Which safeties were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft? Which teams drafted those safeties, and how does the 2022 class compare to previous years?
Which Safeties Were Drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Let’s take a look at the safeties drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. After a slow start with just one safety drafted in the first 30 selections, Day 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft ended with back-to-back selections at the position.
Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame | Baltimore Ravens
Round 1, Pick 14
At one point thought of as a potential top-five selection, Kyle Hamilton slipped all the way out of the top 10. A versatile and talented player, he was let down by a mediocre performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. While Hamilton’s statistics looked promising, the athletic testing concerns highlighted some worries about his play speed that had been seen on tape, causing him to slide to pick No. 14.
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The NFL’s concerns turned out to be a win for the Ravens, which appeared to land a franchise-elevating safety at a pick several picks later than expected, or perhaps even deserved. Hamilton lit up the stat sheet as a rookie with 62 tackles (four for a loss), two sacks, and a forced fumble. He collected only four starts. As his role grows in 2023 and beyond, so should his production.
Daxton Hill, Michigan | Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1, Pick 31
The first of two safeties drafted to close out the first frame of the 2022 NFL Draft, Daxton Hill was a key part of the Michigan Wolverines’ run to the College Football Playoffs. Hill’s statistics reinforced the visuals — that he’s a versatile safety who can contribute in a number of ways. He started two games for Cincy as a rookie and is poised to make a second-year leap.
Lewis Cine, Georgia | Minnesota Vikings
Round 1, Pick 32
The third safety selected in the 2022 NFL Draft was somewhat of a surprise pick to round out the first day. Lewis Cine wrapped up a memorable evening for the Georgia Bulldogs defense. Their five selections on the first day of the 2022 NFL Draft set a record in the common draft era. Despite his 99th-percentile speed and an impressive track record, Cine endured an injury-plagued rookie season in Minnesota, playing sparingly in only three contests.
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Round 2-7
4) Jalen Pitre, Baylor
R2-P37 | Texans
5) Jaquan Brisker, Penn State
R2-P48 | Bears
6) Bryan Cook, Cincinnati
R2-P62 | Chiefs
7) JT Woods, Baylor
R3-P79 | Chargers
8) Nick Cross, Maryland
R3-P96 | Colts
9) Kerby Joseph, Illinois
R3-P97 | Lions
10) Percy Butler, Louisiana
R4-P113 | Commanders
11) Dane Belton, Iowa
R4-P114 | Giants
12) Delarrin Turner-Yell, Oklahoma
R5-P152 | Broncos
13) Tycen Anderson, Toledo
R5-P166 | Bengals
14) Theo Jackson, Tennessee
R6-P204 | Titans
15) Quentin Lake, UCLA
R6-P211 | NFL Team
16) Rodney Thomas, Yale
R7-P239 | Colts
17) Russ Yeast, Kansas State
R7-P253 | Rams
18) Elijah Hicks, Cal
R7-P254 | Bears
19) Nazeeh Johnson, Marshall
R7-P259 | Chiefs
How Many Safeties Were Drafted in 2022?
There were just 19 safeties selected during the 2022 NFL Draft, and that number was three fewer than the previous year. When combining cornerbacks and safeties, the 55 taken in this draft was more than all but two of the previous 10 NFL Drafts.
The three safeties drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft ended a quiet streak for the position. No safety had been selected in the first round of the previous two drafts. At least two had been selected in the first round in seven of the previous eight drafts. On average, over the previous 10 years, two safeties had been selected in the opening round.
