NFC West 2022 Draft Grades
This week I would like to go over the NFC West's 2022 draft and assign a grade for how they hve performed thus far. Normally you should wait 3 years before evaluating a prospects development and performance but this is Madden and the results happen much sooner.
49ers
With the 22nd pick in the 2nd-5th rounds, San Francisco struck gold with their 3rd round pick. Coach Rabbit selected speedy New Mexico State WR Devon Gilbert to help fill out his WR corps. This pick initially looked like a bust as Gilbert was only a 68 ovr Normal dev, but the 49ers saw the big play potential in the 96 speed rookie. In his first 2 seasons, Devon Gilbert has posted consecutive seasons of 90+ catches and a combined 3600 receiving yds with 31 TDs. His performance over the past 2 seasons has earned him back to back pro bowl awards and elevated him to an XFactor.
The blockbuster trade for Trey Lance from 2021 left San Francisco without a first and not a lot of ammo to move around the draft boards so it was paramount to hit on at least one of their picks.
The other 3 draft picks in this class never amounted to anything but Gilbert was such a homerun we are giving GM Sheriff an A- grade for the 2022 draft.
Cardinals
The Cardinals had a plan prior to the draft and it wasnt to select the BPA. The OL was a consistent weakness during their 2021 campaign and they vowed to correct it thru the draft.
Corey Griffith and Steve Franklin were selected at pick 17 and 63 respectively. Both players began with star dev and have solidified themselves as starters on a very bad offensive line. LG Franklin has recently reached Superstar status and quickly become a fan favorite with his ability to maul defenders in the run game.
Arizona needs to continue drafting well when they pick OL, as their unit as a whole is still bottom third of the league. The rest of this draft produced no starters or quality players which will bring down their overall draft grade which is why I am giving them a B
Rams
The Rams went all in on Matthew Stafford for 2021 while trading multiple draft picks to Detroit. This left the LA Rams with a 2nd, two 5ths and a 7th round pick. A surprising move happened at end of 2021 season as Matthew Stafford was traded for a different QB, Davis Mills. The long neck experiment didnt last long as the Rams found themselves needing a QB come draft time. With their first draft selection at pick 34, GM Nappleman picked QB Earl Kemp from Iowa.
I wish I could say that this pick worked out but Kemp has been a major disappointment. The 62 Ovr normal dev never could figure out how to play QB in the NSL and the Rams have found themselves back at square 1 for 2024 with Matthew Stafford at QB. The Rams also whiffed on all their other draft picks which is why they have earned an F- for the 2022 NSL Draft.
Seahawks
Good lord are we ending on a high note with a review of the Seattle Seahawks 2022 draft. GM Paul crushed this draft and had loads of picks to throw darts with. The team had a 1st, 2nd, two 3rds, two 4ths, 5th, 6th and a 7th.
The first two picks were back-to-back OT's. Joey Edwards in the 1st round was a slam dunk, becoming a superstar OT and doing a tremendous job of keeping passrushers off of Russell Wilson. Our 2nd round OT didnt pan out but the 3rd round is where we find our next superstar from this draft class.
DE Cordale Northrop had a solid start his rookie year recording 4 sacks and followed that up the next year with 10 sacks which earned him a superstar dev. The 83ovr continues to get better and better and has become a solid feature for the 12th man and their roster.
The other Seahawk selections have yet to perform or become anything more than rotational pieces or ST'ers but hitting on two superstars in the trenches will give any team a grade of A