Busts in the 2022 NFL Draft
By: Jake Rajala
The 2022 NFL Draft felt like a century ago. The stars and busts are coming more clear. With that said, I’m going to take a unique angle by untwining whether each pick in the Top-10 is a bust or not. Let’s begin.
1. Travon Walker
Travon Walker may have not hit the ground running like Aidan Hutchinson. However, he unleashed 10.5 sacks in 2024 and 10 in 2023.
Not a bust.
2. Aidan Hutchinson.
Hutch was leading the league in sacks until he tore his ACL. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2023.
Not a bust.
3. Derek Stingley Jr.
Stingley Jr. recorded five ints last season and five ints in 2023. He also had 10 pass breakups last season.
Not a bust.
4. Sauce Gardner
He made first-team All-Pro in 2022 and 2023. He took a minor step back last season. I still believe he can be the next Darrelle Revis for Jets fans.
Not a bust.
5. Kavyon Thibodeaux
Kavyon had a stellar 2023 season where he unleashed 11.5 sacks. However, he only had 5.5 sacks last season and four as a rookie. He also couldn’t hold back the Giants from drafting the edge rusher Abdul Carter.
A bust.
6. Ikem Ekwonu
Ikem has slightly underperformed thus far. He had a 66.2 pass blocking grade last season, which is scary given they have a 5’10 project at QB.
A bust.
7. Evan Neal
Evan Neal is the second straight tackle to struggle. PFF handed him a grade of 61.2. He is partially to blame for Daniel Jones’s mistakes.
A bust.
8. Drake London
I love Drake London, who deserved to be the first WR selected. He recorded 1,271 yards and 100 catches last season. He did a lot of this with Kirk Cousins, too.
Not a bust.
9. Charles Cross
Finally, a tackle that plays like a Top-10 pick. Cross had a PFF grade of 82.5 last season, which was 10th among tackles.
Not a bust.
10. Garrett Wilson
Garrett Wilson is on the same par with Chris Olave, who was taken one step behind him. Wilson needs a quality QB to take him over the hump.
Not a bust.
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