Falcons Select WR Drake London With No. 8 Pick
The first wideout is off the board. The Falcons have selected USC wideout Drake London with the No. 8 pick.
The young wide receiver is undoubtedly talented. Despite only playing 8 games this year, London led his team in every receiving statistic, reeling in 88 receptions for 1,084 yards and 7 touchdowns. The next closest receiver on the team had 54 catches for 602 yards through 12 games.
London’s season came to an early end when he suffered a fractured ankle in late October. He underwent surgery but, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller, there was no ligament damage in the ankle. At the time of his injury, London was widely considered a top wide receiver in college football. Before he missed any time, he led the NCAA in receiving yards, contested catches (19), and missed tackles (22) and was the highest-graded receiver according to Pro Football Focus. So, while the numbers might not be there, there’s a reason why London was the first wideout off the board.
The Falcons offense will look a whole lot different next season with Matt Ryan no longer in Atlanta. Veteran Marcus Mariota will replace him under center, and London should instantly be one of his preferred targets, especially with Calvin Ridley suspended. The Falcons used their 2021 first-round pick on tight end Kyle Pitts, and the offensive weapons should highlight Atlanta’s offense for years to come (despite uncertainty at the QB position).
Panthers Select OT Ikem Ekwonu
The draft opened with four-straight defensive players being selected, but we finally have our first offensive pick. The Panthers have selected NC State offensive tackle Ikemefuna Ekwonu with the No. 6 pick.
In a draft that features a handful of top-level offensive tackles, “Ickey” was arguably the best. The lineman broke onto the scene during his 2020 season, and he established himself as a surefire first-round pick in 2021. Ekwonu earned the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC’s best blocker and was a unanimous All-American selection en route to his top-1o draft stock.
In the NFL, Ekwonu’s main development will come via his ability to harness his aggressiveness into controlled energy. Still, he should be an immediate starter, and his athletic ability makes him scheme-diverse, so he should be a long-term fixture at his new home. Plus, for what it’s worth, he also played offensive guard in college, and that versatility could come in handy during his career.
Ekwonu was a popular name during the pre-draft circuit, with the lineman generating interest from teams throughout the top-10. The Panthers had their eye on offensive line help, but there were some who wondered if the organization would move back in pursuit of a mid-first quarterback. Instead, they stuck with No. 6, and barring a trade, we won’t hear the team’s name called again until pick No. 137.
Jets Take CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner At No. 4
“Sauce” is heading to New York. Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner has been selected by the Jets at No. 4.
Armed with a pair of first-round picks and a number of holes on their roster, it was uncertain what direction the Jets would go in at No. 4. Ultimately, they landed on one of the draft’s top cornerbacks, exactly one pick after the first player at that position went off the board.
Gardner is one of the draft’s top prospects, and for good reason. Standing at 6-foot-3, the cornerback ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash, and after allowing only 6.6 yards per reception last season, he earned consensus All-American and conference Defensive Player of the Year. In 33 games with Cincinnati, the cornerback had nine interceptions.
Naturally, Sauce was connected to a number of teams throughout the pre-draft process. There was a prevailing sentiment that Sauce wouldn’t get past the Giants at No. 7. Instead, he didn’t get past the other New York squad at No. 4.
Gardner should be a day-one starter for the Jets thanks to his elite length and speed. Last year, the Jets were the third-worst team against the pass, allowing 259.4 yards per game and collecting just seven INTs. Some pundits believed that the Jets would select an offensive lineman to pair with 2021 first-round QB Zach Wilson. Instead, the Cincinnati cornerback was too good to pass up, and the Jets now have a mainstay in their secondary for years to come.
Texans Select CB Derek Stingley Jr. With No. 3 Pick
It’s been quiet in Houston surrounding the third-overall pick, and we finally have an answer on what the organization will do. The Texans have selected LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. with the No. 3 pick. 
The LSU cornerback had long been considered one of the top-two cornerback prospects available, along with Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad Gardner. Recent reports indicated that Stingley was trending as high as the top-three with the Lions or Texans rumored to be interested in him at No. 2 or 3 overall. That ended up being the case, as Houston scooped him up after pass rushers were selected with the first two selections.
After a stellar freshman season, Stingley was easily viewed as the best cornerback that would be available by the 2022 Draft. But, after a subpar 2020 season and only appearing in three games last year, combined with another stellar season from Gardner, NFL teams have allowed a bit of room for Gardner to challenge as the best corner on the board.
Stingley underwent season-ending foot surgery in October, limiting him to three games as a junior. He finished his collegiate career with six interceptions, all coming during his freshman campaign.
The Texans needed offensive line help and going past that now is good news for the Panthers and other teams anxiously awaiting the opportunity to draft help up front. It had been rumored that the Texans would move up to take Stingley if he wasn’t their first pick, according to Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus. They didn’t take any chances and took him at No. 3.
Lions Select DE Aidan Hutchinson At No. 2
Aidan Hutchinson is staying in Michigan. The Lions have selected the Michigan defensive end with the second-overall pick in the draft.
Following a 2020 season where Hutchinson’s season ended early after he suffered a fracture in his leg that required season-ending surgery, the defensive end returned in full force in 2021.
Hutchinson set a school record with 14.0 sacks in a single season, more than tripling his output from his first three years combined. He tacked on 62 tackles and led the teams in tackles for loss and quarterback hurries with 16.5 and 12, respectively. After a dominant performance versus rival Ohio State that saw the 21-year-old tally 3.0 sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss, Hutchinson shot up draft boards, pushing what was likely a first-round selection into conversations for the No. 1 overall selection. Ultimately, he’ll stay in Michigan after going second-overall.
As our own Ely Allen wrote, Hutchinson was built to be a pass-rusher. He’s extremely strong with quick feet and efficient hand use. He knows he can win relatively easily at the college level, so he tends to tolerate a bit more contact than is necessary, something he’ll need to avoid at the next level using the multitude of pass-rushing moves at his disposal. He’s a weight room warrior, but likely won’t be able to add much more weight at the next level. He’s probably maxed out his size. He has a high motor and quick recognition, but his instincts in the running game can hurt him occasionally. He’s often posed as a slightly lesser version of the Bosa brothers with a bit less bend.
The Lions were also connected to Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 2, but Hutchinson seemed like a logical target if he fell past the Jaguars. The rookie will provide a natural boost to a Lions defense that struggled mightily in 2021, and the organization is certainly hoping the defensive end can be a mainstay in Detroit.
Panthers Comfortable Trading Back To Middle Of First Round?
The Panthers are currently armed with the sixth-overall pick in tomorrow’s draft. However, the team’s second selection isn’t until No. 137. So, naturally, the Panthers have been mentioned as a candidate to move back, and GM Scott Fitterer acknowledged yesterday that he’s received plenty of inquiries on the selection.
“There’s always a lot of communication,” Fitterer told reports (h/t to Schuyler Callihan of SI.com). “We may talk to 15-20 teams prior to the draft. That doesn’t mean everybody is going to move up. I think there’s a handful of teams maybe three to four that are really serious about it. We’re just keeping all of our options open, it’s definitely something that we’re going to look into. But if there’s a good player there at six, we’re just going to stay there and pick the player. We have several players on our board that help us get to six, so if there’s a good player we’ll stay there and pick. Without having a second or third round pick we’re going to keep all options open.”
How far could the Panthers move back?
“I think the comfort level would be really in the teens,” the GM Said. “This is a large group, a unique group between that 25-50 range there are a lot of good players that are foundation-type players. You want to be disciplined not trading out of those levels, but I think the teens, if I had to put a number on it, that would probably be the most comfortable spot but you just have to weigh what’s on the table at the time.”
Considering their uncertain status at the position, the Panthers have continually been connected to quarterback prospects, but few pundits believe the organization would actually use the No. 6 pick on a signal-caller. If the front office does indeed have their eye on a QB, then a trade back would make plenty of sense, as the organization could potentially still have their choice at the position in the middle of the first round…all while picking up some extra draft assets.
If the team keeps their pick, it’s expected that they’ll use the selection on one of the higher-acclaimed tackles or pass rushers. In that scenario, they’d probably be taking a chance on a late-round QB…and that would also meansthe organization would enter next season with Sam Darnold as their surefire starting quarterback.
DE Rasheem Green Visited Texans
The Texans hosted a free agent pass rusher earlier this week. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter), defensive end Rasheem Green visited the Texans on Monday.
The USC product was a 2018 third-round pick by the Seahawks, and he ended up seeing time in 53 games during his four seasons in Seattle. After starting only eight games through his first three seasons in the NFL, Green took on a bigger role in 2021, starting 16 of his 17 appearances. The 24-year-old finished the year with 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 15 QB hits.
While Green still hasn’t found a new home, he’s been a popular name. The defensive end met with the Ravens earlier this offseason and later visited the Panthers. The pass-rusher has also been in contact with the Seahawks about a potential reunion.
Considering Green’s breakout 2021 campaign (and limited track record), he’d be a logical fit for a Texans squad that’s looking to make the most of their resources during their rebuild.
WR Jameson Williams Expected To Start Season On PUP
Alabama wideout Jameson Williams will likely hear his name called tomorrow night, but it’s uncertain when he’ll take the field with his new squad. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, Williams will likely start his NFL career on the PUP list.
This isn’t entirely unexpected after Williams suffered a torn ACL in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship game. Assuming he is placed on the physically unable to perform list, the rookie wideout wouldn’t be able to make his NFL debut until at least Week 7, which would be late October.
As Breer opines, it’d be silly for an absence during the first half-season of a prospect’s career to impact their draft stock. However, if a coach or GM is fighting for their job, they may not be able to wait that long for Williams to take the field. As a result, the wideout may have to wait a bit to be drafted, but Breer still expects the receiver to be selected in the first half of the first round.
Williams had a breakout campaign in 2021 after transferring from Ohio State to Alabama, finishing with 79 catches for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning him a first-team All-American nod. A number of teams have been connected to the receiver, including the Jets and Eagles.
Jets Are “Front-Runners” To Acquire 49ers WR Deebo Samuel
We heard previously that the Jets were “all in” on 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel, and it sounds like their aggressive stance has made them the favorites in the Deebo sweepstakes. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Jets are considered to be the “front-runners” for the wideout.
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Despite Samuel asking out of San Francisco, John Lynch and the 49ers front office publicly stated an unwilligness to engage in trade talks. However, Fowler writes that the organization is “at least listening” to pitches from suitors. The team’s public stubbornness could ultimately be posturing in pursuit of extra assets in a trade.
While the Jets remain the favorite to acquire the talented wideout, the Lions and Packers continue to have interest, echoing a report from the other day. However, a source believes it would take a haul for Green Bay to acquire Samuel from an NFC rival.
New York currently holds the No. 4 and No. 10 selections in tomorrow’s draft, and Jets GM Joe Douglas is prepared to use the latter choice as part of a package to acquire Samuel. The All-Pro wideout, meanwhile, wants a deal with an AAV of at least $25MM, and while that’s a hefty sum, the Jets were willing to dole out that kind of money for Tyreek Hill.
Last week, Samuel requested a trade from the 49ers. The request wasn’t entirely about money; rather, Samuel is also hesitant about his increased usage as a running back. The 49ers gave the physical receiver 59 carries last season, tying Tavon Austin‘s 2017 output for the most by a wide receiver since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
Saints High On Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral?
It remains to be seen if the Saints will end up selecting a quarterback during the first round of tomorrow’s draft. However, if they do, one faction of the organization could be disappointed. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, the Saints front office likes Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett while the coaches seem to prefer Ole Miss’ signal caller Matt Corral.
There have been some recent rumblings that the Saints could use one of their two first-round selections on a quarterback, especially after the organization hosted Corral, Pickett, Liberty’s Malik Willis, and UNC passer Sam Howell on top-30 visits. The front office had made it clear that they didn’t make their trade with the Eagles with the goal of selecting a quarterback, but the move certainly set them up if one of their preferred prospects falls in their lap.
The Saints added Andy Dalton to pair with Jameis Winston, and regardless of what happens in the draft, one of the veterans will likely be under center come the start of the 2022 season. Dalton’s one-year pact and Winston’s two-year extension (which is effectively a one-year deal) certainly won’t preclude the organization from selecting a rookie QB, especially after the team made it clear that Taysom Hill will no longer be considered for the position.
Armed with No. 16 and No. 19, the Saints will have two decisions to make tomorrow night. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, sources believe the Saints are positioning themselves to get one of the draft’s top offensive tackles after losing Terron Armstead. Other sources believe the front office could be targeting a wide receiver.