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10 Winners and losers from the 2022 NFL Draft

By Michael Johnson

2022 NFL Draft: Malik Willis #7 of the Liberty Flames celebrates after winning the LendingTree Bowl against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Hancock Whitney Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
2022 NFL Draft: Malik Willis #7 of the Liberty Flames celebrates after winning the LendingTree Bowl against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Hancock Whitney Stadium on December 18, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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2022 NFL Draft
2022 NFL Draft: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Michigan State Spartans runs up the field in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium on November 13, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) /

2022 NFL Draft Loser: Kenneth Walker, RB, Seattle Seahawks

At some point in the 2022 College Football season, Kenneth Walker was thought to be the draft’s best running back. He went on to run a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.

You’d think it would solidify his claim for RB1 — it didn’t. That honor went to Breece Hall, who was taken in at the No. 4 spot on Day 2. Walker makes this list because he’s on a team that doesn’t have a quarterback.

He’ll have to face eight or nine-man boxes in a division with the Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams.

There are also the looming DK Metcalf questions that will make it difficult for the quarterback to succeed if he’s traded or sits out. Imagine what that’s going to do to the running game?

2022 NFL Draft Winner: Jameis Winston, QB, New Orleans Saints

Sean Payton is no longer the football coach in New Orleans, but the train can’t stop moving. GM Mickey Loomis had a plan to build around Winston, who is looking to pick where he left off before an injury derailed his season. Loomis spent back-to-back picks to help his quarterback.

At No. 11, he added Chris Olave, who could make a claim as the draft’s best wide receiver. He’s a smooth, excellent route runner with a good vertical push, but he can also make plays underneath. He’s a downfield threat who can take the top off defenses — Winston has the arm to get it to him.

Loomis targeted the offensive line with the other first-round pick. Trevor Penning is the perfect prospect to fill the void left by Terron Armstead (Dolphins).

Penning is a tone-setter in terms of his nasty play style, but he’s extremely athletic with great length and powerful hands. Oh, and they didn’t take a quarterback to threaten his job. Winston can rest easy and get ready to eat some W’s.

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