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5 NFL teams that made the leap to contenders after the 2022 NFL Draft

By Sayre Bedinger

2022 NFL Draft; Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz, head coach Ron Rivera and Co-CEO Tanya Snyder pose with the team helmet at Inova Sports Performance Center Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: John McCreary-USA TODAY Sports
2022 NFL Draft; Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz, head coach Ron Rivera and Co-CEO Tanya Snyder pose with the team helmet at Inova Sports Performance Center Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: John McCreary-USA TODAY Sports /
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2022 NFL Draft
2022 NFL Draft – Quarterback Carson Wentz of the Washington Commanders stands with a helmet after being introduced at Inova Sports Performance Center on March 17, 2022 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Which five NFL teams made the leap into contender status following the 2022 NFL Draft? We take a look through some new threats to the Rams’ crown.

Now that the 2022 NFL Draft is in the books, which teams have potentially made the leap into legitimate “contender” status for the 2022 season?

Who has gone from relative NFL obscurity into potential Super Bowl contention status?

Some of these teams could be considered among the bold predictions variety, while others may have really been on the cusp beforehand.

Let’s take a look through the top five teams that have a chance to become contenders now that the 2022 NFL Draft is over and the primary roster improvements have been made.

Top 5 new legitimate contenders after the 2022 NFL Draft

5. Washington Commanders

Yes, I know that the team Carson Wentz most recently led saw a 98 percent chance at making the playoffs absolutely vanish.

I’ve heard all of the jokes and criticisms for Wentz, and I think a lot of it is valid.

However, I think he’s also easily the best quarterback the Washington franchise has had in a long time and he’s stepping into a really solid situation in 2022.

The Commanders have a decent supporting cast around Wentz offensively. Terry McLaurin is great, the Commanders have a stud running back in Antonio Gibson, and they used their first-round pick on Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson.

Logan Thomas at the tight end position gives Wentz a better all-around group of weapons than he had with the Colts last season, even if he was able to rely on Jonathan Taylor more than he will be able to rely on the backs with the Commanders.

Washington has an improved offensive line, and their defensive front seven is downright nasty, bordering on terrifying.

Chase Young will be back this season.

The secondary should be improved with Benjamin St-Juste expected to take on a bigger role in year two.

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