Mel Kiper Jr. updates 2022 NFL Draft big board after Week 8

ESPN’s NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his Week Eight big board, showing big shifts in the college football landscape. With no Clemson Tigers and just two Alabama Crimson Tide players, small conference players are getting their chance to shine.

Check out Kiper Jr.’s Week Eight big board, featuring the top 25 players in the 2022 NFL draft class.

Mel Kiper Jr.’s Week 8 big board

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

After missing time with an ankle injury, Thibodeaux has shown why he tops Kiper’s Week Eight big board. He has 16 career sacks, 31 tackles for loss on 99 tackles, and three forced fumbles over 24 games. The former five-star prospect has established his place atop nearly every draft board at this point.

2. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Hamilton brings versatility at safety, combining speed and strength on the backline of the defense. He has eight career interceptions but can also line up near the line as a slot corner or run stopper. It remains unclear how serious his knee injury against USC will be, although Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly ruled out Hamilton against North Carolina.

3. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

Stingley Jr. finished his freshman season with six interceptions, in route to a national championship. Since then, Kiper has not seen the production, but keeps Stingley at No. 3 based on upside. Stingley Jr. is also out, missing extending time with a reaggravated foot injury.

4. Drake London, WR, USC

London has been a bright star in the cloudy sky at USC. He has 79 receptions for 1,003 receiving yards and five touchdowns over seven games. The 6-foot-5 playmaker regularly makes the highlight reel with big grabs, thrusting him into the public eye despite USC results.

5. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

Neal’s physical traits offer plenty upside for NFL teams to tap. He has experience playing left guard, right tackle and left tackle at Alabama, making him a plug-and-play prospect wherever teams need. Kiper describes Neal as the “complete package” in his Week Eight big board. He dominates as a run-blocker and also offers solid pass-protection.

6. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

Hutchinson continues to impress scouts with his breakout performance. He has six sacks and a forced fumble, adding an 18.6 percent pressure rate. His high-impact performances have helped make the difference for Michigan over the past three seasons.

7. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

Cross is asked to pass protect early and often within the Mississippi State offense. He has allowed just one sack and three pressures this season. After showing promise last season, Kiper believes the left tackle prospect has taken the next step toward an NFL career.

8. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

Lloyd is one of the top senior prospects in the 2022 NFL draft class. He has 69 total tackles and has added four sacks, 10 tackles for loss, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 2021. He offers versatility within a 3-4 or 4-3 defense and possesses the ability to play in nickel and dime defenses as well.

9. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

Despite playing at the FCS level, Penning has impressed Kiper this season. The NFL draft expert describes Penning as “rugged,” as he “destroys edge rushers.” The Northern Iowa program is no stranger to NFL talent, sending right tackle Spencer Brown into the league as a third-round pick in 2021.

10. DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M

Leal sits somewhere between edge rusher and defensive lineman but remains productive none-the-less. He has 5.5 sacks with 35 tackles this season. Kiper describes Leal as one of his favorite prospects, siting high upside as an interior pass rusher in his Week Eight big board.

11. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

Williams has been one of college football’s breakout stars, arriving at Alabama after two years in the shadows at Ohio State. He has 35 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns through eight games. Williams also averages 20.3 yards per reception and adds production as a kick returner.

12. Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

Linderbaum has developed into one of the top center prospects over recent years. He combines consistency and elite run-blocking. He is also capable of pulling to either side successfully.

13. Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia

As the leader of college football’s best defense, Dean has drawn attention as a leader and sideline to sideline tackler. He has 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks and an interception this season. Dean emerged on Kiper’s rising prospects list and now breaks into the Week Eight big board.

14. Kingsley Enagbare, OLB, South Carolina

Kiper wanted more from Enagbare in 2021, and to this point he has gotten it. Over the past three games, Enagbare has 18 quarterback pressures, despite playing for a struggling South Carolina team.

15. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt

Pickett has been college football’s best story so far. After betting on himself with another season at Pitt, he has emerged as Kiper’s No. 1 quarterback. Pickett has drawn Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield comparisons already.

16. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

Dotson is having a big season for Penn State, regularly making the highlight reel with impressive catches. The senior wide receiver has 49 catches for 563 yards with six touchdowns, bringing his career total to 20 touchdowns.

17. Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State

Petit-Frere has not allowed a sack over his three-year Buckeyes career. He made the shift from right tackle to left tackle this season with the same production, giving up just two pressures in 2021.

18. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

Wilson played mostly out of the slot last season but has shown off perimeter skills in 2021. He has 1,760 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns over three seasons at Ohio State. Despite dropping 10 spots, he stills offers plenty upside despite less production than other prospects.

19. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

Kiper remains high on cornerback Roger McCreary, describing him as a “safe” pick in his Week Eight big board. He had 113 career tackles with six interceptions and 22 pass deflections.

20. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

Corral remains inside Kiper’s top 25 on the Week Eight big board, but now sits behind Pitt’s Kenny Pickett. Corral has continued to impress in 2021, showing off his dual-threat qualities with 200 rushing yards against Tennessee.

21. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Olave is one of college football’s most consistent targets. He gets open consistently and has sure hands, making him a safe pick despite the lack of stats. Kiper attributes the lack of stat sheet production to Ohio State’s deep receiving core.

22. Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota

At 6-foot-9, 380-pounds, Faalele is one of the biggest prospects in the 2022 class. He offers plenty upside to any team, given that he started playing football in 2017.

23. Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Burks is another highlight reel wide receiver with good speed and great hands. He has 42 catches for 717 yards with seven touchdowns. Kiper views concentration has Burks’ biggest issue but can clean things up quickly and make a run toward the top spot.

24. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

Elam sprained his knee earlier this season and missed a few games, but he has been good when he has played. Kiper believes Elam’s tape is too inconsistent to contend with the likes of Derek Stingley Jr., but still offers plenty upside for teams to gamble on. He has five career interceptions with 18 pass deflections.

25. Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

Ridder has come a long way during his Cincinnati career. Now quarterbacking the No. 2 team in the country, he has shown promise as a dual-threat NFL signal caller. Kiper wants more zip on Ridder’s tight-window throws but the arm strength and vision provide upside.