For bucky brooks
FOX Sports NFL Analyst
Although Les Snead dismissed the importance of draft picks in the Los Angeles Ramsvictory parade, the overwhelming majority of NFL team builders prefer to use a draft and development model to build a championship team.
While the philosophy requires evaluators to consistently select the best players in the draft, particularly in the first round, there are plenty of team builders who like their odds of turning lesser-known picks into a roster loaded with star talent. Optimistic executives view the NFL Draft as a lottery, with each pick representing a golden ticket that could change the fortunes of the franchise.
NFL Draft: Joel Klatt’s Top 10 Draft Prospects
FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt reveals his top 10 players from the 2022 NFL Draft, including Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson and Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.
With that in mind, smart executives will try to rack up as many lottery tickets as possible. In recent years, we’ve seen more teams acquire multiple picks in the first round to increase their chances of landing a five-star player or a couple of stars at the top of the board.
The Buffalo Bills pulled off a rare feat in 2018, when they drafted a pair of future Pro Bowlers in the first round: QB Josh Allen (7th overall, 2020 Pro Bowler) and LB Tremaine Edmunds (16th overall, 2019 Pro Bowler). and 2020).
This season, eight teams, an NFL record, currently own two first-round picks. (The previous record was six.) If things go according to plan, your extra lottery tickets will become players who are key pieces of a championship puzzle.
Given some time to examine the 2022 draft class and the eight franchises that have multiple picks in the opening round next Thursday, I thought this was the perfect time to create perfect pairings for each team.
Detroit Lions
First-round picks: No. 2 and No. 32
Needs: QB, EDGE, CB
Perfect pairing:
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Matt Corral, quarterback, Ole Miss
If the Lions are building themselves in the image of Dan Campbell, the players Detroit selects on draft weekend should play with fanatical effort and exhibit the toughness of a working-class town. Hutchinson has a high-revving engine that overwhelms opponents ill-equipped to deal with his effort, energy and pass-rushing skills.
Corral is an ultra-talented gunslinger with exceptional arm talent and a quick release. He is franchise quarterback material with enough athleticism, toughness and playability to improve the Lions’ QB1 spot.
Joel Klatt’s top five quarterbacks in the draft
Joel Klatt shares his top five quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft, led by Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett, Liberty quarterback Malik Willis and Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral.
houston texans
First-round picks: No. 3 and No. 13
Needs: EDGE, CB, OL
Perfect pairing:
Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Lovie Smith’s promotion to head coach could lead the Texans to prioritize fixing the defense in the 2022 draft. The need to improve the cornerback game makes Gardner an obvious pick after Smith saw quarterbacks field set fire to his high school that was outclassed a season ago.
Thibodeaux would add a disruptive pass-rusher to a lineup that lacks a legitimate threat on the edges. Without sticky coverage or a persistent pass rush, the Texans will never close the gap on their division rivals in the AFC South.
Joel Klatt’s Top 10 Edge Runners in the Draft
Joel Klatt breaks down his list of the best running backs in the draft, including Kayvon Thibodeaux, Logan Hall and Jermaine Johnson.
new york jets
First-round picks: No. 4 and No. 10
Needs: WR, OT, EDGE
Perfect pairing:
Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina
Drake London, WR, USC
With Zach Wilson heading into his second season, it’s time for GM Joe Douglas to update the pieces around his QB franchise. Not only does Ekwonu add meat to a frontline that wants to lean on Michael Carter & Co. to run the rock between tackles, but he also gives the unit a menacing edge presence with nasty finishing abilities.
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound London is an oversized pass receiver with the jumping ability and catch radius to expand Wilson’s strike zone, particularly in the red zone. As a jumbo slot receiver with soft hands, the USC standout is the perfect complement to a receiving corps that features Elijah Moore and Corey Davis on the outside.
New York Giants
First-round picks: No. 5 and No. 7
Needs: OT, EDGE, TE
Perfect pairing:
Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
The Giants have always been at their best when they control the trenches on either side of the ball. Neal is a massive edge blocker (6-foot-7, 350) with a rock-solid game built on technique, awareness and knowledge. He blocks opponents with his heavy handed punches and displays enough lower body strength to anchor against power brokers.
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Johnson is an A-plus pass-rusher with excellent first-pass quickness and close-combat skills. Additionally, he plays with a non-stop engine that routinely produces garbage bags when he outruns his opponents on the edge.
If the Giants can upgrade their trench warriors with blue-collar guys, Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen will quickly turn things around in the Big Apple.
philadelphia eagles
First-round picks: No. 15 and No. 18
Needs: DL, WR, DB
Perfect pairing:
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Trent McDuffie, BC, Washington
General Manager Howie Roseman is one of the best in the business at building and multiplying working capital. But if he keeps these picks, he could immediately improve the roster with some playmakers in the 2022 class. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Burks is the big-bodied pass catcher the franchise has been missing since Alshon Jeffery was at his best. The Arkansas standout excels at winning 50-50 balls, and the length of him will widen the strike zone for quarterback Jalen Hurts.
McDuffie is a versatile coverage cornerback with outstanding instincts, ball skills and versatility. He is a scheme-friendly defender with a game that could thrive on man or zone coverage.
new orleans saints
First-round picks: No. 16 and No. 19
Needs: OT, WR, DL
Perfect pairing:
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Without Sean Payton on the sidelines, the Saints need to improve their personnel to offset some of the creativity that went out the door. Penning should fill the void created by Terron Armstead’s departure as a nasty edge blocker with a bully mentality. Though it might take him some time to acclimate to the NFL after dominating small-school competition, the product from northern Iowa impressed evaluators with his work against the big boys in the Senior Bowl.
Joel Klatt’s top 10 receivers in the draft
Joel Klatt breaks down his top wide receiver prospects in a loaded 2022 NFL Draft. The group is highlighted by the Ohio State Buckeyes’ dynamic duo of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
Olave is a big play waiting to happen as a speedster with cunning routes and smooth hands. He finished his career as Ohio State’s all-time touchdown leader and could continue to find the paint as a designated big-play specialist for the Saints.
Green Bay Packers
First-round picks: No. 22 and No. 28
Needs: WR, OT, GED
Perfect pairing:
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
It would take a special player to persuade general manager Brian Gutekunst to take a first-round receiver after seeing the franchise consistently develop understar picks. Williams is a worthwhile bet as an electric playmaker with speed to burn and a knack for outrunning defenders on vertical routes. Despite a knee injury that could postpone his NFL debut until midseason, the Alabama product shows the kind of big-play potential that could add dimension to a Packers offense in need of a spark. without Davante Adams.
Smith isn’t a finished product, but his size, length and athleticism could make him a 10-year starter at the job. He shows quick hands and feet as he blocks pass rushers on the edges.
Given Aaron Rodgers’ renewed commitment to the franchise after a few years of drama, the Packers need to keep No. 12 happy by any means necessary.
Kansas City Chiefs
First-round picks: No. 29 and No. 30
Needs: WR, EDGE, CB
Perfect pairing:
Daxton Hill, S., Michigan
Logan Ballroom, EDGE, Houston
Tyreek Hill’s departure will cause some observers to view wide receivers as the Chiefs’ top priority, but Andy Reid has routinely squeezed production out of no-name receivers thanks to five-star quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and, in his days with the Eagles, Donovan McNabb. . That’s why the Chiefs could turn their attention to a defense that needs more speed, athleticism and disruptive players.
Hill is a Swiss army knife in the defensive backfield, with a versatile game that allows him to play in the slot or deep middle as needed. The Chiefs could take advantage of his positional flexibility to build a competitive subpackage to match the high-powered offenses in the AFC West.
Hall is a trench warrior with a knack for creating disruption at the point of attack. He can win with finesse or power, and he can outplay opponents at the line of scrimmage to produce enough splash plays to help the Chiefs get off the field in key situations.
Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports and appears regularly on “Speak For Yourself.” He also reviews the game for the NFL Network and co-hosts the “Moving the Sticks” podcast.
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