2022 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions top first-round targets
Edge Rushers
The 2022 NFL Draft edge rusher class might be the deepest group of all the positions. There are so many good names worth mentioning, but at the top, there is one that stands alone: Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux is an absolute game wrecker with an all-around game. To start, Thibodeaux has next-level burst that allows him to engage with offensive tackles in a split second. After he gets off the snap, he can beat you with speed up the arc, counter back inside or convert his speed to power and bull rush you back into the quarterback’s lap. If the Lions draft Kayvon Thibodeaux with the first overall pick, there should not be a single person who complains.
At the back end of the first round, the edge rusher that stands out is Drake Jackson from USC. Jackson is an athletically gifted edge rusher who excels when he can beat you with speed. He can stand to add some power to his game, but the upside is undeniable.
Next. NFL Draft: 3 breakout candidates ahead of the 2021 College Football season. dark
He will need to work on his run defending and getting off of blocks, but this type of athleticism is important in edge rushers. We’ve seen how Odafe Oweh has played in Baltimore, and that is all thanks to his athleticism. London does not have the same gifts as Oweh, but the athletic ability of London cannot be overlooked.