The five best players remaining on the 2022 NFL Draft board
Apr 29, 2022, 6:42 AM
The Denver Broncos did not pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday night. We saw 32 selections with some great players going off the board at several different positions. Broncos general manager George Paton is quickly becoming one of the best in the game, and he’s going to be chomping at the bit to select in day two of the draft.
The Broncos still aren’t close to their first pick as they have the final pick in the second round at No. 64 overall. Will they move up in the second round? I really would be shocked if they pick at No. 64, and I think moving up is certainly a possibility – especially given the amount of quality talent remaining after the first round.
Here are the five best players remaining in the draft who should interest the Broncos. There are not players who will be there when the Broncos pick at the end of the second round, these are players who could’ve been selected in the first but have fallen to the second round. If the Broncos want any of these guys, they’ll have to move up to secure their services.
***
Trey McBride | TE | Colorado State
I had a first-round grade on CSU Trey McBride, but I knew he was either going to be a late first- or early second-round pick. The Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers both really like him, but they passed on him twice each in the first round. Both teams pick in front of the Broncos in the second round, so Denver would have to move up 10 picks or so if McBride makes it that far.
***
Nakobe Dean | LB | Georgia
The first round was full of Georgia Bulldogs, but one of their best playmakers is still on the board entering day two of the draft. There was a time when linebacker Nakobe Dean was projected to be a top-10 pick. Instead of going early in the draft, Dean has fallen to day two, but he shouldn’t be on the board for long. In fact, the undersized-but-playmaking linebacker could be one of the first players selected on Friday. He might go off the board well before Denver could reach him realistically.
***
Andrew Booth | CB | Clemson
Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth is one of my favorite players in this draft. At 6-feet and 196 pounds, Booth does not back down from a challenge. He is tough against the run and loves to mix it up against larger opponents. Booth has incredible hip swivel, and his transition from backpedal to sprint is smooth and loses little speed. I thought he might hear his name in the first round, and I expect him to be gone in the first 10 picks on Friday. If the Broncos like him, they’ll have to make an aggressive move from the end of the second round.
***
Arnold Ebiketie | Edge | Penn State
The first round was chock full of edge talent, and day two – even into day three – will feature some fine edge prospects as well. I’m surprised Penn State’s Arnold Ebiketie didn’t get drafted on Thursday. However, he should get drafted early on Friday. There is some Shaq Barrett to his game. Ebiketie is the master of the strip sack (like Barrett was at CSU), and he has great burst to the quarterback. It would be a steal if the Broncos could move up to get this future starter and potential Pro Bowl player.
***
Logan Hall | DT | Houston
The Broncos could look to strengthen the interior of their defensive line if they moved up in the second round for Logan Hall from the University of Houston. He certainly looks the part, but his production never matched his physical potential in college. With pro coaching and a dedicated position (he moved across the defensive line with the Cougars), Hall could take his strength/hustle combination and turn into a better pro than he was a collegian.
***
Honorable Mention
There are a few players the Broncos could move up for in the second round. I’ve graded these players as second-round picks, but they may not be on the board when the Broncos pick.
Chad Muma (Wyoming) is a modern linebacker. He can rush, cover and stuff the run. I had him with a second-round grade, and Denver could move up 10 picks or so to secure his services if things go the way they could.
Nik Bonitto (Oklahoma) could be a fine edge rusher for the Broncos – this season and beyond. Bonitto is an active player who does not stop hustling on the field. His 28.9 percent pass rush win rate was no.1 in the FBS last season. The Broncos may have to move up a few spots to get him.
Boye Mafe (Minnesota) is not yet the sum of his parts, but the talent is there for him to be a disruptive EDGE player in the NFL. A two-year starter (13 games) in college, Mafe flips a switch when he gets on the football field and is a dangerous player with untapped potential.
Kyler Gordon (Washington) is a cornerback with a prototypical build for the position. He’s a strong player who does not shy away from contact. His technique needs improvement, but Gordon can immediately contribute as a standout special teams player while he learns more on the defensive side.
***
