NFL draft 2022: Pros and cons for every first-round pick

The 2022 NFL draft begins Thursday and continues through Saturday (ABC/ESPN/ESPN App). The Jacksonville Jaguars have the first pick of the draft and are one of eight teams to have two picks in the first round, joining the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles.

Without a consensus quarterback, there are more divergent opinions about how the top 20 picks will go when talking to scouts, coaches and general managers. Only four times in the past 15 drafts has a quarterback not been the No. 1 pick — Myles Garrett to the Cleveland Browns in 2017, Jadeveon Clowney to the Texans in 2014, Eric Fisher to the Chiefs in 2013 and Jake Long to the Miami Dolphins in 2008.

We will track all 262 picks for Rounds 1-7, and you also can see all of the best available draft prospects.

The draft continues with Rounds 2-3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET) and concludes with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon ET).

Here is the first round of picks, analyzed by our ESPN NFL Nation reporters.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Travon Walker, LB, Georgia | Highlights

Why they picked him: Walker’s draft stock shot up after the combine, but the Jacksonville Jaguars were already intrigued by the Georgia standout because of his versatility. He lined up at defensive end, defensive tackle and linebacker in 2021, and the Jaguars can move him around to get the best matchup. He’s athletic enough to drop into coverage, too, if the Jaguars want to get creative with him. It was notable Walker played his best football in the two College Football Playoff games; he’s a guy who ratchets things up when it matters most.

Biggest question: Walker had a career-high six sacks in 2021 after 3.5 total in his previous two seasons, so there is concern about a one-year surge. Walker also didn’t stand out as the best player on the Bulldogs’ defense – that was linebacker Nakobe Dean – so this pick is more about the Jaguars projecting what Walker can become. Every pick is made with that in mind to a degree, but the Jaguars passed up a player most draft analysts agree will make an immediate impact and be a perennial double-digit sack guy (Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson) for a player who has 9.5 career sacks. — Mike DiRocco

2. Detroit Lions

Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan | Highlights

Why they picked him: The Michigan player will stay at home. But let’s be real, that isn’t the only reason behind this pick. The Lions are in desperate need of game-changers, especially on the defense, and Hutchinson checks all of the boxes. He’ll be ready immediately – and he’s already built a local fan base that should bring folks to Ford Field. This is a smart pick, and it falls in line with what the Lions are trying to accomplish in their rebuilding process.

Biggest question: Hutchinson was a 2021 consensus first-team All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist, but will that success carry over to the next level? As great as Hutchinson was during the regular season, he struggled against Georgia in national semifinal loss. Will his production be stilted against better competition? Only time will tell. — Eric Woodyard

3. Houston Texans

Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU | Highlights

Why they picked him: Coach Lovie Smith made it clear earlier in the month that the Texans’ can’t play football the way they want to without improving at cornerback. The Texans have since added veteran Steven Nelson, but drafting Stingley with the No. 3 pick shows Houston’s commitment to the position. Stingley Jr., who earned first-team All-America honors in 2019 and 2020, will thrive in Smith’s defensive system. Stingley Jr. is coming off an injury — he had surgery in September 2021 after he tore a ligament in his left foot — but was able to participate in LSU’s pro day workout earlier this month and said he felt “fine.”

Biggest question: Should the Texans have given quarterback Davis Mills more help instead? Let me preface this by saying there was no bad pick at No. 3 because the Texans have so many holes to fill on their roster. Although there was certainly a need in the secondary, Houston also needs to set Mills up to succeed. Taking either offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu or Evan Neal would have given Mills some reliable protection alongside left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The good news for the Texans? They have a second pick at No. 13 to add another impact rookie. — Sarah Barshop

4. New York Jets

Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati | Highlights

Why they picked him: Gardner is a terrific talent who plays a position of need. The game is played on the perimeter — see all the star receivers scoring big contracts — and Gardner will give the Jets a chance to compete against the elite playmakers in the AFC East. Gardner should start opposite free-agent addition D.J. Reed, a huge upgrade from the Bryce Hall-Brandin Echols tandem last season. Gardner has the traits that should make him an ideal fit in coach Robert Saleh’s scheme – long body (6-foot-3), long arms (33 ½ inches) and 4.41 speed in the 40. He was dominant in college. Get this: He allowed zero touchdown passes in his career (1,103 coverage snaps). Quarterbacks were afraid of him, as he was targeted only three times per game in 2021. His ball skills (nine interceptions in three years) will be a welcome addition to a secondary devoid of playmakers.

Biggest question: What about an edge rusher? The Jets had their choice of Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson and Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux. Saleh’s defense is predicated on pass rush, but Gardner was the right move because Thibodeaux and Johnson would’ve been reaches at No. 4. As for Gardner, the big question is, can he cut down on the penalties? He was handsy in college, committing nine penalties over the last two seasons (including seven pass-interference and holding calls). He’s such a long athlete that one scouting source said, “I don’t think he can handle quick, speedy guys.” — Rich Cimini

5. New York Giants

Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon | Highlights

Why they picked him: They needed a dominant edge rusher. This is how the Giants were always built, and they’ve had just one edge rusher (Markus Golden) record double-digit sacks since 2015. Thibodeaux played through an ankle injury and still produced. His 17.8% pressure percentage was third in the FBS. He also can be used all over the field in new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s scheme. Thibodeaux and last year’s second-round pick Azeez Ojulari (8.0 sacks as a rookie) give the Giants two young and dangerous edge rushers. It gives their defense an entirely different look.

Biggest question: How will Thibodeaux handle the Big Apple? There was some talk about Thibodeaux’s effort and motivation throughout the draft process. Some said he was too concerned about his brand instead of football. Obviously the Giants didn’t think that was a problem. They didn’t hesitate and made the Oregon edge rusher their first of two first-round picks. — Jordan Raanan

6. Carolina Panthers

Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State | Highlights

Why they picked him: Other than perhaps trading down to add second-day picks, this couldn’t have turned out better for the Panthers. They’re trying to build a foundation and the biggest missing piece other than a franchise quarterback is a franchise left tackle. Ekwonu (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) checks all the boxes for a team that hasn’t drafted a tackle in the first round since Jeff Otah with the 19th pick in 2008. Left tackle has been a revolving door since Jordan Gross retired after the 2013 season. And Ekwonu is a Charlotte native who played at at Providence Day. Go ahead and pencil Ekwonu in at left tackle on a line that general manager Scott Fitterer has spent the offseason rebuilding.

Biggest question: The biggest question is how did he fall to No. 6? No tackle in this draft sticks with blocks longer and has a nastier attitude at the position. Not only can Ekwonu play tackle, he can play left guard if needed there while working on pass protection and technique. While he’s considered a great run-blocker, which offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo is seeking, Ekwonu’s been inconsistent at times in pass protection. But overall, it’s nothing that can’t be fixed. And Ekwonu has a great story. A youth coach nicknamed him “Ickey” because he looked like former Cincinnati Bengals running back Ickey Woods. Shuffle him into a starting role. — David Newton

7. New York Giants

Evan Neal, OT, Alabama | Highlights

Why they picked him: The Giants need offensive line help and wanted to add a tackle early in this draft as long as the board fell accordingly. Neal, who was at the top of my list of most likely players to be selected by the Giants at pick No. 5, has a massive frame (6-7, 360) and moves well, a prerequisite in coach Brian Daboll’s system. He also has experience playing right tackle at Alabama having played there during the 2020 season. It’s the position he is expected to hold down for the Giants, giving them bookend tackles along with Andrew Thomas to protect Daniel Jones or whomever might be their quarterback in the future. Neal allowed only one sack last season, which came in the national title game against the University of Georgia. His run block and pass blocking improved each of his three years at Alabama, according to Sports Info Solutions. Mel Kiper Jr.’s fifth-ranked player overall going fifth overall makes perfect sense.

Biggest question: There isn’t a ton to nitpick in his game, but several scouts suggested he’s on the ground too often. Much of that was at the second level. It’s something scouts believe can be rectified with more experience and patience. It’s not a physical or athletic limitation. Neal has the power to dominate as a run-blocker and hold firm against bull rushers. His quickness and footwork for his size allow him to reach that second level. — Jordan Raanan

8. Atlanta Falcons

Drake London, WR, USC | Highlights

Why they picked him: The Atlanta Falcons really — I mean, really — needed a wide receiver. Julio Jones was traded last year. Calvin Ridley is suspended for gambling. Russell Gage is in Tampa Bay. So the Falcons had to find receiver talent in this draft. Add to that, head coach Arthur Smith likes big-bodied receivers and the 6-foot-5 wide receiver makes a whole bunch of sense.

Biggest question: There aren’t many. London makes a ton of sense for Atlanta at a position where the premium has gone up in the past few months because of the monster contracts given to Tyreek Hill, Christian Kirk and others. But the question remains for the Falcons — who is going to be rushing the passer? It’s something they have to figure out on Day 2. — Michael Rothstein

Mike Clay’s 2022 projection: 110 targets, 70 receptions, 904 yards, five TDs

9. Seattle Seahawks

Charles Cross, LT, Mississippi State | Highlights

Why they picked him: Offensive tackle was easily the Seahawks’ biggest need. Duane Brown and Brandon Shell are both unsigned, and Seattle has just three tackles under contract, none of whom have extensive starting experience. But it goes well beyond immediate need. GM John Schneider has long talked about how hard stud offensive lineman are so hard to find in today’s NFL, especially when you’re routinely picking late in the first round like the Seahawks have for most of the last decade. A top-10 pick left them with a rare chance to get that guy, and it was too good to pass up.

Biggest question: The immediate question is which side Cross will play. The left side seems more likely given his background — he played on the left side in college — and how that’s a much more valuable position than right tackle. Jake Curhan, a 2021 UDFA, played well last season while filling in for Shell at right tackle. Longer-term, the question is whether Cross will be the better pick than Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson II, perhaps the best edge rusher still available at No. 9. That’s also a need spot for the Seahawks, but they must have figured that edge rusher — and any other needs — will be easier to fill in the second round than tackle would have been. — Brady Henderson

10. New York Jets

Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State | Highlights

Why they picked him: In case you haven’t been paying attention the last few weeks, the Jets have been on a mission to find a WR1. In Wilson, they have a potential star, a player who can grow with QB Zach Wilson, WR Elijah Moore and RB Michael Carter. He will bring much-needed explosiveness to the offense. Not only does he have excellent speed (4.38 in the 40), but he has elite separation ability and body control. He improved each year at Ohio State, finishing with a monster year – 70 catches, 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns. He’s the Jets’ first first-round receiver since Santana Moss in 2001..

Biggest question: Can he take the pounding? A shade under 6-feet, listed at 183 pounds, Wilson is on the smallish side. The last thing the Jets need is another injury-prone receiver from Ohio State. (See: Devin Smith, second-round pick, 2015.) Only one of their top four receivers is over 6-feet – Corey Davis (6-foot-3). Wilson also had some trouble with dropped passes (six last season). Another question: What becomes of Denzel Mims, their 2020 second-round pick? At best, he’s the WR5. It wouldn’t be a shock if he’s traded. — Rich Cimini

Clay’s 2022 projection: 108 targets, 67 receptions, 852 yards, five TDs

11. New Orleans Saints

Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State | Highlights

Why they picked him: This was one of the most obvious cases of filling a glaring need in the NFL Draft to this point after the Saints finished 32nd in the league in passing offense last year. They had to move up from No. 16 to No. 11 to do it, but they only had to give up a third- and fourth-rounder. Obviously getting WR Michael Thomas and QB Jameis Winston back from injuries will help, but the Saints needed another dynamic pass catcher – and they got one in the 6-foot, 187-pound Olave. The Saints have insisted all offseason they don’t plan to rebuild under new coach Dennis Allen. And they proved it by making two aggressive trades over the past month to add an instant-impact player.

Biggest question: The Saints obviously passed on a quarterback here (like the rest of the NFL). And they have now used up a lot of draft capital with their two trades (they traded away next year’s first-round choice among others to acquire the Philadelphia Eagles’ 16th pick in the first place). But they have now given Winston a much better chance to succeed. — Mike Triplett

Clay’s 2022 projection: 101 targets, 60 receptions, 843 yards, four TDs

12. Detroit Lions

Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama| Highlights

Why they picked him: One of the biggest needs on this current roster was the wide receiver position and the Lions regime was aggressive with taking a swing on Jameson Williams by trading up for the 12th overall spot. Lions receivers caught 24.5 percent of their tight-window targets last season per NFL Next Gen Stats, which was third-worst in the NFL. By adding Williams, they get another speedster who can be a strong weapon for quarterback Jared Goff.

Biggest question: How will Williams recover from a torn ACL? It’s certainly a risk to take a chance on a guy who is recovering from injury and will likely miss part of the season, but his on the field talent can’t be denied. Williams made eight touchdown catches of 50+ yards in 2021, which tied for the most in a single season by FBS player over the last 15 seasons. — Eric Woodyard

Clay’s 2022 projection: 83 targets, 51 receptions, 707 yards, five TDs

13. Philadelphia Eagles

Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia | Highlights

Why they picked him: The Eagles traded the 15th,124th,162nd and166th overall picks to select Davis, the 6-foot-6, 340-pound anchor of Georgia’s championship defense. He has rare measurables — he ran a wild 4.78-second 40-yard dash at the combine — and will serve as the offensive-line wrecking, pure nose tackle defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon coveted for his hybrid scheme.

Biggest question: He didn’t play on third down much in college, leading to questions about whether he will only be effective on this level as a run-stuffer. The Philadelphia brass believes he has the skill set to be a disruptive force in the passing game, and that the only reason he was taken off the field was because of the immense talent on the defensive side of the ball for Georgia. — Tim McManus

14. Baltimore Ravens

Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame| Highlights

15. Houston Texans

Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M | Highlights

16. Washington Commanders

Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State | Highlights

Why they picked him: The Commanders’ haven’t finished in the top 10 in offense in yards or points since 2016 so offense was needed. They now have a fast, athletic receiving crew with Dotson, Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown. There’s also versatility with this group as each can line up anywhere. Dotson can play inside or outside; Washington coach Ron Rivera loved his playmaking ability. Dotson can make plays at any level, taking short passes for long gains and winning down the field with athletic grabs. He also can return punts if Washington wants to use him in this role.

Biggest question: Play strength. At 178 pounds, there is concern over his ability to handle physical coverage in the NFL, though Washington can help by spreading teams out with good talent around him. He’s best at working outside the hashes, which isn’t a problem because others can but it does limit Dotson a little bit. Washington still could use a physical receiver to complement the speed wideouts. But Washington’s coaches have long liked Dotson because of his playmaking ability. — John Keim

17. Los Angles Chargers

Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College | Highlights

18. Tennessee Titans

Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas | Highlights

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