From fillings to flags, for dentist turned NFL ref, it’s part of the drill
Jonathan M. Alexander, The Charlotte Observer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mike Morton can sometimes be the bearer of bad news.
As a dentist during the week, when a patient has a cavity, it’s Morton’s job to inform them they need to get a needle in their mouth. As a football umpire on the weekends, it’s Morton job to throw a flag.
“Maybe not bad news, but news they don’t want to hear,” Morton says with a chuckle.
The former NFL linebacker who lives in Kannapolis has been doing both for the past 15 years — dentistry as a profession and officiating as a hobby.
But soon, his hobby will reach new heights. On May 2, the NFL called to tell give him the good news: He’ll be one of the newest officials for the 2022 season.
“It was not quite the same, but just as good as when I got the call from the Raiders saying, ‘Al Davis is on the line for you. They are going to draft you,’ ” Morton said. “It was pretty awesome.”
To get to this point, Morton participated in one of the NFL’s officiating programs and went through 15 years of training and officiating games at various levels to get noticed.
There were times when he thought that he’d never get the opportunity. But it has finally come.
When Morton steps on the field next season, he will be the first Super Bowl-winning player to officiate a game in the NFL.
“The process of becoming an official in the National Football League is a difficult one, requiring perseverance at all levels,” Walt Anderson, the NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating, said. “Mike displayed that kind of commitment to reach the NFL as a player, and now he has done it again as an official.
“His playing experience at the highest level of our sport gives him a unique perspective that will help him become a great game official.”
‘Never failed at anything’
To understand Morton’s drive, it’s important to understand his upbringing. His father, Mike Morton Sr., was a state trooper, and his mother, Phyllis Morton, worked in a doctor’s office for decades. They both live in Kannapolis, and not far from where their son’s dental practice now sits.
Growing up they taught Mike Jr. the importance of putting in the hard work early for a better life later.
Their motto was “four years of hard work for four years of a better life,” Morton Sr. said.
Those teachings rubbed off on their son. The most common traits used by friends and family to describe Mike Morton are “passionate” and “dedicated.” And Morton Sr. learned early on never to doubt him.
Whatever Morton did, whether that was learning to be a fighter pilot, playing baseball or football, or schoolwork, he did it to the best of his ability. He told his father around his junior year in high school at A.L. Brown about his desire to play Division I football someday.
At the time, Morton wasn’t a big recruit. But after his senior season, he made sure everyone knew his name. He finished that season with 224 tackles, his father said, and helped lead the school to its first state championship in 1989.
Coaches from across the country were soon calling.
But Morton didn’t go to school on an athletic scholarship. He was a 4.0 student, tops in his class, and earned a full ride on a Morehead Scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarships at the university, with a list of past recipients that includes Governor Roy Cooper, former ACC commissioner John Swofford and businesswoman Sallie Krawcheck, who was named by Forbes to its list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.
“He’s never failed at anything,” Morton Sr. told The Charlotte Observer. “He just gets a hold of a bone and he just doesn’t turn it loose.”
The same thing goes for being an official.
Morton’s aspiration was to play in the NFL for 20 years and retire a rich man after playing linebacker for the Tar Heels under coach Mack Brown. But during his freshman season, after seeing Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor in a Chapel Hill mall one day, he said he called his dad that night.
“I said, ‘Well, I’ve got to make sure to get a good degree, because if NFL linebackers are what Lawrence Taylor looks like walking by me, I’ll never play in the NFL,” he joked.
His backup plan was medical school, but football worked out in the temporary when he was drafted in the fourth round by the Oakland Raiders in 1995 and played seven years in the league. In 1999, he won a Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams.
A back injury cut his career short.
How he got into officiating
Morton first became interested in becoming an official 15 years ago when a former teammate and his best friend, Rob Holmberg, told him about an opportunity for former NFL players to get involved in officiating.
Morton, a volunteer assistant coach at A.L. Brown, and Holmberg had been looking for an opportunity to get back into football.
His father briefly did some high school football officiating when the younger Mike Morton was a child and encouraged him to try it. He said he was initially unsure about the idea; it’s not the most glamorous job, and fans can be harsh.
“I was like, ‘man all those guys did was call flags on me,’ ” he joked.
But in 2007, the NFL paid for Morton and Holmberg’s trip to Florida, where they attended the Tom Beard Clinic to learn about the process of becoming an NFL official.
“When we went on the field and they had us doing stuff, it clicked,” Morton said. “I’m like, ‘I like this.’ ”
He started working junior varsity high school football games in 2008 and worked his way up to college football from the MEAC to the ACC. He also spent time in the NFL’s Officials Developmental Program for a number of years, refereeing the USFL, one preseason NFL game and training camps, including in Spartanburg with the Carolina Panthers.
Meanwhile, around the time he was getting started in officiating, he was also starting dental school, as he searched for his second career. A former team doctor recommended it to him, and he enjoyed it.
So on weekdays, he’d be in school, and on weekends, he’d officiate games.
His wife, Alaina Morton, said her husband took the final dental exam the day after she had quadruplets, who are now 15.
He’s since opened his own practice in his hometown of Kannapolis, a place he loves to give back to. On a recent Friday after drilling and filling, he left the office to coaching baseball at Kannapolis Middle School.
“I am trying to live my life to the fullest,” Morton said when asked about his many activities. “I’m trying to be a positive role model.”
He’s doing that.
And soon, his kids will have something else to look up to when they see him as an umpire at an NFL game.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Ted S. Warren
Breakdown: Speed and athleticism for his size and build are prototypical and he could probably add some weight without losing much of what makes him special. Pass-rush technique needs work.
Fact: One-year starter whose production (13 tackles for loss and 9 1/2 sacks) was just OK playing as part of a deep rotation at Georgia.
Notable: The last team to pick No. 1 overall in consecutive seasons was Cleveland, which picked an edge rusher (Myles Garrett) in 2017 and a quarterback (Baker Mayfield) in 2018). The Jags went QB (Trevor Lawrence) and then pass rusher in Walker.
Ted S. Warren
Breakdown: Speed and athleticism for his size and build are prototypical and he could probably add some weight without losing much of what makes him special. Pass-rush technique needs work.
Fact: One-year starter whose production (13 tackles for loss and 9 1/2 sacks) was just OK playing as part of a deep rotation at Georgia.
Notable: The last team to pick No. 1 overall in consecutive seasons was Cleveland, which picked an edge rusher (Myles Garrett) in 2017 and a quarterback (Baker Mayfield) in 2018). The Jags went QB (Trevor Lawrence) and then pass rusher in Walker.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Relentless and efficient pass rusher with a good combination of technique and an assortment of moves. Overall athleticism is a notch below some elite pass rushers who have gone in the top five in recent years like the Bosa brothers.
Fact: The Heisman Trophy runner-up last season is the son of former Michigan defensive lineman and team captain Chris Hutchinson.
Notable: The last time the Lions picked a player from Michigan in the first round was OL Jeff Backus at 18th in 2001.
John Locher
Breakdown: Relentless and efficient pass rusher with a good combination of technique and an assortment of moves. Overall athleticism is a notch below some elite pass rushers who have gone in the top five in recent years like the Bosa brothers.
Fact: The Heisman Trophy runner-up last season is the son of former Michigan defensive lineman and team captain Chris Hutchinson.
Notable: The last time the Lions picked a player from Michigan in the first round was OL Jeff Backus at 18th in 2001.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Gerald Herbert
Breakdown: Strong man-to-man technique. Plays balanced to mirror receivers. Can get lost in zone coverage and in run support.
Fact: Stingley was an All-American as a freshman but injuries (foot in 2021) and regression by the rest of the defense undercut his next two seasons.
Notable: Matches the highest drafted cornerback in the common draft era. Last time the Texans selected a cornerback in the first round was 2015 (Kevin Johnson, No. 16).
Gerald Herbert
Breakdown: Strong man-to-man technique. Plays balanced to mirror receivers. Can get lost in zone coverage and in run support.
Fact: Stingley was an All-American as a freshman but injuries (foot in 2021) and regression by the rest of the defense undercut his next two seasons.
Notable: Matches the highest drafted cornerback in the common draft era. Last time the Texans selected a cornerback in the first round was 2015 (Kevin Johnson, No. 16).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Tall, long-armed and fast. Moves his lanky frame smoothly and plays aggressively at the line of scrimmage. Not a lot of power in his game and he can get grabby, but the corner nicknamed Sauce was the definition of lockdown.
Fact: Did not allow a TD reception in his three-year college career.
Notable: Gardner is the highest drafted player ever from Cincinnati and the first cornerback taken in the first round by the Jets since Dee Milliner (No. 9) in 2013.
John Locher
Breakdown: Tall, long-armed and fast. Moves his lanky frame smoothly and plays aggressively at the line of scrimmage. Not a lot of power in his game and he can get grabby, but the corner nicknamed Sauce was the definition of lockdown.
Fact: Did not allow a TD reception in his three-year college career.
Notable: Gardner is the highest drafted player ever from Cincinnati and the first cornerback taken in the first round by the Jets since Dee Milliner (No. 9) in 2013.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Pounces past blockers to make plays in the backfield with uncanny burst and length. Long, lean build doesn’t lend itself to adding weight.
Fact: Former five-star recruit seemed destined to be a first overall draft pick after freshman season, but between injuries and a shortened pandemic season he never put together a fully dominant year.
Notable: Giants had not drafted a defensive end/edge rusher in the first round since taking Jason Pierre-Paul (No. 15) in 2010.
John Locher
Breakdown: Pounces past blockers to make plays in the backfield with uncanny burst and length. Long, lean build doesn’t lend itself to adding weight.
Fact: Former five-star recruit seemed destined to be a first overall draft pick after freshman season, but between injuries and a shortened pandemic season he never put together a fully dominant year.
Notable: Giants had not drafted a defensive end/edge rusher in the first round since taking Jason Pierre-Paul (No. 15) in 2010.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Light on his feet and able to lock up defenders with his long arms. Can get a little too aggressive at times — 10 penalties in his career — but it comes with a desirable toughness. Scores high marks for leadership and likability off the field.
Fact: Nicknamed Ickey after former Bengals running back Ickey Woods by a youth football coach.
Notable: Ekwonu is the first offensive lineman taken in the first round by Carolina since Jeff Otah (No. 19) in 2008.
John Locher
Breakdown: Light on his feet and able to lock up defenders with his long arms. Can get a little too aggressive at times — 10 penalties in his career — but it comes with a desirable toughness. Scores high marks for leadership and likability off the field.
Fact: Nicknamed Ickey after former Bengals running back Ickey Woods by a youth football coach.
Notable: Ekwonu is the first offensive lineman taken in the first round by Carolina since Jeff Otah (No. 19) in 2008.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Jeff Lewis
Breakdown: Remarkable combination of size and explosive athleticism. Balance and sustaining blocks need to become more consistent, but as long he keeps his weight in check there is a lot to like.
Fact: Started 40 games and missed only one in his three-year career, which ended as an All-American.
Notable: Alabama has had at least one first-round pick for 14 consecutive years, tying the record set by Miami from 1995-2008.
Jeff Lewis
Breakdown: Remarkable combination of size and explosive athleticism. Balance and sustaining blocks need to become more consistent, but as long he keeps his weight in check there is a lot to like.
Fact: Started 40 games and missed only one in his three-year career, which ended as an All-American.
Notable: Alabama has had at least one first-round pick for 14 consecutive years, tying the record set by Miami from 1995-2008.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Jeff Lewis
Breakdown: Enormous catch radius with long arms and good hops. Makes lots of contested catches and runs through tacklers after the catch. Top-end speed is lacking and route running needs more precision.
Fact: Was on the way toward Heisman Trophy consideration in 2021 before a right ankle fracture cut his season short.
Notable: Second straight season the Falcons have drafted a pass catcher first, after taking TE Kyle Pitts No. 4 last year.
Jeff Lewis
Breakdown: Enormous catch radius with long arms and good hops. Makes lots of contested catches and runs through tacklers after the catch. Top-end speed is lacking and route running needs more precision.
Fact: Was on the way toward Heisman Trophy consideration in 2021 before a right ankle fracture cut his season short.
Notable: Second straight season the Falcons have drafted a pass catcher first, after taking TE Kyle Pitts No. 4 last year.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Good size and length, Cross plays with balance and patience as a pass blocker. Could use some bulk and his run blocking will need development after playing in pass-happy offense.
Fact: Blue-chip prospect out of Mississippi elected to stay in his home state over offers from Southern California and Florida State.
Notable: Cross is Mississippi State’s first top-10 pick since the Eagles took RB Michael Haddix at No. 8 in 1983.
John Locher
Breakdown: Good size and length, Cross plays with balance and patience as a pass blocker. Could use some bulk and his run blocking will need development after playing in pass-happy offense.
Fact: Blue-chip prospect out of Mississippi elected to stay in his home state over offers from Southern California and Florida State.
Notable: Cross is Mississippi State’s first top-10 pick since the Eagles took RB Michael Haddix at No. 8 in 1983.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Highly skilled at tracking the flight of the ball. Works the sideline adeptly with excellent footwork and has speed and precision to run away from defenders. On the lean side.
Fact: Playing with other star receivers limited his production, but he caught 23 touchdown passes in 33 career games with 19 starts.
Notable: The last time the Jets took a receiver in the first round was Santana Moss in 2001
John Locher
Breakdown: Highly skilled at tracking the flight of the ball. Works the sideline adeptly with excellent footwork and has speed and precision to run away from defenders. On the lean side.
Fact: Playing with other star receivers limited his production, but he caught 23 touchdown passes in 33 career games with 19 starts.
Notable: The last time the Jets took a receiver in the first round was Santana Moss in 2001
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Quickness to win off the line of scrimmage and speed to get separation in the open the field. Like his teammate, Wilson, he lacks power, but he’s hard to cover and catches pretty much everything.
Fact: Set an Ohio State record with 35 touchdown catches.
Notable: Last time the Saints selected an Ohio State receiver was Michael Thomas with in the second round (47th overall) in 2016. This is the third straight season two receivers from the same school went in the first round. Alabama did it in both 2020 and 2021.
John Locher
Breakdown: Quickness to win off the line of scrimmage and speed to get separation in the open the field. Like his teammate, Wilson, he lacks power, but he’s hard to cover and catches pretty much everything.
Fact: Set an Ohio State record with 35 touchdown catches.
Notable: Last time the Saints selected an Ohio State receiver was Michael Thomas with in the second round (47th overall) in 2016. This is the third straight season two receivers from the same school went in the first round. Alabama did it in both 2020 and 2021.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Doug Benc
Breakdown: Dynamic speed burner who became the top deep threat in the country last season (19.9 yards per catch). Only one season as a starter and it ended with a torn knee ligament in the national championship game.
Fact: Transferred to Alabama from Ohio State, where he played behind Wilson and Olave for two years.
Notable: Six Alabama wide receivers have been selected in the first round of the last five drafts.
Doug Benc
Breakdown: Dynamic speed burner who became the top deep threat in the country last season (19.9 yards per catch). Only one season as a starter and it ended with a torn knee ligament in the national championship game.
Fact: Transferred to Alabama from Ohio State, where he played behind Wilson and Olave for two years.
Notable: Six Alabama wide receivers have been selected in the first round of the last five drafts.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Massive anchor in the middle of a defense, but with uncommon athleticism and speed (4.78 in the 40 at the combine). Questions about whether he can be the type of pass rusher that makes him a high-snap-count interior lineman.
Fact: All-American who won the Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defensive player and Outland Trophy as the top lineman last season.
Notable: Longtime star Fletcher Cox was the last defensive tackle selected by the Eagles in the first round in 2012 at No. 12.
John Locher
Breakdown: Massive anchor in the middle of a defense, but with uncommon athleticism and speed (4.78 in the 40 at the combine). Questions about whether he can be the type of pass rusher that makes him a high-snap-count interior lineman.
Fact: All-American who won the Bednarik Award as the nation’s best defensive player and Outland Trophy as the top lineman last season.
Notable: Longtime star Fletcher Cox was the last defensive tackle selected by the Eagles in the first round in 2012 at No. 12.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Rangy and dynamic athlete who tends to show up in places that offenses don’t anticipate. His 40 times (4.59 at the combine) were underwhelming and might limit him in some defenses, but he has a knack for game-changing plays.
Fact: Was limited to seven games in 2021 because of a right knee injury that did not require surgery.
Notable: Ravens select a defensive player in the first round for the third consecutive season (DE Odafe Oweh, No. 31 in 2021 and LB Patrick Queen, No. 28 in 2020).
John Locher
Breakdown: Rangy and dynamic athlete who tends to show up in places that offenses don’t anticipate. His 40 times (4.59 at the combine) were underwhelming and might limit him in some defenses, but he has a knack for game-changing plays.
Fact: Was limited to seven games in 2021 because of a right knee injury that did not require surgery.
Notable: Ravens select a defensive player in the first round for the third consecutive season (DE Odafe Oweh, No. 31 in 2021 and LB Patrick Queen, No. 28 in 2020).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Justin Rex
Breakdown: Powerful and versatile lineman who played four different positions in his time with the Aggies. A punishing run blocker who has struggled some with recognition in pass blocking.
Fact: Father was an offensive lineman at Grambling and his mother played volleyball at UCLA.
Notable: The Texans only selected a player in the first round once in the previous four drafts. It was OT Tytus Howard at No. 23 in 2019.
Justin Rex
Breakdown: Powerful and versatile lineman who played four different positions in his time with the Aggies. A punishing run blocker who has struggled some with recognition in pass blocking.
Fact: Father was an offensive lineman at Grambling and his mother played volleyball at UCLA.
Notable: The Texans only selected a player in the first round once in the previous four drafts. It was OT Tytus Howard at No. 23 in 2019.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Durable prospect who combines long arms, quick feet and good awareness. Powerful opponents can get him off balance, but Johnson is about as safe a bet as there is in the draft.
Fact: Transferred from Davidson to Boston College where he became a three-year starter, taking the extra year of eligibility to become a fifth-year senior with 58 college games.
Notable: Second straight year the Chargers picked an offensive lineman in the first round (OT Rashawn Slater, No. 13).
John Locher
Breakdown: Durable prospect who combines long arms, quick feet and good awareness. Powerful opponents can get him off balance, but Johnson is about as safe a bet as there is in the draft.
Fact: Transferred from Davidson to Boston College where he became a three-year starter, taking the extra year of eligibility to become a fifth-year senior with 58 college games.
Notable: Second straight year the Chargers picked an offensive lineman in the first round (OT Rashawn Slater, No. 13).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Darron Cummings
Breakdown: Another big, physical receiver who outmuscles defenders for the ball and breaks tackles after he gets it. A developing route runner who did lot of damage on quick throws near the line of scrimmage.
Fact: Set Arkansas record with six 100-yard receiving games.
Notable: The Titans traded star WR A.J. Brown to Philadelphia to move up and take a player with similar measurables.
Darron Cummings
Breakdown: Another big, physical receiver who outmuscles defenders for the ball and breaks tackles after he gets it. A developing route runner who did lot of damage on quick throws near the line of scrimmage.
Fact: Set Arkansas record with six 100-yard receiving games.
Notable: The Titans traded star WR A.J. Brown to Philadelphia to move up and take a player with similar measurables.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: Salty competitor with great size and enough of athleticism to provide promise that he will be able to stay in front of NFL speed and quickness off the edge. But the whole game needs refinement.
Fact: Did not have any Division I scholarship offers until his senior high school season.
Notable: Second straight season a Northern Iowa offensive lineman was drafted. OT Spencer Brown went in the third round to Buffalo last year.
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: Salty competitor with great size and enough of athleticism to provide promise that he will be able to stay in front of NFL speed and quickness off the edge. But the whole game needs refinement.
Fact: Did not have any Division I scholarship offers until his senior high school season.
Notable: Second straight season a Northern Iowa offensive lineman was drafted. OT Spencer Brown went in the third round to Buffalo last year.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Matt Freed
Breakdown: Throws with good anticipation and seems to process quickly. Good athlete with a solid arm. This is not a draft with elite QB prospects, but Pickett is probably the safest bet to become a productive starter.
Fact: A fifth season of college football turned Pickett into a first-round draft pick after setting Pitt records for passing yards (12,303) and total touchdowns (102).
Notable: Steelers take a quarterback in the first round for the first time since they selected Ben Roethlisberger (No. 11) in 2004. Big Ben retired after last season.
Matt Freed
Breakdown: Throws with good anticipation and seems to process quickly. Good athlete with a solid arm. This is not a draft with elite QB prospects, but Pickett is probably the safest bet to become a productive starter.
Fact: A fifth season of college football turned Pickett into a first-round draft pick after setting Pitt records for passing yards (12,303) and total touchdowns (102).
Notable: Steelers take a quarterback in the first round for the first time since they selected Ben Roethlisberger (No. 11) in 2004. Big Ben retired after last season.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: The latest in a recent line of tough and sound Washington cornerbacks. Lacking length, had only two interceptions in 28 career games (26 starts).
Fact: Talented musician can play the ukulele, bass, piano and guitar.
Notable: Chiefs took a cornerback in the first round for the first time since 2015, when they took Marcus Peters from Washington at No. 18.
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: The latest in a recent line of tough and sound Washington cornerbacks. Lacking length, had only two interceptions in 28 career games (26 starts).
Fact: Talented musician can play the ukulele, bass, piano and guitar.
Notable: Chiefs took a cornerback in the first round for the first time since 2015, when they took Marcus Peters from Washington at No. 18.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Phelan M. Ebenhack
Breakdown: Big and fast, but played sloppily in 2021.
Fact: Father Abram Elam played seven seasons in the NFL. Nephew of Matt Elam, who also played at Florida and in the NFL.
Notable: Elam is the third Florida cornerback taken in the first round since 2016 joining C.J. Henderson (No. 9 to Jacksonville in 2020) and Vernon Hargreaves III (No. 11 to Tampa Bay in 2016).
Phelan M. Ebenhack
Breakdown: Big and fast, but played sloppily in 2021.
Fact: Father Abram Elam played seven seasons in the NFL. Nephew of Matt Elam, who also played at Florida and in the NFL.
Notable: Elam is the third Florida cornerback taken in the first round since 2016 joining C.J. Henderson (No. 9 to Jacksonville in 2020) and Vernon Hargreaves III (No. 11 to Tampa Bay in 2016).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Darron Cummings
Breakdown: Powerful and long and plays with a mean streak. Technique needs smoothing out.
Fact: Started both of his two full seasons at Tulsa after redshirting as a freshman.
Notable: For the second straight year, the first player taken from an FBS school from the state of Oklahoma is from Tulsa. The Cardinals took LB Zaven Collins at No. 16 last year.
Darron Cummings
Breakdown: Powerful and long and plays with a mean streak. Technique needs smoothing out.
Fact: Started both of his two full seasons at Tulsa after redshirting as a freshman.
Notable: For the second straight year, the first player taken from an FBS school from the state of Oklahoma is from Tulsa. The Cardinals took LB Zaven Collins at No. 16 last year.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: Timing, consistency, technique, effort and quickness rate about as well as you can for the position. Makes up for what he lacks in size by being a fierce competitor.
Fact: Moved from defensive line to center as a redshirt freshman and then started 35 games over his last three seasons.
Notable: Iowa has had three centers drafted seven years, with Linderbaum joining James Daniels (second to Chicago in 2018) and Austin Blythe (seventh round to Indianapolis in 2016).
Charlie Neibergall
Breakdown: Timing, consistency, technique, effort and quickness rate about as well as you can for the position. Makes up for what he lacks in size by being a fierce competitor.
Fact: Moved from defensive line to center as a redshirt freshman and then started 35 games over his last three seasons.
Notable: Iowa has had three centers drafted seven years, with Linderbaum joining James Daniels (second to Chicago in 2018) and Austin Blythe (seventh round to Indianapolis in 2016).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Plays with power, leverage and great effort, making him effective rushing the passer and against the run. After he only played full time one season, Johnson’s technique and fundamentals are underdeveloped.
Fact: With a fifth year of eligibility, Johnson transferred from Georgia to Florida State in 2021 and became the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year.
Notable: Three first-round picks is the most for the Jets since 2000 when they had four and took DE Shaun Ellis (No. 12), DE John Abraham (No. 13), QB Chad Pennington (No. 18) and TE Anthony Becht (No. 27).
John Locher
Breakdown: Plays with power, leverage and great effort, making him effective rushing the passer and against the run. After he only played full time one season, Johnson’s technique and fundamentals are underdeveloped.
Fact: With a fifth year of eligibility, Johnson transferred from Georgia to Florida State in 2021 and became the Atlantic Coast Conference defensive player of the year.
Notable: Three first-round picks is the most for the Jets since 2000 when they had four and took DE Shaun Ellis (No. 12), DE John Abraham (No. 13), QB Chad Pennington (No. 18) and TE Anthony Becht (No. 27).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
John Locher
Breakdown: Aggressive, hard-hitting and versatile linebacker who should be able to fill multiple spots in multiple schemes. Recognition and discipline needs some work.
Fact: All-American and Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2021 had 43 tackles for loss in 33 career games.
Notable: Lloyd is the first Utah player selected in the first round since 2017 when Denver took Garett Bolles at No. 20.
John Locher
Breakdown: Aggressive, hard-hitting and versatile linebacker who should be able to fill multiple spots in multiple schemes. Recognition and discipline needs some work.
Fact: All-American and Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2021 had 43 tackles for loss in 33 career games.
Notable: Lloyd is the first Utah player selected in the first round since 2017 when Denver took Garett Bolles at No. 20.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Brynn Anderson
Breakdown: Disruptive with good quickness to play two gaps but could use more power in his play.
Fact: Returned for a fifth college season in 2021 (including a year at junior college) and developed into an All-Southeastern Conference player and second-team All-American.
Notable: The Packers have selected one offensive player in the first round in the last 11 drafts — QB Jordan Love in 2020.
Brynn Anderson
Breakdown: Disruptive with good quickness to play two gaps but could use more power in his play.
Fact: Returned for a fifth college season in 2021 (including a year at junior college) and developed into an All-Southeastern Conference player and second-team All-American.
Notable: The Packers have selected one offensive player in the first round in the last 11 drafts — QB Jordan Love in 2020.
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Steve Luciano
Breakdown: Quick off the ball with strong hands to knock blockers off balance, but arms shorter than ideal and needs to finish more plays after 14 1/2 career sacks in 27 games.
Fact: Moved to the United States in eighth grade from Greece and started playing football after being an elite youth water polo player.
Notable: Chiefs had two picks in the first round for the first time since 2008 when they took DT Glenn Dorsey (No. 5) and OL Branden Albert (No. 15).
Steve Luciano
Breakdown: Quick off the ball with strong hands to knock blockers off balance, but arms shorter than ideal and needs to finish more plays after 14 1/2 career sacks in 27 games.
Fact: Moved to the United States in eighth grade from Greece and started playing football after being an elite youth water polo player.
Notable: Chiefs had two picks in the first round for the first time since 2008 when they took DT Glenn Dorsey (No. 5) and OL Branden Albert (No. 15).
2022 NFL draft: Latest picks and updates from rounds 2 and 3
Butch Dill
Breakdown: Covers a lot of ground in run support and plays with good fundamentals, but coverage skills need work.
Fact: Defensive player of the game in Georgia’s national championship victory against Alabama.
Notable: Cine was the fifth Georgia defensive player taken in the first round to set a record for the common draft era for one school. The previous record of four was set by Miami in 2004 and matched by Florida State in 2006.
Butch Dill
Breakdown: Covers a lot of ground in run support and plays with good fundamentals, but coverage skills need work.
Fact: Defensive player of the game in Georgia’s national championship victory against Alabama.
Notable: Cine was the fifth Georgia defensive player taken in the first round to set a record for the common draft era for one school. The previous record of four was set by Miami in 2004 and matched by Florida State in 2006.
From fillings to flags, for dentist turned NFL ref, it’s part of the drill
Otto Greule Jr./Allsport/Getty Images North America/TNS
Defensive lineman Mike Morton of the Oakland Raiders looks on during a game against Detroit Lions at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California, Oct. 13, 1996. (Otto Greule Jr./Allsport/Getty Images/TNS)
Otto Greule Jr./Allsport/Getty Images North America/TNS
Defensive lineman Mike Morton of the Oakland Raiders looks on during a game against Detroit Lions at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California, Oct. 13, 1996. (Otto Greule Jr./Allsport/Getty Images/TNS)
