Image Credit (Steven Branscombe/USA Today Sports)
Written by: Nicholas Mullick Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-mullick-354076184/
The 2022 NFL Draft has officially concluded, So for the next few days, I will be grading each round of the draft. Now it is time to grade the second round of the draft. Now as always when I grade a selection as a HACKENBURG Grade that is obviously an F grade. So let's get into it starting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
33. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (From Jacksonville Jaguars) - DE/EDGE Logan Hall (Michigan) Grade A
This is the Ndamukong Suh replacement on the defensive line so this selection makes sense for Tampa Bay. While Logan Hall mainly played as an edge rusher he has great versatility in playing on the interior of the defensive line. Hall would be a great replacement for Suh (Well unless he decides to once again ring chase and resigns with the team). Hall would also bring youth to the defensive line which is a plus for the Buccaneers once Brady retires for good.
34. Green Bay Packers (via Minnesota Vikings, From Detroit Lions- WR Christian Watson (North Dakota State) Grade A
Watson was considered a 1st round pick in some mock drafts and Green Bay desperately needs a receiver for Aaron Rodgers to throw the football to. They should be thanking the Vikings who for some reason yet again traded with a divisional rival and selected a receiver that is going to terrify the Vikings for years. Watson is athletic, has great ball skills, can get to the high point, and should be a solid weapon for Aaron Rodgers.
35. Tennessee Titans (From New York Jets) - CB Roger McCreary (Auburn) Grade B+
A lot of Titans fans were upset this pick was not Malik Willis. I get it, but the Titans desperately needed to get secondary help at cornerback. Especially with the durability concerns surrounding Caleb Farley and Kristen Fulton had McCreary going in the 1st round of my mock drafts. But he fell due to concerns about his measurements. But he has smooth footwork, has strong awareness, and is solid in coverage. This is a good pick by the Titans.
36. New York Jets (From New York Giants) - RB Breece Hall (Iowa State) Grade A
Wow, the Jets offense just got scarier with this selection. I heard rumors that the Jets were debating Johnson or Hall with the selection they traded up for. Well, they got lucky, jumped ahead of the Texans, and took their guy. The Jets gave another tool for Zach Willson but surrounded him with a running back. Breece Hall was the clear-cut best running back in the draft as well and while he is not a power back and isn't the best blocker, he checks a lot of the traits you want to see in a running back. This selection should be the ending of the La'Mical Perine experiment as Tevin Coleman will be the veteran back and ty Johnson showed flashed and will probably be a special teams player.
37. Houston Texans - S Jalen Pitre (Baylor) Grade C+
The Texans must have been fuming over the jets trading up as they were going to select Breece Hall. So why not continue to build the secondary by selecting Jalen Pitre. The Texans did need a safety and Pitre is fine(excluding how inconsistent he is in coverage), but I have to ask, has this team forgotten about fixing their pass rush or something? Yes, Pitre is a solid prospect with position versatility as he can play linebacker, but the Texans really should of went with filling a bigger need by selecting a pass rusher with this pick.
38. Atlanta Falcons (Via New York Giants, New York Jets, From Carolina Panthers) - DE/EDGE Arnold Ebiketie (Penn State) Grade C+
Meh, not a terrible selection by the Falcons. They needed pass-rushing to help with their rebuild and to have more than 18 total sacks in a season. I am not a big fan of Ebiketie as he is barely effective as a run stopper and does need to work on his posture. But he has upside and flashed as a pass rusher. I would rather have Ojabo here, but I don't blame them for passing on him.
39. Chicago Bears - CB Kyler Gordon (Washington) Grade C
Over Andrew Booth? I get Gordon has fewer durability issues but what he struggled with is his coverage ability and does not have the best ball skills. He is still raw but has the potential to be a solid cornerback. Plus, it is not a terrible value pick, as Chicago did need a cornerback, so I am not going to completely complain about this selection. But the Bears should have selected their Khalil Mack replacement by getting Mafe or Ojabo.
40. Seattle Seahawks (From Denver Broncos)- DE/EDGE Boye Mafe (Minnesota) Grade B
Seattle desperately needs to improve their pass rush as it has been a complete mess since this team reached by selecting LJ Collier in the 1st round. I like this selection as Boye Mafe is a very athletic and physical player who is extremely explosive. I had Boye as a second or third-round prospect as well so this selection was completely fair value to utilize as a second-round choice as he is still raw.
41. Seattle Seahawks - RB Kenneth Walker III (Michigan State) Grade A
Many were confused by this pick. I wasn’t and am a big fan of this selection. Who knows if Chris Carson will ever be the same player he was as he is dealing with neck injuries and I think Rashaad Penny stinks. Yes, Penny had a strong second half of last season, but the Seahawks were in Tank Bowls battling for a higher draft pick that was not their property. Seattle needed a running back and Kenneth Walker was the best back on the board so of course at least they established a running game to help QB Geno Smith and Drew Lock who are both scrubs (Lock especially). Walker is a strong selection by the Seahawks and should help with their rebuild.
42. Minnesota Vikings - CB Andrew Booth (Clemson) Grade A
The Vikings need secondary help more than ever now that they supplied the Packers and Lions with great receivers. Booth can be that player and I really want to give this pick an A+, but the two issues are the confusing trade downs and the injury concerns surrounding Booth. But if Booth can stay healthy and translate well into the NFL, then this is worth the risk.
43. New York Giants - WR Wandale Robinson (Kentucky) Grade C
This is an insurance selection for when Kadarius Toney eventually gets traded. I don't think he will get traded yet, but I doubt he will be here long-term and I can see the Giants trading him next season if he continues to regress. Robinson reminds me of a smaller version of Kadarius Toney, so I get why they selected him. However, it is kind of a reach for me as I saw him as a 3rd round prospect and there were much better selections in Skyy Moore or George Pickens. Plus I am concerned as well with the way he catches as he overlies on his body than with his hands. At least it's another target for Daniel Jones to throw too.
44. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns) - WR John Metchie III (Alabama) Grade D-
Now there’s the Texans we know and love. Drastically making an overpayment to acquire a receiver who has durability issues, has a poor pass-catching technique, and lacks awareness. Now it's not HACKENBURG level of a bad selection as the Texans needed a receiver, but it was very close. I had Metchie as a 4th round prospect. There were much better options on the board in Skyy Moore and George Pickens were available.
45. Baltimore Ravens - DE/EDGE David Ojabo (Michigan) Grade A+ Wow, Baltimore yet again gets another steal, but this time on the defensive side of the football. I knew the Ravens were at some point going to take a DE/EDGE Rusher as they tried to get Za'darius Smith but he pulled an Anthony Barr and he signed with the Vikings. I at one point labeled David Ojabo as a Top 10 prospect and the fact that he fell to this selection even with the torn Achilles injury still shocks me. When Ojabo is healthy he should have a big impact on Baltimore’s defense.
46. Detroit Lions (From Minnesota Vikings) - DE/EDGE Josh Paschal (Kentucky) Grade C-
I like what the Lions have been doing lately, however, I am not a big fan of this selection. First off I did not see Paschal going anywhere near the 2nd round of the draft. I had him as a late 3rd/early 4th round selection of the draft. Is Paschal a completely terrible selection, No. Paschal is explosive, athletic, and a strong tackler. The Lions did need a lot of help at DE/EDGE rusher and Paschal with time could develop well in Dan Campbell’s system as he is a bit raw. However, there were much better options for the Lions to take at this point and fill other team needs.
47. Washington Commanders (From Indianapolis Colts) - DT Phidarian Mathis (Alabama) Grade D+
Uhhh Washington, you know that the defensive line was a strength on your team, right? It doesn't hurt to get depth on the defensive line, especially in the departure of Matt Ioannidis, but you don't use a second-round pick on it. Plus the Commanders needed to select a safety with this selection after cutting Landon Collins and Deshazor Everett. Mathis has upside and could be a solid piece on this defense, but I saw Mathis as a mid-round selection.
48. Chicago Bears (From Los Angeles Chargers) - S Jaquan Brisker (Penn State) Grade C-
The Bears decided to blow it up during the offseason and are starting from scratch. So with their other 2nd round pick, they decide to take a safety. Uhh Chicago, you realize you already had two safeties in Eddie Jackson and DeAndre Houston-Carson. I get that his talent may be too good to pass up on, but maybe it might be best to surround Justin Fields with weapons by drafting a receiver.
49. New Orleans Saints - CB Alontae Taylor (Tennessee) Grade B
Wow, I did not expect the Saints this early to select a cornerback. It makes sense as Alontae Taylor is a good fit for the Saints defense that does need depth in the secondary. The question is whether he plays safety or cornerback as he has strong position versatility. I do believe this is a round too early, but the Saints don’t have a 3rd or 4th round selection so I can understand why the Saints reached a bit.
50. New England Patriots (via Kansas City, From Miami) - WR Tyquan Thorton (Baylor) Grade HACKENBURG
Ok is Bill Belichick looking at AL Davis’s notes in 2009 for this draft? Tyquan Thorton’s biggest strength is his speed and it showed as he ran a 4.28 at the combine. But besides that, he is incredibly inconsistent, doesn’t have the best hands, and is a sloppy route runner. I did not see him going until the 5th or 6th round. Plus there were much better options as well for New England to pick from including George Pickens, Alec Pierce, Skyy Moore, Jalen Tolbert, David Bell, and etc. This is a massive reach here.
51. Philadelphia Eagles - OC Cam Jurgens (Nebraska) Grade B
This is the eventual Jason Kelce replacement for the Philadelphia Eagles. Kelce is getting older and it is best to find a player that can replace him. Plus Jurgens has strong position versatility and could be tried out for now at guard as Brandon Brooks retired and the Eagles again need to find a replacement for him. Either or this fills a need and I am not complaining about this selection.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers - WR George Pickens (Georgia) Grade A+
It would not be a classic Steelers draft unless a wide receiver falls to them in the second round. I really love this selection for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pickens could have been a 1st round pick but he suffered a torn ACL. But he checks a lot of boxes that you want to see in wide receiver prospects. The Steelers also give Mitchell Trubisky or Kenny Pickett another receiver to throw the ball to. Great work Steelers.
53. Indianapolis Colts (Via Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, from Las Vegas Raiders) - WR Alec Pierce (Cincinnati) Grade A-
I would rather have selected Skyy Moore with this selection but Alec Pierce is a solid pick by Indianapolis. The Colts desperately needed to get another receiver on this team, especially as it looks like TY Hilton is not coming back to the Colts and they have no other confident receiver excluding Michael Pittman Jr. Pierce should be a solid part of Indianapolis’s offense as he is another target for Matt Ryan to throw the football too.
54. Kansas City Chiefs (from New England Patriots) - WR Skyy Moore (Western Michigan) Grade A
Congratulations Skyy Moore, you have a generational franchise QB throwing the football to you and are now a part of an open battle for the number 1 receiver core. Skyy Moore was projected to go in the 1st round on some mocks. Now I did not see him as a 1st rounder, but more of a 2nd to early 3rd round choice. The pick makes sense as the Chiefs need to give Mahomes as many receivers to throw the football to.
55. Arizona Cardinals - TE Trey McBride (Colorado State) Grade D-
Wait, Huh? This pick confuses me a lot. Didn’t the Cardinals just re-sign Zach Ertz and Maxx Williams to new contracts? Why is this team taking a tight end in the 2nd round? I get that the Cardinals may want to get a young and depth piece, but they could have gotten that later in the round. The only thing saving this grade as a HACKENBURG grade is that McBride is the best Tight End in the draft.
56. Dallas Cowboys - DE/EDGE Sam Williams (Ole Miss) Grade A-
Makes sense. As the Cowboys absolutely needed DE/EDGE help after they lowballed Randy Gregory. So why not replace him with the classic Jerry Jones selection by bringing in a guy with a multitude of off-the-field issues. But besides the off-the-field issues, I really like this selection for Dallas, and if Williams can mature he could be a solid part of the Cowboys defense.
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (From Buffalo Bills) - OT/OG Luke Goedeke (Central Michigan) Grade B
This is the Alex Cappa replacement on the offensive line. I Like this selection for Tampa Bay as Goedeke has strong position versatility and has solid posture. Now Goedeke needs to work on his footwork and must be more consistent as a pass rusher. But, if Tampa develops him right, then he could be a solid piece on this offensive line for many years.
58. Atlanta Falcons (From Tennessee Titans) - LB Troy Anderson (Montana State) Grade D-
Not a big fan of this selection at all. Anderson does have the best awareness and does not take the best pursuit angles when trying to tackle players. Plus Anderson has knee issues that could be a problem in the NFL. The only reason why this is not a HACKENBURG grade is that the Falcons have a terrible roster and he fills a need at linebacker. Plus it is not a terrible reach as I saw Anderson as a 4th/5th round prospect. I am shocked that the Falcons did not draft Nakobe Dean, Chad Muma, or Christian Harris.
59. Minnesota Vikings (From Green Bay Packers) - OG Ed Ingram (LSU) Grade A
The Vikings need to protect QB Kirk Cousins who is somehow still getting fully guaranteed contracts. Why are the Vikings giving him another one again? I have no idea. But going back on Ed Ingram the pick is a smart one. They had a need at guard and Ingram can be a big fix for that hole on the o-line. He can adjust while blocking in space and can be an anchor as well. Very smart move to protect the QB Minnesota.
60. Cincinnati Bengals (via Buffalo Bills, from Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - CB Cam Taylor-Britt (Nebraska) Grade B+
I like it. The Bengals need to improve the secondary in this draft. They got another safety in Daxton Hill to pair with Jessie Bates and now the Bengals got an upgrade at cornerback by selecting Taylor-Britt. He is a big upgrade with his coverage skills over Eli Apple. All Taylor-Britt needs to work on is his tackling technique and his hip fluidity.
61. San Fransisco 49ers - DE/EDGE Drake Jackson (USC) Grade C+
This is the eventual Dee Ford replacement, as he is starting to show signs of decline and could become a massive liability soon. Jackson is a solid prospect as well, but I think this is a little too early to select Drake Jackson as he is not the best tackler and has poor pass rushing technique. He has upside and if the 49ers can fix his weaknesses and play more consistent then Jackson will be a fantastic part of this defense.
62. Kansas City Chiefs - S Bryan Cook (Cincinnati Bengals) Grade C-
Yuck, definitely a reach for the Chiefs here. However, It is not as bad of a reach as Tyquan Thorton as I had Bryan Cook as a late 3rd/early 4th round selection. The Cheifs needed safety help as it looks like Tyrann Mathieu will not come back to the Chiefs (Update: He just signed with the New Orleans Saints). Cook has strong instincts like him and if he can translate in the NFL then this pick could pan out.
63. Buffalo Bills (from Cincinnati Bengals) - RB James Cook (Georgia) Grade B+
Makes sense, as the Buffalo Bills went cornerback with their 1st round pick and now their biggest need is at running back. Singletary has durability issues and Zack Moss is just inconsistent and a healthy scratch on some games. Of course, the Bills needed a more receiving back and I believe James Cook is that player. Not a bad selection by the Bills
64. Denver Broncos (From Los Angeles Rams) - LB Nick Bonitto (Oklahoma) Grade B-
I get the selection, but I think this is a bit too early for Bonitto to go in my opinion. I think Bonnitto will make a stronger impact as a DE/EDGE Rusher, but he will be a great depth piece for the Broncos defense. He does have upside and he could be worth a selection if he properly develops.