NFL Draft 2022: Recap and analysis after the weekend of picks

Favorite picks in the 2022 NFL Draft: Jermaine Johnson & Matt Corral

Falling all the way to pick No. 26 after being projected by some as a top-10 pick, my favorite defensive selection was Johnson. He can be added to the list of five Georgia Bulldog defenders who went in the first round; he just left a year too soon and missed out on holding up the College Football Playoff trophy.

But he most likely would not have had the breakout season he did in 2021. Johnson totaled 11.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, 70 total tackles, and two forced fumbles in his lone season at Florida State.

Johnson knows how to get after QBs, but he’s also a stout run defender as well. His all-around game is clearly tied to his physical skills, as he had a 4.58 40-yard dash and 10-foot, 5-inch broad jump at the combine.  He followed that up with an impressive pro day where he put 27 bench reps.

Johnson will come in and compete at a spot that is sorely needed for the Jets. Not only did they tie for 25th in the league last year in sacks (33), the Jets have not had a player record 10-or-more sacks since Muhammad Wilkerson’s 12 in 2016.

As Carl Lawson hopes to return from a torn Achilles in 2021, Johnson should pick up the slack on the other side of the line.

As for my favorite offensive pick, I was a big fan of Matt Corral going to Carolina. First off, for the Panthers, getting the Ole Miss product had to be a pleasant surprise, as they came up from the fourth round and gave up a 2023 third-rounder to take Corral in this year’s third round.

Corral has had a polarizing draft process, especially with some of his off-field issues that came to light. But I truly believe he has a shot at unseating Sam Darnold in the long term.

The former Rebels QB has a quick release and a springy, yet strong, right arm. He’s also one of the best athletes at QB in the draft, as his dual-threat skills were on display with 1,020 rushing yards and 15 rushing scores over his last two seasons in Oxford, Miss.

He’s also a tough leader on the field who literally isn’t afraid to mix it up with defenders. Who wouldn’t want to play with a guy like that?

I also believe Corral’s fit in the Ben McAdoo system, which prioritizes quick decisions with three-step drops and getting the ball out from QBs into pass-catchers hands as soon as possible.

And when those weapons are D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, Christian McCaffrey, as well as up-and-coming 2021 rookies Terrace Marshall Jr. and Shi Smith, Corral will not need to be the most advanced to start.

I also like this move because Corral coming in behind Darnold as a third-rounder clears the way for him to sit and catch up with the learning curve of digesting an NFL system that’s far deeper than Ole Miss.’

But the prospects of adding a potential long-term starter at QB in the third round? The Panthers may get the best value in the draft if things pan out with Corral.