20 NFL bold predictions after the 2022 NFL Draft

By Randy Gurzi | May 8, 2022

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) gets set before a snap in the first quarter during Super Bowl 56 against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.Nfl Super Bowl 56 Los Angeles Rams Vs Cincinnati Bengals Feb 13 2022 0526 /

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Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux reacts after being selected as the fifth overall pick to the New York Giants during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Kayvon Thibodeaux wins Defensive Rookie of the Year

The New York Giants were one of the teams that did exceptionally well in the 2022 NFL Draft. They added Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal at No. 7 overall, Kentucky wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson in the second, and underrated tight end Daniel Bellinger from San Diego State in the fourth.

However, it was their first pick that will really make an impact. At No. 5 overall, New York ended up with Oregon pass rusher Kayvn Thibodeaux, who at one point seemed to be a lock for the No. 1 overall pick.

But as teams often do, they seemed to begin to over-think things and he not only slid to No. 5 but two pass rushers — Trevon Walker from Georgia and Aidan Hutchinson from Michigan — went ahead of him.

One of the main reasons was a question about his love for the game. Everyone knows he has the skill to be elite but there were concerns that he wouldn’t give it all he had to be great.

Thibodeaux has tried to put those rumors to bed but he still slid — and when a player going fifth overall feels like a slide, you know he has talent.

In 2022, look for that talent to be on full display — especially with a brilliant defensive coordinator such as Wink Martindale calling the plays. That combination will lead to the Oregon product earning some hardware at the end of the season as he wins the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.

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