Round 1 is in the books, and what a wild night it was! Trades galore, and tons of fantasy-relevant players off the board. There should be even more ahead on Day 2. We’ll have you covered with full second-round covered on our YouTube channel as well as live draft grades throughout Round 2.
To recap, check out our Round 1 Draft Grades and Winners/Losers, our Day 2 mock draft, fantasy football outlooks for all fantasy-relevant first-rounders, and the top fantasy rookies to watch out for on Day 2!
2022 NFL Draft Round 2 Draft Grades
2022 NFL Draft Round 2 Selections
Pick 1 No. 33 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via JAX) - Logan Hall (DT - Houston) - Draft Grade: A-
Logan Hall has defensive tackle recognition across many publications, but he's much more of a defensive end due to his pass-rushing skills. He has graded out as a top-5 interior rusher among his draft-eligible classmates the last two seasons per PFF.
NFL teams looking to generate pass-rush up the middle would be wise to invest in the 283-pounder and lengthy 6-foot-6 Houston Cougar. Just don't line him up over the center and expect him to be a true difference-maker in the run game.
Pick 2 No. 34 - Green Bay Packers (via MIN) - Christian Watson (WR - North Dakota State) - Draft Grade: B+
Christian Watson was the talk of the town as a standout in the 2022 Senior Bowl. The North Dakota State prospect showed that his 35% dominator rating and No. 1-ranked 4.33 yards per route run were no fluke, even if they came against an easy schedule of opponents.
And he continued on his draft stock ascension with a blazing 4.36 40-yard dash (91st percentile) during on-field testing. That speed at Watson's size - 6-foot-4 and 208 pounds - is ludicrous.
Combine that with his 38.5-inch vertical (84th percentile) and 136-inch broad jump (98th percentile), and all that’s left is calling the dude a certified stud who has likely earned top-50 draft capital.
Pick 3 No. 35 - Tennessee Titans (via NYJ) - Roger McCreary (CB - Auburn) - Draft Grade: B
Roger McCreary graded out as the No. 1 cornerback in the nation per PFF in 2021 - forcing 13 incomplete passes while in coverage. And although he excels in press coverage, the rumor is that NFL teams view him more as a slot cornerback with sub-29" arms (0th percentile).
That might knock him down in the draft based on teams that need a slot cornerback. But make no mistake that he will bring his top-tier coverage skills when aligned inside.
On 26 slot coverage snaps in 2021, he allowed just one catch. It's a small sample size, but McCreary's work foreshadows a smooth transition to the slot.
Pick 4 No. 36 - New York Jets (via NYG) - Breece Hall (RB - Iowa State) - Draft Grade: B+
Running back, Breece Hall was my No.1-ranked rookie in normal and Superflex formats heading into the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, and his elite showing solidified his status atop the rookie rankings. The Iowa State product measured in at 5-foot-11 and 217 pounds, slightly different from his listed playing size in school (6-foot-1, 210 pounds).
But his slightly stockier build did nothing to impede the Iowa State Cyclones' on-field performance because he lit the testing drills ablaze: 4.39 40-yard dash (93rd percentile), 40 vertical jump (94th percentile), and 126? broad jump (91st percentile).
Hall's 116.85 size-adjusted speed score was nearly identical to former Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray.
Pairing Hall's athleticism with an off-the-charts college production profile - over 4,500 yards from scrimmage and 50 touchdowns - makes him my 1.01 in dynasty rookie drafts.
Consider his abilities as a slick receiver out of the backfield - 82 catches over three seasons, just two drops in his last two seasons - and Hall provides immediate fantasy football appeal. He has the requisite size and tools to be a three-down running back who never leaves the field.
Pick 5 No. 37 - Houston Texans - Jalen Pitre (S - Baylor) - Draft Grade: B+
Safety Jalen Pitre has spent most of the last two seasons in coverage from the slot - capped off by a 2021 campaign that saw him finish first in PFF run defense among all defensive backs in the nation.
His dual-threat ability as a box safety that can cover and make stops in the run game is rare in an undersized safety at 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds. The smaller size does raise concerns about whether Pitre can keep up his tenacious play - man on a mission mentality - against larger NFL players. But at least he offers a floor as slot coverage defender.
His 6.74 3-cone time (88th percentile) illustrates his short-area quickness.
Pick 6 No. 38 - Atlanta Falcons (via NYJ) - Arnold Ebiketie (Edge - Penn State) - Draft Grade: A
After combining for just 32 pressures and six sacks during a three-year stint at Temple, Arnold Ebiketie was unleashed by Penn State in 2021. He converted his explosiveness - 38" vertical jump (91st percentile), 128" broad jump (95th percentile) - into 52 pressures, which ranked 12th in the class.
As PFF's sixth-highest graded pass-rusher among his draft-eligible edge rushers on true pass sets, Ebiketie won't last outside the second round.
Pick 7 No. 39 - Chicago Bears - Kyler Gordon (CB - Washington) - Draft Grade: A
Trent McDuffie has generated the most buzz out of Washington, but don't overlook his teammate, Kyler Gordon. Gordon's PFF coverage grade ranked fourth in FBS in 2021 (89.6) and was superior to McDuffie (89.3).
He was also elite in man coverage, allowing the nation's second-lowest passer rating (12.8).
Expect Gordon's draft stock to rise after Washington's pro day on March 29th. His lackluster 4.52 40-yard dash time doesn't accurately depict Gordon's true athleticism. It’s also very likely Gordon goes on Day 1 after being invited to the draft in Las Vegas. Not all cornerbacks being mocked in this range were invited.
Pick 8 No. 40 - Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) - Boye Mafe (Edge - Minnesota) - Draft Grade: A
The Minnesota Golden Gopher didn't post monster numbers rushing the passer in the Big Ten - 38th in the class in pressures generated - but he graded extremely well in PFF's PRP formula, which combines sacks, hits, and hurries relative to how many times a defender rushes the passer. Mafe's 10.2 PRP ranked seventh in the class behind projected top-5 picks Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
There's reason to believe Mafe could translate to a first-round-worthy pass-rusher at the NFL level based on his uber-athleticism.
At the NFL combine, Mafe ran a 4.53 40-yard dash (98th percentile), jumped 38" in the vertical (90th percentile), and leaped 125" in the broad jump (90th percentile). All while measuring in at 6-foot-4 and 261 pounds. His profile bears a striking resemblance to Jadeveon Clowney when he came out of South Carolina.
He also showed out at the Senior Bowl, posting the highest defensive grade in the all-star game (92.0).
Pick 9 No. 41 - Seattle Seahawks - Kenneth Walker III (RB - Michigan State) - Draft Grade: C
Kenneth Walker III made a massive splash upon transferring to Michigan State in 2021, leading his class in rushing yards (1,634), missed forced tackles (89), and explosive runs (46) en route to winning the Doak Walker Award - an honor bestowed upon college football's best running back.
His success earned him a 34% dominator rating, which considers the number of touchdowns and receiving yards a player commands within their offense.
The number is solid considering Walker commanded just a 4% target share in his junior year, catching 13 passes for 80 receiving yards.
His massive accomplishments this past season were inevitable after he rushed for 13 touchdowns as PFF's 15th-best graded running back in 2020 as a sophomore at Wake.
Walker possesses the groundwork to be an effective rusher at the next level, with the second-most missed tackles forced over the past two seasons - trailing only Iowa State's Breece Hall - and third-most rushing yards after contact. Breaking tackles and creating after contact in college translates to the pros exceptionally well, as seen most recently by Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams.
Williams led the nation in missed tackle rate (48%) in his final season at North Carolina and would go on to lead the NFL in the same metric after his stellar rookie season.
Elusiveness is just one trait Walker has in common with Williams, as both skipped their senior years to enter the draft. Declaring early is a positive sign for a running back in dynasty formats, as they save themselves from another year of wear and tear.
The lack of work in the passing game is the only major blemish on Walker's prospect profile because his testing at the NFL scouting combine was also exceptional. He weighed 211 pounds and ran a 4.38 40-yard dash (96th percentile).
Pick 10 No. 42 - Minnesota Vikings (via IND) - Andrew Booth Jr. (CB - Clemson) - Draft Grade: A
Andrew Booth Jr. doesn't have a signature calling card to his game because he is so well-rounded. He's a scheme-diverse enough to contribute to any defense, but his best fit would be zone coverage.
The Clemson cornerback has spent most of his career in a zone coverage scheme while generating an elite sub-40 passer rating when targeted.
Booth Jr. recently underwent sports hernia surgery, which could cause him to fall to the back end of the first round after being pegged as a top 25-player throughout the pre-draft process.
Pick 11 No. 43 - New York Giants (via ATL) - Wan'dale Robinson (WR - Kentucky) - Draft Grade: C-
Robinson owns PFF's No. 1 career receiving grade (93.4) in the 2022 draft class. Remember that Robinson's elite final junior season would have never come to fruition had he not transferred from Nebraska before the 2021 season. As a Cornhusker for two years, Robinson often took snaps in the backfield as a running back. And yet he still was able to command 18% and 30% dominator ratings.
While the dual-threat ability highlights his versatility, it may have prevented him from unlocking his true potential at the wide receiver position. In his first season playing wide receiver, he finished second in the FBS in a yards-per-route run (3.56).
Robinson will get the chance to further tap into his receiving ceiling at the professional level. Just be wary that his fantasy upside might be capped due to his size. The Nebraska transfer came in at 5-foot-8 and 178 pounds (sub-6% percentile size). It's not ideal to have a wide receiver shave three inches off his height upon being officially measured.
The closest player comps of recent note include Greg Dortch, Braxton Berrios and Keke Coutee. Robinson offers speed - a 4.44 40-yard dash - but it is somewhat expected at his more diminutive stature.
Pick 12 No. 44 - Houston Texans (via CLE) - John Metchie III (WR - Alabama) - Draft Grade: C
John Metchie III is the latest wide receiver talent to leave the Alabama Crimson Tide for the NFL after catching 96 balls for over 1,100 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in his final junior season.
It's been a long-time coming for Metchie because playing alongside future first-round picks Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and Henry Ruggs made it nearly impossible for him to get playing time.
He got his first crack at legitimate playing time in 2020 after Waddle went down with an injury. However, he was lackluster at best, taking a massive backseat to DeVonta Smith.
All eyes were on Metchie when Smith and Waddle would move on - and for the most part, he delivered. Metchie led Bama with a 20% target share in 13 games before his injury. He just happened to be overshadowed by Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams.
Still, Metchie has a nice skillset that will translate well into the NFL. He's a savvy route runner that understands how to get leverage and create separation from defenders. His game reminds me of Eddie Royal.
He probably won't ever be a true No. 1, but being a rock-solid No. 2 or slot option is very much in his range of outcomes.
Pick 13 No. 45 - Baltimore Ravens - David Ojabo (Edge - Michigan) - Draft Grade: A
David Ojabo enjoyed a breakout season with 11 sacks in 2021 after playing just 26 snaps in 2020. The considerable leap was unequivocally tied to Ojabo's freakish athleticism that regular football players just don't have. His 4.55 40-yard dash ranks in the 96th percentile among edge defenders.
Pair him with another top-tier edge rusher, and NFL offenses won't know what to do.
Unfortunately, Ojabo tore his Achilles at Michigan's pro day. The injury potentially knocks him out of Round 1, and however, he still has apparent top-20 talent.
Pick 14 No. 46 - Detroit Lions (via MIN) - Josh Paschal (EDGE – Kentucky) - Draft Grade: B-
Josh Paschal was PFF’s fourth-highest-graded run defender on the edge in the nation last season, so he should help replace free agent Jadeveon Clowney. But the upside for more pass rush is there for Paschal based on his testing. The Kentucky product is explosive, boasting a 90th percentile vertical jump and 86th percentile broad jump.
Pick 15 No. 47 - Washington Commanders (via IND) - Phidarian Mathis (DT - Alabama) - Draft Grade: C+
Phidarian Mathis has operated the interior defensive line for the Crimson Tide for the past four seasons, capping off his Alabama career with a career-high seven sacks.
However, don't expect Mathis to carry over his pass-rushing numbers from his final season. His poor testing numbers - 4th percentile vertical jump, 6th percentile 20-yard shuttle - don't inspire confidence Mathis will be a difference-maker against the pass.
He's a seasoned interior tackle that can line up all over the defensive line and mainly contribute to stopping the run.
Pick 16 No. 48 - Chicago Bears (via LAC) - Jaquan Brisker (S - Penn State) - Draft Grade: B
Versatility is the name of the game with Jaquan Brisker. The Penn State safety led the 2022 draft class in snaps from the box while boasting PFF's third-highest coverage grade (89.5). With a hybrid linebacker-safety skill set, defensive coordinators will want Brisker close to the ball on every down.
Smells like a future IDP fantasy star.
Pick 17 No. 49 - New Orleans Saints - Alontae Taylor (CB - Tennessee) - Draft Grade: F
Pick 18 No. 50 - New England Patriots (via KC) - Tyquan Thornton (WR - Baylor) - Draft Grade: F
Say hello to the fastest man on Earth. Well at least by the NFL Combine standards for a short period of time. Baylor's Tyquan Thorton broke John Ross' 4.22 record with an unofficial 4.21 40-yard dash - the fastest mark ever recorded.
Although, he did not hold the record for long as his official time came in just short of the record at 4.28 seconds.
The Baylor wideout was barely on my radar for fantasy football purposes before the NFL Combine, which was clearly an oversight on my part. His speed alone will get him decent draft capital.
Thornton's speed translated well into on-field production as he graded out as a top-10 wideout in PFF receiving grade from the intermediate level of the field (10-19 yards) last season.
Pick 19 No. 51 - Philadelphia Eagles - Cam Jurgens (C - Nebraska) - Draft Grade: B
Pick 20 No. 52 - Pittsburgh Steelers - George Pickens (WR - UGA) - Draft Grade: A
The Georgia Bulldog WR broke out as a true 18-year old freshman, finishing 2019 as PFF's the 17th-highest-graded receiver in the nation (88.0) - ahead of future NFL wideouts like Jerry Jeudy, Justin Jefferson, DeVonta Smith, and Jaylen Waddle.
His 2.64 yards per route run were identical to Jefferson's. George Pickens' unbelievable first year generated a 27% dominator rating - the No. 1 age-adjusted mark among the WRs in this draft class.
And it's so clear that Pickens plays with a dog mentality. Part of his highlight tape is him putting opposing cornerbacks on the ground in the run game.
Injuries plagued Pickens' draft stock during the college season, but he looks fully healthy based on his testing at the NFL Combine. I will be drafting a lot of Pickens in my dynasty rookie drafts.
Pick 21 No. 53 - Indianapolis Colts (via GB) - Alec Pierce (WR - CIN) - Draft Grade: C-
I wasn't expecting much from Alec Pierce at the NFL Combine, so I was pleasantly surprised when he impressed me during the testing drills. A 4.41 40-yard dash and the No. 1 vertical jump (40.5, 93rd percentile) in the class imply that Pierce has the requisite athleticism to be a factor at the NFL level.
With projected Day 2 draft capital per Grindingthemocks.com, Pierce needs to be on your fantasy radar. His 19-year old breakout age is also a factor that fantasy drafters should gravitate towards.
He helped take the top off the ball for the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2021, evidenced by his 17.1 aDOT - the highest aDOT of any player in his class with at least 80 targets. Pierce averaged just over 100 air yards per game in his final season at Cincinnati.
Pick 22 No. 54 - Kansas City Chiefs (via NE) - Skyy Moore (WR - Western Michigan) - Draft Grade: A
Skyy Moore first played wide receiver in college after playing quarterback and defensive back in high school. In hindsight, the transition couldn't have worked out better, considering the Western Michigan Bronco has entered the Day 2 NFL Draft conversation after a highly productive college career.
Moore broke out as a true freshman with a 20% dominator rating, catching 51 passes for 802 yards and three touchdowns. He took a backseat in his sophomore season to Seattle Seahawks second-rounder D'Wayne Eskridge in 2020, but he still posted a modest 20% dominator rating amid the stiff competition.
He would more than make up for a so-so second year in his final season at Western Michigan, finishing as PFF's third-highest graded wide receiver in the FBS (91.6) with a 41% dominator rating to boot.
His 3.40 yards per route run ranked in the 99th percentile among 2022 draft-eligible wide receivers over the past three seasons. The slippery playmaker - tied for first with 26 forced missed tackles in 2021 - should hear his name in the second round after an impressive combine outing.
Moore ran a 4.41 40-yard dash (82nd percentile) at 195 pounds. He also jumped 125? in the broad jump (77th percentile) and 34.5? (38th percentile) in the vertical jump.
His athletic numbers were better than expected.
Pick 23 No. 55 - Arizona Cardinals - Trey McBride (TE - Colorado State) - Draft Grade: C+
Trey McBride posted eye-popping numbers in 2021. The Colorado State Ram compiled 1,125 receiving yards, which comprised 37% of the team's total passing yardage production. His sheer dominance and command for the football - second-highest target rate per route run (30%) - elevated him to a 94.7 PFF overall grade - the best among tight ends in the nation - and the John Mackey Award.
However, his senior year breakout wasn't too surprising based on what he did in a truncated 2020 season. McBride commanded an absurd 71% dominator rating - which considers the number of touchdowns and receiving yards a player commands within their offense - operating as the engine of the Rams' offense in the four games played.
He even possesses under-the-radar upside because he can win downfield. McBride finished third in catches and fourth in yards on targets of 20-plus air yards. If he ends up armed with a big-armed quarterback - watch out.
Because McBride impressed at the Senior Bowl, he has a great chance to be the first tight end drafted. McBride looks the part of a high-floor inline tight end who can start from Day 1 with his well-rounded skill set.
I don't believe McBride will ever become super dynamic with the ball in his hands, but he can easily carve out a role as a solid PPR fantasy tight end because he commands targets. Owen Daniels is an appropriate NFL comparison.
Pick 24 No. 56 - Dallas Cowboys - Sam Williams (Edge – Ole Miss) - Draft Grade: B-
The Ole Miss pass rusher finished with nearly one sack per game in 2021 (0.9), equal to Aidan Hutchinson. The guy also has freaky speed; he blazed a 4.46 at the NFL Combine (98th percentile).
Pick 25 No. 57 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via BUF) - Luke Goedeke (OL – Central Michigan) - Draft Grade: B
PFF’s Doug Kyed named Luke Goedeke as a player who could be drafted higher than the consensus thinks. His current EDP per Grindingthemocks.com is 82 overall.
If he is here at the top of Round 3, Chicago will pull the trigger. He’s got tackle/guard versatility and didn’t allow a sack all last season. Goedeke is also great in the run game, earning accolades as PFF’s sixth-highest-graded run-blocker in 2021.
Per Sports Info Solutions, Goedeke also had the lowest percentage of blown blocks on rushing attempts.
Pick 26 No. 58 - Atlanta Falcons (via TEN) - Troy Anderson (LB - Montana State) - Draft Grade: B-
Pick 27 No. 59 - Minnesota Vikings (via GB) - Ed Ingram (OG – LSU) - Draft Grade: C
Ed Ingram finished as PFF’s 11th-highest-graded pass-blocker in the 2022 guard class. His experience in pulling makes him a great fit for a diverse run scheme. He has all the traits to be a starting-caliber NFL guard.
Pick 28 No. 60 - Cincinnati Bengals (via TB) - Cam Taylor-Britt (CB – Nebraska) - Draft Grade: C+
Cam Taylor-Britt fits the mold of a Brad Holmes draft target based on the latter’s track record of selecting players who test well in the 10-yard split.
Taylor-Britt’s 1.52 10-yard split ranks sixth-best in the class (74th percentile), to go along with a 4.38 40-time (89th percentile).
He also gets the Dan Campbell stamp of approval based on his physicality and no-fear mentality.
Pick 29 No. 61 - San Francisco 49ers - Drake Jackson (Edge - USC) - Draft Grade: B+
In his final season at USC, Drake Jackson didn't post monster counting stats, but he was an efficient pass rusher. He finished 17th in PFF pass-rush grade among his classmates.
He's a non-factor in the run game but still has room to grow at just 20 years old. Jackson has the tools to be a difference-making edge defender but needs some grooming first.
The best landing spot would be on a team where he is worked in rotational on the defensive line. The guy was quoted saying he likes to "kill the quarterback" at the combine, so I'm sure his fellow defensive teammates will embrace him.
Pick 30 No. 62 - Kansas City Chiefs - Bryan Cook (S - Cincinnati) - Draft Grade: F
Pick 31 No. 63 - Buffalo Bills - James Cook (RB - UGA) - Draft Grade: B
There's fantasy football juice to squeeze with running backs who possess top-tier pass-catching ability, and Georgia's James Cook fits that mold to a tee. The younger brother of Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (RB - MIN) finished with the fifth-highest PFF receiving grade at the position in 2021 among his draft class.
He hauled in 27 of 30 targets for 274 receiving yards, including 112 in the College Football Playoff game against Michigan.
His overall counting stats are not particularly great, but that's because he split work with Zamir White and Kenny McIntosh, as many Georgia backs often do. What matters more is Cook's career three yards per snap - a mark that is a strong indicator of future production at the position.
If Cook added 10-plus pounds of muscle to his frame, he'd look highly similar to his brother. At his current build, he just looks like a smaller, faster version of Dalvin - Andre Ellington-esque.
Pick 32 No. 64 - Denver Broncos (via LAR) - Nik Bonitto (DE - Oklahoma) - Draft Grade: B
Nik Bonitto put together back-to-back seasons of elite pass-rushing production. In 2020, the Oklahoma Sooner finished first in PFF pass-rush grade and fourth in total pressures.
In 2021, Bonitto ranked third in PFF pass-rush grade and fourth in pass-rush win rate (29%).
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