Todd McShay 2022 NFL Draft Big Board: Hutchinson, Thibodeaux Top Latest Rankings
December 6, 2021
ESPN draft guru Todd McShay released his updated big board for the 2022 NFL draft on Monday, with Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson taking over the top spot in his rankings.
He was followed by the previous No. 1 player, Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton in the top five.
On Hutchinson, McVay wrote that he "plays a powerful game and is truly relentless in pursuit," adding that he has "fast eyes and locates the ball really well. I also like his inside move, and his ability to line up on either side and drop in coverage will be valuable to NFL teams. The senior can stack blockers at the point of attack and has active hands."
That has translated to 14 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a Big Ten title and a berth in the College Football Playoff, where Georgia awaits. He also jumped from No. 5 on McShay's previous big board to the top overall spot.
Hutchinson displaced Thibodeaux, though only by one spot. McShay called the Oregon defensive end a "phenomenal pass-rusher" who gets "a good push on blockers" and "shows solid initial quickness and closing speed."
McShay believes Thibodeaux is versatile and athletic enough to switch to a 3-4 outside linebacker role in the NFL if called upon to do so.
Defensive players dominate McShay's top 10, with only Neal, Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross and Alabama wideout Jameson Williams representing the offensive side of the ball atop his rankings.
From there, however, wideouts litter the list, with Ohio State's Garrett Wilson (11) and Chris Olave (14), USC's Drake London (12), Penn State's Jahan Dotson (20) and Arkansas Treylon Burks (27) joining Williams in the top 32.
As for quarterbacks, Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett (15) is the top-ranked player at the position according to McShay, followed by Ole Miss' Matt Corral (16), Cincinnati's Ahmad Gardner (21) and Liberty's Malik Willis (24). For quarterback-needy teams drafting in the top 10, selecting a quarterback that early will likely be considered a reach.