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With free agency in the books, all eyes are now on the 2022 NFL Draft. Having previewed every team as soon as the offseason ended, I have a working knowledge of all of the rosters in the NFL. What I’m missing is a deep understanding of every prospect available via the draft. That’s where Tyler Forness comes in. He covers college football for NBC and will be filling in the best fits for each team given their needs and the picks they hold. I’ll add some context beyond the general position of need to clarify differences within a broad category (i.e., if a team needs a run-stuffing nose tackle or a 4-3 tackle with pass-rush chops). Tyler will find the best fits for each team while also giving us some notes on the players.
New York Jets
Wide Receiver
The tandem of Elijah Moore and Corey Davis has potential, but the Jets attempting to pay top dollar for Tyreek Hill tells us what they think they need. They will likely look to add an outside receiver as both Moore and Braxton Berrios are prototypical slot players.
1.04 Options: NA
1.10 Options: Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, USC’s Drake London, Alabama’s Jameson Williams
2.35 & 2.38 Options: NDSU’s Christian Watson, Penn State’s Jahan Dotson
Tyler’s Notes: 1.04 is a tad too early for a wide receiver with all the top-end talent in the trenches. Depending on what direction they want to go, they will get a dynamic play-maker. They need a field-stretcher more than anything and Williams is just the remedy.
Defensive End
Even after getting Carl Lawson back from his torn Achilles, the Jets still appear to have a subpar pass-rush. They will be eying a 4-3 end as early as the first of their two top-10 picks.
1.04 Options: Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux, Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson
1.10 Options: Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson, Purdue’s George Karlaftis
2.35 & 2.38 Options: Minnesota’s Boye Mafe, Penn State’s Arnold Ebiketie
Tyler’s Notes: The Jets need a pass rusher in the most desperate way. Passing on Thibodeaux would be a huge mistake, as he projects to be a monster in the league.
Cornerback
The addition of D.J. Reed via free agency takes this need down a notch. However, New York could look for a second starting corner in the draft. With Reed standing at a meager 5’8, they may compliment him with a lengthy outside corner.
1.04 Options: Cincinnati’s Ahmad Gardner
1.10 Options: Cincinnati’s Ahmad Gardner, LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr
2.35 & 2.38 Options: Florida’s Kaiir Elam, Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr
Tyler’s Notes: Corner is a position that is also a desperate need. Bryce Hall was a nice addition, but a corner opposite him is a necessity. Booth Jr provides the requisite ball skills and athleticism to thrive playing for Robert Saleh.
Miami Dolphins
Center
The Dolphins made revamping their offensive line a focus in free agency and they’re not done yet. Michael Deiter has proven to be best suited to a backup role but is currently slotted in as the team’s starting center. He could be replaced through the draft.
3.102 Options: Memphis’ Dylan Parham, Tennessee-Chattanooga’s Cole Strange
4.125 Options: Kentucky’s Luke Fortner
7.224 Options: Nebraska’s Cam Jurgens, Arizona State’s Donovan West
Tyler’s Notes: The Dolphins gave Tua Tagovailoa an all-pro weapon in Tyreek Hill and now they need to focus on the offensive line. Jurgens is the athlete that Mike McDaniel values at the center position and will be a nice value selection on day three.
Offensive Tackle
Switching Austin Jackson from tackle to guard didn’t do the second-year lineman any favors. With Connor Williams and Robert Hunt set to start at guard, Jackson will likely revert back to tackle, though as a backup. The Dolphins need insurance on the tandem of Jackson and Liam Eichenberg, who gave up 62 pressures while mostly playing left tackle last year.
3.102 Options: Washington State’s Abraham Lucas, Penn State’s Rasheed Walker, Louisiana-Lafayette’s Max Mitchell
4.125 Options: Southern Utah’s Braxton Jones, Central Michigan’s Luke Goedeke
7.224 Options: Arizona State’s Kellen Diesch
Tyler’s Notes: Adding a tackle with the struggles of Jackson and Eichenberg is a necessary task this offseason. Jones provides high upside with his physicality and athleticism.
Outside Linebacker
Andrew Van Ginkel is entering the final year of his contract. Of Miami’s two outside linebackers, Van Ginkel is typically the one relied upon in run defense, though he still puts in work as a pass-rusher. Finding his replacement isn’t urgent, but it can’t hurt to have a backup plan in the making.
3.102 Options: Montana State’s Troy Andersen, Georgia’s Channing Tindall, Penn State’s Brandon Smith
4.125 Options: Auburn’s Zakoby McClain
7.224 Options: Iowa State’s Mike Rose, Baylor’s Terrel Bernard
Tyler’s Notes: Finding a potential starter at the linebacker position will help the long-term prognosis of the Dolphins. Smith provides upside in all phases of the game with his great size and athleticism.
New England Patriots
Cornerback
New England needs a new No. 1 corner and their style has always been a physical player who can handle his own in man coverage.
1.21 Options: LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr, Florida’s Kaiir Elam
2.54 Options: UTSA’s Tariq Woolen, Mississippi State’s Martin Emerson, Sam Houston State’s Zyon McCollum
3.85 Options: Missouri’s Akayleb Evans, Tennessee’s Alontae Taylor
Tyler’s Notes: Bill Belichick prioritizes corners that thrive on an island. While he will have his issues and make a lot of mistakes, the upside that Woolen brings is wildly intriguing.
Guard
Trading Shaq Mason left a void at right guard for the Pats. The rest of their line is strong so his replacement doesn’t have to be a massive investment, though that can’t be ruled out.
1.21 Options: Boston College’s Zion Johnson, Texas A&M’s Kenyon Green
2.54 Options: Kentucky’s Darrian Kennard, Georgia’s Jamaree Salyer
3.85 Options: Oklahoma’s Marquis Hayes, LSU’s Chasen Hines
Tyler’s Notes: The trade of Mason was a necessary one from a salary cap perspective, but they need to protect their immobile quarterback Mac Jones. Hayes provides a mauler mentality on the interior with the ability to start early.
Wide Receiver
The addition of DeVante Parker moves this need down New England’s board. However, he is 29 years old and coming off a injury-plagued season. Though the trade may rule out a first-round receiver, I think the Pats will still be in the market for depth out wide in the subsequent rounds.
1.21 Options: Arkansas’s Treylon Burks, Ohio State’s Chris Olave
2.54 Options: NDSU’s Christian Watson, Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore
3.85 Options: Nevada’s Romeo Doubs, Texas Tech’s Erik Ezukanma
Tyler’s Notes: After acquiring DeVante Parker from the Dolphins, a receiver isn’t as much of a need, but they still need an alpha that can separate. Olave is a natural separator that can win on all levels of the field.
Buffalo Bills
Cornerback
Tre’Davious White is coming off a torn ACL and Levi Wallace, who started opposite White last year, left for Pittsburgh in free agency. The Bills put their corners in man coverage situations more often than most teams, relying on the blitz getting home quickly to mask an understaffed secondary. Though White will be tasked with covering WR1s, Buffalo will still want a corner who can handle one-on-one looks.
1.25 Options: Florida’s Kaiir Elam, Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr, Washington’s Trent McDuffie
2.57 Options: UTSA’s Tariq Woolen, Auburn’s Roger McCreary, Mississippi State’s Martin Emerson
3.89 Options: Alabama’s Josh Jobe, Cincinnati’s Coby Bryant
Tyler’s Notes: A capable CB2 is necessary for the Bills to compete with the juggernauts in the AFC. While McCreary has subpar arm length, his ability to stay physical in press coverage and mirror the receiver will be plenty good enough for the Bills.
Wide Receiver
The Bills subbed out Cole Beasley for Jamison Crowder in the slot his offseason. Crowder is a capable pass-catcher but he could ultimately be the placeholder for a more exciting rookie.
1.25 Options: Ohio State’s Chris Olave, Alabama’s Jameson Williams
2.57 Options: NDSU’s Christian Watson, Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore
3.89 Options: South Alabama’s Jalen Tolbert, Memphis WR Calvin Austin III
Tyler’s Notes: The Bills emphasized pass-rush in free agency making a dynamic weapon on offense their top priority. Williams provides a perfect complement to Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis with his deep speed and explosive start-and-stop ability.
Running Back
The Bills signaled this need by attempting to sign J.D. McKissic before settling on Duke Johnson. They clearly have a pass-catching type but would be unlikely to pass on a workhorse if one fell into their lap.
1.25 Options: Iowa State’s Breece Hall
2.57 Options: Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller, Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker
3.89 Options: Georgia’s James Cook, Georgia’s Zamir White
Tyler’s Notes: The Bills don’t need to swing early on the position, as the dropoff from RB1 to RB5 is relatively slim. Targeting Cook in round three gives them an immediate upgrade in the passing game with upside as a rusher.