2022 NFL Draft trends to watch for on draft weekend
By Khari Demos
2022 NFL Draft Trend #4: The draft is won in the trenches
I think this draft will go down as a “meat and potatoes” class. Yes, there are some big-name skill players who are coming out in the draft, but I truly believe most of the best players in the class play in the trenches.
Both Georgia defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt should hear their names called in the first round. The same could be said for dominant UConn nose tackle Travis Jones.
Even edge should see some names called even past the big names in Kayvon Thibodeaux, Walker, and Hutchinson, like Senior Bowl star Boye Mafe or former Oklahoma Sooner Nik Bonitto.
The offensive line group is stacked too. Neal and Ekwonu may highlight the tackle list, but Charles Cross, Bernhard Raimann, Tyler Smith, and Trevor Penning, are all being projected as future starters.
And let’s not forget the interior group, which has standouts in Zion Johnson, Kenyon Green, and Tyler Linderbaum, who may go higher than most centers after Creed Humphrey’s success last season as a rookie.
Quarterbacks across the league should love this group of offensive linemen coming in. And as far as the signal-callers go, we’ve got to touch on that topic.