he 2022 NFL Draft heads to Las Vegas tonight after a two-year delay as American football’s top young prospects prepare to take the exciting first steps in their professional careers.
This year’s event is being held amid all the glitz and gleaming neon lights of the world-famous Strip, specifically at the plush Caesars Forum convention centre and with a red carpet stage constructed in front of the Fountains of Bellagio.
There is a real sense of heightened unpredictability ahead of this particular draft, with no consensus No1 overall pick and so many players that could end up being selected among the first 10 choices.
While there is no sure-fire top talent like Joe Burrow or Trevor Lawrence this time around, such a multitude of potential scenarios and shocks adds a layer of excitement to proceedings as teams have to prepare to potentially change their plans in an instant.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are first on the clock for the second successive year after another horror season that included the short-lived and disastrous coaching reign of Urban Meyer, with plenty of potential options to weigh up – namely pass rushers and offensive tackles, who are expected to be the order of the day early on.
Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker could well be the No1 overall pick by the Jaguars
/ APGeorgia defensive end Travon Walker and Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson are the two players mocked most often at No1, with reports that the former is most likely to go first.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Evan Neal, Ickey Ekwonu, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and Kyle Hamilton are among the other names to watch on day one, along with a stream of talented wide receivers including Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams, Chris Olave and Treylon Burks.
While it has long since been established that this year’s graduating quarterback class is underwhelming, don’t rule out the likes of Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett and Desmond Ridder all being snapped up in the first round.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft…
NFL Draft start time 2022
The 2022 NFL Draft start tonight, Thursday April 28, with the first pick expected to be made at just after 5pm local time.
That will mean the ususal late night for UK-based NFL fans, with that translating to 1am BST in the early hours of Friday morning.
The first round should wrap up after approximately two hours, with rounds two and three starting from midnight on Saturday. Rounds four to seven will complete proceedings from 5pm BST on Saturday, meanwhile.
NFL Draft order 2022
First round
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. Detroit Lions
3. Houston Texans
4. New York Jets
5. New York Giants
6. Carolina Panthers
7. New York Giants (from Chicago Bears)
8. Atlanta Falcons
9. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos)
10. New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks)
11. Washington Commanders
12. Minnesota Vikings
13. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns)
14. Baltimore Ravens
15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins)
Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson should be one of the first players off the board in round one
/ AP16. New Orleans Saints (from Indianapolis Colts via Philadelphia Eagles)
17. Los Angeles Chargers
18. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints)
19. New Orleans Saints (from Philadelphia Eagles)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
21. New England Patriots
22. Green Bay Packers (from Las Vegas Raiders)
23. Arizona Cardinals
24. Dallas Cowboys
25. Buffalo Bills
26. Tennessee Titans
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
28. Green Bay Packers
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from San Francisco 49ers via Miami Dolphins)
30. Kansas City Chiefs
31. Cincinnati Bengals
32. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams)
How to watch NFL Draft 2022
TV channel: In the UK, live coverage of the NFL Draft is available to watch via Sky Sports Main Event and their dedicated NFL channel.
Live stream: Subscribers can also watch the Draft unfold live online via the Sky Go app.
Will Liberty’s Malik Willis be the first quarterback selection in Las Vegas?
/ APNFL Draft odds 2022
No1 overall pick
Travon Walker – 1/5
Aidan Hutchinson – 4/1
Ickey Ekwonu – 6/1
Evan Neal – 22/1
Kayvon Thibodeaux – 22/1
First quarterback selected
Malik Willis – 1/2
Kenny Pickett – 2/1
Desmond Ridder – 9/1
Matt Corral – 12/1
Sam Howell – 50/1
First wide receiver selected
Garrett Wilson – 4/6
Drake London – 5/2
Jameson Williams – 5/2
Chris Olave – 20/1
Treylon Burks – 20/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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