The days leading up to the 2022 NFL draft offered little consensus and major unpredictability. Forecasting the top 10 to 15 picks was a nearly impossible task. Teams were unsure of intentions and projections. General managers were calling to move up or down with little hint as to why. And the variance from a top-three pick to a middle or late first-rounder was not as steep as with most drafts, due to a collection of very good but not necessarily elite players.
Subterfuge is part of the drafting game, as much as selections and Roger Goodell hugs, but this year seemed to lift the shock value. For instance, even the teams unsold on Liberty quarterback Malik Willis didn't expect him to slide to the third round. Most forecast two quarterbacks taken on Day 1 -- until just one, Kenny Pickett, went in the first 73 picks. The draft also featured nine trades on Day 1 and 35 total deals made from Thursday through Saturday. High-profile wide receivers A.J. Brown and Marquise Brown are in new jerseys as a result. The pace and the results were frantic. The only thing missing was a blockbuster deal involving Baker Mayfield, who still occupies a roster spot in Cleveland.
What was predictable: Nothing reveals a team's big-picture plans quite like the draft, and this year was no different. Instead of reacting to the week's results on short notice, we let the draft breathe a bit over a few days. Then we made calls to bring you post-draft nuggets on all 32 teams, including intel from on-the-clock decisions, background on key picks, Day 1 strategy, stats and trends, sleepers and pick reactions from league execs and scouts.
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys were dedicated to bolstering coordinator Dan Quinn's defense up front. Though offensive line was a major need, which Dallas filled in the first round with tackle Tyler Smith, the Cowboys loved the momentum built by Quinn's unit in 2021, and they want to see that through in a major way.
Quinn did a ton of homework on fast, quick players with pass-rush production. That led the Cowboys to second-round pick Sam Williams (No. 56), who will work his way into the D-line rotation. Dallas now feels it has at least six capable edge rushers. At one point, it had some interest in veteran Jason Pierre-Paul, but the draft might have changed those plans.
New York Giants
Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux brought his own flavor to the draft process. He has a bold personality. He has confidence. And he has business interests outside of football. As long as his quick first step produces results on the field, that personality can play in New York -- and scouts agree.
"I think it will be good for him," an AFC scout said of the Giants' No. 5 overall selection. "He has a lot of business stuff going on, so that's a dream scenario for him. Personality wise, a good fit. ... Some people want guys who are all ball and care about nothing else, I guess. That's probably not him. But that doesn't mean he won't work hard. I wouldn't worry about him off the field."
Philadelphia Eagles
Talk about best player available. The Eagles took that approach in the third round at No. 83 with Nakobe Dean, Georgia's All-American linebacker. Yes, the pectoral injury was a concern for teams and might have caused him to fall down draft boards. Some teams believe he could need surgery, which compromises his 2022 season. But I'm told all 32 teams were sent letters from Dean's independent doctors clearing him for football activities and classifying the injury as a pectoral strain.
The other major concerns with Dean were his size (5-foot-11, 229 pounds) and lack of speed (he didn't run at the combine or a pro day), leading some to wonder if this is a case of a great college player not translating to the pros. But other scouts scoff at that, insisting his instincts will make him a Day 1 starter for Philly.
Washington Commanders
Sure, the Commanders took Jahan Dotson earlier than many expected. Some scouts predicted a range of Nos. 23 to 35 for Dotson, the talented 5-foot-11 wide receiver out of Penn State. But Washington selected him 16th.
"Clean, fast, explosive -- [but] worry about the size a bit," an NFL scout said. "Is he a slot or an outside receiver?"
And that brings us to this fun fact: Washington is the NFL's only team without a starting wideout taller than 6 feet. All 31 other teams have at least one as part of a three-man rotation. Terry McLaurin is 6 feet, while Curtis Samuel is 5-11.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
New Bears general manager Ryan Poles' first pick was a good one. Multiple scouts said Kyler Gordon (No. 39 overall) was their favorite cornerback in the draft due to his competitive nature and versatility, along with the ability to play in the slot or on the outside.
"Both of those [University of] Washington corners [Gordon and Trent McDuffie] will play for a long time and have a chance to be Pro Bowl-type players," an AFC scout said. "Gordon is one of my favorite players in the draft. I think he was undersold in the process."
Fifth-round pass-rusher Dominique Robinson also was listed by multiple scouts pre-draft as a late-round sleeper. Keep an eye on him.
Detroit Lions
Jameson Williams, the Lions' splash selection at 12th overall, is an undeniable talent, but the notion that he might not be ready to play for a while gave a few teams atop the draft pause. Most execs I spoke to believe October is the sweet spot for his return from a torn ACL, maybe November. Williams told reporters he'll be ready for training camp, which he very well could be. His recovery is going smoothly. But Detroit will likely ramp up his activity slowly until he is completely ready.
Some teams had slight concerns about a slender wide receiver -- Williams is 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds -- falling behind on his weight regimen while recovering from the ACL. But that's being nitpicky. Even if teams under pressure to win early in the season -- the Jets, for example -- might have prioritized Drake London or Garrett Wilson, plenty of others believe Williams will end up being the draft's best wideout, assuming his health checks out.
Green Bay Packers
After adding a pair of Georgia first-rounders in linebacker Quay Walker (No. 22) and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (No. 28), Green Bay now has six former first-rounders in the starting lineup on defense, and it's all homegrown talent. Adrian Amos is the only starter who was drafted outside of the fourth round, and he is regarded as a top-15 safety.
One AFC scout told me Wyatt has some Warren Sapp-like qualities, based on explosion at the line of scrimmage. Not that he is exactly like Sapp -- Wyatt would have gone much higher, if so -- but that he has some of that look to his game.
Off-field concerns -- including a 2020 arrest for misdemeanor family violence criminal trespass after an altercation with a woman (charges were dropped) -- knocked Wyatt down some draft boards. But one team that interviewed him believed it had a clear picture of the situation and how he would coalesce in a locker room.
Minnesota Vikings
A first-time general manager eschewing his first draft pick for the right to move back 20 spots might seem like a surprise, but for those who know Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, this was a telegraphed move.
"He's trading out. Guarantee it," an AFC scout said. "He's all about value and volume."
The Vikings traded the 12th and 46th picks to Detroit for the 32nd, 34th and 66th picks. They then flipped the 34th pick for Green Bay's 53rd and 59th picks, only to move up from No. 53 to No. 42 with Indianapolis to get their corner, Andrew Booth Jr. It was a dizzying display that included three trades before the middle of the second round and moves with two division rivals. Another scout noted that locating more picks is an analytically sound move, which is Adofo-Mensah's style.
Third-round linebacker Brian Asamoah was consistently mentioned among scouts as an underrated player in the draft process. He should contribute immediately.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta had its pick of quarterbacks entering the third round, with only Kenny Pickett off the board. Choosing a quarterback in the draft, even late on Day 2, requires a clear vision for everyone in the organization. And to convey that vision, Atlanta's brain trust would need clear-cut examples of exactly what the Falcons would be getting, for ownership or otherwise. After asking around, I get the sense that Atlanta felt Malik Willis, despite immense talent, lacked the signature moments while at Liberty to sway such a decision, whereas Desmond Ridder -- the team's pick at No. 74 -- showcased a more complete body of work.
Plus, Ridder's confidence and polish in the process helped. Coaches who interviewed him noted that the QB outlined his plans to unseat a veteran wherever he landed.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina had an eventful Day 2 of the draft due to the possibility of acquiring quarterback Baker Mayfield. But my sense is the Panthers hadn't been overly enthusiastic about trading for Mayfield from the beginning. Draft week intensified the conversation internally, but this was far from a slam dunk at all points. Mayfield was open to Carolina, mainly for any chance to play elsewhere, but I'm told only a fantastic deal from Cleveland -- with much of Mayfield's $18.8 million salary covered by the Browns -- could have moved Carolina on this.
The quarterbacks slipping early on Day 2 quickly got Carolina's attention. If Matt Corral or even Sam Howell (a fifth-round pick to Washington) continued to be available, Carolina was prepared to jump on that. The Panthers zeroed in on Corral at No. 94, and they love the talent, even though his draft process was rocky. Corral spent much of the past few months recovering from an ankle injury, and multiple teams said his interviews were not great and that he appeared overwhelmed in that setting. But the Panthers had him ranked highly due to his tape. His throwing release is impressive, and his toughness is noted.
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans gave off serious quarterback-misdirection vibes leading up to draft day. They were very active in working the phones to potentially move up, and some teams wondered if that was for a QB. That wasn't the plan.
New Orleans targeted wide receiver Chris Olave, who entered draft night expecting to go somewhere from pick Nos. 10 to 13, with Green Bay and Kansas City among teams on his radar as move-up options. The Saints kept their plans private until they got on the clock at No. 11 via a trade with Washington. When wideouts Drake London and Garrett Wilson went off the board at pick Nos. 8 and 10, New Orleans knew it had to act. The wide receiver run had begun. Leading up to that move, the Saints kept opposing teams guessing better than just about anyone.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Here's a funny story I heard on Day 3 of the draft about Tampa Bay's new running back, Rachaad White: On Saturday, White's camp got a call from a team notifying that it was looking to take White early in the fourth round. Only one problem: White was already the 91st overall pick, going late in Friday night's third round. White's camp jokingly responded that Tampa Bay, White's new team, probably wouldn't want to unselect him.
Looking elsewhere in the Buc's draft haul, a scout suggested to me that offensive lineman Luke Goedeke (No. 57 overall) reminds people a lot of Ali Marpet, the guy Tampa Bay just lost to retirement.
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Third-round defensive end Cameron Thomas (No. 87 overall) is in a class with high-end talent. The 2021 Mountain West defensive player of the year had 23.5 tackles for loss, second to Alabama's Will Anderson Jr., who should be a top pick next year. And Thomas' 61 QB pressures ranked fourth behind Anderson, Aidan Hutchinson (No. 2 overall pick) and Mika Tafua, who signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent.
The Cardinals can play Thomas all over, which helps on a D-line after all three projected starters -- J.J. Watt, Rashard Lawrence and Zach Allen -- missed games last year. Thomas generated 4.0 sacks with a 13.3% pressure rate as a defensive tackle as compared to 5.5 sacks on 11.4% pressure rate at defensive end.
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles tapped into the right lineage well in the sixth round. Los Angeles' selection of UCLA safety Quentin Lake at No. 211 marks the third consecutive draft featuring a defensive back who is the son of a Pro Bowl DB with at least 10 years of NFL experience. Lake is the son of Steelers great Carnell Lake. The 2020 draft featured Antoine Winfield Jr., son of longtime Bills and Vikings corner Antoine Winfield, and last year's draft saw Denver's top-10 pick Pat Surtain II, son of former Dolphin Patrick Surtain.
Lake was the Rams' first UCLA selection as a Los Angeles team since taking wideout Sean LaChapelle in 1993, and Lake could become their next hybrid defensive back option.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco got an intriguing edge rusher on late second-rounder Drake Jackson, who generated pressure on 15% of opponents' dropbacks at Southern California, top 20 in the FBS. He lined up mostly as an edge rusher but also took snaps at linebacker, defensive tackle and even corner.
"He could end up turning into a really good player," an AFC exec said of the Niners' No. 61 overall selection. "Talented dude. Weight stuff was the biggest narrative -- up and down a bit. Once he settles in, matures a bit, he has a chance to be good player."
Jackson's weight fluctuated from 254 pounds to 273 pounds during the draft process to accommodate different styles of drills at the combine and his pro day. The 49ers already ranked tied for fifth best with 48 sacks last season, and now they get their Dee Ford replacement.
Seattle Seahawks
Sam Howell had a lot of support in Seattle's building as a developmental quarterback to take on Day 2 or 3. But even as Howell slipped to the fifth round, the Seahawks stayed away from QB, addressing several other needs instead. Why? Coming off last year's draft that included just three picks due to multiple trades, Seattle wanted to reestablish roster strength with its nine selections this year. And since a middle- to late-round QB would probably be the backup to Geno Smith or Drew Lock, why not maximize the talent elsewhere and hit it big on a 2023 quarterback, when the draft offers stronger options? Some other teams (Detroit comes to mind) were likely thinking the same thing.
The Seahawks were ecstatic about the fourth-round selection of corner Coby Bryant, whom scouts lauded for his instincts. They believe he slipped to No. 109 due to injury and that he should contribute right away. One veteran scout also told me second-round tailback Ken Walker III was a top-20 overall player in the draft. Walker fell to Day 2 because, well, he's a running back.
"If Rashaad Penny can continue what he did late in the year, and now they have Walker, you know, with that quarterback situation, what's going to happen," an NFC coordinator said. "Those guys are going to get the ball a ton."
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Last year, Bills punter Matt Haack's season-long boot was 63 yards. Sixth-round pick Matt Araiza -- nicknamed the Punt God -- had 18 kicks of longer than 60 yards, an NCAA record.
Though Araiza was the third punter selected, at No. 180 overall, his booming leg gives Buffalo an advantage on distance, which it needs after the Bills averaged 42.1 yards per punt last season, second worst in the NFL. Araiza downed 40 punts inside the 20-yard line for San Diego State, tops in the FBS.
Miami Dolphins
Miami made its first selection at No. 102, the Dolphins' latest first pick in modern draft history. The previous high was center Seth McKinney at No. 90 overall in 2002. This year's pick was Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall, who ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the combine -- the fifth-highest clip for a front-seven player in this draft. He had 19 pressures in 2021 too.
Fourth-round wide receiver Erik Ezukanma comes from Texas Tech, a successful resource for Miami in the past. Its previous TTU picks were Zach Thomas (1996) and Jakeem Grant Sr. (2016).
New England Patriots
New England is taking heat in media post-draft grades for reaching, but what emerged in pre-draft conversations is that Baylor wideout Tyquan Thornton wasn't necessarily a reach for many teams. The Patriots' second-round pick (No. 50) also was on the radar of the Packers, Saints and others as a Day 2 option. He combined the 4.28 speed with strong interviews, as teams liked his football acumen. Some saw him as a Day 3 prospect, to be sure. But he was a classic riser in the weeks leading up to the draft, and the Patriots visited with him very late in the process, which was telling.
"[The] Patriots need outside speed in the worst way, so this makes sense for them," an NFC scout said.
New York Jets
New York's past two drafts provided a youthful core brimming with potential. At least 10 selections from 2021 and 2022 -- including four of the first 36 overall picks last week -- are ages 20 to 23 and set to play prominent roles early in the 2022 season. That list includes running back Breece Hall (20), cornerback Ahmad Gardner (21), wide receivers Garrett Wilson (21) and Elijah Moore (22), guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (22), quarterback Zach Wilson (22), offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (23), running back Michael Carter (23) and cornerback Michael Carter II (23).
That's not even counting third-rounder Jeremy Ruckert (21), whom scouts considered one of the most complete tight ends in the draft but who fell due to injury. He has work to do on the depth chart behind C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin.
Also, perhaps one scenario could have prompted the Jets to circle back with San Francisco on wide receiver Deebo Samuel: Drake London and Garrett Wilson going off the board before they picked at No. 10. A few execs figured the Jets had zeroed in on those two at wideout, so at that point, they'd be faced with the decision: They could either take edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II (whom they got at No. 26 via trade anyway) or make one more play on Samuel while on the clock, knowing they already had negotiated with the 49ers and desperately needed receiver help. But the Jets didn't need to make that call.
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore received rave reviews for its draft, and though most people around the league acknowledge the Ravens got good players, there's some skepticism over the risks taken.
Multiple scouts pointed out that two of their picks in the first four rounds -- pass-rusher David Ojabo (second round) and cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (fourth round) -- face injury questions that could affect their short-term production. Ojabo is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon suffered at his pro day and thus is not a slam dunk to play next year. Armour-Davis, meanwhile, has a hip injury that teams have evaluated, and some have concerns about how he will hold up long term because corners can have trouble in man coverage if there's stiffness there. Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta said he trusted his doctors in a thorough evaluation of Armour-Davis.
Other teams also had concerns about fourth-round offensive tackle Daniel Faalele's conditioning, and I heard some of the same with defensive tackle Travis Jones, who was a popular second-round pick in mock drafts but slipped to the third. So while the Ravens had a typically strong draft on paper, they will need good health to prove this one right.
Also on Baltimore's draft: Watch what happens with veteran safety Chuck Clark. I'm hearing that multiple teams checked in on his status on draft night in light of Baltimore drafting safety Kyle Hamilton at No. 14 overall -- presumably to pair him with Marcus Williams for a backfield tandem. Clark isn't requesting a trade but wants to play, which is why he would welcome a potential change. Maybe nothing happens, but it's worth noting.
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati was pretty set on defensive back in Round 1 and would have strongly considered cornerback Kaiir Elam had he dropped to No. 31. But the Bengals largely didn't expect that. Some in Cincinnati's building also really liked Andrew Booth Jr., but his medical profile was an issue -- and it likely played a big part in his fall to the second round.
The Bengals landed on Daxton Hill, a hybrid defensive back who can play corner or safety. They would like to use him in versatile ways, from blitzing to covering tight ends. And it wouldn't surprise folks if safety Jessie Bates III skips offseason workouts and minicamp while he remains unsigned on the franchise tag, so Hill should get valuable snaps in his absence.
Cleveland Browns
To illustrate just how unpredictable this draft was, I'm told defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey had a chance to go in the top two rounds, based on his talent. The Browns got him in the early fourth at No. 108, an easy call for a team looking for pass-rush help.
"What you saw in the media is how he is -- he's intense, and he's got an edge to him," an AFC exec said. "Maybe that's an acquired taste, but he brings intensity, and he can play."
Adding a few defensive linemen in the draft (Alex Wright in the third round, Winfrey in the fourth and Isaiah Thomas in the seventh) does not preclude the Browns from re-signing edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney as early as this week. Those talks are ongoing, and Cleveland is still in play here.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers scoured the country for quarterbacks in the draft but didn't reveal their plans. The feeling among some of the Steelers' players (even in the QB room) is that if Pittsburgh did draft a signal-caller, Kenny Pickett would be the guy. Mitch Trubisky was loosely prepared for this potential dynamic -- what GM Kevin Colbert calls a competition with those two, along with Mason Rudolph. But I also heard from someone close to Malik Willis who largely did not expect the QB to fall past the Steelers at No. 20, believing his upside would be enough to sway Pittsburgh at its spot. The team did do a lot of research on Willis during the process.
In the second round, wide receiver George Pickens entered an ideal scenario. Questions about his work ethic swirled around draft time. Many evaluators thought, on talent alone, he belonged in the conversation with the top wideouts, but he ended up going No. 52. Pickens and people close to him are happy he is going to a good environment like Pittsburgh's to learn from trusted veterans and absorb a model NFL culture. The truth about Pickens is he was heralded as a five-star talent since high school and probably let his focus slip at times. But being a first-round talent and slipping to Day 2 should refocus him in Pittsburgh.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
As far as sneaky-good drafts go, other teams earmarked Houston for its impressive work. GM Nick Caserio inherited the Deshaun Watson situation upon taking the job, and this was his first draft with major capital. He delivered.
His moves synced with what many personnel people were thinking leading into the draft, from second-rounder Jalen Pitre being an underrated safety to No. 3 overall pick Derek Stingley Jr.'s ceiling being immense at corner to guard Kenyon Green (the team's other first-rounder) quietly rising up boards for a while.
Before the draft, I asked coaches about their favorite Day 2 wideout. Several of them said John Metchie III, whom the Texans traded up to get at No. 44.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were set to take Cincinnati wide receiver Alec Pierce at No. 42 overall. But when Minnesota called to move into that spot, the Colts took over No. 53 and waited, sweating it out until Pierce was still available 11 picks down the road. Multiple teams picking behind the Colts were eyeing Pierce as a potential selection late in the second.
"He fits their mold -- big, tough fast guy," an AFC scout said. "Good kid; killed the spring."
One comp I heard for Pierce: a better Jeff Janis.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Yes, buzz persisted during the week of the draft that the Jaguars were torn on which prospect to select No. 1 overall. Whispers about offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu surfaced. But a source with knowledge of Jacksonville's plans thinks some of it was overblown and that Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker was probably the pick all along.
"They've had months to think about this," an AFC exec said. "I think they've been settled on this for a while. Maybe they had some extra discussions on style of play and what fits best, but things got clear. [GM] Trent [Baalke] has a type, and Walker is the kind of explosive athlete he likes."
Trading up to No. 27 for Devin Lloyd could prove to be Jacksonville's best move of the draft. There was some pre-draft discussion about Lloyd, the rangy linebacker out of Utah, being gone by pick No. 20.
Tennessee Titans
Where do we start? The Titans shocked everyone with the A.J. Brown trade with Philadelphia, and then they shocked everyone again a day later with the third-round selection of Malik Willis (No. 86).
In the weeks leading up to Round 1, we were hearing that the Titans were adamant about keeping Brown long term. There was no tangible feeling about him leaving. But things became clear during draft week -- and most definitely on the night before the trade -- that the Titans simply weren't comfortable paying Brown what he wanted. As rapper Fat Joe says, yesterday's price is not today's price. Brown's value was only going up. The Titans were probably resigned to this fate earlier but held out hope until Philadelphia got aggressive in the 18 to 24 hours or so before the draft. I'm told that Brown largely did not expect to be traded until the day of the draft.
As for the quarterback situation, the Titans were amazed that Willis remained available on Day 2, a sentiment that was shared at team headquarters that Friday night. Tennessee was underplayed as a sneaky QB contender, but it likely doesn't have a top-12 quarterback, and Ryan Tannehill's contract becomes more manageable next year, with a $36.6 million cap hit versus $18.8 million in dead money.
Now that the Titans have Willis as the backup to Tannehill, other coaches think Tennessee should use Willis. "Whether it's a goal-line sequence or a run package, getting him on the field on occasion is a great wrinkle for your offense," an NFL quarterback coach said.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Did Denver get its counter to Travis Kelce in a crowded AFC West with tight end Greg Dulcich, its third-round pick at No. 80? Smooth route running is Dulcich's game.
"Big and can run," an AFC scout said. "Developmental as a blocker, but in the pass game, there's some really good stuff. He's a route runner."
Dulcich is considered an ideal complement to tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, who can handle inline duties as a blocker and pass-catcher.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City traded up eight spots to No. 21 to take cornerback Trent McDuffie because it was so high on him, once even wondering whether he would be the second corner selected. (Derek Stingley Jr. ultimately answered questions about his health and lackluster game film since 2019 during an impressive pro day and solid team interviews, helping cement him ahead of McDuffie & Co.)
"McDuffie is solid; he'll be a Pro Bowler," an AFC scout said. "He's not at the level of talent [of] Stingley, but he's got some Denzel Ward qualities to him."
Also watch for fifth-round offensive tackle Darian Kinnard to potentially make an early impact. Teams said his ability is better than his draft billing. Multiple scouts had him going in the fourth round but considered him a bit of an underachiever at Kentucky, which is why they understood the drop. The Chiefs hit on another late-round lineman last year in Trey Smith, who slipped to the sixth round due to injury and is now a starting right guard.
Las Vegas Raiders
Fourth-round running back Zamir White was an interesting selection (No. 122), given the Raiders' depth at the position with Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, Brandon Bolden and Ameer Abdullah. But with Jacobs and Drake entering the final year of their contracts, the Raiders see a potential long-term solution in White.
Here's what I'm told they like about his game: "Speed, power, leadership, battling through adversity, comes from a winning program."
Los Angeles Chargers
Count fifth-round defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia as a Day 3 prospect with a chance to play right away. The Chargers did a lot of pre-draft work on Ogbonnia, who stands at 6-foot-4 and 324 pounds and packs a punch.
"Powerful, man," an AFC coach said. "Ideal interior DL body type."
Ogbonnia battled turf toe and a hamstring injury throughout the 2021 season and the pre-draft process, which could have impacted his stock, so the Chargers felt fortunate to get him at No. 160. After his pre-draft visit to their facility, the Chargers felt he was their type of guy. They felt the same about running back Larry Rountree III, a 2021 late-round pick who contributed in Year 1. With the Chargers' major need against the run, Ogbonnia will have early chances to crack the rotation.