The first round of the 2022 NFL Draft has come to an end, as we get ready for night two starting in a few hours. There are a ton of great players still on the board after a wild day one. A number of teams were able to fill their needs well in the first round but will look to continue to do so into the second and third rounds tonight. With that said, let’s match up ten of the remaining players on teams in the second round that would be a perfect fit.
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1. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson – Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings traded back from 12 in the first round and took Georgia safety Lewis Cine at 32 overall. As they hold the second pick of the second round, Minnesota has a chance to double up on their secondary and get a steal in Booth. The Clemson product is one of the top corners in the draft and could have easily gone in the top 10. The Vikings badly need a star cornerback and Booth provides a solid blend of instincts, physicality, and ball skills. Putting him alongside Patrick Peterson for him to learn from would be a great pickup for them. The value here is tremendous on top of getting a safety to pair with Harrison Smith and extra picks.
For more on Booth, check out our scouting report on him.
2. Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming, Washington Commanders
Washington traded back with the Saints from 11 to 16, where they took Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson. While the pick was a bit of reach that early, it is still a solid get for their offense. After receiver, the next biggest need for the Commanders is an inside linebacker. Muma would fill that need very well as he would give them a true three-down linebacker with his coverage abilities, athleticism, and instincts. He can keep up with running backs and tight ends while providing versatility, and allowing Cole Holcomb and Jamin Davis to stay in their natural outside linebacker positions.
For more on Muma, check out our scouting report on him.
3. Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State – Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia came away as one of the biggest winners of day one of the draft. They traded up to 12th overall for Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis, then traded picks 18 and 101 to the Titans for star receiver AJ Brown. They did, however, pass on Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton, who was also right there at pick 12. The Eagles now have to address their secondary, and will likely take either a safety or a cornerback in the second round. Brisker is a versatile and athletic safety who would slot right in next to Anthony Harris. The former Nittany Lion would be a terrific fit in Jonathan Gannon’s heavy Cover 3 scheme, allowing him to work downhill and keep his eyes on the quarterback. Brisker could be a swiss army knife in the Eagles’ defense with his ability to cover and play in the box.
For more on Brisker, check out our scouting report on him.
4. Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State – Chicago Bears
The top receiver on the board, Watson would give the Bears a great receiver to pair with Darnell Mooney. At 6’4, 208 pounds, Watson ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash making up a solid combo of size and speed. He would help the Bears stretch the offense out downfield and give Justin Field a reliable weapon for years to come. The Florida native was getting some first-round hype since his Senior Bowl performance and would be a great value pick at 39.
For more on Watson, check out our scouting report on him.
5. Travis Jones, DT, UConn – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay didn’t make a pick in the first round after trading back with the Jaguars for picks 33, 106, and 160. At 33 overall, they could look to add more depth to their defensive line with a scheme versatile run stuffer. Jones played both three-technique and nose tackle in UConn’s 4-3 defense and could make an immediate impact. He has the size, speed, and physicality to start right away and fill the hole left by Ndamukong Suh, getting to the quarterback alongside Vita Vea. While Suh is still a free agent, even if he comes back Jones would be a solid plug-and-play defender.
For more on Jones, check out our scouting report on him.
6. Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State – Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons went the receiver route with their first pick, selecting USC receiver Drake London at eight overall. It was a bit of a surprise as a lot of analysts and fans were expecting them to go for an edge rusher. But at the same time, it is a deep edge-rushing draft class. Even after the top five were drafted, there are still a number of solid options. One of those options is Ebiketie, who was a potential first-rounder; he has the pass rush moves and all-around abilities to be an impact playmaker from day one. At pick 43, Atlanta might have to trade up to get him, with other defensive-end needy teams ahead of them. Ebiketie is the top option at the position and would give the Falcons a huge upgrade after they generated just 18 sacks in 2021.
For more on Ebiketie, check out our scouting report on him.
7. George Pickens, WR, Georgia – Indianapolis Colts
After their trade with the Eagles for Carson Wentz last year, the Colts didn’t have a first-round pick in this draft. Their first pick is at 42 overall and they will likely grab a receiver as it is their biggest need. Indianapolis opted not to sign any receivers in free agency and needs more capable bodies behind Michael Pittman Jr. Pickens could have easily gone in the first round if it were not for the concerns surrounding the torn ACL he suffered last spring. He has a lot of great traits, including speed, route running, length, and hands that give him the potential to be a top receiver in the league. Pairing him with Pittman Jr. would give new Colts quarterback Matt Ryan a solid duo.
For more on Pickens, check out our scouting report on him.
8. Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati – Green Bay Packers
Packers fans (namely our own Mason Thompson and Chris Gallagher) were in shambles on Thursday night when Green Bay didn’t draft a receiver with either first-round pick. They instead took Georgia linebacker Quay Walker and Georgia interior defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt. The pick of Wyatt took some of the sting out of it, but now they certainly need to provide Aaron Rodgers with a weapon in the second round. Pierce has the perfect size and speed to be a big threat in the Green Bay offense. He is a consistent downfield threat and will win at the catch point, taking the top off a defense. Cue Rodgers going, “Screw it, Pierce is down there somewhere.”
For more on Pierce, check out our scouting report on him.
9. Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan – Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers got their new quarterback at 20th overall, in hometown Kenny Pickett. Now they have to build around the Heisman finalist and provide him with more weapons. After JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ray-Ray McCloud, and James Washington all left for free agency, Pittsburgh has a big hole in their receiver room. Moore has strong hands and explosiveness that would make him an immediate contributor alongside Chase Claypool, who still has room to break out further.
For more on Moore, check out our scouting report on him.
10. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty – Detroit Lions
With just one quarterback, in Pickett, going off the board in the first, Willis is still available. The Lions, to no surprise, drafted Aidan Hutchinson at the second pick, before trading up to 12th overall for Jameson Williams. Waiting to find a new franchise quarterback was a smart move, as it really might’ve been Willis all along. There was even some belief that they’d draft him at number two. But now they got their hometown hero and can take Willis in the second. The Liberty alum is far from a finished product but has a lot of solid traits that Detroit could work with. That’s why it would work out well for Detroit, as they could have him on the bench for a year while sitting behind a serviceable Jared Goff. Willis needs to work on his reads and maintaining his mechanics.
For more on Willis, check out our scouting report on him.
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