The 2022 NFL Draft began with five straight defensive picks Thursday night, the first time since 1991. That 1991 NFL Draft holds the record for most consecutive defensive picks to begin the draft with six. The Carolina Panthers selected offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu with the sixth-overall pick, ending the run of defensive players.

The Jaguars began things by selecting defensive lineman Travon Walker out of Georgia. Aiden Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux were two more defensive lineman selected in the top-five. The other two picks were cornerbacks, as Derek Stingley Jr. and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner went back-to-back with the third and fourth selections.

As a result, star defenders from around the league obviously loved how things shaped up in the first 30 minutes of the draft. Defensive backs Derwin James Jr. and Patrick Surtain II specifically weighed in on the fun.

Ravens corner Marlon Humphrey quoted Surtain's tweet, essentially wanting some respect for defensive players. Marlon, it seems that respect is being delivered now.

Jalen Ramsey joined his fellow former first-rounders in supporting defenders during the 2022 NFL Draft. Ramsey, of course, just played a huge role in winning the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams.

Darius Slay supported his fellow cornerbacks after the selections of Stingley and Gardner.

The 2022 NFL Draft proved to live up to the hype, which included the crazy start to the night. Typically, a quarterback or offensive tackle is taken off the board within the first few picks. That changed this year, and current NFL defensive stars supported their guys in the process.