NFL general managers are always looking for value in the NFL Draft. The 2022 rendition of the event was no exception, but that value was a bit harder to find.
The 2022 NFL Draft was considered a weaker draft. That led to less value in the draft overall, but it also led to more volatile big boards across each team. That, and the plummeting value of quarterbacks in the class, created some solid value picks in the draft's middle rounds.
The Sporting News will break down some of the biggest steals of the draft by looking at where the players were selected compared to the consensus big boards compiled by The Athletic, the NFL Mock Draft Database and pre-draft player grades from ESPN.
Without further ado, here are the best value picks from the 2022 NFL Draft.
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Jets: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Jets
- Round 1, Pick 26
It wouldn't have been all that surprising to see Johnson go with a top-10 pick. He was discussed as a potential option for the Jets with the Nos. 4 and 10 picks while teams like the Falcons and Seahawks also were connected to the Florida State edge defender.
However, Johnson slipped all the way to the late stages of Round 1 despite ranking 11th on both consensus big boards. The Jets took that opportunity to move up and end Johnson's slide.
Johnson had 11 sacks during his lone season at Florida. State after transferring over from the stacked Georgia defense. He should be a great long-term partner for Carl Lawson, who should be at 100 percent as he works his way back from a ruptured Achilles.
Ravens: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
- Round 2, Pick 45
Johnson wasn't the only edge rusher to fall during the 2022 NFL Draft. David Ojabo was once considered a potential top-10 pick, but he slipped all the way to the second round of the draft.
Ojabo's fall was fueled by a torn Achilles that he suffered during his Pro Day in March. He may not be ready to play during the 2022 NFL season, but Ojabo should eventually be a solid starter. He had 11 sacks during his final year at Michigan and was an athletic force on the defensive line.
The Ravens were extremely fortunate to land Ojabo. They need a top-notch pass rusher and Ojabo has the size (6-4, 250 pounds) and athletic ability that they look for on the edge. He could pay off long-term and prove that a team should have taken a chance on him in the first round.
Ravens: Travis Jones, DT, UConn
- Round 3, Pick 76
Baltimore didn't just get a steal in Ojabo. They got one in defensive lineman Travis Jones as well.
Jones was considered by many to be an early-second-round defensive tackle with great size and athleticism. The 6-4, 325-pound nose tackle ran the 40 in 4.92 seconds at the NFL Combine and enjoyed a great week of practice at the Senior Bowl. He recorded 4.5 sacks during his final year at UConn, a good number for an interior defensive lineman.
Jones checked in at 40 and 44 on the consensus big boards and ESPN split the difference, ranking him as the 42nd overall prospect. Jones went about a round later than he should have, so the Ravens got a steal and a potential future starter on the cheap.
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Colts: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
- Round 3, Pick 77
Raimann went one pick after Jones but ranked ahead of him by one spot on each consensus big board. There was some buzz about him sneaking into the first round, but he ultimately lasted until the third round.
Raimann is 6-6, 303 pounds and is a raw, inexperienced tackle. The Austrian only converted to the offensive line in 2020 after not playing football until his high school days. He will need time to learn but has the athletic skills, strength and length needed to eventually become a good starter.
The Colts have developed linemen well in the past, so they are a good fit for Raimann. He only lasted this long because of his lacking experience and some minor medical concerns.
Eagles: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
- Round 3, Pick 83
Dean is probably the best overall value pick in the 2022 NFL Draft in general. Dean was a consensus top-30 prospect who peaked at 16 on notable big boards. He wasn't guaranteed to be a first-round pick, but few thought he would slip outside of the top 50.
Instead, Dean fell all the way to the middle of the third round of the draft. Why? He is a bit undersized at 5-11, 229 pounds and has a checkered injury history. That includes a pec injury that scared some NFL teams away from drafting him.
The Eagles weren't among them. Philadelphia had a big need at linebacker and they took Dean in the hope that he can help to fill that. Dean had 72 tackles, six sacks and two interceptions with the Bulldogs last year and was the heat and soul of their defense. He will bring similar passion and athleticism to the Eagles' defense.
Titans: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
- Round 3, Pick 86
As shocking as Dean's drop was, Willis' was more shocking. He had a wide range on consensus big boards, as he ranked 14th and 28th on consensus big boards while ranking 21st overall on ESPN's top prospects list, but few thought he would get out of the first round. And if he did, he surely wouldn't last long on Day 2.
However, Willis plummeted all the way to No. 86 overall despite reports that the Panthers were considering him at No. 6 overall. He was the third quarterback off the board behind Kenny Pickett (No. 20 overall) and Desmond Ridder (No. 74).
Why did Willis fall? There were reportedly concerns about how long it would take him to adjust to more of a pro-style offense. That, coupled with the weaker quarterback class, deflated Willis' value. The Titans still got a steal; Willis is a dynamic athlete with sky-high upside. He can learn from Ryan Tannehill for a year or two and eventually replace the 33-year-old as the team's starter.
Panthers: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
- Round 3, Pick 94
Willis' fall had a ripple effect and dropped some other quarterbacks down the board. That included Corral, who was considered an early second-round pick and a top-45 prospect on consensus big boards.
Corral ended up lasting until late in Day 2, and the Panthers traded up to get him. Corral finished seventh in Heisman voting in 2021 and totaled 3,349 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 67.9 percent of his passes. He also ran for 614 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Corral could end up being the best quarterback on the Panthers in 2022. He was once considered a potential first-round pick, so he has upside. At the very least, he should be able to take the starting job from Sam Darnold, and that's something that Carolina desperately needed.
BENDER: Why Matt Corral could be the QB steal of the 2022 NFL Draft
Browns: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
- Round 4, Pick 108
Some talent evaluators had Winfrey as a top-50 talent. He came up just short of that on the consensus big boards, checking in at 53 on both, but was still expected to be a second-round pick.
He lasted until the beginning of Day 3, when the Browns quickly scooped him up to add to their defensive line. Winfrey had 5.5 sacks for the Sooners last season and has the athletic ability that teams look for on the interior defensive line. He could start for Cleveland or at least play a key role as a pass-rushing defensive tackle.
Ravens: Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
- Round 4, Pick 110
Death, taxes and the Ravens landing steals in the draft. This is the third time that Baltimore lands on this list, and this steal is their biggest... literally.
Faalele is 6-8, 384 pounds and became the biggest player in the NFL after being drafted. He has elite size and length, and the only question for him is whether he'll be quick enough to deal with faster defenders at the NFL level. He compares favorably to former Ravens tackle Orlando Brown Jr., so perhaps Baltimore can develop Faalele similarly at right tackle.
Either way, Faalale was a top-64 prospect on the consensus big boards. It hardly would have been a surprise to see him go late in the second round or in the third if his value was closer to his ESPN prospect ranking of 84.
Instead, he lasted until the fourth round. Now, the Ravens get a player with a skill you can't teach: size.
Steelers: Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis
- Round 4, Pick 138
The Steelers lost Ray-Ray McCloud during the 2022 offseason, so they needed another speed threat to add to their receiving corps. Austin qualifies as one.
Austin ran the 40-yard dash in 4.32 seconds at 5-8, 170 pounds, and he should be a home-run threat every time he touches the ball. He will likely get a chance to be the fourth receiver in the Pittsburgh offense and should replace McCloud as the return man and speed-threat gadget that keeps opposing defenses off balance.
Austin was considered a top-100 prospect and was frequently mocked as a Day 2 pick. However, it appears that his size concerned teams enough to keep him out of the third round.
Commanders: Sam Howell, QB, UNC
- Round 5, Pick 144
Howell is another quarterback who got pushed down the board by Willis' fall. Howell was expected to be a second-round pick and was ESPN's 50th-ranked prospect. He was among the favorites to be the No. 1 overall pick before he regressed a bit with fewer weapons at his disposal during the 2021 college football season.
Still, Howell had a good arm and is a tough runner who racked up 828 yards and 11 touchdowns during his final season at UNC. He may need time to improve his mechanics, but he should get that with the Commanders behind Carson Wentz. He certainly has starter upside and could become a more mobile version of Baker Mayfield.
NFL DRAFT GRADES: Grading every pick from Rounds 1-3
Seahawks: Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
- Round 5, Pick 153
Woolen is a prototypical Seahawks cornerback. He's big and long at 6-4 with 33 5/8-inch arms and blazed the 40-yard dash in an unthinkable 4.26 seconds. Those tools give him immense upside. He just needs time to develop.
Woolen has only played cornerback for two years after being a receiver early in his career, so he is still learning how to play the position. But if the Seahawks give him that, he could become a unique cornerback who has the size needed to guard big-bodied receivers and the speed needed to be a menace against smaller, faster receivers.
Woolen was ranked 64th and 65th on the consensus big boards and many believed that his upside would see him selected in the first 100 picks. The Seahawks got him at least a round later than they should have — if not, more.
Cowboys: Damone Clark, LB, LSU
- Round 5, Pick 176
Clark was seemingly on his way toward becoming a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft before it was revealed that he would need spinal fusion surgery. That surgery will cause Clark to miss his rookie season and he will have to make a comeback after that.
Despite the injury, Clark's stock stabilized, as he had demonstrated great instincts when he totaled 135 tackles, 5.5 sacks and an interception during his last season at LSU. He was considered an early Day 3 pick and ranked 103 and 109 on the consensus big boards.
Clark's slide may not be too surprising, but the Cowboys' gamble could pay off. If he can get healthy, he could be a top-50 player in this draft.
Packers: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
- Round 5, Pick 179
Enagbare was a consistent producer at South Carolina. He generated seven tackles for loss in each of his last three seasons while totaling 14 sacks during that span. He is well-built at 6-4, 258 pounds and drew Day 2 grades from many draft analysts.
Enagbare rated 75th and 83rd on the two consensus big boards, but the Packers got him nearly 100 picks later than that. He should be a solid rotational pass rusher that can help replace Za'Darius Smith, who was released as a cap casualty during the offseason. And Enagbare has starter potential, so Green Bay did well to land him this late.
