Trade frenzy, elite defenders highlight 2022 NFL Draft

LAS VEGAS, April 28 (UPI) -- Defensive players dominated the early portion of the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday in Las Vegas. The night then took an erratic turn with nine first-round trades, the most since 2010.

"It meant a lot," former Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis said of the Philadelphia Eagles' decision to trade up and pick him at No. 13 overall.

"They saw me as a player who could give them value. I'm just really excited to work and give them everything I've got."

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected former Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker with the No. 1 overall pick. Georgia led all schools with five selections among the first 32 players picked.

Former Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson was the next player to walk onto the stage outside the Caesars Forum conference center. He went to the Detroit Lions at No. 2 overall.

The defensive ends sparked a run of five consecutive defensive players picked to start the draft. Five-consecutive offensive selections followed.

The New Orleans Saints then completed the first trade of the night with the Washington Commanders to move up in the draft order. They used the No. 11 overall pick on former Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave.

The Detroit Lions followed when they traded with the Minnesota Vikings for the No. 12 overall pick. They used that pick to snag former Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams.

"I didn't have any idea what was going to happen tonight," Williams said. "I was prepared for whatever.

"It shows me that the team took a chance and made something happen for me."

The Eagles went on to pull off two more trades. Their first trade with the Houston Texans allowed the franchise to select Davis.

Their next swap made the largest wave of the night, as they acquired Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans. The Titans then used the pick they acquired in that trade to replace Brown with former Arkansas playmaker Treylon Burks.

The Arizona Cardinals also acquired veteran NFL wide receiver Marquise Brown from the Baltimore Ravens in another draft-day swap.

The Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Titans and Jets were involved in additional trades.

Former Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson landed with the Jets after the team traded for pick No. 26. He said he had a feeling the Jets would trade for him.

"The Jets coach [Robert Saleh] said: 'What did I tell you when you were leaving my office on your visit?' I said: 'That you guys would come get me,'" Johnson said.

"They came and got me and it was full circle."

Former Pittsburgh star Kenny Pickett was the only quarterback picked in the first round. He went to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 20 overall.

The Minnesota Vikings selected former Georgia safety Lewis Cine with the last pick of the first round.

The first round featured nine offensive linemen, six wide receivers, five edge rushers, four cornerbacks, three safeties, two defensive tackles, two linebackers and one quarterback.

The 1991 NFL Draft was the only other draft to start with five-consecutive defensive selections.

All first-round picks from the draft will receive four-year contracts with a fifth-year option. The other 230 picks from the draft also will receive four-year deals, without the option.

Second- and third-round coverage of the 2022 NFL Draft will air at 7 p.m. EDT Friday. Fourth- through seventh-round coverage will start at noon Saturday.

All draft coverage will be on NFL Network, ESPN and ABC.

2022 NFL Draft

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia

2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan

3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

4. New York Jets: Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon

6. Carolina Panthers: Ickey Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State

7. New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

8. Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, WR, USC

9. Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross, OT, Ole Miss

10. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State