The Draft "Expert" - 2022 NFL Draft Pre-Season Prospect Rankings: Defense

Welcome back to yet another pre-season 2022 NFL Draft prospect positional rankings! Now, I must remind you, these rankings are subject to change as the college football season moves along, so if you don't like where someone is, don't worry, it could change.

All in all though, I do hope you do take the time to read through the all the rankings. Feel free to leave a comment down below, whether you like, dislike, or feel whatever about this post, let me know how ya feel! So, without any more hesitation, here is the defensive prospect rankings for the 2022 NFL Draft!

Pictured: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame; Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon; Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

Defensive Line (Top 7)

1. DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M (4-3) (EDGE/DL)

   1. CLEAR

      1. Best d-lineman in this class

   2. Can play as a 3-tech or as a 4-3 defensive end

      1. Extremely versatile

      2. Expected to move inside to 3-tech at the next level

         1. 6'4" 290 lbs.

   3. Extremely explosive/great get off

2. Jordan Davis, Georgia (NT; 3-4)

   1. Best against the run

      1. Georgia had the best run defense in college football last season

         1. 72.3 ypg (723 total yards) (2.4 ypc)

         2. Forced more fumbles (9) than touchdowns allowed (8)

   2. Massive human

      1. 6'6" 330 lbs.

3. Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma (NT; 3-3-5)

4. Haskell Garrett, Ohio State (DT; 4-3)

5. DJ Dale, Alabama (NT; 3-4)

6. Tyler Davis, Clemson (DT; 4-3)

7. Jermayne Lole, Arizona State (DT; 4-3)

EDGE Rushers (Top 10)

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon (top overall prospect) (4-3) (EDGE/DL)

   1. INSANE athlete

      1. 6'5" 250 lbs.

      2. Can play almost anywhere on defense

      3. Is moving to more of an OLB role as opposed to his usual 4-3 DE role

   2. Natural length allows him to be a pain in the ass against the pass and the run

      1. Powerful at the point of attack as well

      2. Length+power=not very fun for opposing o-linemen

   3. Doesn't take plays off

      1. Plays full bore all the time, which is what you love to see from a top prospect

2. Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma (3-3-5) (OLB/DE)

3. Drake Jackson, USC (4-3)

4. Kingsley Enagbare, South Carolina (3-3-5) (OLB/DE)

5. Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan (4-3) (coming off injury) (freak athlete)

6. George Karlaftis, Purdue (4-3) (EDGE/DL) (coming off injury)

7. Zach Harrison, Ohio State (4-3)

8. Adam Anderson, Georgia (3-4) (OLB)

9. Will McDonald IV, Iowa State (3-4) (DE)

10. Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati (3-3-5) (OLB/DE)

Linebackers (Top 10)

1. Christian Harris, Alabama (3-4 ILB)

   1. Stereotypical Alabama linebacker

      1. Very nice all around game

      2. Is great against the pass as a rusher and against the run

   2. Great all around athlete

      1. Rarely gives up on plays

      2. Makes plays all over the field

2. Nakobe Dean, Georgia (3-4 ILB)

3. Mike Jones Jr., LSU (4-3 OLB)

4. Ventrell Miller, Florida (4-3/3-4 ILB)

5. Owen Pappoe, Auburn (4-2-5 LB)

6. Devin Lloyd, Utah (4-2-5 LB)

7. Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington (3-3-5 ILB/OLB)

8. DeMarvion Overshown, Texas (3-3-5 ILB)

9. Brandon Smith, Penn State (4-3 OLB)

10. Mike Rose, Iowa State (3-3-5 OLB)

Cornerbacks (Top 10)

1. Derek Stingley Jr., LSU

   1. LOCK DOWN

      1. Led the SEC (AS A FRESHMAN) in interceptions (6) and pass break-ups (15)

   2. Insane athlete

      1. 6'1" 195 lbs.

      2. 4.3 40; 42" vertical

   3. CLEAR as the best corner in the draft

      1. Has been the best corner in college football since his freshman season at LSU

      2. Had somewhat of a down year last year (mostly due to injury), shouldn't take away from his talent/abilities

      3. Wearing the famous no.7 jersey

2. Kaiir Elam, Florida

3. Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson

4. Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati

5. Trent McDuffie, Washington

6. Sevyn Banks, Ohio State

7. Josh Jobe, Alabama

8. Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU

9. Mykael Wright, Oregon

10. Derion Kendrick, Georgia

Safeties (Top 10)

1. Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame (FS)

   1. Insane athlete

      1. Makes plays all over the field

      2. Can play as a center fielder or up at the line of scrimmage

   2. Great range and instincts

      1. 6'4" 219 lbs. (un-fair size for the position)

      2. Has an innate sense on where the ball is

   3. CLEAR as the best safety in the draft

2. Jordan Battle, Alabama (SS)

3. Brandon Joseph, Northwestern (FS)

4. Jaquan Brisker, Penn State (SS)

5. Bubba Bolden, Miami (SS)

6. Lewis Cine, Georgia (FS)

7. Daxton Hill, Michigan (FS)

8. Tykee Smith, Georgia (SS)

9. Tre Sterling, Oklahoma State (FS)

10. Isaiah Pola-Mao, USC (FS)