Each year, the NFL invites a select number of college prospects to its draft. Typically, these players are expected to be first-round picks — or early second-round selections — and they play a part in the pageantry of the draft’s first night.
The first-round picks in attendance get to walk up to the stage once selected. They sport their new team’s hat and jersey as they pose with commissioner Roger Goodell. They also tend to get a big hug from the commissioner in celebration of being an early selection.
Of course, attending the draft can sometimes be a stressful experience. Many players have been trapped in the “green room” while awaiting selection. That is why some players choose not to attend the draft; they’d prefer to stay at home and not have every one of their facial expressions analyzed the longer they go without being drafted.
So, not every draft invitee becomes an attendee, but fans tend to enjoy poring over the list to see who will, and won’t, be climbing up to the stage when their name is called.
The NFL on Thursday announced who will be attending the 2022 NFL Draft. Here’s the full list, as well as the names of notable prospects who will be watching the draft from elsewhere.
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Who is attending the 2022 NFL Draft?
The NFL announced that 21 prospects would be in attendance at the 2022 NFL Draft. Among them is potential No. 1 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, quarterback prospect Malik Willis and potential top-five pick Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner.
The full list, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
| Player | Position | School |
| Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner | CB | Cincinnati |
| Aidan Hutchinson | EDGE | Michigan |
| Charles Cross | OT | Mississippi State |
| Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State |
| Devin Lloyd | LB | Utah |
| Devonte Wyatt | DT | Georgia |
| Drake London | WR | USC |
| Evan Neal | OT | Alabama |
| Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State |
| George Karlaftis | EDGE | Purdue |
| Ikem Ekwonu | OT | N.C. State |
| Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama |
| Jermain Johnson II | EDGE | Florida State |
| Jordan Davis | DL | Georgia |
| Kayvon Thibodeaux | EDGE | Oregon |
| Kyle Hamilton | S | Notre Dame |
| Kyler Gordon | CB | Washington |
| Malik Willis | QB | Liberty |
| Matt Corral | QB | Ole Miss |
| Nakobe Dean | LB | Georgia |
| Zion Johnson | OL | Boston College |
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There aren’t any major surprises regarding who will attend; the surprises are more about who won’t attend. Two players stand out: Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett and Georgia edge defender Travon Walker.
Pickett may be the first quarterback off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft. That said, the draft isn’t considered to be strong at quarterback, so if Pickett doesn’t go No. 6 overall to the Panthers — one of the few teams desperate for a quarterback this year — he could slide. He may just want to watch the event with his family away from the hubbub of Las Vegas.
The same may be true for Walker, though he seems more like a surefire early pick. He may even be the No. 1 overall selection. It seems unlikely that he will get past the Lions at No. 2 if the Jaguars pass on him.
It’s worth noting that quarterback Trevor Lawrence chose not to attend the 2021 NFL Draft despite being the No. 1 overall pick by the Jaguars. The league will find a way to work around Pickett and Walker watching from elsewhere.
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As for the attendees, a few of the fringe first-round prospects on the list could be in for longer waits. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, cornerback Kyler Gordon and quarterback Matt Corral are all in the running to be first-rounders, but they aren’t guaranteed to be selected on the first night. They may become players to watch late on Day 1 or early on Day 2 if they’re still in attendance.