NFL Draft

Six months away from the 2022 NFL draft, the top of the class is starting to take shape with two familiar names standing above the rest. 

In his latest draft rankings released on Wednesday, ESPN's Todd McShay has Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. ranked as the top two players. 

Alabama offensive tackle Evan O'Neal (No. 3) is the only offensive player in the top five. Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton checks in at No. 4, followed by Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson at No. 5. 

Among the significant changes in McShay's rankings now compared to his preseason top 50 released in August is where the quarterbacks stand. 

Oklahoma's Spencer Rattler and North Carolina's Sam Howell were the top two players in August. A total of six quarterbacks were among the top 50. 

Now, neither Rattler nor Howell are in the top 32. Rattler was benched in Oklahoma's 55-48 win over Texas. Caleb Williams has started the past two games against TCU and Kansas.

Liberty's Malik Willis is the only quarterback in the top 10 (No. 6). Matt Corral from Mississippi (No. 21), Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett (No. 27) and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder (No. 32) are the other signal-callers currently ranked among the top 32 players. 

Thibodeaux and Stingley do have injury concerns that have cost them playing time this season. Stingley is out indefinitely after undergoing foot surgery in October. He had 15 pass breakups and six interceptions as a freshman in 2019. 

An ankle sprain kept Thibodeaux out for three games, but he has looked fine since returning on Oct. 2 against Stanford. The Ducks star had six pressures and three sacks in a 34-31 win over UCLA on Saturday. 

McShay noted that Thibodeaux is "versatile enough to convert to 3-4 outside linebacker or even occasionally kick inside to rush the passer."

That scheme versatility is going to make Thibodeaux very attractive to a number of teams at the top of the draft. 

It may be a bad year for clubs with a top-10 pick hoping to find a franchise quarterback, but there's a lot of high-end defensive talent that can make an immediate impact.   

The NFL plans to consider Los Angeles, Dallas and Indianapolis as sites for the 2023 draft combine.

Indianapolis has hosted the combine since 1987, but the NFL announced in June that it would allow other cities to bid on the event. The league has had success moving its draft to different NFL markets and likely sees the combine as the next event to turn into a spectacle.

"The League, in concert with the Combine Executive Committee, is considering ways to grow the Combine as a tentpole event, while at the same time enhancing the prospect experience and partnership," a memo sent to teams in June read. 

It's unclear what level of success the NFL will have in changing the site of the combine. High-level prospects have increasingly chosen to not participate in drills, choosing instead to showcase themselves at their pro day—typically in an environment where they feel most comfortable. 

The NFL will have to find a way to incentivize top player participation to create a more fan-friendly event. It seems almost certain the NFL will attempt to use the combine to incorporate a level of in-person fan involvement that has not typically been part of the proceedings. The league will also need to find a way to make the event more palatable from a viewership standpoint. 

If you're an NFL team looking for a quarterback, the 2022 NFL draft class might not be for you.

ESPN's draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest big board Tuesday, which does not feature a quarterback in the top 10. Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux remains widely regarded as the best pro prospect in the country. 

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
2. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
3. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
4. Drake London, WR, USC
5. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
6. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
7. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
8. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
9. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
10. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M

Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett is now seen as Kiper's top quarterback at No. 15 overall. Matt Corrall of Ole Miss (No. 20 overall) and Desmond Ridder of Cincinnati (No. 25 overall) are also listed in the updated rankings.

Thibodeaux is perhaps the most can't-miss defensive prospect since Myles Garrett in 2017. Ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the country coming out of high school, Thibodeaux has been an instant-impact superstar since arriving at Oregon. He's coming off a nine-tackle, two-sack performance in Saturday's win over UCLA.

One of the biggest movers in Kiper's rankings is London, who ascended to No. 4 and took the top wideout spot away from Penn State's Jahan Dotson. The USC product has already racked up 79 receptions for 1,003 yards, putting up at least 13 yards in six of the Trojans' seven games this season.

Dotson was among the biggest losers in the rankings update, going from No. 8 all the way to No. 16. Penn State's offense has been anemic in losses to Iowa and Illinois, leaving Dotson little chance to make a significant impact. Dotson has been eclipsed by both London and Alabama's Jameson Williams, who has emerged as the Tide's most dynamic downfield playmaker. Williams soared to No. 11 after being outside the top 25 in Kiper's previous rankings.