2022 NFL Scouting Combine: 3 Biggest winners and losers from Day 2

Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books and we look back at the workouts and see who improved their stock and who saw their fall

Another day, another round of workouts in the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine in the books. On Thursday, we saw the quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends take center stage and were in awe of some of the talent on the field.

On Friday, it was the offensive lineman and running backs who were showing off their skills.

Here, we look at three players who improved their standings and three who hurt theirs as the athletes prepare for the 2022 NFL Draft.

2022 NFL Scouting Combine Biggest Winner No. 3: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

Suddenly, Ikem Ekwonu has emerged as a contender for the No. 1 overall spot in the NFL Draft. He was already considered one of the best offensive linemen in the class but then on Friday, he showed off his impressive traits as he ran a 40-yard dash in under five seconds.

Ekwonu was also easily one of the more fluid movers out of all linemen and had a great change of direction as well. He’s going to be a star in the NFL and could supplant Evan Neal who didn’t work out.

2022 NFL Scouting Combine Biggest Loser No. 3: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M

Another player who was seen as a potential top-10 to top-15 pick heading into the combine was Kenyon Green from Texas A&M. He performed well for the Aggies as both a guard and tackle.

On Friday, he wasn’t bad but there was a clear difference between him and some of the top linemen in the class. That means he will likely be considered a guard in the NFL and while he will surely be great, that could hurt his standings in the draft.

2022 NFL Scouting Combine Biggest Winner No. 2: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State

This class of running backs hasn’t really gotten a lot of attention, thanks in large part to the way the wide receivers have taken over. The class of wideouts is so elite that they’re likely going to litter the opening round but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some solid backs in day two.

One such player is Kenny Walker III from Michigan State. Walker had 1,636 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns in 2021 and then came into the combine and showed off his speed with a 4.38 time in the 40-yard dash.

Walker also hit 122 inches in the broad jump and 34 in the vertical. Those numbers were solid but what really stood out was how well he caught the ball — which was a question coming in.

2022 NFL Scouting Combine Biggest Loser No. 2: Daniel Faalale, OT, Minnesota

When you’re 6-foot-8 and 384-pounds, people expect you to be incredibly powerful. Daniel Faalale showed during his career at Minnesota that was the case but then on Friday, he put up 24 reps in the bench press which was underwhelming.

Of course, with his incredibly long arms, he could have been at a disadvantage but there are already concerns about a tackle as tall as him making it in the NFL. He should still be a day two pick but wasn’t able to secure a spot in Round 2.

2022 NFL Scouting Combine Biggest Winner No. 1: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State

Kenneth Walker put up a workout that could make him the first running back selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, if he ends up not being the first, it will be Breece Hall from Iowa State who takes that honor.

Hall was a monster for the Cyclones, running for 3,941 yards and 50 touchdowns (with 41 of those coming in the past two seasons). He also had 734 yards and another six scores as a receiver.

On Friday, he also put up a great time in the 40-yard dash, ripping off 4.39 seconds, and even added a 40-inch vertical jump and 126-inch broad jump.

There was nothing Hall didn’t do well and he was compared favorably in just about every workout to Jonathan Taylor who has turned into a star in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts. Hall is going to end up making some team incredibly happy.

2022 NFL Scouting Combine Biggest Loser No. 1: Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame

Kyren Williams didn’t have the best day on Friday. The Notre Dame running back measured in at 5-foot-9 and 194-pounds which already raises questions about his ability to hold up in the NFL. Then, he put up a 40-yard dash of just 4.65 which was actually adjusted from an unofficial time of 4.72.

Williams will now need to put up a great workout at his pro day because his stock took a hit in these workouts.