Thursday, 28 Apr 2022. 7:15 PM
(Update : Thursday, 28 Apr 2022. 23:34)
RDS Info et RDS Direct bring you the 1st round of the NFL draft starting at 8 p.m.
LAS VEGAS — The Jacksonville Jaguars opened the NFL Draft by turning to NCAA champion University of Georgia linebacker Travon Walker.
Fast, athletic and versatile, the six-foot-five, 275-pound athlete is seen as having very high potential.
He is originally from Thomaston, Georgia, south of Atlanta. Jacksonville also went first draft last year, picking quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The club perceives him as being on the verge of a breakthrough and wants to surround him well. This has already shown with the hiring of receivers Evan Engram, Christian Kirk and Zay Jones as free agents.
It has happened four times that the same club has been first-choice in two years in a row.
A member of a high-rotation squad with the Bulldogs, Walker still had six sacks last year.
“I’m definitely ready,” Walker said. There will be high expectations for a first choice but for me, it’s still football. »
General manager Trent Baalke had been leaning towards Walker for months. He said new coach Doug Pederson fully supports the move.
In second place, the Detroit Lions stayed in their corner of the country with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, a former Wolverine.
Hutchinson finished second in Heisman balloting in 2021. He set a University of Michigan record by amassing 14 sacks.
Next, the Houston Texans drafted defensive end Derek Stingley from LSU, whose last season was marred by injuries.
Chosen fourth by the New York Jets, Ahmad Gardner was one of the architects of the breakthrough of the Bearcats at the national level.
In three years in the NCAA, Gardner has not conceded a touchdown to a player he was covering.
“I’m the best cornerback available,” Gardner said last week.
Thursday, he added “I know that I will be an excellent teammate, who will be receptive to learning everything. I’m just going to work hard. »
In fifth place, the New York Giants drafted defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon), considered very explosive – especially since he is six foot five and 258 pounds.
He too had his share of injuries, though.
For the first time since 1991, there was no offensive player in the top-5 of an NFL Draft.
Sixth, the Carolina Panthers chose tackle Ikem Ekwonu from North Carolina State.
The five picks that followed were also on the attacking side.
The first quarter was the 20th name heard, Kenny Pickett of the University of Pittsburgh, by the Steelers.
At No. 22 and 28, the Packers picked linebacker Quay Walker and defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, who played together with the Bulldogs.
1st Round Pick Table :
| Team | Player name | Position | École |
| 1. Jacksonville | Travon Walker | defensive end | University of Georgia Bulldogs |
| 2. Detroit | Aidan Hutchinson | defensive end | University of Michigan Wolverines |
| 3. Houston | Derek Stingley fils | cornerback | Tigers de LSU |
| 4. New York (Jets) | Ahmad « Sauce » Gardner | cornerback | Cincinnati University Bearcats |
| 5. New York (Giants) | Kayvon Thibodeaux | defensive end | Ducks of l’Oregon |
| 6. Caroline | Ickey Ekwonu | Blocker | NC State University Wolfpack |
| 7. New York (Giants) – via Chicago | Evan Neal | Blocker | Alabama’s Crimson Tide |
| 8. Atlanta | Drake London | pass receiver | Trojans d’USC |
| 9. Seattle (via Denver) | Charles Cross | Blocker | Mississippi State University Bulldogs |
| 10. New York (Jets) – via Seattle | Garrett Wilson | pass receiver | Ohio State University Buckeyes |
| 11. New Orleans – via Washington | Chris Olave | pass receiver | Ohio State University Buckeyes |
| 12. Detroit – via Minnesota | Jameson Williams | pass receiver | Alabama’s Crimson Tide |
| 13. Houston | jordan davis | defensive tackle | University of Georgia Bulldogs |
| 14. Baltimore | Kyle Hamilton | half safety | Notre Dame University Fighting Irish |
| 15. Houston – via Miami and Philadelphia | Kenyon Green | Garde | Texas A&M University Aggies |
| 16. Washington – via NO, Phi et Ind | Jahan Dotson | pass receiver | Penn State University Nittany Lions |
| 17. Los Angeles (Chargers) | Zion Johnson | Blocker | Eagles de Boston College |
| 18. Tennessee – via Philadelphia | Treylon Burks | pass receiver | University of Arkansas Razorbacks |
| 19. New Orleans | Trevor Penning | Blocker | North Iowa University Panthers |
| 20. Pittsburgh | Kenny Pickett | Quarterback | University of Pittsburgh Panthers |
| 21. New England | Trent McDuffie | cornerback | Washington University Huskies |
| 22. Green Bay | Quay Walker | Linebacker | University of Georgia Bulldogs |
| 23. Buffalo – via Ari et Bal | Kaiir Elam | cornerback | Florida University Gators |
| 24. Dallas | Tyler Smith | Blocker | Tulsa University Golden Hurricane |
| 25. Baltimore – via Buf | Tyler Linderbaum | Centre | Iowa University Hawkeyes |
| 26. New York (Jets) – via Ten | Jermaine Johnson II | defensive end | Florida State University Seminoles |
| 27. Jacksonville – via TB | Devin Lloyd | linebacker | utes of utah university |
| 28. Green Bay | Devonte Wyatt | defensive tackle | University of Georgia Bulldogs |
| 29. New England – via | Cole Strange | Garde | Chattanooga University Mocs |
| 30. Kansas City | George Karlaftis | defensive end | Purdue University Boilermakers |
| 31. Cincinnati | Daxton Hill | half safety | University of Michigan Wolverines |
| 32. Minnesota – via LA et Det | Lewis Cine | half safety | University of Georgia Bulldogs |