Live 2022 NFL Draft Grades: Round 2

These Live 2022 NFL Draft Grades will be posted minutes after each pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Follow @walterfootball for updates.

2022 NFL Draft Grades - Round: Picks 1-16 | Picks 17-32 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | NFL Draft Team Grades

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Logan Hall, DE/DT, Houston – A- Grade
This pick makes so much sense for the Buccaneers. Ndamukong Suh is gone, and even he re-signs, he’s a shell of his former self. The Buccaneers need a young presence up front next to Vita Vea. I slotted Hall to the Buccaneers at No. 27 in my mock draft, so I like this value after Tampa Bay traded down.

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Green Bay Packers: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State – A Grade
Why are the Vikings giving talented receivers to other teams in their division? Christian Watson is a nice bargain at No. 34, as I expected him to go in the first round, potentially as high as No. 22. Aaron Rodgers has to be thrilled with his new, extremely talented wideout.
Tennessee Titans: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn – B- Grade
No Malik Willis for the Titans, which has to disappoint the Tennessee fans. It’s a shame, as they’ll have to continue to endure Ryan Tannehill’s mediocrity. Roger McCreary is a solid pick, and I thought he had a chance to be chosen in the middle of the second round. This is a bit early for him, but it’s fine.
New York Jets: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State – A Grade
The Jets are having a terrific draft. They had a need at running back, as Michael Carter can’t be a full-time back. Breece Hall will be a terrific weapon for Zach Wilson, both as a runner and a receiver out of the backfield. The Jets traded up for him, but had to do so because the Texans easily could’ve chosen Hall.
Houston Texans: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor – B- Grade
The Texans addressed the secondary yet again, which isn’t a surprise because they had such a need in that area. Jalen Pitre is a solid pick here, as I thought he would possibly go in the middle of the second frame. He had a solid combine, and that really helped his draft stock.
Atlanta Falcons: Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State – C Grade
I like Arnold Ebiketie as an athletic pass rusher, and he certainly fills a huge need for the Falcons, who registered only 18 sacks last year. However, why did Atlanta surrender a significant resource for this? There were plenty of talented edge rushers available, so this was not necessary.
Chicago Bears: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington – C+ Grade
I’d like Kyler Gordon here if he didn’t have some major character issues. Some teams removed Gordon from their draft board. Gordon will be a good player and fill a big need for the Bears if he stays focused on football, but it’s unclear if that’ll happen.
Seattle Seahawks: Boye Mafe, DE, Minnesota – B Grade
Teams were torn on Boye Mafe. Some believed he would go in the first round, while others thought he was a vanilla day-two left end. It looks like Mafe fell somewhere in between. I imagine he’ll help the Seahawks’ horrible pass rush, which sorely needed to be upgraded.
Seattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State – B+ Grade
I’m torn on this pick. I love Kenneth Walker, as his balance and run-after-contract ability is off the charts. He’s my top running back. However, the Seahawks could’ve addressed their huge hole at quarterback and failed to do so with their two selections. They could have taken another running back later on Day 2. Still, I don’t hate this pick because Walker was one of my favorite players in this range.
Minnesota Vikings: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson – A Grade
The Vikings needed someone to cover all the talented receivers they gave to their divisional foes. Andrew Booth is whom I mocked to Minnesota at No. 34 in my re-draft, so I love this value. Booth could’ve gone at No. 25, so this is a stellar pick.
New York Giants: Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky – B Grade
So, does this mean the Giants are trading Kadarius Toney? Wan’Dale Robinson is a small, but explosive receiver. The position was not really a need unless the Giants were going to jettison Toney, but New York is getting a talented player with upside with this pick, so it’s a solid move.
Houston Texans: John Metchie, WR, Alabama – D Grade
I like John Metchie just fine, but he should have gone about a round later than this. He’s an injured receiver, yet didn’t drop at all for some reason because this may have been his natural range. I don’t know why the Texans traded up for him with some talented receivers still on the board. It’s a typical Houston maneuver to not understand draft value at all.
Baltimore Ravens: David Ojabo, DE, Michigan – A+ Grade
I don’t understand why David Ojabo fell so far. He tore his Achilles, but he’ll be 100 percent by 2023. He should have gone late in the first round, and he would’ve been a top-10 pick had he been completely healthy. This is a terrific value, and it’s my favorite pick thus far in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Detroit Lions: Josh Paschal, DE, Kentucky – C Grade
I don’t hate this pick, but I think it could’ve been better. The Lions already addressed their edge rush with Aidan Hutchinson, and I thought Josh Paschal would go toward the end of the second round, so I don’t love this value. There were better players available who filled bigger needs.
Washington Redskins: Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama – C Grade
I’m not crazy about this pick, as it offers medium value and no filled need. The Redskins had to find defensive line depth at some point because they lost Matt Ioannidis, but they could’ve have addressed the position later. They have major problems in the secondary that weren’t filled. Phidarian Mathis has nice upside, and he’s yet another Alabama player, but this is just meh.
Chicago Bears: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State – C- Grade
The Bears are setting up Justin Fields for failure by not addressing the receiver position. I like Jaquan Brisker in this range as an instinctive safety, but not finding a receiver may ruin Fields. That will definitely factor into this grade.
New Orleans Saints: Alontae Taylor, CB/S, Tennessee – B Grade
It’s a bit disappointing to see the Saints pass on a quarterback, but Alontae Taylor is a solid prospect who will fill a big need in the secondary. The only question is where, as Taylor is versatile enough to play corner and safety. I had him going around this range in my mock draft.
New England Patriots: Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor – MILLEN Grade
I’m convinced Bill Belichick is on drugs. He spent a first-round pick on a third-round guard, and now he traded up for a fifth-round prospect in the second frame. Belichick could’ve traded down for Thornton and still acquired him! I don’t understand what’s happening, but if Belichick keeps making these horrible picks, I’m going to have to re-name MILLEN to BELICHICK.
Philadelphia Eagles: Cam Jurgens, C, Nebraska – B Grade
The Eagles lost Brandon Brooks to retirement this offseason, so they needed another interior lineman. Philadelphia fans will be upset this pick wasn’t used on a linebacker, but Jurgens is a solid player who fills a need.
Pittsburgh Steelers: George Pickens, WR, Georgia – A- Grade
I have to wonder how Kenny Pickett will have any sort of time in the pocket. Receiver wasn’t a big need for the Steelers, but they lost JuJu Smith-Schuster this offseason, so I understand it. Pickens is a top 15-caliber talent, but some major character issues have sunk him. He’s a great value here, so I like this pick.
Indianapolis Colts: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati – A- Grade
Alec Pierce fits what the Colts look for in receivers, as far as height and athleticism is concerned. This pick is no surprise, given that T.Y. Hilton is on his way out. Pierce is a solid value here, as he easily could’ve gone a bit earlier than this.
Kansas City Chiefs: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan – A Grade
I saw that some had Skyy Moore in the first round. That was a bit rich to me, save for one update when I was stuck on Tennessee’s pick, but Moore seemed destined to go in the top half of the second round. This is good value for him, and he obviously fills a need vacated by Tyreek Hill in the trade with Miami. I love this pick, especially because the Chiefs traded down to take Moore.
Arizona Cardinals: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State – D Grade
I don’t understand this pick. The Cardinals just re-signed Zach Ertz and Maxx Williams. Tight end was not a need at all, so why are the Cardinals using a premium pick on a tight end. Plus, it’s not like Trey McBride provides great value, or anything. This is probably his natural range. Offensive line and edge-rushing help would’ve been better.
Dallas Cowboys: Sam Williams, DE, Ole Miss – A- Grade
This is going to sound familiar. The Cowboys just drafted a talented front-seven player with character issues. They’ve done this many times, and Sam Williams is the latest such selection. Edge rush was a big need, and Williams will fill it well, provided he can stay out of trouble.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Luke Goedeke, G/OT, Central Michigan – B+ Grade
Luke Goedeke is a versatile offensive lineman I’ve had in the late two/early three range, so this is a logical place to draft him. More importantly, the Buccaneers are filling a big need. They lost two guards this offseason, but filled just one spot with Shaq Mason. This addresses the other void.
Atlanta Falcons: Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State – C Grade
This is a bit too rich for Troy Andersen, who seemed likely to go in the third or fourth round. This isn’t a Tyquan Thornton-type reach though, so I don’t hate this pick. Andersen is very athletic and should be able to be a solid player in Atlanta’s miserable defense. Where’s the quarterback pick though?
Minnesota Vikings: Ed Ingram, G, LSU – A- Grade
I mocked Ed Ingram to the Vikings at No. 46, so I like this pick. Ingram is a tough run blocker with good athleticism. He’ll fill a big need for Minnesota’s miserable offensive line. Kirk Cousins’ pass protection absolutely had to improve, and Ingram will make that happen.
Cincinnati Bengals: Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska – B+ Grade
The range is exact for Cam Taylor-Britt. I mocked him 60th, but to the Buccaneers. He makes sense for the Bengals as well. Cincinnati brought in so many cornerbacks for top-30 visits because the position was such a weakness. Taylor-Britt, the last of the remaining second-round cornerbacks, should provide an upgrade.
San Francisco 49ers: Drake Jackson, DE, USC – B+ Grade
It’s not a surprise that the 49ers are addressing their pass rush, given how much Dee Ford has fallen off in recent years. Jackson is a solid prospect and I mocked him to the 49ers in my re-draft at this spot, so I like this selection.
Kansas City Chiefs: Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati – C Grade
I’m not a huge fan of this pick. Bryan Cook is an instinctive safety, so he should be able to play right away and fill in for Tyrann Mathieu, but I think this is a bit rich for him. I had him late three/early four. This isn’t a huge reach, but the Chiefs could have done better.
Buffalo Bills: James Cook, RB, Georgia – B Grade
It’s no surprise that the Bills just drafted a running back. They brought in a decent number for top-30 visits, as they wanted someone better than Zack Moss to pair with Devin Singletary. This running back needed to be a stellar receiver out of the backfield, and that’s exactly what James Cook is. I would’ve taken him a bit later, but this isn’t much of a reach.
Denver Broncos: Nik Bonitto, DE/OLB, Oklahoma – B+ Grade
Nik “Casa” Bonitto is a bit of a tweener, but he’s an explosive edge rusher. The Broncos signed Randy Gregory, but they can’t count on him to be a long-term player across from Bradley Chubb. Bonitto could be that guy.