings at every position for the 2022 NFL draft
Quarterbacks
1. Kenny Pickett, Pitt
2. Malik Willis, Liberty
3. Matt Corral, Ole Miss
4. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
5. Sam Howell, North Carolina
6. Phil Jurkovec, Boston College
7. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
8, Carson Strong, Nevada
9. Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
10a. Jake Haener, Fresno State
10b. Dustin Crum, Kent State
Running backs
1. Breece Hall, Iowa State
2. Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
3. Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M
4. D'vonte Price, Florida International
5. Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
6. Pierre Strong Jr., South Dakota State
7. Brian Robinson Jr., Alabama
8. Rachaad White, Arizona State
9. Travis Dye, Oregon
10a. Tyler Goodson, Iowa
10b. CJ Verdell, Oregon
Fullbacks-H-backs
1. Jeremiah Hall, Oklahoma
2. Tanner Conner, Idaho State
3. Abram Smith, Baylor
4. Connor Heyward, Michigan State
5. Brayden Willis, Oklahoma
6. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Maryland
7. Sean Dykes, Memphis
8. Case Hatch, Arizona State
9. Monte Pottebaum, Iowa
10. Roger Carter, Georgia State
Wide receivers
1. Drake London, USC
2. Jameson Williams, Alabama
3. Jahan Dotson, Penn State
4. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
5. Chris Olave, Ohio State
6. Treylon Burks, Arkansas
7. John Metchie III, Alabama
8. Khalil Shakir, Boise State
9. Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama
10a. Alec Pierce, Cincinnati
10b. David Bell, Purdue
10c. George Pickens, Georgia
10d. Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland
Tight ends
1. Trey McBride, Colorado State
2. Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
3. Jahleel Billingsley, Alabama
4. Derrick Deese Jr., San Jose State
5. Will Mallory, Miami (FL)
6. Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State
7. Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
8. James Mitchell, Virginia Tech
9. Cade Otton, Washington
10a. Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
10b. Cole Turner, Nevada
10c. Teagan Quitoriano, Oregon State
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. Kellen Diesch, Arizona State
7. Jaxson Kirkland, Washington
8. Max Mitchell, Louisiana-Lafayette
9. Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan
10a. Abraham Lucas, Washington State
10b. Vederian Lowe, Illinois
Guards
1. Ikem Ekwonu, NC State
2. Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
3. Zion Johnson, Boston College
4. Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
5. Jamaree Salyer, Georgia
6. Sean Rhyan, UCLA
7. Thayer Munford, Ohio State
8. Logan Bruss, Wisconsin
9. Andrew Vorhees, USC
10a. Ed Ingram, LSU
10b. Ja'Tyre Carter, Southern
10c. Dylan Parham, Memphis
Centers
1. Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
2. Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame
3. Dohnovan West, Arizona State
4. Alex Forsyth, Oregon
5. Grant Gibson, NC State
6. Zach Tom, Wake Forest
7. Alec Lindstrom, Boston College
8. Nick Ford, Utah
9. Doug Kramer, Illinois
10. Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
Defensive ends
1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
2. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
3. Cameron Thomas, San Diego State
4. George Karlaftis, Purdue
5. Logan Hall, Houston
6. Travon Walker, Georgia
7. Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
8. Sam Williams, Ole Miss
9. Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
10a. Zach Harrison, Ohio State
10b. Josh Paschal, Kentucky
10c. Ali Gaye, LSU
Defensive tackles
1. DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M
2. Jordan Davis, Georgia
3. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama
4. Eyioma Uwazurike, Iowa State
5. Travis Jones, Connecticut
6. Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma
7. Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
8. Zachary Carter, Florida
9. Jayden Peevy, Texas A&M
10a. Haskell Garrett, Ohio State
10b. PJ Mustipher, Penn State
Inside linebackers
1. Devin Lloyd, Utah
2. Nakobe Dean, Georgia
3. Christian Harris, Alabama
4. Channing Tindall, Georgia
5. Damone Clark, LSU
6. Jack Campbell, Iowa
7. Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin
8. Mike Rose, Iowa State
9. Leo Chenal, Wisconsin
10a. DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
10b. Chance Campbell, Ole Miss
10c. Ventrell Miller, Florida
Outside linebackers
1. David Ojabo, Michigan
2. Brandon Smith, Penn State
3. Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina
4. Adam Anderson, Georgia
5. Will McDonald IV, Iowa State
6. Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State
7. Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
8. Drake Jackson, USC
9. Boye Mafe, Minnesota
10a. Aaron Hansford, Texas A&M
10b. Amare Barno, Virginia Tech
10c. Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma
10d. Terrel Bernard, Baylor
Cornerbacks
1. Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
2. Kaiir Elam, Florida
3. Roger McCreary, Auburn
4. Storm Duck, North Carolina
5. Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati
6. Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
7. Josh Jobe, Alabama
8. Trent McDuffie, Washington
9. Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska
10a. Martin Emerson, Mississippi State
10b. Riley Moss, Iowa
10c. Alontae Taylor, Tennessee
Safeties
1. Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
2. Daxton Hill, Michigan
3. Jaquan Brisker, Penn State
4. Lewis Cine, Georgia
5. Jordan Battle, Alabama
6. Ji'Ayre Brown, Penn State
7. Jalen Catalon, Arkansas
8. Jalen Pitre, Baylor
9. Verone McKinley, Oregon
10a. Trenton Thompson, San Diego State
10b. Nick Cross, Maryland
Kickers and Punters
1. Cade York, LSU (K)
2. Ryan Wright, Tulane (P)
3. Jordan Stout, Penn State (P)
4. Matt Araiza, San Diego State (P)
5. Gabe Brkic, Oklahoma (K)
6. Jake Camarda, Georgia (P)
7. Ryan Stonehouse, Colorado State (P)
8. Cameron Dicker, Texas (P)
9. Blake Hayes, Illinois (P)
10a. Adam Korsak, Rutgers (P)
10b. Noah Ruggles, Ohio State (K)
Long-snappers
1. Cal Adomitis, Pitt
2. Damon Johnson, USC
3. Ross Reiter, Colorado State
4. Ethan Tabel, Illinois
5. Jordan Silver, Arkansas
6. Keegan Markgraf, Utah
7. Karsten Battles, Oregon
8. John Taylor, Duke
9. Justin Mader, Texas
10. Brian Keating, Connecticut
Returners
1. Marcus Jones, Houston
2. Jayden Reed, Michigan State
3. Calvin Austin III, Memphis
4. Deven Thompkins, Utah State
5. Jequez Ezzard, Sam Houston State
6. Kearis Jackson, Georgia
7. Britain Covey, Utah
8. Aron Cruickshank, Rutgers
9. Ainias Smith, Texas A&M
10a. Trestan Ebner, Baylor
10b. Jalen Virgil, Appalachian State
10c. Velus Jones Jr., Tennessee