The college football season is officially underway, and the NFL season is soon to follow, meaning it's only a matter of months before some teams start to turn their attention to the 2022 NFL Draft. CBS Sports is going to be tracking every aspect -- from draft positioning, prospect rankings and team needs -- each step along the way.
Ryan Wilson, Chris Trapasso and I compiled our rankings to come to an aggregate decision. Our top 50 prospects are below:
| 1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon |
| 2. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU |
| 3. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame |
| 4. Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma |
| 5. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina |
| 6. George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue |
| 7. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State |
| 8. Demarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M |
| 9. Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa |
| 10. Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M |
| 11. Noah Daniels, CB, TCU |
| 12. Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia |
| 13. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State |
| 14. Christian Harris, LB, Alabama |
| 15. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas |
| 16. Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC |
| 17. Carson Strong, QB, Nevada |
| 18. Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati |
| 19. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida |
| 20. George Pickens, WR, Georgia |
| 21. Aidan Hutchinson, DL, Michigan |
| 22. Adam Anderson, EDGE, Georgia |
| 23. Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson |
| 24. Thayer Munford, OL, Ohio State |
| 25. Kedon Slovis, QB, USC |
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Derek Stingley and Kyle Hamilton have been widely-regarded as the top three non-quarterback prospects, and that is no different at CBS Sports. All have elite traits that could lead to impact performances in the NFL. Oklahoma's Spencer Rattler and North Carolina's Sam Howell are the top two quarterback prospects for now, but Nevada's Carson Strong has the arm talent to surpass one or both of them. Ohio State has the two highest-rated wide receivers while Texas A&M was the only school with two players in the top 10.
Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick is the only transfer within the top 25 after being dismissed from Clemson. Cornerbacks and wide receivers were the most well-represented positions within the top 25 with five each. Demarvin Leal is one of the most interesting prospects because of his size. He can line up outside or condense inside depending upon the situation. Georgia wide receiver George Pickens is the only actively injured prospect to make the list after suffering a torn ACL in March. Georgia edge rusher Adam Anderson has substantial upside. He is quick twitch off the corner but could stand to add some weight to his frame. USC quarterback Kedon Slovis rounds out the first batch.
| 26. Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati |
| 27. Evan Neal, OL, Alabama |
| 28. Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M |
| 29. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty |
| 30. Zion Tupuola-Fetui, EDGE, Washington |
| 31. Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M |
| 32. Jaxson Kirkland, OL, Washington |
| 33. Ricky Stromberg, OL, Arkansas |
| 34. Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina |
| 35. Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama |
| 36. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia |
| 37. Daniel Faalele, OL, Minnesota |
| 38. Nick Broeker, OL, Ole Miss |
| 39. Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College |
| 40. Nicholas Petit-Frere, OL, Ohio State |
| 41. Tykee Smith, S, Georgia |
| 42. Jordan Battle, S, Alabama |
| 43. Haskell Garrett, DL, Ohio State |
| 44. Joe Ngata, WR, Clemson |
| 45. Rasheed Walker, OL, Penn State |
| 46. Zion Nelson, OL, Miami |
| 47. Bubba Bolden, S, Miami |
| 48. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah |
| 49. Abraham Lucas, OL, Washington State |
| 50. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson |
The second group was offensive line heavy with nine additions. The Buckeyes have done some re-organizing along the offensive line, moving right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere to the left side and sliding Thayer Munford inside to guard. Ohio State began its season with a win over Minnesota on Thursday night. Texas A&M's Isaiah Spiller was the one and only running back to make the cut at No. 31 overall. Offensive tackles will be in abundance next offseason, both in the draft and the open market, as Cam Robinson, Terron Armstead and Duane Brown are all scheduled to become free agents. Several teams have an existing need, including Pittsburgh, Carolina and Cincinnati.
Ohio State defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, who was shot in the face last year, will be 24-years-old during his rookie season in the NFL. His age is certain to impact his stance with several teams. Clemson wide receiver Joe Ngata has a chance to become a breakout star in college football this season because of his elite traits. Miami safety Bubba Bolden is a former top high school recruit that has teams excited. Ohio State and Georgia had the most prospects (five), followed by Alabama (four).
