NFL draft 2022 buzz notebook, rumors and big questions: Updates on Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder, Travon Walker, Derek Stingley Jr.

The 2022 NFL draft is less than three weeks away, at which point we'll be evaluating the prospects each team selected in the first 32 picks of the class. Until then, our NFL draft analysts are hunkered down -- connecting dots, talking to sources, grinding tape and putting together final evaluations.

In this week's NFL draft notebook, analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid answer your questions. Is Georgia's Travon Walker really in the mix at No. 2 overall? And what do the draft capital-strapped Panthers do in Round 1? The guys tackle three reader queries apiece.

They also break down the much-anticipated LSU pro day, during which cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. hoped to answer questions about his draft stock, and look at the hottest rumors and news around the league. If you're seeking information on the rise of Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder -- or how many safeties and wide receivers are expected to go early in this draft -- this notebook is for you.

Let's start with questions from readers, which have been edited for clarity:

Jump to a big topic:
What will Carolina do at No. 6?
Whom could the Eagles target in Round 1?
Inside Derek Stingley Jr.'s pro day
How many QBs will go in Round 1?
Why scouts like this safety class
Could the WR market change the draft?

Mailbag: Six draft questions

Convince me that Travon Walker is the pick for the Lions at No. 2. (via @LucaCraigie)

Reid: NFL coaches, scouts and front-office executives often become enamored with the traits of prospects in Round 1. They don't completely ignore the production numbers, but they fall in love with the potential. And the 6-foot-5, 272-pound Walker oozes potential. Even though Walker had just 9.5 career sacks, teams think he has a unique combination of size and talent that will lead to future production as an NFL pro -- even if the draft capital spent will be rich.

Though he wasn't a consistent pass-rusher at Georgia, Walker is considered a versatile run defender. Coaches will always believe that they can unlock the next stage of a player's development. We've seen this type of situation take place in years past with Danielle Hunter and Odafe Oweh. That's why there is a chance Walker could keep rising.

What do you think happens at No. 6 for Carolina? (via @adambouanaka)

Miller: This is a great question -- and one I've spent many nights thinking about as we get closer to final mock draft time. Right now -- and please know this information could change at any point -- I'm leaning toward Carolina trading back in Round 1 and selecting quarterback Kenny Pickett.

Two things I can't get past:

• The Panthers have only two quarterbacks (Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker) on their roster.

• They don't have a pick in Rounds 2 or 3 in this draft.

Those two things make me think they'd like to trade back -- possibly allowing a team to move up for an offensive tackle -- while still getting Pickett at a more reasonable value.

Who are the ideal players for the Eagles to target with their two first-round picks? (via @Rande_TooSwerve)

Reid: With pick Nos. 15 and 18, the Eagles are in great position to add more starters. Their biggest needs are at cornerback and defensive end, but I wouldn't count out them taking a wide receiver.

I would like to see them add a dynamic three-level player who can place a lot of stress on defense. They struck gold with DeVonta Smith in last year's draft, but the Jalen Reagor experiment -- he was picked in Round 1 in 2020 -- has not worked. General manager Howie Roseman shouldn't shy away from taking a first-round wideout again. Chris Olave (Ohio State) and Jameson Williams (Alabama) are two players who would make sense.

The Eagles haven't drafted a corner on Day 1 since Lito Sheppard in 2002. If they decide to break the streak, Trent McDuffie (Washington) and Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson) are options.

What are you hearing about Atlanta? Will it pass on Kayvon Thibodeaux? (via @shedrickcarter2)

Miller: The Falcons have been a quiet team in terms of chatter this year. That said, wide receiver makes the most sense and is the hottest rumor. With the No. 8 overall pick, they could be in position to take the first wideout off the board to pair with tight end Kyle Pitts. Drake London and Garrett Wilson are both great fits for Atlanta.

The other side to your question: I'm not sure I see Thibodeaux as a fit in Dean Pees' 3-4 scheme. Thibodeaux is physical enough, but we have not seen him drop into coverage often at Oregon. He also lacks the power to stack up on the outside in the run game. If the Falcons were set on an edge defender here, Jermaine Johnson II (Florida State) is a better scheme fit.

Why not wait for 2023 to target a quarterback? (via @AlexGSchenck)

Reid: Don't fall into the quarterback conundrum of "What about next year's class?" There is no guarantee the 2023 draft will have a better outlook. Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young (Alabama) looks appealing now, of course, but he could struggle or get injured. Quarterbacks are always the position that evaluators nitpick the most, and that will happen again next fall.

A team could wait a year, but they also have to factor in draft position. Certain teams might not be in adequate enough spots in order to draft the quarterback of their liking in 2023.

Which under-the-radar Day 3 tight ends do NFL teams like? (via @ukgiantsfan1)

Miller: I love Day 3 tight ends! Ohio State's Jeremy Ruckert is my favorite of the group. He was headed toward a likely Day 2 selection, before he hurt his foot at the Senior Bowl and ended up in a walking boot. Pair that with the fact that Ohio State often doesn't feature the tight end in the passing game and Ruckert has been overlooked.

A few others I'll throw out who are a little deeper sleepers: Chase Allen (Iowa State), Derrick Deese (San Diego State) and Teagan Quitoriano (Oregon State). Each is a likely Day 3 pick, but I could see all three making an NFL roster and being a contributor.

Now for the guys with elite ability on which I'd take a late flier: Daniel Bellinger (San Diego State), Armani Rogers (Ohio) and Lucas Krull (Pittsburgh).

Notes from pro days for Derek Stingley Jr., Cameron Thomas, more

Miller: The NFL flocked to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Wednesday for LSU's pro day -- mainly to see cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., after he was not able to work out at the combine following a Lisfranc injury suffered last fall. Stingley is healthy now, and he was ready to move for reps from all 32 NFL teams. He didn't disappoint, registering an official 4.44-second 40-yard-dash, with some scouts having him in the mid-4.3s, according to our sources. Most important for Stingley, who played just two games over the past two seasons, was the interview portion.

Stingley had an interesting quote in his press availability about Chargers coach Brandon Staley saying he wanted to see him motivated and fired up. He also said, "When I'm at my best, I'm the best," referring to his time missed the past two years. I would agree with that. If Stingley can snap back to the player he was in 2019 when he was shutting down every receiver he faced -- including Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall Jr. in practice -- he is no doubt the best cornerback in this class and arguably the best overall prospect. The questions come from his limited availability over those past two season. Right now, he is No. 10 in our consensus rankings for the class.

Reid: There hasn't been much buzz around San Diego State defensive end Cameron Thomas, who had 11.5 sacks and 27 total tackles for loss last season but missed the Senior Bowl due to injury. He is a versatile player who has played multiple spots along the defensive line. He generated 61 QB pressures last season, which was the fourth most in the FBS.

He had impressive measurables at his pro day. Coming in at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, he had a 33.5-inch vertical, a broad jump of 9 feet, 2 inches and a 6.91-second 3-cone time. Thomas could be a top-50 pick who plays early at the next level because of his scheme-friendly versatility.

Reid: Fayetteville State cornerback Joshua Williams is an under-the-radar prospect I want to highlight. He worked out at NC State's pro day last week and stole the show. He ran a 4.47 40 and had a 37-inch vertical and a broad jump of 10 foot, 3 inches, all at 6-foot-2 and 193 pounds.

Williams is likely a late Day 2 or early Day 3 selection. Most teams that I've talked to have him graded in the third or fourth round as a developmental player at the position.

Miller: Many NFL scouts who traveled to Louisiana on Wednesday also got to see Southern University offensive lineman Ja'Tyre Carter work out. A favorite of mine at the Senior Bowl, Carter posted impressive numbers in front of scouts and offensive line coaches. At 6-foot-3 and 312 pounds, his 5.02-second time in the 40 is great, but his 34.5-inch vertical is fantastic. Carter is a Day 3 prospect who has owned his pre-draft process and has proved that he belongs with the FBS players at his position.

Reid: You might have noticed that draft prospects have begun to take "30 visits" over the past two weeks. What exactly are these? It's when prospects fly out to the facilities of teams and spend extra time with the coaching staff and front office. Each team is allotted 30 visits, and they are allowed to exhaust them on any draft-eligible prospect of their choosing.

Why do teams fly these prospects into their facility? Well, there are many reasons, including performing more research on medicals and vetting potential off-field red flags. There also is some gamesmanship, as sometimes they want to make it seem as if they have interest in a prospect to sway other teams watching closely. It's also an opportunity to get a head start on the recruitment of potential undrafted free agents.

News, notes and everything we heard this week

Miller: Could four quarterbacks go in the top 20 picks? While catching up with sources around the league this week, one thing I heard over and over again is that more quarterbacks could go in the first round than we are projecting. Keep in mind that most NFL teams have done their scouting work and are in the process of finalizing their draft boards. Once that is complete, they'll run through their own mock drafts based on the intel they have about other teams. As clubs do this, we get information about being too high or too low on players but also on scenarios like this one.

Four quarterbacks in the top 20 would have been shocking one month ago, but there has been considerable buzz that Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati) could go higher than expected. With Malik Willis (Liberty) and Kenny Pickett (Pitt) seemingly locks for the top 20, it would only take Ridder and Matt Corral (Ole Miss) to complete the prediction.

As the need at the position for some teams remains unfilled, could we see the Lions, Panthers, Saints and Steelers all jump into the quarterback mix? I think so.

Reid: As we mentioned last week, scouts are looking forward to Southern California wide receiver Drake London's pro day, which had been scheduled to take place earlier this week but is now slated for April 15. London is expected to be fully recovered from ankle surgery, but he rescheduled because he suffered a mild hamstring strain while training. This is a chance for him to secure a spot in the top 10 picks. He is No. 9 in our consensus rankings.

Miller: I mentioned Desmond Ridder earlier, and there is legitimate buzz about him going in the top 15. He has wowed decision-makers with his interviews dating back to the Senior Bowl, and he put on a show with his 4.52-second 40 at the combine. Ridder, a four-year starter, is seen as NFL-ready by some, while others view him as needing more reps against NFL-level defenses after playing in a Group of 5 school in college.

There is a lot of love for Ridder around the league thanks to his experience, leadership, physical ability and confidence, so a team turning his card in early wouldn't be a huge surprise. Keep an eye on the Saints and Steelers as options for him.

Reid: Safety is a position getting a lot of love among scouts. They love the versatility of this class and believe there's depth throughout the draft. Kyle Hamilton will likely be the first one selected, but we could see as many as five selected inside of the top 45 picks.

Daxton Hill (Michigan) is one to keep an eye on; he could go higher than you think. Forced to play primarily nickel in the Wolverines' defense, there is a lot more to his skill set that has yet to be revealed. He has outstanding physical tools and could play multiple positions.

Miller: With quarterbacks seemingly making a late push up draft boards as we enter the final stretch toward Round 1, it is opening the door for the potential for offensive linemen to be pushed down. One source I spoke to this week expected notable names to be available "into the teens" as quarterbacks and wide receivers dominate the top 15. Iowa's Tyler Linderbaum is the consensus top center in this class, but the same source told me that mock draft scenarios have been run in which Linderbaum is available in Round 2.

Reid: The wide receiver market has exploded throughout the NFL, as we've seen Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs and Brandin Cooks secure new deals over the past few weeks. This could have a ripple effect on wideouts in the draft.

The Steelers and Packers were ahead of the curve with their philosophy of waiting until Day 2 and 3 to find players at the position. We are now in the middle of the wide receiver golden age -- due to 7-on-7 being a major emphasis of youth and high school football -- and wideouts are entering college and the NFL more pro-ready than ever before. With wide receivers projected to make so much money after their rookie deals, we could see teams elect to simply turn to the draft to restock the talent of that player instead of paying him. With DK Metcalf, Terry McLaurin, A.J. Brown and Deebo Samuel among the wideouts eligible for extensions, this theory will be put to the test soon.

Miller: One more note on how the first round could play out: Multiple sources expect four wide receivers to be drafted in the top 20. That's great news for Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams. It is not great news for teams drafting in the 20s that need wideouts. New England (No. 21), Green Bay (Nos. 22 & 28), Dallas (No. 24), Buffalo (No. 25), Tennessee (No. 26), Kansas City (Nos. 29 & 30) and Detroit (No. 32) all have a legitimate need and have been connected to the position in Round 1. Could we see a record eight wide receivers selected in Round 1?