2022 NFL Draft: Jaguars’ Travon Walker, Cowboys’ Tyler Smith among most

Reflecting on the 2022 NFL Draft, there were still some questions to answer within some of these draft classes. Exploring the questionable picks of each team is more of an exercise in evaluating process and perceived value rather than criticism of the prospect. These are all microwave takes and will not be fully baked for another three years as we see how their careers pan out.

Without further ado, the most questionable pick for each NFL franchise in the 2022 NFL Draft:

Round 7, No. 244 overall | College: Valdosta State

There is little issue with the players Arizona chose where it chose them. Matthew is the most questionable simply because I know the least about him. The worst decision made was to trade what amounted to the No. 29 overall selection for wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, who will be asking for a new contract in the not-too-distant future.

Round 1, No. 8 overall | College: USC

London was not my top-rated wide receiver despite him being taken as the first. Again, there is no issue with Atlanta’s draft class. It got good value throughout the draft, but London was the biggest stretch relative to rankings and preference. It is easy to see the complications he and Kyle Pitts offer the opposition.

Round 1, No. 25 overall | College: Iowa

Baltimore not only had one of the best drafts, but Linderbaum was one of my favorite prospects. As an undersized, athletic offensive lineman, he projected better to a wide-zone blocking scheme. Instead, he goes to more of a power/gap style that values heftier linemen like Orlando Brown Jr. and Daniel Faalele. Linderbaum has the edge to make this work, however.

Round 2, No. 63 overall | College: Georgia

Calling a Georgia running back into question has been a poor strategy historically, but Cook is not as smooth of a runner as his brother, Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. He can be an impact performer in the pass game, but the value did not match his placement. The Bills made the correct decision to wait on the running back position until Day 2 rather than drafting one in the first round, though.

Round 3, No. 94 overall | College: Ole Miss

If Carolina had just taken Corral at No. 94 overall, there would have been zero problem with the selection, but they traded a future third-round pick. It is not even to say Corral is a bad player, but Day 2 quarterbacks often do not pan out. If the Panthers go through the season and determine neither Sam Darnold nor Corral are the quarterback of the future, then they traded an important draft pick when it comes to maneuvering for a franchise quarterback next year. 

Round 3, No. 71 overall | College: Tennessee

Jones turns 25 years old on May 11. New Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown does not turn 25 until the end of June. With wide receivers coming off the board fast and furious, the Bears may have felt pressure to add one to aid Justin Fields, but the value was poor. The return specialist had what amounts of one year of production during his time with Tennessee and USC.

Round 3, No. 95 overall | College: Florida

Cincinnati probably felt a little pressure to add a little more…