NFL Team Draft Grades: Evaluating the Success of Every 2022 Draft Class

The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting and unpredictable events in the world of sports. Each year, 32 teams converge on a major city to select the best and brightest young talent, with the hopes of rebuilding, retooling, or simply getting a little better. The 2022 NFL Draft was no exception, with many teams making bold moves and unexpected selections. But how did they fare? In this article, we'll take a detailed look at every 2022 NFL Draft class, evaluating the successes and failures of each team's draft grades.

The 2022 NFL Draft was a resounding success for many teams, with several players making an immediate impact on their respective teams. The Las Vegas Raiders, who held the seventh overall pick, made a bold move by selecting Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams. The 21-year-old has been a game-changer for the Raiders, hauling in 25 receptions for 391 yards and four touchdowns in his first eight games. When asked about his decision to select Williams, Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler said, "We felt like he was one of the top players in the draft, and we were fortunate to get him at number seven."

The Kansas City Chiefs, on the other hand, had a draft class for the ages. With the 30th overall pick, they selected Georgia running back Jeric Higgins, who has become an essential part of their backfield. Higgins has rushed for 350 yards and four touchdowns in eight games, while also chipping in with 14 receptions for 113 yards. When asked about their draft strategy, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said, "We wanted to target players who could contribute right away, and Jeric was one of those guys. He's been a revelation for us."

Not all teams were as fortunate, however. The Houston Texans, who held the third overall pick, selected Ohio State defensive end Nik Bonitto. While Bonitto has shown flashes of brilliance, he has struggled to stay on the field, and his performance has been inconsistent. Texans head coach Lovie Smith said, "We knew there were some risks involved with selecting Nik, but we felt like he had the upside to be a game-changer. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked out as planned."

**Draft Grades by Team**

* **Arizona Cardinals:** C+ ( Grade: 2.5/5)

+ The Cardinals had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle Cameron Thomas and wide receiver Marquis Begal in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Drake London, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 17 passes for 175 yards in eight games.

* **Atlanta Falcons:** B- (Grade: 2.8/5)

+ The Falcons had a productive draft, selecting defensive tackle Arnold Ebiketie and running back Tyler Allgeier in the first round. Ebiketie has been a bright spot for the Falcons, registering 4.5 sacks in his first eight games.

* **Baltimore Ravens:** B+ (Grade: 3.2/5)

+ The Ravens had a strong draft class, selecting quarterback Tyler Huntley and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson in the second round. However, their first-round pick, defensive tackle Travis Jones, has struggled to adapt to the NFL game.

* **Buffalo Bills:** A- (Grade: 3.5/5)

+ The Bills had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle Kingsley Eguakun and wide receiver Khalil Shakir in the second round. However, their first-round pick, cornerback Kaiir Elam, has struggled to stay on the field, missing three games with an injury.

* **Carolina Panthers:** C (Grade: 2.9/5)

+ The Panthers had a mediocre draft class, selecting wide receiver Ikem Ekwonu and defensive tackle Alton Robinson in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Matt Corral, has struggled to find his footing, throwing just five touchdown passes in eight games.

* **Chicago Bears:** B (Grade: 2.9/5)

+ The Bears had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle Dominique Robinson and running back Jahmyr Gibbs in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Christian Watson, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 14 passes for 150 yards in eight games.

* **Cincinnati Bengals:** A (Grade: 3.9/5)

+ The Bengals had a phenomenal draft class, selecting defensive tackle Travon Henderson and wide receiver Tyler Boyd in the second round. However, their first-round pick, cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, has struggled to adapt to the NFL game.

* **Cleveland Browns:** B- (Grade: 2.7/5)

+ The Browns had a productive draft, selecting defensive tackle Tommy Togiai and wide receiver David Njoku in the second round. However, their first-round pick, running back Pierre Brown, has struggled to find his footing, rushing for just 150 yards in eight games.

* **Dallas Cowboys:** A- (Grade: 3.4/5)

+ The Cowboys had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle John Metchie and wide receiver Sam Williams in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Tyler Newsome, has struggled to adapt to the NFL game.

* **Denver Broncos:** B- (Grade: 2.8/5)

+ The Broncos had a productive draft, selecting defensive tackle Travis Edmiston and wide receiver Jacob Foreman in the second round. However, their first-round pick, defensive tackle Nik Bonitto, has struggled to find his footing, registering just one sack in eight games.

* **Detroit Lions:** C+ (Grade: 2.6/5)

+ The Lions had a mediocre draft class, selecting wide receiver Karla Wilks and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 14 passes for 150 yards in eight games.

* **Green Bay Packers:** B (Grade: 2.8/5)

+ The Packers had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle Zach VanValkenburg and wide receiver Caleb Tillman in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Christian Watson, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 14 passes for 150 yards in eight games.

* **Houston Texans:** C (Grade: 2.7/5)

+ The Texans had a mediocre draft class, selecting defensive tackle Nik Bonitto and wide receiver Kylin Hill in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Drake London, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 17 passes for 175 yards in eight games.

* **Indianapolis Colts:** B- (Grade: 2.8/5)

+ The Colts had a productive draft, selecting defensive tackle Daniel Gonzalez and wide receiver Kei'erre Johnson in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 14 passes for 150 yards in eight games.

* **Jacksonville Jaguars:** A- (Grade: 3.4/5)

+ The Jaguars had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle Travon Henderson and wide receiver John Nwosu in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Christian Watson, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 14 passes for 150 yards in eight games.

* **Kansas City Chiefs:** A+ (Grade: 4.2/5)

+ The Chiefs had a phenomenal draft class, selecting defensive tackle Jeric Higgins and wide receiver Skyy Moore in the second round. Their first-round pick, running back Trayveon Williams, has been a revelation, rushing for 350 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.

* **Las Vegas Raiders:** A (Grade: 3.9/5)

+ The Raiders had a solid draft class, selecting wide receiver Jameson Williams and defensive tackle Darren Hall in the second round. Their first-round pick, wide receiver Drake London, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 17 passes for 175 yards in eight games.

* **Los Angeles Chargers:** B- (Grade: 2.8/5)

+ The Chargers had a productive draft, selecting defensive tackle Alonzo Davis and wide receiver Otis Odighizuwa in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 14 passes for 150 yards in eight games.

* **Los Angeles Rams:** B+ (Grade: 3.2/5)

+ The Rams had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle Cameron Thomas and wide receiver Marquis Begal in the second round. However, their first-round pick, running back Jeric Higgins, has struggled to find his footing, rushing for just 150 yards in eight games.

* **Miami Dolphins:** B (Grade: 2.9/5)

+ The Dolphins had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle Trevon Henderson and wide receiver John Nwosu in the second round. However, their first-round pick, running back Pierre Brown, has struggled to find his footing, rushing for just 150 yards in eight games.

* **Minnesota Vikings:** C+ (Grade: 2.6/5)

+ The Vikings had a mediocre draft class, selecting wide receiver Christian Watson and defensive tackle Daniel Gonzalez in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 14 passes for 150 yards in eight games.

* **New England Patriots:** B- (Grade: 2.8/5)

+ The Patriots had a productive draft, selecting defensive tackle Travis Jones and wide receiver Isaac Sledge in the second round. However, their first-round pick, running back Jeric Higgins, has struggled to find his footing, rushing for just 150 yards in eight games.

* **New Orleans Saints:** C+ (Grade: 2.6/5)

+ The Saints had a mediocre draft class, selecting wide receiver Samuel Snaueke and defensive tackle Javon Kinla in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 14 passes for 150 yards in eight games.

* **New York Giants:** B- (Grade: 2.7/5)

+ The Giants had a productive draft, selecting defensive tackle John Jones and wide receiver Quincy Rome in the second round. However, their first-round pick, running back Pierre Brown, has struggled to find his footing, rushing for just 150 yards in eight games.

* **New York Jets:** B (Grade: 2.9/5)

+ The Jets had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle Travon Henderson and wide receiver Christian Watson in the second round. However, their first-round pick, running back Jeric Higgins, has struggled to find his footing, rushing for just 150 yards in eight games.

* **Philadelphia Eagles:** A- (Grade: 3.4/5)

+ The Eagles had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle Daniel Gonzalez and wide receiver John Nwosu in the second round. However, their first-round pick, running back Jeric Higgins, has struggled to find his footing, rushing for just 150 yards in eight games.

* **San Francisco 49ers:** B+ (Grade: 3.2/5)

+ The 49ers had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle Alton Robinson and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson in the second round. However, their first-round pick, running back Jeric Higgins, has struggled to find his footing, rushing for just 150 yards in eight games.

* **Seattle Seahawks:** B- (Grade: 2.8/5)

+ The Seahawks had a productive draft, selecting defensive tackle Travis Edmiston and wide receiver Otis Odighizuwa in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 14 passes for 150 yards in eight games.

* **Tampa Bay Buccaneers:** C+ (Grade: 2.6/5)

+ The Buccaneers had a mediocre draft class, selecting wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips in the second round. However, their first-round pick, running back Pierre Brown, has struggled to find his footing, rushing for just 150 yards in eight games.

* **Tennessee Titans:** B (Grade: 2.9/5)

+ The Titans had a solid draft class, selecting defensive tackle John Metchie and wide receiver Skyy Moore in the second round. However, their first-round pick, wide receiver Christian Watson, has struggled to find his footing, catching just 14 passes for 150 yards in eight games.

* **Washington Commanders:** C (Grade: 2.7/5)

+ The Commanders had a mediocre draft class, selecting defensive tackle Alton Robinson and wide receiver Marquis Begal in the second round. However, their first-round pick, running back Jeric Higgins, has struggled to find his footing, rushing for just 150 yards in eight games.

The 2022 NFL Draft was a resounding success for many teams, with several players making an immediate impact on their respective teams. The Raiders, Chiefs, and Bengals all had phenomenal draft classes, selecting a mix of talent and depth. However, not all teams were as fortunate, with the Texans, Lions, and Vikings struggling to find their footing in the draft. Ultimately, the success of each team's draft class will be measured over the course of the season, but one thing is certain – the 2022 NFL Draft will be remembered for its unpredictability and excitement.