2022 NFL Draft takeaways: Ravens, Seahawks, Jets among overall winners, Baker Mayfield remains in the balance
Here are our takeaways for a draft that saw just one first-round QB
The 2022 NFL Draft has come to a close and undrafted free agency is well underway. Over the past three days, 262 prospects have heard their names called from Las Vegas. The results of that effort will not be born out until years down the road. However, here are some initial opinions:
Winners: Ravens, Jets and Seahawks
Baltimore received great value in return for Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. They also displayed their annual understanding of how the draft works by capitalizing on the board and taking best player available. The AFC North franchise found value through each day, including UConn defensive tackle Travis Jones in Round 3.
The vision of the Seahawks and Jets was easy to see. New York was determined to upgrade core defensive positions like edge rusher and cornerback. They did so in stunning fashion by taking Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II and Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner. Seattle did not have an infrastructure to drop in a rookie quarterback. Their selections of Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross and Washington State offensive tackle Abraham Lucas were significant investments in the future.
Loser: Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield
I hate to kick a guy when he is down but the events of the last three days certainly did not help Mayfield's circumstances. Carolina, Washington and Atlanta were among the teams to pick a quarterback, which seemingly takes them out of the market. It puts the Browns and their once star quarterback in an uncomfortable position. When healthy, the Oklahoma product is a better quarterback than several slated to start at the position this season. A lot could change between now and the start of the 2022 regular season.
Here are some of the notable early undrafted free agency moves
- Boston College OT Tyler Vrabel (son of Titans head coach Mike Vrabel) has signed with Atlanta
- Former Maryland lacrosse star Jared Bernhardt has also signed with the Falcons as a wide receiver
- Boston College C Alec Lindstrom (brother of Falcons starter Chris Lindstrom) signed with Dallas
- Nevada QB Carson Strong signed with Philadelphia
- Georgia Tech DB Tre Swilling (son of former NFL All-Pro Pat Swilling) has signed with the Titans
Thank you for tuning into our coverage of the 2022 NFL Draft over the last three days! You can relive all the action as it happened in our live blog below.
Thank you to everyone that has tuned into our coverage of the 2022 NFL Draft over the past three days! Look forward to takeaways and undrafted free agents that your favorite team may still be targeting!
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Brock Purdy selection a 'C+.'
"Long-time starter in college who got less effective as his career wore on. Rhythm passer with good accuracy when he's not disturbed in the pocket and despite minimal athleticism he creates when things break down. Arm is average."
Round 7, No. 262 -- San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy, QB, Iowa State
6-foot-1, 210
*Originally from Gilbert, Arizona. Purdy was rated a .8594 on a scale to 1.000 by the 247Sports Composite, which equated to the nation's No. 36 pro-style quarterback.
2018: 146 of 220 passes completed, 2,250 yards, 16 TD, 7 INT; 100 carries for 308 yards, 5 TD
2019: 312 of 475 passes completed, 3,982 yards, 27 TD, 9 INT; 93 carries for 249 yards, 8 TD
2020: 243 of 365 passes completed, 2,750 yards, 19 TD, 9 INT; 87 carries for 382 yards, 5 TD
2021: 292 of 407 passes completed, 3,188 yards, 19 TD, 8 INT; 85 carries for 238 yards, 1 TD
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the A.J. Arcuri selection a 'C-.'
"Average-at-best athlete who will struggle with speed rushers at the next level. Anchor is quality because of his knee bend and natural strength. Run-blocking ability is slightly above average but not someone who's going to excel in space."
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Zander Horvath selection a 'B-.'
"Explosive big back, built like a FB. Serious yards after contact type. Not a blocker. Dealt with injuries in college. Can cut and hit bigger plays than most runners his size."
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Nazeeh Johnson selection a 'B+.'
"Super-experienced FS/NCB hybrid who flies all over the field. Rarely out of position. Smaller stature. Hard to find a clear-cut flaw on his film. Older prospect."
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Samori Toure selection an 'A-.'
"Darn good football player. Smooth routes, natural hands, some YAC capabilities. Tracks it well deep and has deceptive speed. Was sensational at FCS level then was a major producer after transferring into the Big Ten."
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Marquise Hayes selection an 'A.'
"Long-limbed pass pro specialist. Not a supreme athlete but uses his length as a weapon. Grip strength is outstanding. NFL starter frame. He'll outplay his draft position."
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Jesse Luketa selection a 'C+.'
"Tested like an explosive athlete but is much more of a high-energy player on the field. Routinely sticks to blocks but battles hard to free himself. Unique, stocky frame."
Round 7, No. 261 -- Los Angeles Rams
A.J. Arcuri, OL, Michigan State
6-foot-7, 300
*Originally from Powell, Ohio. Arcuri was rated a .8409 on a scale to 1.000 by the 247Sports Composite, which equates to the nation's No. 88 offensive tackle.
Round 7, No. 260 -- Los Angeles Chargers
Zander Horvath, FB, Purdue
6-foot-3, 230
*Originally from Mishawaka, Indiana.
2018: 9 carries for 42 yards, 1 TD; 4 receptions for 38 yards
2019: 79 carries for 377 yards, 2 TD; 17 receptions for 142 yards, 1 TD
2020: 89 carries for 442 yards, 2 TD; 30 receptions for 304 yards
2021: 91 carries for 320 yards, 3 TD; 17 receptions for 108 yards
Round 7, No. 259 -- Kansas City Chiefs
Nazeeh Johnson, S, Marshall
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Trenton Gill selection a 'C-.'
"A bit surprising he was selected because of inconsistency in 2021 but booms it with good hang time."
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Elijah Hicks selection a 'C.'
"Played deep middle and spent time in the slot, which is important. Tackling is hit or miss. Above-average coverage ability in man. Smaller size for the position and coming off a foot injury."
Round 7, No. 258 -- Green Bay Packers
Samori Toure, WR, Nebraska
6-foot-3, 193
*Originally from Portland, Oregon. Toure was rated a .7667 on a scale to 1.000 by the 247Sports Composite, which equated to the nation's No. 490 wide receiver.
2018: 37 receptions for 440 yards, 2 TD
2019: 87 receptions for 1,495 yards, 13 TD
2021: 46 receptions for 898 yards, 5 TD; 8 carries for 63 yards, 1 TD
Round 7, No 257 -- Arizona Cardinals
Marquis Hayes, OL, Oklahoma
6-foot-5, 349
*Originally from Maryland Heights, Missouri. Hayes was rated a .9035 on a scale to 1.000 by the 247Sports Composite, which equated to the nation's No. 19 offensive guard and the No. 264 prospect overall.
Round 7, No. 256 -- Arizona Cardinals
Jesse Luketa, EDGE, Penn State
6-foot-3, 247
*Originally from Ottawa, Ontario. He was rated a .9113 on a scale to 1.000 by the 247Sports Composite, which equated to the nation's No. 10 inside linebacker and the No. 238 prospect overall.
2018: 7 tackles
2019: 24 tackles, 4 PD
2020: 59 tackles, 1 FR, 2 PD
2021: 61 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 TD
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Russ Yeast selection a 'C-.'
"Chippy, decently productive smaller CB who gets overwhelmed by bigger WRs and blockers in the run game often. Speed is major concern and he's not super quick to react to routes."
Round 7, No. 255 -- Chicago Bears
Trenton Gill, P, N.C. State
Round 7, No. 254 -- Chicago Bears
Elijah Hicks, S, California
5-foot-11, 200
*Originally from Long Beach, California. Hicks was rated a .8896 on a scale to 1.000 by the 247Sports Composite, which equated to the nation's No. 40 cornerback.
2017: 38 tackles, 2 FF, 3 PD
2018: 31 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD, 2 PD
2019: 44 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 PD
2020: 28 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PD
2021: 72 tackles, 1 sack, 4 FF, 3 INT, 2 PD
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Jeffrey Gunter selection a 'B+.'
"Advanced rusher who was an ascending player during his college career. Impressive short-area quicks. Hands are more active than they are effective."
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Isaih Pacheco selection a 'B.'
"Blue-collar RB who ran super-fast at the combine despite not playing to that speed in most occasions in college. Multiple seasons of hard-nosed running. Some power/contact balance. Not an elusive type whatsoever."
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Brittain Brown selection a 'D.'
"Not someone who was on the draft radar, although he finished his career strong at UCLA after starting at Duke. Runs high without much contact balance and has good not great quickness/speed."
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Rasheed Walker selection an 'A-.'
"Former big recruit who showcases his athletic chops on film often. Ugly wins pop more than expected but he has invaluable recovery skills and legitimate NFL OT length. If he learns to keep the gate closed longer this can be a steal for Green Bay."
Round 7, No. 253 -- Los Angeles Rams
Russ Yeast, DB, Kansas State
5-foot-10, 195
*Originally from Danville, Kentucky. Yeast was rated a .8983 on a scale to 1.000 by the 247Sports Composite, which equated to the nation's No. 33 cornerback. He transferred from Louisville after the 2020 season.
2017: 23 tackles, 2 PD
2018: 8 tackles, 1 sack
2019: 61 tackles, 2 FF, 1 INT, 4 PD
2020: 45 tackles, 1 FF, 2 FR, 3 PD
2021: 47 tackles, 1 FF, 4 INT, 10 PD
Round 7, No. 252 -- Cincinnati Bengals
Jeffrey Gunter, EDGE, Coastal Carolina
6-foot-4, 260
*Originally from Durham, North Carolina. Gunter was rated a .7631 on a scale to 1.000 by the 247Sports Composite, which equated to the nation's No. 178 strong-side defensive end. Transferred to N.C. State following 2018 season but transferred back to Coastal Carolina before the 2020 season.
2017: 26 tackles
2018: 49 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 FF, 2 PD
2019: 58 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 PD
2020: 7 tackles, 0.5 sacks
2021: 35 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 PD
Round 7, No. 251 -- Kansas City Chiefs
Isaih Pacheco, RB, Rutgers
5-foot-11, 210
*Originally from Vineland, New Jersey. Pacheco was rated a .8681 on a scale to 1.000 by the 247Sports Composite, which equated to the nation's No. 30 running back.
2018: 111 carries for 551 yards, 3 TD; 2 receptions for 11 yards
2019: 169 carries for 729 yards, 7 TD; 13 receptions for 83 yards
2020: 116 carries for 515 yards, 3 TD; 19 receptions for 130 yards, 1 TD
2021: 167 carries for 647 yards, 5 TD; 13 receptions for 25 yards
Round 7, No. 250 -- Las Vegas Raiders
Brittain Brown, RB, UCLA
6-foot-1, 205
*Originally from Canton, Georgia. Brown was rated a .8696 on a scale to 1.000 by the 247Sports Composite, which equated to the nation's No. 29 running back. Transferred from Duke after the 2019 season.
2017: 130 carries for 701 yards, 7 TD; 14 receptions for 161 yards
2018: 80 carries for 369 yards, 3 TD; 1 reception for 44 yards, 1 TD
2019: 12 carries for 56 yards; 2 receptions for 13 yards
2020: 82 carries for 543 yards, 4 TD; 6 receptions for 84 yards, 1 TD
2021: 102 carries for 616 yards, 7 TD; 18 receptions for 129 yards
CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso gave the Andre Anthony selection a 'D+.'
"This is a major roll of the dice. 2021 season was cut short due to injury. Smaller-framed type who can get controlled often by bigger blockers. Burst/bend is there. Not a pass-rush plan type at this stage of his career."
Round 7, No. 249 -- Green Bay Packers
Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State
6-foot-6, 310
*Originally from Waldorf, Maryland. Walker was rated a .9676 on a scale to 1.000 by the 247Sports Composite, which equated to the nation's No. 6 offensive tackle and the No. 65 prospect overall.