NFL Draft 2022 Recap: Titans, Eagles, Packers, Steelers, Jets Highlight First-Round Picks, Trades

It was a wild and unpredictable first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Multiple marquee NFL wide receivers were traded, and only one quarterback was drafted over the first 32 picks.

Five defensive players were drafted at the top of the first round. The Jacksonville Jaguars made Georgia defensive end Travon Walker the No. 1 overall pick. Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson went second overall to the Detroit Lions. The New York Giants and New York Jets both took a pair of highly touted prospects within the top-10.

Nine trades were made during the first round. The Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens both dealt with their No. 1 receivers. The Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals gave up their first-rounders in exchange for veterans who can help them right away.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the only team that drafted a first-round quarterback. The Green Bay Packers were somewhat surprising with their first-round picks.

Here’s a look at some highlights from the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Eagles trade No. 18 to Titans for AJ Brown

Just a week after Titans General Manager Jon Robinson said he didn’t expect the team to trade its top receiver, Tennessee sent Brown to the Eagles on draft day. Brown agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract with Philadelphia, including $57 million guaranteed. Brown has been a 1,000-yard receiver in two of his three NFL seasons. The Titans used the No. 18 pick on Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks, who essentially becomes Brown’s replacement.

Cardinals trade No. 23 to Ravens for Marquise Brown

The Cardinals also traded their first-rounder for an established receiver, acquiring Marquise “Hollywood” Brown from the Ravens. Although not as productive as AJ Brown, Hollywood Brown is coming off the first 1,000-yard season of his career. Arizona bolsters its receiving corps as Kyler Murray is seemingly unhappy with the organization and seeking a new contract. Baltimore traded the No. 23 pick to the Bills for the No. 25 pick and selected Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum.

Packers draft two non-wide receivers

Green Bay would’ve been a logical candidate to trade for a Pro-Bowl caliber receiver. Not only did the Packers stay away from any trades, they didn’t draft a receiver with either of their two first-rounders. Green Bay selected Georgia linebacker Quay Walker at No. 22 and Georgia defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt at No. 28. After trading Davante Adams early in the offseason, the Packers have left Aaron Rodgers with one of the NFL’s worst receiving corps.

Steelers draft Kenny Pickett at No. 20

Pittsburgh was the first and only team to draft a quarterback in the first round. Pickett remains in Pittsburgh, where he was a Heisman Trophy Finalist in 2021. Pickett is viewed as the most NFL-ready quarterback in this year’s class. The rookie is expected to compete with free-agent signing Mitchell Trubisky for the starting job. The Steelers are trying to establish a new starting quarterback for the first time in 18 years because of Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement.

Giants, Jets draft top prospects

The general consensus appears to be that the Giants and Jets had two of the best performances in the first round. It’s significant, considering the New York teams are tied for the NFL’s worst record over the last five years. The Giants drafted Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5 and Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal at No. 7, both of whom ended the college football season atop many draft boards. After drafting Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner at No. 4 and Ohio State receiver Garrett Wilson at No. 10, the Jets traded up to No. 26 and grabbed Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson.