Mel Kiper shakes up 2022 NFL Draft Big Board ahead of scouting combine
Mel Kiper has shaken up his 2022 NFL Draft Big Board ahead of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. While Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson remains atop the rankings, what follows are a bevy of changes to Kiper’s board.
Moreover, this season’s draft class has been impossible for talent evaluators to predict. Even Kiper is wondering who will be first off the board when April rolls around.
“Often at this time of the year, we know who the No. 1 pick will be and we definitely know who the No. 1 quarterback on the board will be,” wrote Kiper. “Not in 2022. There’s no consensus on much about this class, which makes it super interesting headed into the combine.”
As you can see, the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine will change a bevy of things. Before things get underway in Indianapolis, here’s what Kiper has as his 2022 NFL Draft Big Board.
Mel Kiper’s 2022 NFL Draft Big Board:
1) Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
2) Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
3) Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
4) Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
5) Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
6) Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
7) Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
8) Drake London, WR, USC
9) Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
10) Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
11) David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
12) Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
13) Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
14) Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
15) Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
16) Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
17) Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
18) Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
19) Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
20) Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
21) Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
22) Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
23) Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
24) Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
25) George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The first thing that jumps out regarding Kiper’s rankings is the fall of Oregon star Kayvon Thibodeaux. For much of the offseason, the Ducks pass rusher has been neck-and-neck with Hutchinson. However, Thibodeaux fell from No. 2 to No. 5 in Kiper’s update.
Additionally, many prospects are rocketing up the rankings. First, Washington star cornerback Trent McDuffie was unranked in Kiper’s last update. Now, he’s risen to the No. 17 overall prospect. Additionally, Florida State star defensive end Jermaine Johnson II also went from unranked to No. 22 — another big jump up the rankings.
While Mel Kiper believes the waters are murky at the moment, the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine will clear things up. Nevertheless, the ESPN NFL Draft Guru’s rankings are a benchmark for many.