Mel Kiper shakes up 2022 NFL Draft Big Board following conference championship weekend

NS_headshot_clearbackgroundby:Nick Schultz•12/07/21•

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After a wild championship weekend, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has a new No. 1 pick atop his Big Board. Kiper released his latest projections Tuesday morning.

Michigan defensive end and Heisman Trophy finalist Aidan Hutchinson now sits atop the board, jumping Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. It’s part of an interesting shakeup following the conference championships.

Here’s Kiper’s full big board heading into bowl season.

1. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan (PR: 5)

2. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon (PR: 1)

3. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama (PR: 4)

4. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame (PR: 2)

5. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU (PR: 3)

6. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama (PR: 11)

7. Drake London, WR, USC (PR: 7)

8. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah (PR: 8)

9. David Ojabo, DE, Michigan (PR: 9)

10. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State (PR: 6)

11. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M (PR: 12)

12. Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia (PR: 9)

13. George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue (PR: 21)

14. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa (PR: 13)

15. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State (PR: 16)

16. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati (PR: NR)

17. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State (PR: 14)

18. Ikem Ekwonu, OT/G, NC State (PR: 17)

19. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa (PR: 15)

20. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt (PR: 20)

21. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati (PR: NR)

22. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State (PR: 22)

23. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss (PR: NR)

24. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas (PR: 24)

25. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson (PR: NR)

Mel Kiper has a new top pick

Hutchinson has seen his stock skyrocket the last few weeks, notably after Michigan’s victory over Ohio State. But in the Big Ten Championship, he had four tackles and a sack as the Wolverines defeated Iowa 42-3 to seal a spot in the College Football Playoff.

One of the biggest risers is Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis, who went from No. 21 to No. 13 on Kiper’s board. Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning was one of the bigger fallers, going from No. 15 to No. 19.

Three quarterbacks cracked Kiper’s Top 25, but the first one doesn’t show up until No. 20. Pitt’s Kenny Pickett and Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder check in at No. 20 and No. 21, and Ole Miss’ Matt Corral is at No. 23.