2022 NFL Draft: Travon Walker goes first overall, Hutchinson joins the Lions
The Jacksonville Jaguars have selected edge rusher Travon Walker with the first overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.
After months of debate and speculation, the 21-year-old was taken ahead off Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, who becomes a Detroit Lions player.
Walker, a standout performer in Georgia’s run to the National Championship, has skyrocketed in draft stock over the last couple of months. He only became the bookies favourite just days before April 28.
Instead for Hutchinson, the favourite for the number one selection in the months leading up to the draft, he joins Detroit, the team he grew up supporting.
It is the second consecutive time the Jaguars have owned the No.1 overall pick in the draft, after having the opening pick for the first time in their history in 2021.
Mystery has shrouded who Jacksonville would select, as with much of the remaining draft order. Given what some analysts described as an apparent lack of genuine elite talent, especially at quarterback, many teams will have made their selections at the last minute.
But in Walker, who we outlined his huge potential in a recent profile, they have acquired an outstanding talent.
Meanwhile, with one of the shock selections of the round, the Houston Texans picked talented cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. out of LSU at third overall.
Drake London was the first receiver off the board when selected at number eight by the Falcons. The second, Garrett Wilson, followed two picks later when taken by the Jets.
It’s the first time since 2013 that the opening ten picks did not feature a quarterback. In fact, we had to wait until No.20 until one was taken, when Kenny Pickett was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Trades galore, receivers change teams
The 2022 NFL Draft was already proving to be a dramatic event early on. Then came a frenzy of trades in the first round, with the Saints kicking it all off by moving to No.11 overall.
New Orleans had already traded up before April 28. But they decided to acquire the Washington Commanders’ eleventh pick in order to draft receiver Chris Olave.
In possibly the most ground breaking event of the evening, the Eagles traded away their No.18 selection to acquire Tennessee Titans receiver A.J. Brown. Philadelphia also tied Brown down to a $100 million contract extension.
Elsewhere, the Baltimore Ravens let go of their wideout Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals, in exchange for their No.23 selection.
The Lions traded up 20 places in a trade which initially looked like a move for a QB, before taking electric receiver Jameson Williams at No.12.
The Chiefs, Bills, Jets and Jaguars were also involved in trade-ups during the first round.
Dramatic night in Las Vegas
After returning from virtuality in Cleveland last year, the second-biggest event in the NFL came to Las Vegas for the first time in 2022.
Kodi Lee opened the festivities with the National Anthem on night one, before Commissioner Roger Goddell made the announcements.
It was a spectacular night to open what will be a huge weekend in Sin City, with plenty of drama still to come.
Rounds two and three will take place on Friday night, with rounds four to seven concluding the weekend event on Saturday.
Full first round selections of 2022 NFL Draft
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, edge
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, edge
3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr., CB
4. New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner, CB
5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, edge
6. Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu, OT
7. New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT
8. Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, WR
9. Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross, OT
10. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR
11. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR
12. Detroit Lions: Jameson Williams, QB
13. Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Davis, DT
14. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton, S
15. Houston Texans: Kenyon Green, G
16. Washington Commanders: Jahan Dotson, WR
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Zion Johnson, G
18. Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, WR
19. New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning, OT
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, QB
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent McDuffie, CB
22. Green Bay Packers: Quay Walker, LB
23. Buffalo Bills: Kaiir Elam, CB
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Smith, OT
25. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, C
26. New York Jets: Jermaine Johnson II, edge
27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Devin Lloyd, LB
28. Green Bay Packers: Devonte Wyatt, DT
29. New England Patriots, Cole Strange, G
30. Kansas City Chiefs: George Karlaftis, edge
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Daxton Hill, S
32. Minnesota Vikings: Lewis Cine, S
