2022 NFL draft recap: Team grades, winners and losers, expert analysis
![Jaguars owner Shad Khan, head coach Doug Pederson, first-round draft pick Travon Walker and general manager Trent Baalke pose for a photo.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/04/30/USAT/6011e4d7-f0f8-494b-8406-4757fc736077-USATSI_18174327.jpg?crop=3000,1790,x0,y105&width=660&height=394&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The 2022 NFL draft is in the books, from the No. 1 overall pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars β Georgia DE Travon Walker β to Mr. Irrelevant β Iowa State QB Brock Purdy β going to the San Francisco 49ers.
Some of the highlights of the 87th annual "Player Selection Meeting" ...
- Only one quarterback was selected in the draft's first two rounds.
- Defensive players were selected with each of the first five picks.
- Two veteran receivers β A.J. Brown and Marquise Brown β were traded during the first round.
- Georgia had a record five defensive players picked in the first round and a seven-round record 15 players drafted overall.
Which teams absolutely nailed their drafts? And which teams missed the mark?
2022 NFL draft breakdown
- Draft grades: The New York Jets lead the way with the lone A+. The Arizona Cardinals receive the weekend's lowest grade.
- Draft winners and losers: The Ravens and Eagles gave themselves a serious boost with their NFL draft hauls, but some other teams didn't fare nearly as well.
- Draft steals: Georgia LB Nakobe Dean, Clemson CB Andrew Booth Jr. and Liberty QB Malik Willis headline the list of 10 players who were taken too low.
- QBs endure steep slide: NFL teams made it clear their interest in this year's crop of quarterbacks in the draft was tepid at best.
- 10 most intriguing first-round picks: While only one quarterback went in Round 1, there was a mad dash for wide receivers.
- Did surprising trade of star WR torpedo Titans' title chances? Treylon Burks was a good pick, but he'll now be asked to replace one of the NFL's top young receivers.
- Bold move puts heavy pressure on No. 1 pick: In selecting Travon Walker over Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Jaguars made a massive bet on the Georgia defensive end's potential.
- Baker Mayfield still in limbo: The former No. 1 overall pick is still a member of the Browns β for now.
- Lingering questions: From roster holes that went unaddressed to possible position battles, there are several unresolved issues lingering after the 2022 NFL draft.
- With the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft...: A lot can change in a yearβs time, but two Alabama stars are shaping up to be top picks in the 2023 NFL draft.
2022 NFL draft: All the picks
Team by team:
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North: Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South: Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
Round by round:
Round 1 | Rounds 2-3 | Rounds 4-7
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