This Draft Lacks Star Power

Ikem Ekwonu, Kyle Hamilton, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Evan Neal, Charles Cross, Devin Lloyd, Ahmad Gardner.  Be honest.  Before you started looking at the 2022 NFL draft, how many of these guys had you ever heard of? 

Yet those are the names of players generally regarded as among the top ten prospects.  They form the nucleus of what promises to be the most unglamorous draft in recent memory.  They may get scouts and general managers excited, but fans may wind up uncorking a wide, collective yawn. 

Let’s face it.  The football players that get fans excited about a draft are quarterbacks, running backs and receivers.  But mostly quarterbacks.  It is entirely possible that this draft may make history.  It could well be the first one in which not a single so-called “skill position” player is taken in the top ten since the NFL and the former AFL began the common draft in 1967. 

Some have come close.  In 2013, receiver Tavon Austin, taken at #8 by the St. Louis Rams, was the only QB-RB-WR-TE selected in the top ten.  In 1997 receiver Ike Hilliard, picked at #7 by the Giants, was the only one.  In 1991 receiver Herman Moore stood alone among ball touchers when chosen #10 overall by the Lions.  In 1985, former Wisconsin receiver Al Toon, taken at #10 by the Jets, was the only QB-RB-WR-TE amongst the top ten. 

Compare that with the hysterical media hype that surrounded last year’s draft, as quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance went one-two-three at the very top, followed by tight end Kyle Pitts, and receivers Ja’marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle at four-five-six.  Now that’s star power. 

Or how about 2020, when Joe Burrow went number one, with Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert following at five and six.  (And then there was that Jordan Love guy at 26.  Whatever happened to him?)  In fact, quarterbacks have been taken number one overall the last four years in a row, and ten of the last thirteen.   

Not this year. Not even close. There just isn’t a Kyler Murray, or an Andrew Luck, or a Cam Newton, or a Matthew Stafford out there.  There’s not even a Baker Mayfield or a Jarett Goff, all of whom were overall number one picks.  You know it’s a down year at the most glamorous position when the top prospect on many boards plays for Liberty University.  Quick now, can you name the city in which Liberty is located?  No, it’s not Philadelphia.  Has nothing to do with the Liberty Bell.  It’s Lynchburg, Virginia.  That’s where Malik Willis has been dazzling scouts with his running and throwing ability.  But the jury is very much out as to whether he is of top ten vintage. 

Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett is the only other signal caller with any kind of significant buzz.  Chances are, because quarterbacks are so vital to success in today’s NFL, teams will reach for one or both of them in the top ten, but it’s not a sure thing.  Matt Corral out of Ole Miss is coming off an injury, which will push him down the board. 

What the first round of the 2022 draft is loaded with are offensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs.   There is an enticing serving of receivers projected as mid to late first round prospects as well.  There may not be sizzle in this first round, but there is depth.  The Green Bay Packers brain trust would probably be just fine with a quality lineman or DB falling to them at 28.  The Packers love to draft highly at those positions.   

Green Bay has had 21 drafts since the turn of the millenium.  They have used their first pick on a defensive lineman six times, a defensive back six times,  a linebacker three times, a quarterback or an offensive lineman twice, a receiver once (Jordy Nelson, taken with their first pick in 2008, doesn’t count, because that pick came in the second round) and a tight end once.  They have never chosen a running back first in that time span.  

A draft loaded with unheralded defensive players and O-lineman suits the Packers just fine.  In those last 21 drafts, they have taken a QB-RB-WR-TE in the first round only four times.  Just once since Aaron Rodgers in 2005 (Jordan Love in 2020).  The other two were tight end Bubba Franks in 2000, and receiver Javon Walker in 2002.  The Packers love first round linemen on both sides of the ball, having taken Jamal Reynolds (2001), Justin Harrell (2007), BJ Raji (2009), Bryan Bulaga (2010), Derrick Sherrod (2011), Nick Perry (2012), Datone Jones (2013), and Kenny Clark (2016).  Perry and Jones were converted to linebackers with mixed success. 

So, if history is any kind of indicator, and there is no guarantee that it is, don’t be surprised if Green Bay’s first round pick is a player you’ve scarcely heard of and have never seen play.  That’s okay.  I’d rather have a productive no-name than a sexy mistake.