NFL draft 2022 biggest questions: Kiper, McShay preview top prospects, QB class and names to know

Bowl season is gearing up, and Alabama, Michigan, Georgia and Cincinnati are getting ready to compete in the College Football Playoff. But for NFL fans, that means something else: NFL draft season is here.

The 2022 draft in Las Vegas is less than five months away (April 28), and top prospects have already started to declare for it. We have a heated race for the No. 1 pick between a handful of teams, though it's still up in the air what the eventual winner will do with the selection. This isn't last year's quarterback class, which makes for a complicated draft picture at the moment. To help bring clarity, ESPN NFL draft experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay are here with answers to 30 big questions at this point in the process.

Who will go No. 1 overall, and could a quarterback merit consideration? What will the Lions, Giants, Jets and Eagles do with multiple first-rounders? How does this wide receiver class compare with those of past years, and what is the deepest position right now? Mel and Todd dig in on all of it and close with a pair of bold predictions for how things will play out in April. Let's start to prep for the draft, starting with a look at the quarterback class.

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Top QBs | No. 1 pick | Deepest position
WRs to know | Comps | Bold predictions
Draft choices: DET | PHI | NYG | NYJ | JAX

Is there a quarterback in this class worthy of being the No. 1 overall pick?

Kiper: No, there's not. This class is much different from 2021, when quarterbacks went with the first three picks. I don't see one who is a lock to be a high-level NFL starter; my highest-graded QB is at No. 20 overall on my new Big Board. Now, teams always overdraft quarterbacks, but there are still big questions about the top guys in this class.

The four signal-callers in contention to be the first off the board are Kenny Pickett (Pitt), Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati), Matt Corral (Ole Miss) and Malik Willis (Liberty).

So who's your top-ranked quarterback, Todd?

McShay: Yeah, it's Pickett, who comes in at No. 15 in my new rankings. For context, Mac Jones was No. 15 on my final 2021 board, and he was my fifth-ranked QB. There's still time, but I just don't see a top-10-caliber QB.

That said, Pickett gets through his progressions quickly and holds safeties with his eyes, and there's some second-reaction ability there too. His 4,319 passing yards and 42 passing TDs are both top-five numbers in the nation. Corral is right behind him at No. 16, with Willis down at No. 24. Corral gets the ball out so cleanly, and he's a threat to beat you with his legs. And Willis is a playmaker, but the 12 interceptions this season raise an eyebrow. And Mel, I'm a little lower on Ridder than you. I just don't see consistent ball placement there.

Is there a wild-card QB who could rise?

Kiper: Bailey Zappe has put up incredible numbers at Western Kentucky -- 56 touchdown passes, 11 picks and 5,546 yards -- and showed off his field vision and accuracy at all levels of the field. He's going to the Senior Bowl, and I could see him rising into the Day 2 discussion if he performs well in practice there.

It's early, but which teams could target QBs in Round 1?

McShay: There are roughly seven teams that should be looking, and at least three more that could absolutely join the mix. It's a glaring need for Washington (despite a nice run for Taylor Heinicke), Matt Ryan isn't getting any younger in Atlanta, and the Steelers should be thinking QB with Ben Roethlisberger not expected to return. Will the Lions set aside a plethora of other needs to get a QB to build around? Has Carolina already seen enough from Sam Darnold long-term? Teddy Bridgewater isn't pushing the ball down the field for the Broncos, and the Saints have a decision to make around Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill.

Three more teams to watch over the next few months: Houston, Seattle and Philadelphia. What will come of the Deshaun Watson situation for the Texans? Will Russell Wilson return to the Seahawks, or could they land some first-round picks in a deal and go get a young QB to build around? And what will the Eagles do with their three Day 1 selections? Jalen Hurts has made significant strides, but Philly needs to decide if he's the long-term answer.

That's a lot of teams, which means we'll likely see at least a few quarterbacks get overdrafted in Round 1.

OK, make the call now: How many quarterbacks will go in Round 1?

Kiper: I'll say four -- Pickett, Ridder, Corral and Willis. Even if none goes in the top 10, lots of teams need a franchise guy, as Todd said. Remember that fifth-year options go only to first-round picks, and it's an important tool for teams trying to get that extra year of a young quarterback. That's what Baltimore did in 2018 when it traded back into Round 1 to take Lamar Jackson. We could see a couple of late-first-round QBs in 2022.

With three potential top-20 picks, the Eagles could control this draft. What are their biggest needs?

McShay: Just about every level of the defense needs help, with the secondary at the top of the list. Safety Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), cornerback Roger McCreary (Auburn) or cornerback Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati) would bring some more ball-hawking to a defensive back room that already includes Darius Slay. Nakobe Dean (Georgia) would provide a little bit of everything to a lacking linebacker group, and edge rusher George Karlaftis (Purdue) would help improve on the Eagles' 23 sacks, which rank 25th in the NFL. But also watch QB -- as mentioned earlier, Philly has to make a call on Hurts and has the draft capital to upgrade.

If you ran the one-win Lions, who would you take with the top pick?

Kiper: I'd go with one of the elite edge rushers, and it's really close right now. I just moved up Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan) over Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon) at the top of my new Big Board. Hutchinson has 14 sacks and has had a dominant close to the season; he's now a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Detroit needs a pass-rusher, and it should take whichever of these two has the highest grade. One thing I don't buy is that NFL teams pay much attention to drafting local products in Round 1. Yes, Hutchinson is from Michigan, but the Lions have to take the guy they like more.

What's the deepest position in this class?

McShay: I'm pulling a classic Kiper stunt here and giving you two positions: edge rusher and wide receiver. Hutchinson and Thibodeaux lead seven edge rushers in my top 32 and 19 in my top 100. That's wild, and NFL teams couldn't be happier with the pool. Georgia's Travon Walker is a fast riser there and someone to watch. I have him at No. 23 in my rankings. And while the receiver class won't match the 2021 group, I have six in my top 32 and 15 with Day 1 or Day 2 grades. There isn't a drop-off, and I like a lot of the late-Round 1 and even Day 2 guys a lot.

Honorable mentions go to the cornerback and tight end classes, too -- those spots have 15 and eight prospects with top-three-round grades, respectively.

Is it possible that edge rushers go 1-2?

Kiper: Yes, absolutely, but it will depend on team needs. If the Jaguars end up in the top two, for instance, I could see them going with offensive tackle Evan Neal (Alabama) over a pass-rusher because it's a bigger position they have to upgrade. And Neal is an elite and complete left tackle. If it's the Texans, Jets or Giants at No. 2, they'll likely go with whichever edge rusher is left from Thibodeaux and Hutchinson.

The Giants are projected to have two top-10 picks. What would make this a perfect first round for them?

McShay: They still need edge-rushing help, but the offensive line also has to improve and the linebacking group could use another playmaker. It depends on where they fall in the order, and ESPN's Football Power Index projects that they'll have picks No. 5 and 6. Hutchinson and Thibodeaux will likely not be available, so Neal makes sense if he's still on the board. LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. could also be a smart move, and landing either him or Neal with their first pick would be a win. And then getting Dean or Karlaftis with the second pick makes April 28 a good day for New York.

Any chance the Giants go quarterback, Mel?

Kiper: I know, I know, I've been high on Daniel Jones for a while, and here are two reasons I just don't see the Giants taking a QB in the first round:

• As we mentioned, there just aren't QBs worthy of going in the top 10, which is where their picks will be. Are we sure that one of these guys will be better than Jones? They have bigger needs.

• They can get help for Jones in the top 10. Don't forget: His top receivers haven't been able to stay on the field, and his offensive line has been a disaster. They can use these picks to improve the talent around him and make 2022 his final evaluation year.

The Jets also could have two top-10 picks. Where do they need the most help?

McShay: They hammered offense with their 2021 draft, going that way with their first four picks, including QB Zach Wilson. It's time to look defense and specifically at cornerback, edge rush and linebacker. Like their MetLife Stadium counterparts, Hutchinson or Thibodeaux would be no-brainers if they land a top-two pick. If not, Karlaftis makes sense. But watch to see what happens with Stingley, the LSU corner who is dealing with a left foot injury but is versatile and has shutdown traits. If durability causes a slide, the Jets could nab him.

I could also see them splitting the two high picks, though, and taking an offensive lineman or wide receiver if the value is just too good to pass up. Neal would be a great pick. And there are a lot of really good pass-catchers who will be on the board. FPI has the Jets projected to pick at Nos. 4 and 9.

How does this wide receiver class compare with 2021?

Kiper: The 2021 class had three super-elite wideouts who all went in the top 10 picks (Ja'Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith), and this group doesn't have those guys. You might see only one top-10 pick. But 2022 is deeper in the early rounds, as Todd mentioned. Teams will find instant-impact wideouts at the end of the first round and great value on Days 2 and 3.

How would you stack the top receivers if you combined the 2021 and 2022 classes?

McShay: Chase, Smith and Waddle all had grades of 93 or better from me last spring, and none of the '22 receivers hit that mark. But I have three at 92 this year and another at 91. Here's how I would stack the guys earning at least a 90 grade across both classes:

1. Ja'Marr Chase, LSU (2021, 94)

2. DeVonta Smith, Alabama (2021, 93)

3. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama (2021, 93)

4. Jameson Williams, Alabama (2022, 92)

5. Garrett Wilson, Ohio State (2022, 92)

6. Drake London, USC (2022, 92)

7. Chris Olave, Ohio State (2022, 91)

8. Elijah Moore, Ole Miss (2021, 90)

9. Jahan Dotson, Penn State (2022, 90)

WIlliams is a burner with ridiculous numbers, Wilson has elite body control and London was probably the top receiver in the country before a fractured right ankle ended his season. Olave is a smooth route runner, and Dotson has great ball skills. All five are in my top 20.

Five wide receivers went in that 2021 first round. Over/under on that many in April?

Kiper: Over. I see six right now, which would match the 2020 total. Those are: London, Williams, Wilson, Olave, Dotson and Treylon Burks (Arkansas). Dotson and Burks both do a ton of damage out of the slot.

Which team most needs to take a wide receiver in Round 1?

McShay: The two that stick out to me are the Raiders and Browns. Las Vegas needs a legit playmaker outside following Henry Ruggs III's release, especially since veteran DeSean Jackson is likely moving on after the season. And Cleveland loves its three-TE sets mainly because it lacks a legit No. 1 option at wide receiver. Odell Beckham Jr. is gone, Jarvis Landry is best as a No. 2 option and Donovan Peoples-Jones is a big-play guy who can't be relied on consistently. Baker Mayfield needs help outside.

Let's get Trevor Lawrence some help. What should the Jaguars do with their likely top-five pick?

Kiper: If Urban Meyer & Co. can get a franchise left tackle, that's the pick. Neal is a no-brainer if he's still on the board. He moved to left tackle this season and has dominated. He can step in immediately for Cam Robinson, who is a free agent.

Is there an elite defensive back in this class?

McShay: Two, actually. Stingley Jr. is a top-tier versatile cornerback out of LSU who has great instincts, a smoothness to how he moves and soft hands when making a play on the ball. He's No. 4 in my rankings. At No. 5 is Hamilton, a ball-hawking safety who can play all over the field. He has 6-foot-4 size to match up with tight ends and the speed to cover running backs out of the backfield. But pre-draft medicals will be important for both: Stingley has played just three games after a procedure on an injured left foot, and Hamilton has been out since October with a knee injury.

What is Hamilton's ceiling in the draft -- is there a chance he goes in the top three?

Kiper: I don't think he will be picked in the top three, just because teams don't usually value safeties that high. The last safety who went in the top five was Eric Berry in 2010. The last one who went in the top three was Eric Turner, all the way back in 1991. So while Hamilton will likely be in the top five in my rankings, he might not go in the top five, depending on team needs when the order shakes out. He is a perfect modern-day safety with the versatility to play the pass and run.

You get to call dibs on a 2022 prospect: Who's your guy in this class?

McShay: Nakobe Dean. He embodies the modern off-ball linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range, and he can make plays on the ball in coverage. His motor is relentless, and he fills the stat sheet. In 2021, Dean has 61 tackles, 5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 5 passes broken up, a forced fumble and 2 interceptions -- including a pick-six. I think he's one of the top 10 prospects in the class, and teams might be able to get him at value in the middle of the first round.

Kiper: Can I claim two? I can't decide between wide receivers Jameson Williams and Drake London, who are both great in their own ways. Williams is a speedster who will beat teams on go routes and run away from cornerbacks after the catch. The 6-5 London bullies defensive backs to high-point the ball. They're going to be impact No. 1 receivers as rookies.

Who's your favorite prospect who might not be picked on Day 1?

Kiper: Give me tight end Trey McBride (Colorado State), whom I know you like, too, Todd. He had 90 catches for 1,121 yards this season and averaged 15 yards per reception in 2020. The head-scratcher is how he had just two total touchdowns this season. McBride might sneak into the top 32 picks, but I have a Round 2 grade on him.

McShay: How about cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson), who I just elevated to the tail end of my top 32? His game keeps growing on me, and the tape of his final regular-season game (against South Carolina) was the best I've studied for a cornerback all year. He allowed zero completions and hauled in two interceptions -- and nearly had a third on a jumped route. He has length and speed, is smooth in sticking with receivers and excels in press coverage. I have a second-round grade on him right now.

How good is this tight end class?

McShay: It's one of the deepest we've seen in a while -- since at least 2018 -- and it starts with McBride. He's a matchup problem for defensive coordinators, lining up everywhere and producing to the tune of 1,121 yards this season. Like you, Mel, I have a second-round grade on him. That's the thing here, though: The class is deep but lacks that top-tier prospect we typically see (e.g., Kyle Pitts in 2021). Overall, I have eight tight ends with a 70-plus grade, which is worthy of a Day 1 or 2 selection. For comparison, an average of six have gone in the first three rounds over the past four drafts.

Some other names to watch here: Texas A&M's Jalen Wydermyer, who is a crisp route runner with a big catch radius, and Washington's Cade Otton. Both have second-round grades.

It's a great draft for offensive tackles, too, right?

Kiper: For sure. We could see four or five in the first round and as many as 11 in the first two rounds. I've already mentioned Neal (Alabama), and Charles Cross (Mississippi State), Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa) and Ikem Ekwonu (NC State) all could go in the top 15 picks. Nicholas Petit-Frere (Ohio State) is really good. If your favorite team needs a starting tackle, this is the year to draft one.

Which team trending toward a pick late in the first round absolutely needs to nail it?

McShay: The Lions. Remember, they have the Rams' selection from the Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade, which FPI projects to land at No. 24. Their top pick could be Hutchinson or Thibodeaux, which means they need to get lucky at quarterback toward the end of the round if they want an upgrade on Goff. I don't see Pickett or Corral being available, leaving Willis as probably the best option. They'd have to develop him, though. Maybe it's Ridder or Sam Howell (North Carolina). And if they stick with Goff or don't see a QB worth taking, can they address massive issues at wide receiver or cornerback? No matter the direction, Detroit has to ace Day 1.

Is there a first-round running back in the class?

Kiper: No. There's not an elite guy such as Ezekiel Elliott or Christian McCaffrey who will go in the top 10, which means teams should wait until Round 2 to get better value. There could be six backs who get second-round grades from me, however. Breece Hall (Iowa State), Kenneth Walker III (Michigan State) and Isaiah Spiller (Texas A&M) top my rankings.

Who's your highest-rated prospect who doesn't play for a Power 5 school?

Kiper: I mentioned Penning, and the Northern Iowa offensive tackle is the top FCS guy in this class. He dominates at that level and will get a chance to prove he's a top-15 pick with a good week at the Senior Bowl. As for Group of 5 prospects, Cincinnati has two potential first-rounders in quarterback Ridder and corner Ahmad Gardner. Ridder is rising after he was more consistent this season, and Gardner is a physical player who can lock down wideouts in press coverage. All three are ranked in my top 25 overall.

Who is the burner of the class?

McShay: Wideout Jameson Williams. The explosive speed is the first thing you notice when you watch his tape. He hits his top gear in a flash with elite acceleration and makes running past SEC corners look easy. Williams has eight receiving touchdowns of at least 50 yards this season, and his 21.3 yards per catch ranks fifth in the nation. I expect him to fly in the 40-yard dash at the combine.

Another guy who will cruise in the 40: Houston cornerback/receiver/returner Marcus Jones might be one of the fastest players in the country.

Who do you expect to be the combine all-stars?

McShay: A lot of the top guys will star in Indianapolis in March. Hutchinson reportedly ran a 4.68 40-yard dash during the preseason and is a workout warrior in the weight room. Hamilton has a rare size, length and speed combination, and word is he could be around 41 inches in the vertical jump and 10-foot-8 in the broad jump. I'm also told Stingley has been in the 4.3s in the 40 and around 42 inches in the vertical during LSU testing, while Karlaftis impressed during Purdue's workouts, hitting 10 feet in the broad jump at 270 pounds.

What's your favorite prospect-to-pro comp right now?

Kiper: Kenny Pickett reminds me of Derek Carr, both in stature and in the way they throw the ball and move around the pocket. They don't have elite arm talent, but they are extremely accurate. Carr threw 50 touchdown passes and eight picks in 2013 -- his final season at Fresno State -- and Pickett is up to 42 TDs and seven INTs with a bowl game left to play. Carr, who has had the best career of all of the Class of 2014 QBs, keeps getting better, and Pickett has shown remarkable improvement this season.

McShay: I'll go to the other side of the ball. I like comparing Kyle Hamilton to Broncos safety Justin Simmons. They're both big -- Hamilton is 6-4, while Simmons is 6-2 -- and long with versatility and range. And they are both playmakers with outstanding ball skills and instincts in coverage and reliable tacklers against the run. Hamilton has eight interceptions over 31 games at Notre Dame, while Simmons has hauled in 20 over 86 career games with Denver.

OK, give us one bold prediction for the 2022 draft.

Kiper: Desmond Ridder will the first quarterback drafted -- if he has a great week at the Senior Bowl. He has the arm talent, size, running skills and intangibles to push him up the board in a down year for elite quarterbacks. Pickett is still my top-ranked QB, but Ridder's ceiling will entice teams.

McShay: This is going to sound ever bolder now, but I'll say that Sam Howell will go ahead of Ridder and sneak into the first round as the final of four Day 1 signal-callers. Howell regressed a little this season, but his touch and timing are still plus traits, and he can fit the ball into tight windows. I really like the way he manipulates coverages with his eyes and gets the ball out quickly. I'm just not seeing consistency when it comes to accuracy for Ridder, though I do think he's an early Day 2 pick.

Kiper: Let's just see, Todd. The good thing is that it sounds like Howell could be at the Senior Bowl, too, so we'll see them compete side by side.