2022 NFL Draft Fantasy Fallout: DL/EDGE
Today, I start my 2022 NFL Draft Fantasy Fallout series by talking about the other side of the ball, specifically IDP. Let’s start this week by talking about NFL Draft Fantasy Fallout: DL/EDGE
The 4-most anticipated words an NFL prospect can hear is “The Pick is In!” Those words can serve as a powerful reminder of the hard work and sacrifice that these young men have put in over the years. For some, it is simply an opportunity to show their potential with an opportunity to earn playing time. For others, it is the beginning of a long and successful career in the NFL, as well as a mainstay on your IDP lineups!
Over the next couple of weeks, we here at Fantasy In Frames are going to look position by position at the landing spots and the impact these players will have in IDP leagues!
Immediate IDP Impacts
Travon Walker-Jacksonville Jaguars
For the first time in, what feels like forever, the NFL draft wasn’t scripted or obvious. The Jags had us guessing until the 11th hour when the card read “Travon Walker”. Travon Walker is an absolute freak of nature! Walker measures in at 6’5”, 272 LB with 35.5″ arms. There was plenty of talk about the arm length pre-draft, but it remains to be seen if the arm length narrative will hold true.
Walker is going to be an immediate impact for the Jags as an OLB with both pass rush upside and above-average run-stopping ability. Last year, the Jags ranked 5th in blitz% and yet 28th in sacks, but maybe more importantly, they led the league in missed tackles. Look for Walker to see significant snaps with Jacksonville to help improve their sack rate, but also bring his stellar 5% missed tackle rate! Any upgrade over K’Lavon Chaisson would be well received.
While there have been some concerns with Walkers’ college production on paper (9.8% Win-Rate), his insane upside will be hard to ignore.
Travon Walker. #1 pick? pic.twitter.com/8wjVRIy7IQ
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) April 27, 2022
Aiden Hutchinson-Detroit Lions
The consensus #1 pick until the week of the draft, Aiden Hutchinson will be an immediate presence on the Lions’ defensive line. The Lions were 30th in the NFL with a measly 30 sacks and relied heavily on Charles Harris as their lone source of consistent production. In fact, you would have to add up Julian Okwara, Romeo Okwara, and Austin Bryant’s total pressures and it would still be 1 short of Harris’ 52.
Hutchinson ranked 2nd last year in the NCAA in pressures (68), 4th in sacks (13), 3rd in hurries (46), and 7th in win% (26.2). Needless to say, Hutchinson has all the tools and a straight line to significant snaps!
Kayvon Thibodeaux-New York Giants
Kayvon Thibodeaux didn’t have to wait long to hear his name, despite concerns he may drop in the draft. The Giants used their #5 pick on the explosive Edge rusher out of Oregon. Across three seasons at Oregon, Thibodeaux recorded 126 tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, 19 sacks, and a 26.3% Win Rate. Elite-level production for an elite athlete.
Thibodeaux brings with him a unique blend of raw talent and enormous upside to a defensive line that could use explosiveness. The Giants ranked 22nd in sacks, 27th in pressures, and 24th in hurries. Azeez Ojulari, the Giants’ 2nd round pick in 2021, accounted for a vast majority of the production. Thibodeaux should provide an immediate boost to both the Giants as well as Ojulari.
Kayvon Thibodeaux displays his explosive ability on this play making the sack in only 2.1 sec. He comes in at #1 overall on our big board #NFLDraft2022 pic.twitter.com/J866sE20f3
— Recruiting Analytics (@RAanalytics) April 27, 2022
Jermaine Johnson II-New York Jets
Many consider the New York Jets’ draft as one of the best in 2022, and Jermaine Johnson was a big reason for that. As the draft grew near, there were rumblings that Johnson could enter the Top 10, coming off of a 70 tackle (17.5 for loss) and 11.5 sack Senior year at FSU.
The Jets may have had one of the best drafts, but their defense is still a work in progress. Last year, the Jets ranked 26th in sacks, 27th in missed tackles, 26th in pressures, and 27th in hurries. Johnson will step right in and fill a need at Edge opposite a “now-healthy” Carl Lawson, and alongside 1st round pick Quinnen Williams.
Johnson and the Jets are hoping that another year of Zach Wilson under center, along with an improving offense, can lend to some leads and inevitably more pass-rush opportunities. As the Jets’ offense grows, so will the upside of JJII!
George Karlaftis-Kansas City Chiefs
Defensive End was a glaring need for the Chiefs entering the 2022 NFL Draft. Many names were mentioned as being available at the 29/30 picks they possessed, including Boye Mafe, Arnold Ebeketie, David Ojabo, and their selection, George Karlaftis. The Chiefs were more than happy taking the “Grecian Goliath” and his limitless motor and still raw tools.
While many consider Karlaftis to not have quite the pass-rush ceiling that the others possess, he does bring many intangibles to the table that can pay dividends in IDP. For starters, his collegiate production in pass-rush situations may not have translated to the stat sheet, but his 23.6% Win Rate was identical to potential #1 overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux. In addition, and maybe more impactful to the Chiefs’ real need on defense, his 23-run stops ranked Top 25.
Karlaftis might not have the most prodigious tools of the rookie Edge rushers, but he does play on a team that should have the lead in many games. Playing alongside Chris Jones isn’t exactly a bad thing either!
There are talks that Melvin Ingram could return to the Chiefs, and if that were the case, look for more of a potential rotation between Ingram, Karlaftis, and Frank Clark.
#Chiefs No. 30 pick George Karlaftis as a recruit
— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) April 29, 2022
– 6’3.5, 269, 32 ⅛ in. arm, 10.25 hand
– 106 tackles, 56 TFL, 17.5 sacks as a Sr.
– 60-0.5 foot shot put
– 4.77 40, 4.52 SS, 30.9 VJ
– Also played hoops
– 4-star, No. 57 in 2019 On3 Consensushttps://t.co/hBTvpuR7Yb