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The first round of the 2022 NFL Draft is now behind us and what a night it was. Picks were flying off the board, especially early. There were numerous trades throughout the evening. Some teams likely came away ecstatic while others left might be second guessing their selection. But this isn't the NBA Draft. There is still a ton of talent left to be drafted, with a number of standout players still left on the board.
So, not all is lost for the teams that didn't have the best night Thursday. But don't get it twisted, there were some great value picks and steals last night.
For insight on the biggest winners and losers from the 1st round of the 2022 NFL Draft, listen below:
We reveal the five biggest steals from the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
2022 NFL Draft First Round Steals
1. New York Giants – Evan Neal OT – 7th Overall Pick
The New York Giants entered the draft with the fifth and seventh overall picks. That's some serious draft capital, and they hit two home runs. With their fifth overall pick, the Giants drafted Kayvon Thibodeaux, the incredibly athletic edge rusher out of Oregon. He is a great pick. The only reason he is not on this list is because that is about where he should be drafted.
With their seventh overall pick in the NFL Draft, the Giants drafted offensive tackle Evan Neal. Neal, I believe is capable of being the best player from this draft. Neal played both tackle positions and the guard position during his college career at Alabama. He is a pancake-blocking offensive tackle that is utterly dominant in run blocking.
The #Giants have always looked hard at tackle, and that’s exactly what they do at No. 7: Alabama OT Evan Neal is the pick. Neal recorded double-digit starts at LT, RT and LG at Alabama. Perfect fit.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) April 29, 2022
The Giants have had one of the worst offensive lines the last couple years. So, this was obviously a big need for them. But part of the reason why this is a steal is a simple fact. We have been reminded in recent Super Bowls how important protecting a quarterback is. Just ask Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. That's why in most NFL Draft's, elite offensive tackles go in the top three almost every year. For the Giants to get a guy seventh overall who has spent his career blocking SEC defenses and is arguably the best at the position in the country, that's a steal.
2. Philadelphia Eagles – Jordan Davis DT – 13th Overall Pick
Everyone knows that the NFL has become a pass happy league. The quarterback position is arguably the most important in all of sports. But if you pay attention, when the playoffs come around, the ability to run the ball and stop the run is still extremely important.
The Philadelphia Eagles with the 13th overall pick drafted defensive tackle Jordan Davis out of Georgia. If you watched Georgia play last year, it would have been impossible not to notice Davis. He is by far the best and most accomplished defensive tackle in the NFL Draft this year. Fletcher Cox is getting old and eventually need to be replaced. Until then, Davis and Cox will play together and the Georgia prospect can learn from one of the game's best.
Drafting the best run stopper in college football with the 13th pick sounds like a steal to me.
3. Tennessee Titans – Treylon Burks WR – 18th Overall Pick
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I can understand why Tennessee Titans fans were shocked and appalled when A.J. Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. I can. But it became apparent to them that they were not going to be able to re-sign the Pro Bowl receiver. Knowing that was the case, they got what they could for him on the fly.
With the first-round pick that they got for Brown, they drafted wide receiver Treylon Burks. Burks was heavily compared to Brown by many NFL Draft analysts. Burks is a big receiver who is physical at the line of scrimmage. He used his hands well to create separation and can turn simple screen passes into touchdowns.
You can do a lot worse than asking Arkansas WR Treylon Burks to replace AJ Brown. He's an after-the-catch monster.
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) April 29, 2022
Part of the reason I consider this a steal is where he was drafted at his position. I would not at all be shocked if the Arkansas prospect ends up the best receiver in this NFL Draft class. Yet, he was the sixth wide receiver off the board Thursday night. He consistently beat SEC cornerbacks. For me, who you play against is weighted heavily and he showed in college he can beat the best.
4. Baltimore Ravens – Tyler Linderbaum C – 25th Overall Pick
The Baltimore Ravens continue to draft really well. They also develop well, which makes this pick even greater. With the 25th overall pick, the Ravens landed the best center in the draft in Tyler Linderbaum. But he isn't just the best center in this NFL Draft, he is considered possibly highest prospect at center in almost a decade.
That alone makes this a great pick. But also, Linderbaum provides flexibility. He is capable of moving out to guard, if needed. In a Baltimore offense where the ability to get off the snap quickly is essential, Linderbaum is the perfect fit.
5. Cincinnati Bengals – Daxton Hill S – 31st Overall Pick
The Cincinnati Bengals entered this offseason knowing they had two serious areas of need. They had to rebuild their offensive line, which they did incredibly well. They also needed to address their secondary. The Bengals took a big step in that direction in the first round of the NFL Draft, selecting safety Daxton Hill 31st overall. Hill is also apparently excited to be joining the Bengals.
WHOOO DEYYYY!!! Proud to be apart of the @Bengals family🙏🏽
— Dax Hill (@daxhill5) April 29, 2022
Hill received a much higher grade than where he was drafted. ESPN had Hill as the 18th best player in this year's NFL Draft. He has great instincts on the football field, and can play both strong and free safety. Knowing how often Cincinnati plays nickel and dime coverages, Hill should see the field a ton as a rookie. This was a great pick, not just for fit, but for value as well.
