Which Team had the Best Draft? Our Top 10 Draft Classes Ranked

 With the draft in the books and the dog days of the NFL off-season upon us, we now have a ton of post-draft content to go over. In a stacked draft class, so many teams killed it and deserve quite the round of applause for what they were able to accomplish. Today we rank our top 10 draft classes and why each class was so good. It's a big accomplishment to finish with a top 10 class in a day and age when young players are better than ever.

10. Carolina Panthers

Class: OT Ikem Ekwonu (Rd. 1), QB Matt Corral (Rd. 3), LB Brandon Smith (4), EDGE Amare Barno (6), OG Cade Mays (6), CB Kalon Barnes (7)

While the Panthers didn't have a staggering amount of picks, they really came away well anyway. They kicked things off by snagging the top OL in the class in the menacing Ikem Ekwonu who figures to be a cornerstone of the future for this line. They didn't pick again for two rounds but then traded up into the late 3rd for one of the biggest steals in the class in Matt Corral who is good enough for them to be a potential week 1 starter at QB and real ROY candidate. 

I also adored their late round picks. I talked about the Barno pick yesterday but what a great upside selection. Cade Mays is also another great late round flier as we know he is a decent run blocker with high upside. Finally in round 7 they snagged Kalon Barnes, the FASTEST defensive player in combine history with a 4.23 forty time. While they aren't getting a ton of media hype, Carolina had a sneaky really good draft class, bolstered by their late round steals.

9. Buffalo Bills

Class: CB Kaiir Elam (1), RB James Cook (2), LB Terrel Bernard (3), WR Khalil Shakir (5), P Matt Araiza (6), OT Luke Tenuta (6), LB Baylon Spector (7)

The AFC betting favorites just got even better. The Bills do not have many holes, but if there were any, they were filled for the time being with this great draft class. Kaiir Elam was a really good first round pick. Elam has manned up against some of the best WR talent in the country playing in the SEC and really held his own. He is going to be an amazing CB2 opposite Tre'Davious White. 

I also really loved the pick of elusive RB James Cook in the end of round 2. He could be the team's week 1 starter based on their inconsistent RB play of late. Quite possibly their best pick was moving back in to snag YAC machine Khalil Shakir in round 5. Shakir was a second round talent that fell into their laps in round 5. He should see a big snap share as a rookie. I gushed about the Matt Araiza pick yesterday so I won't again, but the Bills got potentially the best punting prospect ever in round 6. Overall this was a great draft class and will see many holes filled by these talented rooks. 

8. Detroit Lions

Class: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson (1), WR Jameson Williams (1), EDGE Josh Paschal (2), S Kerby Joesph (3), TE James Mitchell (5), LB Malcolm Rodriguez (6), OLB James Houston (6), CB Chase Lucas (7)

This was a big draft for the Lions and their already young core, and they aced it. It started out with a bang when the team was able to draft the guy they had their eye on the entire pre-draft process in Aidan Hutchinson with the 2nd pick. They had to have been over the moon to get an instant difference maker on the DL and the guy that probably should have gone number 1 overall. They followed that pick up by trading up 20 spots (in a deal that they fleeced Minnesota with) to snag the best wideout in the class as well. Jameson Williams is going to be a superstar with his unreal speed and route running. He will probably be this team's WR1 to open the season if he can get back in time from his torn ACL. 

Josh Paschal felt like a little bit of a reach in round 2 but after going back and looking, he really fits what Detroit needs. He is a raw pass rusher who will probably produce some right off the bat but he really has a high ceiling when it comes to pure pass rushing. I love the Kerby Joesph pick. He will be a day 1 starting safety in this Lions' secondary and will be a big time leader. Joesph is a turnover creator in every way and will be the heart and soul of this defense. I love the fit. Detroit overall snagged multiple franchise cornerstones in this draft and for that they easily are within the top 10 classes in the league. 

7. Green Bay Packers

Class: LB Quay Walker (1), DT Devonte Wyatt (1), WR Christian Watson (2), OG Sean Rhyan (3), WR Romeo Doubs (4), OL Zach Tom (4), EDGE Kingsley Enagbare (5), DT Jonathan Ford (7), LB Tariq Carpenter (7), OT Rasheed Walker (7), WR Samori Toure (7)

When Green Bay finished the first round with two stud defensive players but zero wideouts, I thought this class was to be doomed. Boy did they pull it out. Green Bay traded up for 1st round talent Christian Watson to open round 2 and then snagged a steal with another wideout in Romeo Doubs in the fourth round. Those two, particularly Watson, are going to be huge impact wideouts in year 1. I didn't like Quay Walker going above guys like Devin Lloyd or even Nakobe Dean, but that doesn't mean Walker isn't a stud. He's a massive linebacker with all the technical traits you could ask for. Devonte Wyatt is being considered by many as one of the value picks of round 1 going near the very end despite his prowess as an interior pass rusher.

Aside from GB's first three picks which were all amazing, they got some other really good players in later rounds. I'm especially high on o-lineman Zach Tom who I raved about in the pre-draft process. He has 5 position versatility on the O-line and was great at Wake Forest which should lead to a seamless transition to the NFL in which he will likely be a day 1 starter. Kingsley Enagbare is another name to know as he is a good pass rusher and could also have an impact right off the rip. Overall a great draft class highlighted by the fact that the Packers were able to get a stud wideout!

6. Kansas City Chiefs

Class: CB Trent McDuffie (1), EDGE George Karlaftis (1), WR Skyy Moore (2), S Bryan Cook (2), LB Leo Chenal (3), CB Joshua Williams (4), OG Darian Kinnard (5), CB Jaylen Watson (7), RB Isaih Pacheco (7), S Nazeeh Johnson (7)

Routinely one of the best teams in terms of drafting, the Chiefs look as if they've down it again. First of all, what a job this team did by capitalizing on the fall of Trent McDuffie in round 1. McDuffie was an easy top 15 talent in the class and was even more valuable considering the demand for his position of CB. The Chiefs moved up and didn't have to give up too much to ensure they just got a shutdown DB in their porous secondary. I loved how they followed it up with another rd. 1 steal in George Karlaftis who has room to grow but will be playing on an unreal defensive line that should see many opportunities presented to himself to have some free rushes.

Outside of round 1, the Chiefs continued to hit triples and home runs. Skyy Moore was considered a late first round talent and somehow he fell to the Chiefs in the late SECOND round. He will be a huge factor in the Chiefs offense as he flies around like Tyreek Hill (not that fast, but you get the idea). Leo Chenal is being praised as another steal by this team as he's an elite run defending off the ball LB who can also come down and rush the passer with skill. He should be a day 1 contributor. Also, snagging Darian Kinnard in round 5 is such nice value for KC. I'm not sure if he will have a day 1 starting job but he has high potential and could be instantly one of the very best rotation o-lineman in the sport. What a job by Brett Veach, Andy Reid, and co. to bring in yet another great draft class.

5. Seattle Seahawks

Class: OT Charles Cross (1), EDGE Boye Mafe (2), RB Kenneth Walker (2), OT Abraham Lucas (3), CB Coby Bryant (4), CB Tariq Woolen (5), EDGE Tyreke Smith (5), WR Bo Melton (7), WR Dareke Young (7)

While the Chiefs routinely are among the best at drafting, the Seahawks are routinely among the very worst. It feels so much different this year. With a new era of Seahawk football beginning, the team's draft philosophy shifted. The team actually started to go with top players on the board at each spot instead of major reaches. It's going to pay off in the long run. What a great pick Charles Cross was. Some had him as the no. 1 OT in the class and Seattle got him at 9. He's instantly an elite pass blocker and will slot in as the team's blindside protector of the future. With back to back picks in round 2, Seattle chose a versatile off ball LB with raw skill in Boye Mafe and then a Heisman candidate and best RB in the draft Kenneth Walker to bolster an injury prone RB room. Both were amazing picks, Walker makes a ton of sense the more you think about it.

Later on, Seattle snagged Abe Lucas who isn't anything crazy, but is known for his pass blocking skill and could slot in as the RT opposite of Cross right away. Seattle may have just squared away their bookend tackle spots for the future. My favorite picks for them came in rounds 4 and 5 as they got high floor collegiate superstar CB Coby Bryant and then freakiest of freak athletes high ceiling CB Tariq Woolen in round 5. Both of these kids feel like they have bright futures ahead of them in much different looking ways despite playing the same position. Their final 3 picks were fliers with upside and could factor into their respective position battles too. Seattle just had their best draft in almost 8 years. This offense is now built completely up and completely ready to drop in their franchise QB next off-season and have nothing to worry about. What a weekend for Seattle, completely changes my outlook on them. 

4. New York Giants

Class: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (1), OT Evan Neal (1), WR Wan'Dale Robinson (2), OG Joshua Edeudu (3), CB Cordale Flott (3), TE Daniel Bellinger (4), S Dane Belton (4), LB Micah McFadden (5), DT DJ Davidson (5), OG Marcus McKethan (5), LB Darrian Beavers (6)

The Giants opened the draft class with probably two of the best opening picks you could ever make. They snagged potential generational edge rushing talent Kayvon Thibodeaux at 5 (who was projected no. 1 overall for many months) and then two picks later snagged a potential generation offensive tackle talent in Evan Neal (who was also the presumptive no. 1 pick for some time). Those two guys drafted within 10 minutes of one another will be franchise pillars for the Giants going forward. These guys are going to be superstars on opposite sides of the ball.

Outside of those two A+ level talents in round 1, there were a couple of other nice picks as well. While it may have been a slight reach in round 2, Wan'Dale Robinson is a stud. He's like a little bit less elusive version of Kadarius Toney (who they may move). In Brian Daboll's innovative offensive system, Robinson could be a major factor. I thought their other amazing pick was their final one which was LB Darrian Beavers from Cincinnati. Beavers was a second or third round talent in my eyes and he somehow ended up in round 6. While he's nothing special yet in coverage, he's so good in run support. He runs sideline to sideline lightning quick and is also a skilled rusher when sent on a blitz. New York's best picks outside of their first 3 was their 6th rounder who should be a day 1 starter if it were up to me. For a new regime in town in HC Daboll and GM Joe Schoen, they looked like complete veterans out there.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

Class: DT Jordan Davis (1), C Cameron Jurgens (2), LB Nakobe Dean (3), LB Kyron Johnson (6), TE Grant Calcaterra (6)

For a draft class of just 5 players, the Eagles absolutely aced it. Jordan Davis was their guy all along and they moved up two spots to ensure they would get him. He's going to take some time to develop into the potential all-world all around talent that the team sees on his horizon, but when he gets there, it's going to be crazy. This wasn't a draft pick, but Philly trading pick #18 to Tennessee in exchange for superstar young wideout AJ Brown was arguably one of the steals of the entire off-season. That is a crazy difference maker and perennial pro bowl talent for basically a singular mid first round pick. That move really pushes them up here too.

Outside of round 1 in which they snagged the best athlete in the class and then *AJ Brown*, Philly did not take their foot off the gas. Cameron Jurgens was one of my favorite prospects in the class. An insanely strong Center with very long arms and a chip on his shoulder, Jurgens can play either guard spot for Philly or even Center if they like him there better than Landon Dickerson. That pick helps to continue to ensure Jalen Hurts will have everything around him he needs. In round 3, the Eagles also got the arguable steal of the entire draft. Everyone and their mother had Nakobe Dean as an easy top 20 prospect in the class, and due to overblown health concerns, he fell into their fricken' LAPS in the THIRD round. Dean is an instant starter and potential rookie of the year. He is crazy fast, an elite blitzer and run support player, and will be the captain of a weak second level. I can't believe Philly landed him so late. What a class this was for Philly and it will make them have a damn good shot at returning back to the post-season in 2022-23. 

2. New York Jets

Class: CB Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (1), WR Garrett Wilson (1), EDGE Jermaine Johnson (1), RB Breece Hall (2), TE Jeremy Ruckert (3), OT Max Mitchell (4), EDGE Michael Clemson (4)

New York teams running the draft! Seriously though, what wizardry by GM Joe Douglas in this draft. The Jets started out by drafting my no. 1 player in the class in Sauce Gardner at no. 4. Value. Sauce will be an island boundary corner from day 1 and changes the complete complexity of how this team can play defense as a whole. The Jets doubled down on top tier talent by getting the arguable top wideout in Garrett Wilson at 10 to give Zach Wilson a new top target. We all heard the rumors of the Jets strongly considering stud rusher Jermaine Johnson at pick 4, so when he was falling and still there at 26, the Jets traded BACK in to the 1st for a third selection and snagged the falling star. Johnson will be a star from the very beginning. He dominated everywhere he played in college and has a veteran feel to him. He could have 10 sacks in year 1.

The Jets were not done after getting three arguable top 10 talents in round 1. They snagged the consensus no. 1 back in the class in Breece Hall to join the backfield and be a major help to Zach Wilson and his nerves. Those first 4 picks will be instant impact stars from week 1, but another guy who is underrated in this class is third rounder Jeremy Ruckert. While he isn't especially known for his receiving skill, he's a great blocking tight end and will slot in behind CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in the TE room to create his own impact. Overall, the Jets snagged three of the top 10 players in the class along with a couple more high impact stars. This was a dream class for Gang Green, and they fall JUST short of our no. 1 class rank.

1. Baltimore Ravens

Class: S Kyle Hamilton (1), C Tyler Linderbaum (1), EDGE David Ojabo (2), DT Travis Jones (3), OT Daniel Faalele (4), CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (4), TE Charlie Kolar (4), P Jordan Stout (4), TE Isaiah Likely (4), CB Damarion Williams (4), RB Tyler Badie (6)

The no. 1 draft class of the 2022 NFL draft belongs to the Baltimore Ravens. What else is new? The Ravens continue their annual tear on draft weekend of getting tons of the best talent on their roster. In most instances for most clubs it's quality over quantity or vice versa, but the Ravens say why not quality AND quantity?! Round 1 worked out like a charm for them. Kyle Hamilton is discussed by some as the best player in the class and he fell into their laps at 14. The Ravens already have so much talent on that defense and they just got a Derwin James-esqe chess piece that can create havoc on so many different parts of the field. The team then wheeled and dealed and found their way into snagging top 10 talent Tyler Linderbaum in the late first round. Centers usually are undervalued in the draft but the Ravens didn't care as they know Linderbaum is the best C prospect in 20 years.

The first round was not close to being just it for this team. In the early second round, they got David Ojabo. Yup. The former top 20 talent in the class whose stock took a drastic hit when he tore his Achillies during the pre-draft process. He will likely miss his entire first season but Baltimore doesn't care. When he's back next season they essentially add another first round talent to that feared front 7. Round 3, yup another potential first round talent. DT Travis Jones got a ton of pre-draft hype for his whopping size yet skill at the nose tackle position. He will be a menace on the same line as two veterans (Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams) at DT. 

I'm not going to go on all day because pretty much all of Baltimore's picks were home runs, but Daniel Faalele in round 4 is another major steal. Faalele is the biggest player in NFL history at OT but despite this he is athletic and has a ton of upside in terms of technique and not just a big body. If Baltimore can develop him, he's an easy franchise tackle. The depth of this class is just crazy and the Ravens might have just brought in 3-4+ future Pro Bowlers. Sheesh, Eric DeCosta has done it again!

Top 10 class honorable mention: Tennessee Titans barely miss the list, the big kicker was the shocking and head-scratching trade of AJ Brown, if not for that, they would have likely made this list with some of the great value picks they made (ex: the Malik Willis pick)