The Official 2022 NFL Draft Thread

[Primeminister]

I think most of us expected a heavy defensive draft. I’m happy with the guard, but surprised we went RB instead of defense.

[Doctor]

Division rivals have their young QBs

[Backside]

Speaking of defense, the elephant in the room for me will be the continued ignoring of the defense. Hall seems like a guy who will start, but what about EDGE opposite Barrett? What about overall depth along the Front 7? We'll revisit this in November.

JTS?

[Snake]

Speaking of defense, the elephant in the room for me will be the continued ignoring of the defense. Hall seems like a guy who will start, but what about EDGE opposite Barrett? What about overall depth along the Front 7? We'll revisit this in November.

Secondary needs help. Front 7 depth as you said. I’m not expecting Dean and SMB to suddenly become world beaters.

[Primeminister]

This draft is showing the Bucs’ opinion of the defensive roster is higher than fans’ opinions.

Right or wrong this is the truth.

[King Bootz]

Speaking of defense, the elephant in the room for me will be the continued ignoring of the defense. Hall seems like a guy who will start, but what about EDGE opposite Barrett? What about overall depth along the Front 7? We'll revisit this in November.

JTS?

If he had been a 3rd round pick and played the way he played last year no one would be penciling him in as starter.

[Doctor]

I liked Tyrion Davis-Price better than White. SF took him. They ain't loyal to anyone. Love it.

[Primeminister]

Another observation: just based on Twitter big boards it appears this draft overall has more surprising falls, reaches and trades than normal. I think teams’ big boards looked very different from draftniks and fans.

[mdb1958]

2nd day draft wrap up

JPP replacement
TOM
TOM

Thank You and good night.

[mdb1958]

Good call mdb. I know you were a big fan before the draft

The sims are putting out the pick before the TV does.

Yeah I liked him but my defense I wanted to build always got in the way.

Wow! Since I said this they dialed it back - those damn bots tell on ya fast.

[Backside]

We pick first tomorrow.

[mdb1958]

Observations: The sim mock lists have went underground or re-algo adjusted. Freedom to hide freedom of speech? All year my top two guys were Cameron Thomas and Travis Jones now Thomas is penciled in behind JJ Watt and Jones is behind Michael Pierce. Kind of odd ESPN already has Thomas with a Q besides his name.

With Hall earlier this year he was showing up high profile, I think I picked him at 27 once. Then he drifted leading up to the combine and everyone had him pretty much a 3rd rounder. Third round was when the eyeballs went everywhere for me - so many choices. Also between Jan and now the algo's drifted all over the place on who would be in your target range.

Last thing, I felt really good about pairing these two with Vea. I wondered if they would have Jones lose more weight or tighten up where he was. Kinda figured they would look into that. What got me about Thomas was all the purported pass rushing arsenal he supposedly had, work inside and the edge, and they said he was relentless.

When Vea was drafted it was common knowledge that he could play all the positions on the d-line, that and who knows if some of the same qualities could rub off on Jones. Big sigh, I guess it's Vea with the big contract having double teams wear him down till he's spent.

[mdb1958]

We pick first tomorrow.

This is around where I was picking my two CB's. Cheb could get Winfrey, I'd prolly pick McCollum. They could target a it is what it is center. Maybe a project OT that they will pretend to give it their all to coach up.

Punter Araiza? Two flawed speed rushers (maybe more) Barno and Kyron Johnson both 4.3 speed?
There is still a list of DT/EDGE all the way into PFA status, some with a pretty good resume of production although it may get looked down on because of quality of competition. I think Licht is pompous so I doubt he has had his team try to even lock any PFA's down.

Once camp has happened it is a huge negative to lock onto any needs work talent unless it has been deemed a major need could arise.

[mdb1958]

Starts at noon.

[mdb1958]

Two picks to get whoever you want before pick 248.

[mdb1958]

Question I just asked myself: Does Ekwonu now own our defensive line for ten years?

[Pirate Life]

Question I just asked myself: Does Ekwonu now own our defensive line for ten years?

No. One great player can make an impact on a defensive line. Can't say that about o-line. Panthers need more than Ekwonu.

[13F11B]

I am hoping the Buccaneers pick up Daniel Bellinger SD State. I have taken him in three of my drafts and because of that watched some film on him. I think he was underutilized at SD State.

[Kona]

So looking at what we need today, gotta think TE, DB will be the focus in the 4th.

[MJW]

My Wish List with the two fourth round picks:

QB Carson Strong. We won't do it. I know this. But I like him a lot better than Trask as a developmental guy.
RB Isaiah Spiller. I know we just drafted a back. But if we're done with Vaughn (seems possible), Spiller and White would give us great depth going forward. It's just a question of value. Spiller should have been a top 50 pick.
WR Calvin Austin. He's what Darden was drafted to be. Gadget player and punt returner. Let's not fall into the sunk cost fallacy.
WR Kyle Phillips. A born Brady slot receiver, and an elite punt returner.
Any of the top remaining Tight Ends, but Chigoziem Okonkwo is my favorite.
LT Rasheed Walker. I see him as a starting left tackle in the league. At worst, a true swing tackle. Again, value and depth.
EDGE Tyreek Smith. I'm a big Cam Gill fan. But Smith has real upside.
5T Eyioma Uwazuri. Big, man strong defensive lineman. 6'6 316. Let's not assume the job is done with Logan Hall. We need depth.
DT Perrion Winfrey. I love him as a nickel rusher and versatile depth.
DT Eric Johnson. Small school stud. Love the upside.
DB Tariq Wooten. He was projected in the second round. 6'3 205 with speed. Let him be the 4th corner for a year.
CB Coby Bryant. He really popped for me when I was watching Gardner.
S Tycen Anderson. He can cover the slot, and he can hit. He'd be a great compliment to Winfield in 2023.
P Matt Ariza. Rare talent. Drafting punters is a lot safer than drafting kickers. He should be elite, and we'd have him for pennies for four years.

[MJW]

So looking at what we need today, gotta think TE, DB will be the focus in the 4th.

I agree.

[Snake]

They’re gonna regret not taking Ruckert. Maybe regret is the wrong word. But I think he’s going to be a serviceable if not good player for probably a decade. Definitely better than OJ Howard.

[MJW]

They’re gonna regret not taking Ruckert. Maybe regret is the wrong word. But I think he’s going to be a serviceable if not good player for probably a decade. Definitely better than OJ Howard.

I said the same thing in the White thread. I hated passing on him there. Hated it.

[Snake]

They’re gonna regret not taking Ruckert. Maybe regret is the wrong word. But I think he’s going to be a serviceable if not good player for probably a decade. Definitely better than OJ Howard.

I said the same thing in the White thread. I hated passing on him there. Hated it.

He can get open and has sure hands. He just happened to play on a team with 6+ first round WRs that favored the deep passing attack. He’s also a solid blocker already. Which, let’s be honest, most TE profiles say “he has the tools to block well, but…”

[King Bootz]

My wish list is defense. Have to say I'm surprised by the draft strategy here. We've added more RBs & WRs via the draft the last 3 years than we have front 7 defenders.

Let's assume for a second that OBP agreed with many of you here in that the 2022 draft class would have minimal on field impact this year. Why wouldn't you then build your defense for the future?

It's like we didn't pay attention to the 2021 Bucs who's once vaunted defense regressed, was beat up and lacked talent in numerous areas. And it's not as if we have a ton of guys who are rock solid and irreplaceable either. We'll see what day 3 brings.

[Grahamburn]

They’re gonna regret not taking Ruckert. Maybe regret is the wrong word. But I think he’s going to be a serviceable if not good player for probably a decade. Definitely better than OJ Howard.

I think they're 99.9% sure they're going to have Gronk back very soon. Another TE is a luxury if RG is on the roster.

[MJW]

They’re gonna regret not taking Ruckert. Maybe regret is the wrong word. But I think he’s going to be a serviceable if not good player for probably a decade. Definitely better than OJ Howard.

I think they're 99.9% sure they're going to have Gronk back very soon. Another TE is a luxury if RG is on the roster.

I don't see it that way. Even if Gronk comes back, it'll almost certainly be his last year. And he missed a bunch of games last year, and still has the balky back. Cam Brate is 31 in July. Literally the only other TE on the roster is Codey McElroy.

I think it was a mistake. That's not a knock on White. But frankly, if we'd taken Ruckert with the Goedeke pick, I would have pumped my fist. He's going to be a ten year, three-down tight end in the league.

[Doctor]

Since when is Brate chopped liver? We've gone to battle with TEs far far worse than Brate. So has most of the league for that matter.

[Cheb]

Hoping for Perrion Winfrey here at the top of the fourth. He's the interior pass rusher our nickel defense needs.

[Doctor]

JL tends to go heavier into BPA in the later rounds. We usually also tend to land WRs and DBs.

[mdb1958]

More choke

[King Bootz]

Cade Otton, TE. More offense.

[mdb1958]

Cade Otton, TE. More offense.

Allows us to put McElroy back on the practice squad - killer pick.

[MJW]

I'm rooting for God Mode Punter with our second fourth rounder. But I'd bet serious money on a DB.

[Grahamburn]

More choke

This mentality baffles me. Just because you didn't take him in the million mock drafts you did it's a choke?

Positives: Nice-sized tight end who is fluid releasing off the line, displays good route discipline, and uses his frame to shield away opponents. Nicely makes the reception on crossing patterns, catches the ball with his hands, and takes a pounding, yet holds onto the throw. Settles into the open spot of the defense, displays good eye/hand coordination, and possesses soft hands. Shows excellent vision as a blocker, always looks for someone to hit, and works to finish off opponents.

Negatives: Struggles finishing blocks and gets pushed back off the line. Plays to one speed and isn’t a downfield pass-catching tight end. Coming off a disappointing season.

Analysis: Otton was a consistent force at Washington and holds a lot of upside for the next level. He needs to finish his game and be placed in the proper system, but Otton could eventually start on Sundays.