2022 NFL Draft: Day 2 Best Players Available

With Round 1 in the books and most people adjusting their draft boards, let’s take a look at the top talent still remaining going into Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Quarterbacks

1. Desmond Ridder – Cincinnati
2. Malik Willis – Liberty
3. Sam Howell – North Carolina
4. Matt Corral – Ole Miss
5. Carson Strong  – Nevada

Analysis: The NFL decided that none of these quarterbacks were worth getting a fifth-year option.  Developmental quarterbacks with no fifth-year option have a very small chance of finding fantasy success. Considering how low that will leave them, don’t be surprised if at least two of these players are still on the board going into Day 3.

Running Backs

1. Breece Hall – Iowa State
2. Kenneth Walker III – Michigan State
3. Rachaad White – Arizona State
4. Isaiah Spiller – Texas A&M
5. James Cook – Georgia

Analysis: This position is left largely unchanged at the moment, as it isn’t too surprising that no running backs were drafted in Round 1. With the entire group now moving to a Round 2 starting point, don’t be surprised if players like Dameon Pierce, Brian Robinson Jr, and Tyler Badie leapfrog some of these selections as the top two are still in a tier of their own, but this shows that the next tiers are muddled just a pinch lower.

Wide Receivers

1. George Pickens – Georgia
2. Skyy Moore – Western Michigan
3. Christian Watson – North Dakota State
4. Jalen Tolbert – Southern Alabama
5. Alec Pierce – Cincinnati

Analysis: This wide receiver group went through some things. Pickens has greater talent than some that went before him, but his intensity has led him to fall down some boards. With so many teams still needing wide receivers, none of these guys should make it out of Round 3. If anything, they could still be leapfrogged by David Bell, John Metchie, or Tyquan Thornton in Round 2.

Tight Ends

1. Trey McBride – Colorado State
2. Greg Dulcich – UCLA
3. Charlie Kolar – Iowa State
4. Isaiah Likely – Coastal Carolina
5. Jelani Woods – Virginia

Analysis: McBride will go off the board first as the consensus top tight end in the class. The top half of Round 2 seems like an appropriate floor for him. The tight end class overall with its moderate depth will still push one of the remaining parties into Day 3.

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Non-Fantasy Best Players Available

David Ojabo – Edge

Ojabo has the length and density necessary to be an extremely effective pass rusher at the next level.  He does however need to do better with setting up his counter pass rush moves in order to be more effective at the NFL level.

 Kyler Gordon – Cornerback

Gordon’s athleticism served him well in college along with the ability to read route combinations. Gordon’s late reactions to passes may be a reason that he’s fallen a bit.

 Nakobe Dean – Linebacker

Dean is surprising to see here as he was often the guy on the Georgia defense who could make a play. His size (5’11 229 lbs.) leaves him closer to the size of a strong safety than a linebacker.

 Andrew Booth –  Cornerback

The high-motor corner out of Clemson has his tape loaded with place plays and should be a great CB2 for a team. He relies on his athleticism to make plays more so than he does based on understanding, which even he came out and said.

 Jalen Pitre – Safety/Cornerback

Pitre is another playmaker in the secondary whom I had even over similar profiled players like Daxton Hill and Jaquan Brisker. Pitre tested well and has great instincts. He is a bit undersized though and that could be a factor in his declining value.

 Bernhard Rainman – Offensive Tackle

Looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane. Rainman’s size doesn’t match the light feet that he has on the field. His strength and run blocking aren’t ideal and can limit his ability to become a swing tackle.

 Leo Chenal – Linebacker

Chenal’s ability to blitz as well as run defense is among the top of the class. In a league that prioritizes passing, however, Chenal’s liability in coverage seems to be factoring into him being available likely fairly deep into Round 2.

 Travis Jones – Defensive Tackle

Travis Jones tested well and was also mentioned a fair amount about going in Round 1. His lack of pass-rushing promise seems to give the suggestion he won’t be trusted as a three-down player for a few years in the league.

Recap all of the Round 1 action here.

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