2022 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper reveals his winners, losers from Day 2
The first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft are complete, with the final four rounds set to begin at 12 noon ET on Saturday. Following Day 2 of the NFL Draft, ESPN expert Mel Kiper revealed his winners and losers from Friday night.
Kiper’s winners from the night include two teams that selected quarterbacks and two others that made moves to be in the draft position they were on Friday. His losers include some teams that made some reaches on picks, in addition to passing on Malik Willis, a projected first-round pick that fell all the way into Round 3.
Here is a full look at Kiper’s winners and losers from Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft winners from Day 2
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons took four players on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, and they made them count. At No. 38, Atlanta addressed a major need in selected Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie. They then took Montana linebacker Troy Anderson at No. 58, and selected Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder at No. 74. Atlanta rounded out their Day 2 with Western Kentucky outside linebacker DeAngelo Malone at No. 82.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens were wheeling and dealing on Day 1, and they ultimately had two picks on Day 2 on Friday. The first was used on Michigan outside linebacker David Ojabo. Ojabo is recovering from a torn Achilles, but he was originally a possible pick for the Ravens in the first round before his injury. Baltimore also took a talented defensive tackle at No. 76, selecting UConn’s Travis Jones.
Green Bay Packers
After not taking a wide receiver in the first round on Thursday, the Packers moved up to No. 34 to select North Dakota State wideout Christian Watson, a possible first-rounder. Green Bay traded within the division, sending picks 53 and 59 to move up and give Aaron Rodgers another weapon.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts didn’t have a first-round pick, but Kiper came away impressed with their haul on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. Indianapolis took Cincinnati receiver Alec Pierce at No. 53, and came away with Virginia tight end Jelani Woods, Central Michigan offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann, and Maryland safety Nick Cross in Round 3.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans grabbed Auburn corner Roger McCreary at No. 35 and Ohio State offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere at No. 69, but Kiper had his eyes on another pick in Liberty quarterback Malik Willis at No. 86. Willis was a possible top ten pick throughout the pre-draft process, but instead he fell into the Titans’ lap in the third round, and now he can sit and learn behind Ryan Tannehill as he gets accustomed to the NFL.
Kiper’s losers
Seattle Seahawks
Unlike Tennessee, Seattle passed on Willis multiple times in Round 2. Kiper thought the Seahawks should have taken Willis at No. 40 and No. 41, but they instead took Minnesota outside linebacker Boye Mafe and Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker. They also got tackle Abraham Lucas in Round 3, but after taking Charles Cross in Round 1, Kiper was a little confused by these selections.
Chicago Bears
Kiper was fine with the Bears pick of Washington corner Kyler Gordon at No. 39, but he didn’t agree with picking Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker at No. 48. The Bears need a wide receiver and help on the offensive line, and there were a lot of those players available at No. 48.
New England Patriots
The Patriots might have reached in the first round, and Kiper believes they did so again in Round 2. New England took Baylor receiver Tyquan Thornton in Round 1, but Kiper believes that there were many better options available. Kiper did say that he liked the patriots third pick of Houston corner Marcus Jones.