The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Bonitto is lightning-quick off the edge - critical given the quarterback talent in the AFC West - but he was available this late because he lacks the mass to consistently hold up in run support. The Broncos used the 64th overall selection to nab speedy, slippery edge rusher Nik Bonitto, who is a better, more productive player than his below-average size would suggest. But that said, the rookies in Denver’s 2022 draft class also are intriguing.
A Pro Bowler in nine of his 10 NFL seasons, Wilson is among the league’s true difference-makers, and frankly, Denver could have traded its entire draft class and still earned plenty of positive grades. The Broncos traded their first- and second-round selections in 20 for superstar Russell Wilson, which must be taken into account when assessing Denver’s picks. Athletic and tough, Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum could give the Chiefs a fun change of pace and developmental prospect behind Mahomes. Iowa State outside linebacker Mike Rose is a playmaker who should have been drafted, as should have Mississippi running back Jerrion Ealy. No one can blame former Clemson receiver Justyn Ross for signing with the Chiefs given Patrick Mahomes’ brilliance.
If Kansas City’s draft haul weren't enough, Veach and his scouts secured one of the better classes of undrafted free agents. And don’t be surprised when another late Day 3 selection, Washington State DB Jaylen Watson, outperforms his draft selection. On Saturday, the Chiefs followed last year’s Day 3 steal of Trey Smith with another brawler in Kentucky’s Darian Kinnard. Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal could push Nick Bolton and/or Willie Gay for starting duty at inside linebacker. Western Michigan’s Skyy Moore is a very different (but still highly productive) replacement for Hill, and Cincinnati's Bryan Cook is a heady, physical safety who also projects as an early contributor. I am just as high on Kansas City’s Day 2 picks. Like McDuffie, Karlaftis might lack the eye-popping athletic profile of players selected earlier at his position, but he possesses terrific instincts and the proven production against quality competition to project as an early contributor. The Chiefs then circled back to nab another stud in Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis. Schwartz explains why the Kansas City Chiefs top his list. Geoff Schwartz and Cousin Sal discuss which NFL team improved the most through the draft. McDuffie is a plug-and-play cornerback for a club that needed one after losing Charvarius Ward to San Francisco in free agency. McDuffie lacks their length and gaudy interception totals, but his tape was crystal clear, showing not only the fluidity, acceleration and awareness required in coverage but also the instincts and physicality for run support. and Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, who, as expected, were among the first picks off the board.
3 cornerback in a class that boasted two blue-chip talents in Derek Stingley Jr.
As such, general manager Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid deserve a lot of credit for shifting to fill Kansas City’s actual biggest need - cornerback - rather than trying to nab a deep threat in the first round.įormer Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie was almost universally viewed as the No. Further, it should be just as obvious that replacing a talent such as Hill is virtually impossible with a rookie. It is a lot easier to win on draft day when a club has extra premium selections, like what the Chiefs acquired by trading Tyreek Hill. Former NFL GM Rick Spielman joins Colin Cowherd on The Herd to share his thoughts following the 2022 NFL Draft.