NFL
Final 2022 NFL Draft Grade Point Averages for All 32 NFL Teams
Tim Crean started writing about sports in 2016 and joined Sports7 in 2021. He excels with his versatile coverage of the NFL and soccer landscape, as well as his expertise breaking down sports media, which stems from his many years downloading podcasts before they were even cool and countless hours spent listening to Mike & The Mad Dog and The Dan Patrick Show, among other programs. As a longtime self-professed sports junkie who even played DII lacrosse at LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York, Tim loves reading about all the latest sports news every day and considers it a dream to write about sports professionally. He's a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan from Western New York who mistakenly thought, back in the early '90s, that his team would be in the Super Bowl every year. He started following European soccer — with a Manchester City focus — in the early 2000s after spending far too much time playing FIFA. When he's not enjoying a round of golf or coaching youth soccer and flag football, Tim likes reading the work of Bill Simmons, Tony Kornheiser, Chuck Klosterman, and Tom Wolfe.
All posts by Tim CreanUpdated03 May 2022
During the 2022 NFL Draft, Sports7 gave out live draft grades for all 32 NFL teams. After pick No. 262 (Iowa State QB Brock Purdy to the San Francisco 49ers) was in the books, we took all the grades and came up with a weighted average for each team's 2022 draft class, with the importance of each pick diminishing as the rounds progressed.
Here is each team's final GPA.
32. New England Patriots
Grade point average: 71.86
Highest graded pick: Chasen Hines, G, LSU, A-
Lowest graded pick: Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor, F
Number of picks: 10
Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots had a “Strange” draft, to say the least. The Patriots' first two picks — guard Curtis Strange and wide receiver Tyquan Thornton — were multi-round reaches. After that, Belichick took two running backs (a position of strength on the roster) and quarterback Bailey Zappe over several higher-rated signal-callers. It was a head-scratcher for sure, but many will still (rightfully) give Belichick the benefit of the doubt.
31. Dallas Cowboys
Grade point average: 74.17
Highest graded pick: Damone Clark, LB, LSU, A
Lowest graded pick: Jake Ferguson, TE, Wisconsin, C+
Number of picks: 9
This was a relatively boring draft for Jerry Jones and Co. The Cowboys took mostly offensive lineman and defensive front seven players. While the picks didn't necessarily excite Dallas fans, sometimes the least-exciting Jones drafts work out best in the long run.
30. Cleveland Browns
Grade point average: 77.8
Highest graded pick: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma, A
Lowest graded pick: Cade York, K, LSU, D
Number of picks: 9
The Cleveland Browns didn't make a pick until No. 68 after the Deshaun Watson trade, and after that, the picks were uninspiring. Taking a kicker in the fourth and a running back in the fifth and reaching for a wide receiver in the sixth really hurt the team's final draft grade point average.
29. San Francisco 49ers
Grade point average: 78.5
Highest graded pick: Drake Jackson, DE, USC, B
Lowest graded pick: Tyrion Davis-Price, RB, LSU, C-
Number of picks: 9
The San Francisco 49ers did a decent job in this draft despite not having a first-round pick after last year's trade-up for Trey Lance. If Deebo Samuel stays with the team and contributes this season, it's a fine draft. If the unhappy wideout forces his way out or continues the drama into the new season, not getting a first-rounder this year will be a massive mistake.
28. Los Angeles Rams
Grade point average: 78.53
Highest graded pick: Daniel Hardy, DE, Montana State, B+
Lowest graded pick: Cobie Durant, CB, South Carolina State, C
Number of picks: 8
The defending Super Bowl Champion LA Rams have a saying that goes, “Eff them picks.” They'd rather trade draft picks for established stars. That's why the team had a mediocre draft, and no one in the Rams' spectacular draft house probably cares.
27. Chicago Bears
Grade point average: 79.34
Highest graded pick: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington, B+
Lowest graded pick: Doug Kramer, C, Illinois, C-
Number of picks: 11
Yes, the Chicago Bears didn't have a first-round pick, but that's not why they earned this NFL draft grade point average. All NFL fans have seen what happens when a team doesn't support its highly-drafted QB, and although the Bears got some nice secondary help, a bunch of backup-level lineman in the late rounds isn't doing Justin Fields any favors.
26. Houston Texans
Grade point average: 79.53
Highest graded pick: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor, A-
Lowest graded pick: Austin Deculus, OT, LSU, D
Number of picks: 9
The Houston Texans reached for Derek Stingley Jr. with Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner on the board. However, they got a steal in the early second round with Baylor safety Jalen Pitre. This one step forward, one step back scenario sums up the Texans' 2022 NFL Draft — and maybe the franchise as a whole.
25. New York Giants
Grade point average: 80.08
Highest graded pick: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama, A-
Lowest graded pick: Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky, C-
Number of picks: 11
The New York Giants crushed their first two picks (and probably deserve better than a B for Kayvon Thibodeaux upon further reflection). However, Wan'Dale Robinson seems like Kadarius Toney 2.0, and the new regime played it safe, taking low-celling backups in the late rounds instead of taking chances on higher upside players like a 4-13 team probably should.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade point average: 80.27
Highest graded pick: Logan Hall, DE, Houston, B+
Lowest graded pick: Ko Kieft, TE, Minnesota, C-
Number of picks: 8
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded out of the first round, which is smart business, but these NFL draft grades only reflect the players chosen. The thing about the players the Bucs picked is that several are long-term projects, and that doesn't jive with the team's Tom Brady-related Super Bowl window, which will only be open for another year or two at most.
23. Denver Broncos
Grade point average: 81.26
Highest graded pick: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA, B+
Lowest graded pick: Montrell Washington, WR, Samford, C-
Number of picks: 9
The Denver Broncos turned their picks into Russell Wilson this year, so no one will be mad at these draft grades. As for the picks themselves, they were a nice mix of offense and defense and help now and down the road. There were no game-changers here but also no total wastes.
22. Minnesota Vikings
Grade point average: 81.36
Highest graded pick: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Lowest graded pick: Ed Ingram, OG, LSU
Number of picks: 10
While trading back is usually the smart move, the Minnesota Vikings seemed to take this to the extreme in 2022, and their draft grade suffered because of it. They still managed to get some much-needed secondary help with their first two picks. However, new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah reached for guard Ed Ingram late in Round 2 and passed on Nakobe Dean for Brian Asamoah in early Round 3, which may come back to haunt him.
21. Las Vegas Raiders
Grade point average: 81.83
Highest graded pick: Dylan Parham, OG, Memphis, A-
Lowest graded pick: Brittain Brown, RB, UCLA, C-
Number of picks: 6
The hosts of this year's draft, the Las Vegas Raiders, only had six selections and didn't welcome a new player until No. 90. That hurts teams in this NFL draft grades system, but the Raiders made the best of the picks they had. The team got great value for where it picked, and that's what a team has to do with so few draft-day bullets.
20. Los Angeles Chargers
Grade point average: 82.25
Highest graded pick: Jamaree Salyer, G, Georgia, A-
Lowest graded pick: JT Woods, S, Baylor, C+
Number of picks: 8
The LA Chargers are another team that did a lot without a ton of picks. Offensive linemen Zion Johnson and Jamaree Salyer should help upgrade Justin Herbert's protection right away. So, while the draft wasn't flashy, it was definitely a win for the Bolts.
19. Green Bay Packers
Grade point average: 82.38
Highest graded pick: Zach Tom, OT, Wake Forest, A
Lowest graded pick: Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia, D
Number of picks: 11
The Green Bay Packers ended up near the middle of these final NFL draft grade point averages by making excellent selections and terrible ones. The team made value picks later in the draft to help Aaron Rodgers, and that’s great. It also could have landed a Quay Walker-caliber linebacker later, and Devonte Wyatt is a serious risk with all his off-field issues.
18. Arizona Cardinals
Grade point average: 82.77
Highest graded pick: Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State, A-
Lowest graded pick: Keontay Ingram, RB, USC, C
Number of picks: 8
There were some good and some not-so-good choices on draft day for the Arizona Cardinals. However, the team’s overall grade for the weekend will likely go significantly up or significantly down based on your own feelings as to how good a player Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is.
17. Tennessee Titans
Grade point average: 82.92
Highest graded pick: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas, A
Lowest graded pick: Theo Jackson, S, Tennessee
Number of picks: 9
Like the Cardinals, the Tennessee Titans did well this past weekend, but the players selected alone won’t tell the story of the 2022 NFL Draft for the franchise. The success or failure of this class depends on what A.J. Brown does in Philadelphia, if Treylon Burks becomes Brown 2.0 like he’s projected to, and if Malik Willis develops into a franchise QB. If the latter two scenarios pan out, this draft grade jumps to an A+++.
16. Washington Commanders
Grade point average: 83.27
Highest graded pick: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State, A-
Lowest graded pick: Christian Holmes, CB, Oklahoma State, C-
Number of picks: 8
The 2022 NFL Draft was incredibly (and somewhat unpredictably) solid for the Washington Commanders. Taking what seems like unneeded defensive line depth in the second round was the only real misstep. Wideout Jahan Dotson is a pick that will help both now and in the future, and, like the Commanders above and the Falcons and Panthers below, if they hit on QB Sam Howell with a fourth-round pick, this draft is a home run.
15. Atlanta Falcons
Grade point average: 83.37
Highest graded pick: Drake London, WR, USC, A
Lowest graded pick: Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State, C
Number of picks: 8
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder for this Atlanta Falcons class. If you like sleepers like DE Arnold Ebiketie, LB Troy Anderson, and RB Tyler Allgeier, or if you think Desmond Ridder was an absolute steal in Round 4, this could be a top-10 class. Even if the live draft grades were hard on some of these selections, it’s still a good group of prospects with a lot of upside.
14. Carolina Panthers
Grade point average: 84.38
Highest graded pick: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State, A
Lowest graded pick: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State, C
Number of picks: 6
The Carolina Panthers nailed their first pick in tackle Ickey Ekwonu and crushed their final three selections with DE Amaré Barno, OL Cade Mays, and CB Kalon Barnes. In between, the team reached for a Penn State LB without much production and a gambled on QB Matt Corral. All in all, not bad for just six picks.
13. Philadelphia Eagles
Grade point average: 84.59
Highest graded pick: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia, A
Lowest graded pick: Grant Calcaterra, TE, SMU
Number of picks: 5
Leaving the A.J Brown trade out of the Philadelphia Eagles' 2022 NFL Draft grades entirely, the Birds still had an excellent draft. If their entire haul consisted of just Georgia Bulldogs defenders Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, the weekend still would have been a massive win.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
Grade point average: 85.12
Highest graded pick: George Pickens, WR, Georgia, A+
Lowest graded pick: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh, D
Number of picks: 7
After making the massive mistake of taking a low-ceiling QB in the first round, the Pittsburgh Steelers seemed to remember one important fact: They are the Pittsburgh Steelers. The franchise ripped off A grade after A grade (as it usually does) following the Kenny Pickett debacle. That leaves it with a good draft grade despite the first-round flub.
11. Miami Dolphins
Grade point average: 85.18
Highest graded pick: Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia, B+
Lowest graded pick: Cameron Goode, LB, California, C+
Number of picks: 4
The award for doing the most with the least goes to the Miami Dolphins. The organization only took four players and got good value at each spot. The real prize this draft season was Tyreek Hill, so this draft grade is just icing on the cake.
10. Cincinnati Bengals
Grade point average: 85.27
Highest graded pick: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan, A-
Lowest graded pick: Cordell Volson, OT, North Dakota State, C-
Number of picks: 6
The reigning AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals didn’t do anything all that sexy. They just didn’t “Bungles” the draft as they have in past years. Mike Brown and Co. stuck to the plan, filled needs in the secondary and on the lines, and walked away with an incredibly sold draft grade.
9. New Orleans Saints
Grade point average: 86.08
Highest graded pick: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State, A-
Lowest graded pick: Jordan Jackson, DT, Air Force, B-
Number of picks: 5
When a team’s lowest draft grade is a B- with the 194th pick of the draft, that team is doing something right. Not getting a QB and taking OL Trevor Penning at No. 19 are polarizing moves, but if you like those decisions, there’s almost nothing to dislike about the New Orleans Saints' draft this year.
8. Buffalo Bills
Grade point average: 86.18
Highest graded pick: Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State, A+
Lowest graded pick: Terrel Bernard, LB, Baylor, C+
Number of picks: 8
The Buffalo Bills already had one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, yet they still found ways to combine filling needs with getting value. They even snagged the Punt God, who will perform wonders in the Western New York weather. Beefing up the secondary and linebacking corps and adding two weapons for Josh Allen are all additional reasons the Bills are winners in this year’s draft.
7. Indianapolis Colts
Grade point average: 86.79
Highest graded pick: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati, A
Lowest graded pick: Andrew Ogletree, TE, Youngstown State, D
Number of picks: 8
The Indianapolis Colts nailed the draft when it counted. With the franchise’s first three picks, GM Chris Ballard addressed three major areas of need with surprisingly good prospects for the spots. The wheels fell off a little toward the end of the draft, but that’s less important anyway.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars
Grade point average: 86.93
Highest graded pick: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah, A
Lowest graded pick: Snoop Conner, RB, Ole Miss, C-
Number of picks: 7
The Jacksonville Jaguars are another team that had a polarizing draft weekend. The live draft grades here take an optimistic approach to GM Trent Baalke’s love of measurables over production and the value of trading back into the first round for an off-ball linebacker. A more pessimistic reading of the Jags’ draft says they should have done more to help Trevor Lawrence and made smarter picks at the top. But if Travon Walker turns into a star, all that will be forgotten.
5. Seattle Seahawks
Grade point average: 87.08
Highest graded pick: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State, A
Lowest graded pick: Dareke Young, WR, Lenoir-Rhyne, C+
Number of picks: 9
The Seattle Seahawks seemed to make the smart decision at every turn in this draft. They could have been tempted to reach for win-now type players or a weak QB prospect, but the organization kept its eye on the long-term prize the whole time. Plus, the player with the lowest draft grade is a seventh-round selection who might be the next Terrell Owens. That’s pretty darn good.
4. New York Jets
Grade point average: 87.45
Highest graded pick: Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, CB, Cincinnati, A
Lowest graded pick: Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State, C
Number of picks: 7
Reasonable draft minds can make a case that the New York Jets got the best cornerback, the best wide receiver, the best running back, and a top-five pass-rusher and tight end. That may not all be correct when things shake out, but even if some of it is, the Jets killed this process. And, unlike some teams (looking at you, Bears and Jaguars), Gang Green prioritized Zach Wilson’s success above all else, and that gets a lofty draft grade.
3. Detroit Lions
Grade point average: 87.5
Highest graded pick: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan, A
Lowest graded pick: Chase Lucas, CB, Arizona State, C
Number of picks: 8
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell famously said he wanted “knee-biters” in his introductory press conference, and now he’s got a defense full of them. No team executed a coherent strategy better than the Lions in this draft. They built what should be a respectable (if not excellent) defense over the course of three days and may have landed the best long-term value at WR in Jameson Williams. The team still doesn’t have a QB, but when it gets one, watch out.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Grade point average: 88.22
Highest graded pick: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut, A+
Lowest graded pick: Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina, C-
Number of picks: 11
Here’s the most boring and predictable sentence of any draft grade report in the last two decades: The Baltimore Ravens once again nailed the [insert year here] NFL Draft. They may have picked the two most sure-fire successes of the entire draft in S Kyle Hamilton and C Tyler Linderbaum, and neither of them even got the highest grade. The franchise got a ton of picks in this draft and nailed almost every single one of them. If you believe GM Eric DeCosta also fleeced the Cardinals by pawning off “Hollywood” Brown for a higher pick than they drafted him at, you could easily say the Ravens won the weekend, hands down.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
Grade point average: 89.29
Highest graded pick: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue, A
Lowest graded pick: Jaylen Watson, CB, Washington State, C+
Number of picks: 10
Speaking of the NFL’s talent-rich rosters getting richer, the team with the highest 2022 NFL Draft grade point average on Sports7’s final report card is the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chief added 10 prospects, all of whom could make the roster. They also spread the love around to every position group on the roster except for QB. In a way, though, that means Patrick Mahomes got the most love of all. And supporting a franchise signal-caller like that is how you build not just a winner, but a dynasty.
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