This 2022 draft class at offensive tackle looks to be strong and deep, guard looks solid, and center while maybe not deep is great at the top. Each player’s projected position in the NFL will be next to their name in these offensive line rankings.
You can see the previous part here: https://atbnetwork.com/2021/11/02/2022-nfl-draft-tight-end-rankings-1-0/
1. Evan Neal – Alabama – OT
Neal started at guard in 2019, RT in 2020, and then moved to LT this season. He is a freak athlete for his size, similar to Mekhi Becton. Elite agility for his size. His hands could use some work. Neal has amazing strength. He can get to and block well on the 2nd level. He does a good job of keeping his pad level low. Neal ends up on the ground too often, playing too far over his feet. He probably will need to trim down some when he gets to the NFL.
2. Charles Cross – Mississippi State – OT
Another freak athlete with great agility. He also has great length. He still has a lot of upside potential. His frame is still a little underdeveloped and could use some filling out. Part of that does affect his problems with stopping bull rushers. Cross has strong hands. He is best-fit playing in a zone scheme but could play in any. He needs to develop his lower body more especially.
3. Kenyon Green – Texas A&M – OG
Green is a three-year starter, who has experience at both tackle and guard. He has a great anchor, very strong. He gets plus marks in the run game, with a strong punch. For his size, he has great agility. He can get overaggressive at times and get overextended. Technique still needs some work, refinement. His awareness is pass pro also needs some development. An explosive player off the snap. Also has scheme versatility.
4. Nicholas Petit-Frere – OSU – OT
NPT has long arms and big hands. He has experience on both the left and right side and has come on this year. Also an athletic freak with a well filled out frame. He shows great mobility, especially in run blocking. He also brings good explosiveness to the field. His technique with his hands while not terrible could still use some work. Petit-Frere still shows some rawness in pass pro technique, causing him to lunge at times. He might be best off starting in the NFL at right tackle for his first season or two.
5. Tyler Linderbaum – Iowa – C
Linderbaum who came to Iowa as a defensive lineman has quickly become one of the best centers in college football. Great athlete for a center, very quick and agile. Arms are a touch short, causing him to struggle with long-armed defenders. Great hand use already for his lack of experience at the position. His anchor could be better, probably due to his smaller size, adding bulk and strength would help with this. Shows great core and upper-body strength. Plays hard and likes to put defenders in the ground. He does lack position versatility.
6. Ikem Ekwonu – NC State – OG
Ekwonu plays left tackle for NC State but projects inside to guard. A mauler in the run game who brings the power. He shows a great anchor and has no trouble with power rushers. His agility though is just average. Great length to help him push rushers wide. His motor runs 100% His aggressiveness though can get the better of him and he can end up over his toes. He needs to be more consistent in his pass pro.
7. Trevor Penning – Northern Iowa – OT
Penning is another big, long tackle out of Northern Iowa following in Spencer Brown’s footsteps. He shows a similar upside. Penning shows great explosiveness in the running game. He has shown a lot of improvements over the last two years. A very good athlete who moves well in space. He can be overaggressive sometimes, causing balance issues and ending up on the ground. Still shows rawness in pass protection that needs work.
8. Sean Rhyan – UCLA – OG
Rhyan is a three-year starter at left tackle. He has great size and good feet. A lot of power in his lower body, which shows in his run blocking. Rhyan also shows strong hands. His length is average to below average for a tackle. He also moves well for his size. He does have some trouble with athletic pass rushers. Thibodeaux ate his lunch this year. His NFL future is at guard or possible right tackle due to his lack of length and average agility.
9. Zion Johnson – Boston College – OG
Johnson has great size with big hands and long arms. He is a good overall athlete. He has positional versatility having played both tackle and guard. Plays a physical and aggressive game. He has experience pulling. Johnson has a strong anchor. Length at tackle is lacking. While is anchor is strong his pass pro can still be inconsistent.
10. Jarrett Patterson – Notre Dame – C
Three-year starter on the inside, has played all three spots. Patterson is very good in pass protection. Good size and strength for a center. He works well getting to the second level. He can be inconsistent in his blocking, needs to work on that. Aggressiveness is lacking in his game, you would like to see that turned up.
11. Bernhard Raimann – Central Michigan – OT
Raimann is a former tight end who switched in 2020. Raimann has prototypical left tackle size. He is raw and needs to add bulk and strength. He is a smooth mover. Lots of athletic upside due to his tight end past. Still needs technique refinement. His arm length though for his height is a little on the short side, but just kind of average for a tackle.
12. Zion Nelson – Miami(Fla) – OT
Nelson has been a starter since his true freshman season. He shows great agility on film and moves well in his pass sets. Due to his athleticism, he can block well on the 2nd level. Nelson has good length and size. He has added a lot of weight and strength since he came to Miami but still needs to add more strength. He lacks desired aggressiveness. Needs work on how to unlock his natural explosiveness.
13. Darian Kinnard – Kentucky – OG
Kinnard is a huge man weighing about 340, but having played previously around 360. Massive amount of power in his lower body. He is great in the run game, with strong hands. Kinnard is aggressive, looking to bury his defender on every play. For his size, his agility is pretty good. He does not move well outside of the phone booth. Kinnard shows issues with balance when he is working in space. He still needs work in pass pro. He still has a lot of upside though.
14. Thayer Munford – OSU – OG
Munford is tall with long arms with a lot of experience with three years experience at tackle and one season at guard. He has lots of power in his body. Munford is a solid overall athlete. He still needs to improve his hand usage and iron out some of his inconsistencies. Munford is not particularly explosive. He has shown improvement each year and still has some upside as a guard.
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