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The 2022 NFL Draft is fast approaching. With so much focus on the first 10 picks, it's easy to forget about the later parts of the much-anticipated event on Thursday. There are plenty of players who could be selected in the first round, including some unheralded guys who could be great contributors.
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3 Best Sleepers of the 1st round in 2022 NFL Draft
3. Christian Watson – Wide receiver
Watson is one of the most explosive players in this draft class. He had an exceptional NFL Combine, running a 4.36 40-yard dash while standing 6'4″, 208 pounds. His measurements in other workouts were also top-tier. Teams have shown that they love the height-weight-speed combination in the past years, and Watson fits that perfectly.
The North Dakota State standout showed solid hands and decent route running throughout his college career, which should make teams more willing to gamble on his athleticism. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Watson sneak his way into the first round to a team like the Detroit Lions or the Kansas City Chiefs.
2. Sam Howell – Quarterback
This is one of the weakest quarterback classes in years, with only a couple of signal-callers expected to go in the first round of the NFL Draft. Howell could add to that number. At the start of the college football season, he was considered the best overall quarterback prospect. A down season didn't help his stock much, but there will be a team willing to take a chance on the University of North Carolina product. He's one of the more athletic passers in this batch, as he consistently used his legs effectively throughout his college career. Howell's ability to push the ball down the field should appeal to plenty of offensive coordinators around the league as well.
It helps that teams have shown a willingness to move up for quarterbacks. If that trend continues, Howell will be a prime target. He should be available at the end of the first round, which could inspire quarterback-needy teams to jump up a couple of picks and get their guy. It wouldn't be a surprise to see a team like the Seattle Seahawks trade up and make Howell a first-rounder.
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1. Trevor Penning – Offensive tackle
Penning is a wildly talented man who plays a premier position. That means that there's a strong chance he's selected late in the first round on Thursday. The Northern Iowa product has all the physical traits to be an elite left tackle, as he stands at 6'7″ while weighing in at 325 pounds.
While Penning did play against mediocre competition in college, his tape is outstanding. His physicality in the run game is unmatched, and he's more than capable as a pass protector. He will need to refine his pass-blocking in the NFL but that won't stop a team from taking a flier on him at the end of the first round.
