1) Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
There’s never been any doubt who the top defensive end in the 2022 NFL Draft is. It’s Kayvon Thibodeaux — case closed. Among our panel of analysts, Thibodeaux received two votes as the best player in the entire class (Kyle Hamilton received one vote). NFL mock drafts constantly list Thibodeaux in the top three, and that’s no accident. He has extremely rare ability as a defensive lineman.
2) George Karlaftis, Purdue
As mentioned above, George Karlaftis barely edged out Hutchinson for the No. 2 spot on our list of top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Hutchinson vs. Karlaftis debate is a legitimate toss-up, and it boils down to schematic preference. But if you’re betting on Karlaftis, you’re betting on a player who has an elite trait to build around. That elite trait, for Karlaftis, is his power.
3) Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
It was a close race between George Karlaftis and Aidan Hutchinson for the second spot on our list of top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. In the end, however, Hutchinson was just edged out by Karlaftis. Karlaftis earned an average ranking of 9.67 from our panel of analysts, while Hutchinson earned an average ranking of 11.67. I, personally, preferred the Michigan edge defender.
4) Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
Throughout the summer scouting process, one of the top 2022 NFL Draft defensive ends who stood out the most was Cincinnati’s Myjai Sanders. Listed at 6’5″, 258 pounds, I was inspired by Sanders’ amalgamation of traits. The Cincinnati edge defender has great length, but he’s also incredibly explosive off the line — both due to natural explosiveness and adept snap anticipation.
5) Zach Harrison, Ohio State
All things considered, this is a disappointment for Zach Harrison. Harrison — who was a five-star recruit out of high school and at one point logged a 4.47 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical — is only ranked fifth among edge rushers in the 2022 NFL Draft. While his physical upside is immense, he hasn’t visibly improved his stock this year.
6) Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
Players transfer for different reasons. But the underlying cause is often a need for a change of scenery. A year ago, Jermaine Johnson II was buried in a deep edge rotation at Georgia. He transferred to Florida State, where opportunity was more plentiful. And now, he’s reaping the benefits of that decision.
7) Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s struggles on defense are perplexing because the Sooners have a lot of next-level talent — especially on the defensive line. Perrion Winfrey and Nik Bonitto perhaps have more name recognition, but Isaiah Thomas holds his weight next to them. Thomas has quietly risen as a quality defensive catalyst for the Sooners, with 3.5 sacks, 6.5 TFL, and 2 forced fumbles in eight contests.
8) Sam Williams, Ole Miss
Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. is the SEC’s sack leader with 8.5 quarterback takedowns. Who’s next in the conference after him? If you guessed Ole Miss’ Sam Williams, you’d be correct. Through seven games, Williams has 7.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
9) Ali Gaye, LSU
Upside is especially abundant in this group of top 2022 NFL Draft defensive ends, and that’s particularly evident in the evaluation of LSU DE Ali Gaye. Gaye’s projection factors in more upside than most. The Tigers defender played fewer than two full seasons for LSU before recently undergoing season-ending surgery. His injury was first reported to be a mere stinger, but it ultimately proved to be more serious.
10) David Ojabo, Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines could legitimately have two first-round edge rushers in the 2022 NFL Draft when it’s all said and done. The consensus might not view him as one of the 2022 NFL Draft cycle’s top defensive ends, but David Ojabo has the talent to get there. And he’s quickly rising up big boards with his play this fall.
There’s never been any doubt who the top defensive end in the 2022 NFL Draft is. It’s Kayvon Thibodeaux — case closed. Among our panel of analysts, Thibodeaux received two votes as the best player in the entire class (Kyle Hamilton received one vote). NFL mock drafts constantly list Thibodeaux in the top three, and that’s no accident. He has extremely rare ability as a defensive lineman.
2) George Karlaftis, Purdue
As mentioned above, George Karlaftis barely edged out Hutchinson for the No. 2 spot on our list of top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Hutchinson vs. Karlaftis debate is a legitimate toss-up, and it boils down to schematic preference. But if you’re betting on Karlaftis, you’re betting on a player who has an elite trait to build around. That elite trait, for Karlaftis, is his power.
3) Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
It was a close race between George Karlaftis and Aidan Hutchinson for the second spot on our list of top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. In the end, however, Hutchinson was just edged out by Karlaftis. Karlaftis earned an average ranking of 9.67 from our panel of analysts, while Hutchinson earned an average ranking of 11.67. I, personally, preferred the Michigan edge defender.
4) Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
Throughout the summer scouting process, one of the top 2022 NFL Draft defensive ends who stood out the most was Cincinnati’s Myjai Sanders. Listed at 6’5″, 258 pounds, I was inspired by Sanders’ amalgamation of traits. The Cincinnati edge defender has great length, but he’s also incredibly explosive off the line — both due to natural explosiveness and adept snap anticipation.
5) Zach Harrison, Ohio State
All things considered, this is a disappointment for Zach Harrison. Harrison — who was a five-star recruit out of high school and at one point logged a 4.47 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical — is only ranked fifth among edge rushers in the 2022 NFL Draft. While his physical upside is immense, he hasn’t visibly improved his stock this year.
6) Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
Players transfer for different reasons. But the underlying cause is often a need for a change of scenery. A year ago, Jermaine Johnson II was buried in a deep edge rotation at Georgia. He transferred to Florida State, where opportunity was more plentiful. And now, he’s reaping the benefits of that decision.
7) Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s struggles on defense are perplexing because the Sooners have a lot of next-level talent — especially on the defensive line. Perrion Winfrey and Nik Bonitto perhaps have more name recognition, but Isaiah Thomas holds his weight next to them. Thomas has quietly risen as a quality defensive catalyst for the Sooners, with 3.5 sacks, 6.5 TFL, and 2 forced fumbles in eight contests.
8) Sam Williams, Ole Miss
Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. is the SEC’s sack leader with 8.5 quarterback takedowns. Who’s next in the conference after him? If you guessed Ole Miss’ Sam Williams, you’d be correct. Through seven games, Williams has 7.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, a pass deflection, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
9) Ali Gaye, LSU
Upside is especially abundant in this group of top 2022 NFL Draft defensive ends, and that’s particularly evident in the evaluation of LSU DE Ali Gaye. Gaye’s projection factors in more upside than most. The Tigers defender played fewer than two full seasons for LSU before recently undergoing season-ending surgery. His injury was first reported to be a mere stinger, but it ultimately proved to be more serious.
10) David Ojabo, Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines could legitimately have two first-round edge rushers in the 2022 NFL Draft when it’s all said and done. The consensus might not view him as one of the 2022 NFL Draft cycle’s top defensive ends, but David Ojabo has the talent to get there. And he’s quickly rising up big boards with his play this fall.