We’re identifying the biggest value picks from each team in the 2022 NFL Draft
The 2022 NFL Draft has come to a conclusion and I’ve combed through all 262 selections and found the best value pick for each team.
The best value can mean something different to everyone, but for this exercise, I’m taking into consideration how a player was graded in relation to where he was drafted.
I’m also taking into consideration if a team was able to fill a position need or if they were able to select a player because he slipped so far in the draft, they’d be crazy not to take him.
Each year NFL general managers and draft personnel have the impossible task of trying to forecast and project how players will transition from college football to professional football—it’s part art, part science, and part luck.
With that being said, let’s dive in and try to identify value selections for all 32 teams from the 2022 NFL Draft.
Which picks were the best value in the 2022 NFL Draft for all 32 teams?
Cameron Thomas, Arizona Cardinals
Position: DE
College: San Diego State
Drafted No. 87
The Arizona Cardinals used their second draft pick on defensive end Cameron Thomas from San Diego State, which happened to be No. 87 overall in the third round.
Thomas was ranked as the No. 66 overall prospect by ESPN and No. 78 by PFF, getting him at pick No. 87 is massive value for the Cardinals.
Thomas may be able to help fill the void left by departing free agent Chandler Jones, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason.
Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons
Position: QB
College: Cincinnati
Drafted No. 74
A lot of experts thought Desmond Ridder—who led his team to the College Football Playoffs as a Group of Five team— would be off the board by the end of the first round.
That was very much not the case. Ridder slipped all the way to the third round at pick No. 74 to the Atlanta Falcons. The former Cincinnati Bearcat threw 30 touchdowns and only 8 interceptions last year. The guy takes care of the ball and minimizes risk.
Arguably the most NFL-ready QB in the class, the Falcons get a proven winner who could be a starter for a long time in Atlanta.
Ridder was ranked by PFF as the No. 41 overall best prospect in the class and Atlanta gets him at pick No. 74.