The 2022 NFL Draft is only a few days away, and everyone is excited about the first round. While players like Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE), Malik Willis (QB), Ahmad Gardner (DB), and Kyle Hamilton (DB) highlight the first round, NFL teams will find impact players later in the draft. Which mid-round picks will turn into impact players this year? Here are five of my favorite sleepers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
This year’s draft class is loaded with talented wide receivers. There could be as many as seven taken in the first round. However, don’t discount the depth this year. There will be several second, third, and fourth-round wide receivers that can make an impact in the NFL. At the top of that list is Pierce. He played a critical role in Cincinnati’s run to the College Football Playoffs last year. His ability to run routes on all three levels is valuable. More importantly, Pierce is an excellent deep-ball threat. Last year he and Desmond Ridder (QB) connected on several downfield plays. Some scouts think Pierce has Jordy Nelson-like skills built into his game. Imagine how great Pierce would be in Green Bay with Aaron Rodgers (QB – GB).
Colorado State’s Trey McBride (TE) is the consensus top tight end in this draft class. While it’s unlikely he will be a first-round pick, McBride won’t last very long on Day 2. After him, opinions are scattered on who is the No. 2 tight end in the draft class. Dulcich isn’t the fastest or the flashiest on the field, but he is very reliable. UCLA repeatedly targeted him in the middle of the field on third and fourth downs. Dulcich was the go-to guy when UCLA needed a play regardless of the defensive coverage. While his athletic testing numbers don’t jump off the page, Dulcich is underrated after the catch. He will be a young quarterback’s best friend as a rookie.
Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Trey Smith (OL – KC) in the sixth round, and he went on to play a critical role in protecting Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC) as a rookie. This year, Ingram could become the next mid-round offensive lineman to make an impact early in his career. While he missed the 2018 season with off-the-field issues, Ingram returned in 2019 and was a starter. He has experience starting at both left and right guard. Ingram is a force in the running game. He can pull block effectively and mauls defenders when given a chance. Furthermore, some evaluators believe he can kick out to tackle in a pinch. Ingram should have a long career in the NFL at guard.
Matt Henningsen (DL – Wisconsin)
Edge rushers get all the attention during the pre-draft process because fans love to hear about sacks. However, sacks aren’t the only meaningful stat for defensive linemen. Henningsen played the 5-technique position in Wisconsin’s 3-4 defense. Yet, he possesses good explosiveness and can fit most NFL schemes. His ability to pressure the quarterback and play well against the run makes him appealing to every NFL team. What he lacks in terms of bend around the edge, Henningsen makes up for with a strong motor and a non-stop mindset. He won’t get drafted till Day 3. However, his tools, motor, and upside make him a steal for whichever team picks him in the fourth or fifth round.
Martin Emerson (DB – Mississippi State)
Tall cornerbacks with length and speed have become more valuable in the NFL. With wide receiver like D.K. Metcalf (WR – SEA) and Mike Williams (WR – LAC), who are big and fast, teams need to find cornerbacks who can match their size. Emerson has plenty of playing time under his belt, appearing in 36 games during his college career. He has exceptional length with 33.5-inch arms, putting him in the 97 percentile for all cornerbacks. When Emerson plays press coverage, he can smother wide receivers and disrupt the timing of their routes. Mississippi State played primarily zone coverage on defense, which impacted Emerson’s career interception total. However, for Cover 2 or Cover 3-heavy teams, Emerson is the ideal cornerback to target in the draft.
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