The NFL Scouting Combine provides a key opportunity for prospects to bolster their draft stock, and there were a number of notable players who did just that this past weekend.
Before we get to free agency, which will shake things up next week, here's another look at first-round projections for the 2022 NFL Draft with the combine in the books.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Neal didn't participate in combine drills, perhaps because he doesn't really have anything left to prove. He's got a rock-solid case to be the No. 1 pick, and the Jaguars need a blue-chip player up front.
2. Detroit Lions - Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Nothing changes here. No quarterbacks are worthy of this pick, so the Lions turn to the most valuable spot on the defensive side of the ball. That Hutchinson is an in-state star is just a bonus.
3. Houston Texans - Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Surprise! Walker was already going to go much higher than people were expecting, and an incredible combine performance has only pushed his stock to greater heights. The Texans get a difference-maker in the Georgia standout, who may even be challenging Hutchinson for the No. 2 spot by the time we get to draft day.
4. New York Jets - Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The Jets would have to be thrilled to land Thibodeaux, who's on the board longer than expected due to the quality of pass-rushers in this draft. Adding the Oregon product to an already talented front gives Robert Saleh the pass-rush foundation he needs defensively.
5. New York Giants - Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
If the Giants' offense is going to succeed, regardless of who's at quarterback, the offensive line needs a makeover. Ekwonu, who may quietly be making a case to go No. 1 overall, provides a major upgrade to that group.
6. Carolina Panthers - Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
This quarterback class isn't spectacular by any means - it wouldn't be a surprise to see a passer not selected until later in the first - but the Panthers can't keep messing around. You won't find yourself a franchise quarterback unless you take a shot, and Willis' tools make him as good a bet as any to become a franchise-caliber player.
7. Giants (via CHI) - Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Coming away from the first round with a top offensive tackle and the draft's most talented cornerback would have to be considered a home run for the Giants. Stingley's stock may not seem as hot as it was coming off his unbelievable freshman season, but don't let recency bias fool you - he's got shutdown potential at the next level.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The Falcons take advantage of the fact that top safeties tend to fall further than they should. Hamilton is considered by many to be one of the draft's best players. The Notre Dame standout joins A.J. Terrell as another young star on Atlanta's back end.
9. Denver Broncos - Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
This pick assumes the Broncos don't land Aaron Rodgers or any other elite veteran quarterback this offseason. Much like the Panthers, the potential payoff outweighs the risk of reaching in this spot. Pickett gives new coach Nathaniel Hackett an intriguing passer to build his offense around.
10. Jets (via SEA) - Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Landing premium defensive talents up front and in the secondary would be a heck of a haul for the Jets with their pair of top-10 picks. Gardner immediately steps in as New York's No. 1 cover man, giving the defense its most talented cornerback since Darrelle Revis.
11. Washington Commanders - Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
If the Commanders can't pry a veteran quarterback away from one of the countless teams they've called, they may be forced to address that spot here. Reaching isn't ideal, but Washington can't go into another season with that position weighing down an otherwise talented roster. Howell could change that dynamic.
12. Minnesota Vikings - George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
With the top two corners off the board, the Vikings turn to another of their most glaring defensive needs. Karlaftis, whose athleticism was on full display at the combine, would be an important addition with Danielle Hunter's future in Minnesota unclear.
13. Cleveland Browns - Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Davis stole the show in Indianapolis, posting a ridiculous 4.78-second 40 time at 341 pounds. Human beings who are that big aren't supposed to move like that. Say what you will about drafting a run-stuffer this early, but the Browns need that kind of presence in the middle. And if his freak athleticism hints at even a little bit of untapped pass-rush potential, watch out.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Penning quietly helped himself as much as any other player at the combine, showcasing an elite athletic profile to complement his physical play style. He just may be the ideal pick to bolster the offensive line in Baltimore.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) - David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
With Derek Barnett headed for free agency and Brandon Graham turning 34 in April, it's fair to assume the Eagles will dip into this talented edge rush class with one of their three first-round picks. The athleticism that gives Ojabo such a high ceiling was on full display at the combine.
16. Eagles (via IND) - Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Dean didn't participate in combine drills, but there probably wasn't a whole lot for him to gain anyway. Likely one of the safer picks in this draft, the Georgia star addresses an obvious need and gives the Eagles a leader in the middle of the defense for years to come.
17. Los Angeles Chargers - Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
First-round tackles two years in a row? Not a bad idea when priority No. 1 is protecting your future MVP-candidate quarterback. In this scenario, the Chargers use their significant cap space to upgrade the defensive side of the ball in free agency, ideally at corner and defensive tackle, before landing Cross to line up across from stud left tackle Rashawn Slater.
18. New Orleans Saints - Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Saints could go quarterback here, but let's go ahead and wager a guess they'll land a veteran passer this offseason, be it Jameis Winston or someone else. The perfect follow-up to such a move would be making a much-needed addition to the receiver room, and Wilson is ready to contribute right away.
19. Eagles - Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Cine's outstanding display at the combine, highlighted by a 4.37-second 40, confirmed he has the athleticism to match everything he'd already put on tape for NFL teams. He should now be firmly in the first-round conversation if he wasn't already, and the Eagles are one of many teams who could use a presence like him on the back end.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The board couldn't have fallen much better for the Steelers in this situation. Upgrading the interior offensive line is crucial for Pittsburgh this offseason, and Linderbaum is a pro-ready center who could anchor that group for the next decade.
21. New England Patriots - Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
As the Patriots look to further the development of Mac Jones - a quarterback who'll do his best work in the short-intermediate levels of the field - Burks is an ideal player to bolster the receiver group. The Arkansas product is the rare big-bodied target who can make things happen after the catch.
22. Las Vegas Raiders - Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Wyatt becomes the fifth(!) Georgia defender off the board in the first round as the Raiders take care of a pressing need up front. With Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue locking down the edge, Wyatt is the kind of disruptive interior presence who can take Las Vegas' pass rush to another level.
23. Arizona Cardinals - Jermaine Johnson III, EDGE, Florida State
With Chandler Jones seemingly poised to sign somewhere else in free agency, Arizona has a significant void to fill on the edge. Johnson steps in as an impact three-down replacement from Day 1.
24. Dallas Cowboys - Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Finding a playmaking safety will be the key to the Cowboys' defense taking another step forward next season. Hill would presumably take a deep coverage role in Dan Quinn's system, but he also has the versatility to rotate down and play in the slot. There isn't much he can't do.
25. Buffalo Bills - Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
McDuffie should've been long gone by this point, but a bit of a slide seems possible considering his lack of length. A contending team would be thrilled to see such a talented cover man on the board this late, though. In this case, it's the Bills scooping up a long-term running mate for Tre'Davious White.
26. Tennessee Titans - Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
The Titans' offensive line must improve and get younger if the running game is to remain the foundation of their offense. Plugging Green in as a starter at guard is a positive step in that regard.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College
Not only do the Bucs head into the offseason looking for a new quarterback, but with Ali Marpet retiring and Ryan Jensen and Alex Cappa heading for free agency, they may also be forced to overhaul the interior offensive line. Johnson could spearhead a new-look group up front.
28. Green Bay Packers - Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Adding another receiver should be a priority regardless of whether Aaron Rodgers is back, but especially so if the Packers are looking to make another run with their legendary quarterback. Olave's ability to stretch the field would be a fantastic complement to Davante Adams.
29. Miami Dolphins (via SF) - Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Lloyd's combine performance was somewhat underwhelming. Combine that with his position's perceived value, and we've got him falling further than most. But that just means the Dolphins come away with a potential steal in a three-down linebacker who can be a difference-maker in coverage.
30. Kansas City Chiefs - Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
This seems like a logical range for Williams, considering he's recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in the national championship game. However, it's safe to assume the rest of the NFL would quickly regret letting him fall to the Chiefs. Kansas City can afford to be patient, knowing that when Williams gets healthy, his explosiveness and downfield playmaking ability would be perfect for this offense.
31. Cincinnati Bengals - Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Offensive line will be a popular projection here, but with so much cap space at their disposal, the Bengals should be adding multiple free agents to that group. Provided they can do so, landing an athletic cover man like Booth would be a nice way of rounding out the cornerback spot along with Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton.
32. Lions (via LAR) - Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
The buzz around Ridder seems to have picked up steam at the combine after he showed off his athleticism with a position-best 40 time of 4.52. Detroit would probably plan to have him sit behind Jared Goff for a year or so, but this is a worthy swing on a talented passer with plenty of upside.
