We’re not even through the 2021 NFL draft yet and we’re already getting some discussions about the 2022 edition. One recent thought on the 2022 draft came from former Dallas Cowboys executive Gil Brandt who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Like any great mind, Brandt is thinking well ahead as he’s closed the book on the 2021 draft and is already looking ahead to 2022 as he released his top-five players for the 2022 edition.
At number two is a current Notre Dame star who is only entering his junior season but clearly has the ability to make the jump to the NFL.
Trailing only defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux of Oregon, Brandt ranks Fighting Irish safety Kyle Hamilton as the 2022 draft’s second-best player.
I put the 2021 draft to bed, starting on 2022:
My top 5 for 2022 (as of 4/19/21):
1. DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, @oregonfootball
2. S Kyle Hamilton, @NDFootball
3. CB Derek Stingley, Jr., @LSUfootball
4. DE Drake Jackson, @USC_FB
5. QB Sam Howell, @TarHeelFootball— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 19, 2021
Based on the replies I think most people are struggling to understand he’s ranking the players, not projecting what number pick they’ll be selected at.
Hamilton is as good of safety as there is in the nation and clearly has an NFL body. Although I don’t think there is a chance he’ll go second overall, if Hamilton does go in the top-10 when he’s eventually drafted he’d be the first Notre Dame defender taken that high since Bryant Young went seventh overall to the San Francisco 49ers in 1994.