Turns out, the 2022 NFL Draft was all over the place.Picks No. 2 and 3 (Aidan Hutchinson and Derek Stingley Jr., respectively) have blossomed into two of the NFL’s best defenders and pillars for their respective franchises. The No. 7 pick (Evan Neal) is still with the team that drafted him (the Giants), only he now earns the league minimum and no longer plays tackle. The Panthers used a third-round pick on a QB (Matt Corral) who has now been in the UFL for three seasons.You just never know how it’s going to play out. The ’22 class featured a bunch of high-level defensive talent, some really good wide receivers, and either the weirdest or the worst (or both) quarterback class we’ve ever seen.As members of that class prepare to enter their fifth NFL season, let’s re-rank each position group based on pro performance.(Note: A highlighted row indicates a player no longer with the team that drafted him.)QuarterbackPlayerCurrent teamOriginal draft slot1Brock PurdySan Francisco 49ersRound 7, No. 262 (SF)2Malik WillisMiami DolphinsRound 3, No. 86 (TEN)3Kenny PickettCarolina PanthersRound 1, No. 20 (PIT)4Bailey ZappeNew York JetsRound 4, No. 137 (NE)5Sam HowellDallas CowboysRound 5, No. 144 (WAS)Just about every analyst with a keyboard declared the 2022 QB class a dud months before the actual NFL Draft took place. And — all due respect to Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy — that assessment was more or less correct. Not only did Purdy become the most improbable starter out of that draft class, but also he quickly saved (and recentered) Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers offense after the Trey Lance whiff. He remains the only nine-figure-contract QB in this class.Malik Willis is the other ’22 QB with a firm starting job heading into training camp, though it’ll be the first of his career. The unproven former Green Bay backup (who was originally drafted by the Titans) earned a three-year deal with the Dolphins after performing well last season in place of an injured Jordan Love.Bailey Zappe and Kenny Pickett are high-end backups with spot-start ability.Running backPlayerCurrent teamOriginal draft slot1James CookBuffalo BillsRound 2, No. 63 (BUF)2Kyren WilliamsLos Angels RamsRound 5, No. 164 (LAR)3Kenneth Walker IIIKansas City ChiefsRound 2, No. 41 (SEA)4Breece HallNew York JetsRound 2, No. 36 (NYJ)5Tyler AllgeierArizona CardinalsRound 5, No. 151 (ATL)No longer known just as Dalvin Cook’s little brother, James Cook scored a four-year, $48-million extension ahead of 2025 after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and consistent production as a receiver. Cook paid Buffalo back with a career rushing year in 2025, leading the league with 1,621 yards en route to a third straight Pro Bowl.Kyren Williams, meantime, was a serious find by Sean McVay and the Rams — the 207-pounder from Notre Dame has three straight 1,000-yard seasons, in addition to 111 career receptions. Kenneth Walker III, last season’s Super Bowl MVP, has been a better receiver in the NFL than expected and will now be the top back in Kansas City.This was a quality running back class. Rachaad White, Isiah Pacheco and Brian Robinson Jr. have all made impacts, as well.Wide receiverPlayerCurrent teamOriginal draft slot1George PickensDallas CowboysRound 2, No. 52 (PIT)2Garrett WilsonNew York JetsRound 1, No. 10 (NYJ)3Drake LondonAtlanta FalconsRound 1, No. 8 (ATL)4Chris OlaveNew Orleans SaintsRound 1, No. 11 (NO)5Alec PierceIndianapolis ColtsRound 2, No. 53 (IND)This was billed ahead of the draft as a tremendous wide receiver class. So far, so good.It’s hard to say Pickens has been a surprise, at least from a scouting perspective. He has outperformed expectations at least in terms of consistency, though, and his 93-catch, 1,429-yard, nine-touchdown 2025 season is repeatable. I have Garrett Wilson ranked slightly ahead of Drake London, as his offensive situation has been as bad as, or worse than, anyone else’s in the league — and he’s still a top-shelf weapon.If Tyler Shough can continue his improvement at QB, New Orleans could be a much-improved squad this season, which in turn could help shine more light on how good Olave has been — he’s produced three 1,000-yard seasons in four tries.Alec Pierce comes in just ahead of Detroit speedster Jameson Williams for No. 5 on the list, but that’s a tough call. Both have earned extensions from their original teams and provided serious big-play ability.Tight endPlayerCurrent teamOriginal draft slot1Trey McBrideArizona CardinalsRound 2, No. 55 (ARI)2Jake FergusonDallas CowboysRound 4, No. 129 (DAL)3Cade OttonTampa Bay BuccaneersRound 4, No. 106 (TB)4Isaiah LikelyNew York GiantsRound 4, No. 139 (BAL)5Chig Okonkwo Washington CommandersRound 4, No. 143 (TEN)Trey McBride was arguably the best pick in the entire 2022 NFL Draft. In hindsight, teams were too concerned about the impact of his light frame in the run game and weren’t high enough on him as an ascending receiver talent. McBride’s 90-catch, 1,121-yard senior year at Colorado State doubled his next-best college season, but it was just the start for him — he’s already made 347 catches for 3,475 yards and 17 touchdowns as a pro, and his 126 catches last season set a single-season NFL record for tight ends.