5 players from the 2022 NFL Draft who may fail to live up to expectations

Travon Walker at the NFL Combine
Travon Walker at the NFL Combine

#3 - Tyler Smith, Offensive Tackle, Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Smith of the Dallas Cowboys
Tyler Smith of the Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys looked to offer quarterback Dak Prescott some protection when they drafted offensive tackle Tyler Smith out of Tulsa with the 24th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft.

But like Penning, it seems as though his position as a quarterback protector has seen him drafted sooner than his skills deserve. Smith's technique leaves a lot to be desired as he stands straight and has questionable hand placement, which could lead to a plethora of holding calls in the NFL.

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Smith will play for the Dallas Cowboys, who were the most penalized team in 2021, and his selection might only make matters worse for the team in that aspect.

#2 - Malik Willis, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans

2022 Draft - Malik Willis on the Red Carpet
2022 Draft - Malik Willis on the Red Carpet

One of the shocks of the 2022 NFL Draft was how far quarterback Malik Willis fell, as most people had him as a mid-first-round selection. He wasn’t taken until round three by the Titans, and many have since speculated why that was.

Willis is a fantastic athlete, as he rushed for 27 total touchdowns in his two years at Liberty and has a rocket arm that was on full display on his pro day. However, many scouts feel that he played in a simple college system without having too many NFL-level reads, which makes it difficult for Willis’ skills to translate to the next level.

#1 - Travon Walker, Defensive End, Jacksonville Jaguars

Travon Walker of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Travon Walker of the Jacksonville Jaguars

Travon Walker was taken with the number one overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, despite some concerns about his production. While at Georgia, Walker only managed to amass 9.5 total sacks in his three years in college, leaving many fans and analysts thinking the Jacksonville Jaguars made a mistake selecting him.

Walker is a fantastic athlete, however, managing a 9.99/10 relative athletic score, and the 272-pound man posted an excellent 4.51-second 40-yard dash and a 35.5-inch vertical jump. Still, there are question marks as to whether his athleticism can overcome his lack of production in the NFL.

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