Collinelli's Final 2022 NFL Draft Defensive Player Rankings

With the 2022 NFL Draft fast approaching, it’s time to release my final positional rankings for the defense. Remember, these rankings are based on film and nothing else. Additionally, if a player isn’t on this list, then I didn’t watch them. 

Defensive Tackles: 

1. Jordan Davis, Georgia

2. Devonte Wyatt, Georgia

3. Demarvin Leal, Texas A&M

4. Phidarian Mathis, Alabama

5. Travis Jones, UConn

6. Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma

7. Matthew Butler, Tennessee

8. Zachary Carter, Florida

9. Haskell Garrett, Ohio State

10. Matt Henningsen, Wisconsin

11. Thomas Booker, Stanford 

12. John Ridgeway, Arkansas  

13. Chris Hinton, Michigan 

Superlatives: 

Best Run Defender: Jordan Davis 

Best Pass Rusher: Devonte Wyatt

Small School Stud: Travis Jones 

Biggest Sleeper: Matthew Butler 

Most Potential: Perrion Winfrey 

EDGE Rushers: 

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

2. George Karlaftis, Purdue

3. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

4. Travon Walker, Georgia 

5. David Ojabo, Michigan 

6. Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State

7. Boye Mafe, Minnesota

8. Logan Hall, Houston 

9. Cameron Thomas, San Diego State 

10. Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State

11. Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati

12. Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma 

13. Alex Wright, UAB 

14. Drake Jackson, USC

15. Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina

16. Sam Williams, Mississippi

17. Josh Pascal, Kentucky 

18. Esezi Otomewo, Minnesota 

19. Jesse Luketa, Penn State 

Superlatives: 

Best Power Rusher: Aidan Hutchinson 

Best Technique: George Karlaftis 

Best Overall Pass Rusher: Kayvon Thibodeaux

Best Overall Run Defender: Jermaine Johnson II

Most Potential: Travo Walker 

Best Bend: David Ojabo 

Most Versatile: Logan Hall 

Linebackers: 

1. Devin Lloyd, Utah 

2. Nakobe Dean, Georgia 

3. Leo Chenal, Wisconsin

4. Chad Muma, Wyoming 

5. Quay Walker, Georgia

6. Christian Harris, Alabama

7. Damone Clark, LSU 

8. Brandon Smith, Penn State 

9. Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati 

10. Terrel Bernard, Baylor 

11. Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma 

12. JoJo Domann, Nebraska 

13. Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin

Superlatives: 

Best Run Defender: Leo Chenal 

Best Pass Defender: JoJo Domann

Best Blitzer: Leo Chenal 

Most Versatility: Devin Lloyd

Small School Stud: Chad Muma 

Best Al-Around Game: Devin Lloyd

Cornerback: 

1. Derek Stingley Jr, LSU

2. Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati

3. Trent McDuffie, Washington

4. Andrew Booth Jr, Clemson

5. Kaiir Elam, Florida

6. Kyler Gordon, Washington 

7. Roger McCreary, Auburn 

8. Marcus Jones, Houston 

9. Tariq Woolen, UTSA

10. Coby Bryant, Cincinnati

11. Alontae Taylor, Tennesse

12. Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska 

13. Akayleb Evans, Missouri

14. Martin Emerson, Mississippi State 

15. Derion Kendrick, Georgia  

16. Mykael Wright, Oregon 

17. Joshua Williams, Fayetteville State 

18. Tariq Castro-Fields, Penn State

Superlatives: 

Best Man Coverage: Ahmad Gardner

Best Zone Coverage: Trent McDuffie 

Best Coverage Versatility: Derek Stingley Jr

Best Ball Skills: Andrew Booth Jr 

Best Slot Corner: Marcus Jones 

Most Potential: Tariq Woolen 

Safety: 

1. Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

2. Daxton Hill, Michigan 

3. Jalen Pitre, Baylor 

4. Lewis Cine, Georgia

5. Nick Cross, Maryland 

6. Kerby Joseph, Illinois 

7. Jaquan Brisker, Penn State

8. Sterling Weatherford, Miami OH 

9. Reed Blankenship, Middle Tennessee

10. Verone McKinley, Oregon 

11. Bubba Bolden, Miami (FL)

12. Dane Belton, Junior 

13. Bryan Cook, Senior 

14. Yusuf Corker, Kentucky 

Superlatives: 

Best Single High Range: Nick Cross 

Hardest Hitter: Lewis Cine 

Best Run Defender: Kyle Hamilton 

Small School Stud: Sterling Weatherford 

Best Man Coverage: Daxton Hill 

Highest Coverage IQ: Kyle Hamilton