My oh my, what a beautiful time of year it is – with the NFL Combine getting underway this week, it means that the 2022 NFL Draft is in our sights. With players like Evan Neal, Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Malik Willis, and others likely dominating the early portion of April’s draft, taking a look at where they may end up is going to be an interesting journey.
This year’s draft class is dominated by linemen on both sides of the ball, while not being known for its quarterbacks, something that QB-needy teams will need to keep in mind when drafting. There are trades factored into this mock as well, so a bit of jockeying occurred to best position teams for the right upgrades.
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2022 NFL Mock Draft
No. 1 — Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal (OT, Alabama)
In a familiar spot, the Jacksonville Jaguars hold steady at the top of the NFL draft for the second year in a row, and this time they bring in protection for Trevor Lawrence in OT Evan Neal.
The mauler of a tackle will immediately slide into the spot vacated by free agent Cam Robinson, and Lawrence will hopefully enter Year 2 of his career with more confidence in the offense, which is now in the hands of new head coach Doug Pederson and his staff.
No. 2 — Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson (DE, Michigan)
By keeping the home product in the state, the Detroit Lions make a big move towards refreshing a lacking defensive unit, and what Aidan Hutchinson brings to the table is hard to find elsewhere in this draft.
Hutchinson becomes the second consecutive defensive player that the Lions have used a first-round selection on, as Ohio State’s Jeffrey Okudah was the first selection for Detroit last draft. Their offense is certainly lacking as well, but the Lions have a solid brain trust in place and have a solid outlook on the draft heading into another tough season.
No. 3 — Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE, Oregon)
In a bit of a hard spot, the Houston Texans have a ton of holes all over their roster, but going best player available at this point is a great way to worry about fit later and focus on talent. Adding Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux addresses their lacking pass rush, giving Lovie Smith a building block on defense as he heads into his first season leading this team as its HC.
No. 4 — Carolina Panthers (via NYJ): Malik Willis (QB, Liberty)
We have our first trade! In an attempt to ensure that they were able to get the QB they wanted, the Carolina Panthers jumped up two spots with the New York Jets and added the draft’s top QB, Liberty’s Malik Willis.
As previously mentioned, this draft has no clear-cut QB1 industry-wide, but Willis has all of the intangibles a modern offense needs, and he interviewed extremely well at this week’s combine, which will only boost his stock more.
No. 5 — New York Giants: Ikem Ekwonu (OT, North Carolina State)
With the first of their two first-round selections, the New York Giants decide to use another early pick on an offensive lineman – but this time, they use it on a player that is very much in play to be the first off the board in NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu.
A mean streak at tackle is what this team needs, and hopefully, if Andrew Thomas can find his way, the Giants have just added two bookends to their offense that can help optimize Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley in Brian Daboll’s first year as their HC.
No. 6 — New York Jets (via CAR): Kyle Hamilton (S, Notre Dame)
After moving down two spots with the Panthers, the New York Jets get an immense return on value by selecting the best defensive back on the draft in Kyle Hamilton. His flexibility as a safety that can fly around the field and make plays makes him a fit in any defensive scheme, and with Marcus Maye entering free agency and looking for his first crack at a big-money deal, bringing in Hamilton can help ease the pain if Maye goes elsewhere.
No. 7 — New York Giants (via CHI): David Ojabo (EDGE, Michigan)
With their second first-rounder, the Giants address their defensive line this time, grabbing Hutchinson’s teammate in David Ojabo. With an incredibly high ceiling and his best football ahead of him, Ojabo is one of the draft’s most moldable players and will allow the Giants to fully invest and commit to someone who should be a Day 1 contributor.
No. 8 — Atlanta Falcons: Charles Cross (OT, Mississippi)
Regardless of Matt Ryan’s future, addressing the offensive line is one of the biggest issues for the Atlanta Falcons to tackle this offseason, and by adding Mississippi’s Charles Cross, they take a great first step in doing that.
Cross would be drafted as the eventual replacement for Jake Matthews at left tackle, and with Matthews already hitting 30 years old, Cross could end up seeing the field sooner rather than later.
No. 9 — Denver Broncos: Travon Walker (EDGE, Georgia)
As much as the Denver Broncos are in need of a franchise-improving QB, reaching for one at 9th overall is not worth it for them, which is why finding a new running mate for Bradley Chubb is a better investment.
Georgia’s Travon Walker kicks off a trend of Georgia defensive players in this first round, and Walker is a high-motor edge rusher that is among solid options in Tier 2. While picking Walker at 9th may be a bit rich for some, he has a ton of buildable intangibles that can help justify this move.
No. 10 — New York Jets (via SEA): Jermaine Johnson (EDGE, Florida State)
Doubling down on defense would help give this team a fresh identity under Robert Salah, and FSU’s Jermaine Johnson has been a fast riser in this year’s class, taking up a spot in Tier 2 of pass rushers.
Johnson has multiple-scheme flexibility in his toolbox, and his get-off speed on the snap makes him hard to stop for opposing offensive linemen. As the Jets look to finally make some progress in the team building department, Johnson would pair well with Hamilton to start the draft for the Jets.
No. 11 — Washington Commanders: Derek Stingley Jr. (CB, LSU)
Just like the Broncos, the Washington Commanders are a mockable spot for a QB, and while they certainly need one, passing on a prospect like LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. would be hard to do.
The defense is the lifeblood of the Commanders, but their secondary is the aspect that needs the most help, so bringing in a physical option like Stingley can help this unit get even better and help take even more pressure off of the offense to compete.
No. 12 — Minnesota Vikings: Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner (CB, Cincinnati)
When you have a nickname like ‘Sauce’ and a collegiate career like the one that Ahmad Gardner had with the Cincinnati Bearcats, he has first-round talent written all over him.
The Minnesota Vikings need to improve their elderly secondary that includes Harrison Smith and free agent Patrick Peterson, and with Jeff Gladney having been a recent miss, grabbing Gardner afford the Vikings another shot at finding their shutdown CB1 of the future.
No. 13 — Cleveland Browns: Treylon Burks (WR, Arkansas)
One of the more polarizing teams in this year’s draft is the Cleveland Browns – their offseason list that includes seeing if Baker Mayfield is a part of their future certainly can be aided by bringing in a physical specimen like Treylon Burks, who should be this year’s first WR off the board.
Burks is a freak (in a good way) and has all of the tools to become the next generation’s leader from the WR spot, something that the Browns will be betting on by investing a top-15 pick into him.
No. 14 — Baltimore Ravens: Andrew Booth Jr. (CB, Clemson)
Offensively, the Baltimore Ravens have a lot of the right pieces in place, but on defense, they need to find more depth, especially in their secondary. Andrew Booth Jr. is another member of this year’s deep secondary class, and he would immediately be a great addition.
Even though they already have Marcus Peters (29), Marlon Humphrey (26), and Tavon Young (28) already in the fold, you can never have too many starting-caliber DBs to count on.
No. 15 — Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): Tyler Linderbaum (IOL, Iowa)
The Philadelphia Eagles, owners of three first-round picks, have the most to gain (and lose) in this draft. With that kind of early draft capital, front offices can either earn extensions or be sent packing, depending on how their picks turn out.
With their first one, they upgrade their offensive line by grabbing the top interior option in Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum. Capable of playing guard or center, Linderbaum is rock-solid in the trenches and would help protect Jalen Hurts with the uncertainty surrounding Jason Kelce’s future.
No. 16 — Philadelphia Eagles (via IND): Trent McDuffie (CB, Washington)
With their second pick, the Eagles stay on the defensive side of the ball and select Trent McDuffie, a high-upside cornerback that would help continue the theme of overhauling their defense this offseason.
McDuffie played against the likes of Drake London and others in the PAC-12, so he is very familiar with playing physically, which will help him transition to the NFL more smoothly.
No. 17 — Los Angeles Chargers: Trevor Penning (OT, Northern Iowa)
Right on the doorstep of being a postseason regular, the Los Angeles Chargers need to plug a few holes, with the offensive line being one of those. Specifically looking at tackle, the Chargers going the small-school route of Trevor Penning would smell extremely like when the Buccaneers chose recently-retire Ali Marpet out of Hobart (NCAA Division III).
Penning is a mauler and showcased that meanness during the Senior Bowl week, helping grow his stock and turn him into a mid-to-late, first-round prospect.
No. 18 — New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave (WR, Ohio State)
Salary cap hell is the best way to describe the situation that the New Orleans Saints find themselves in, all thanks to their win-now moves with Drew Brees and company. With the roster core either hurt or holding up large sums of cap space, it will be interesting to see how different this team ends up looking.
They have gone the route of OSU receiver in the past with Michael Thomas, so going back to the well with Chris Olave and his 4.39 40-yard dash (initially and unofficially clocked at 4.26) would not be totally unexpected for the Saints.
4.26u, holy moly.@OhioStateFB WR @chrisolave_ with a jaw-dropping 40.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/xKZxr9Cd78
— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2022
No. 19 — Denver Broncos (via PHI): Kenny Pickett (QB, Pitt)
Another trade brings about another QB selection, this time with the Broncos taking advantage and jumping in front of another QB-needy team in the Steelers. Trading for the Eagles’ third and final 1st rounder provides Philly with a sweet return but also gives the Broncos a shot at drafting their QB of the future in Kenny Pickett.
Strongly built and able to withstand a lot, Pickett is being looked at as the 2A/2B option in the draft and would present new HC Nathaniel Hackett with a moldable QB that he can work with, especially since he will likely miss out on Aaron Rodgers.
No. 20 — Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenyon Green (IOL, Texas A&M)
With the Steelers missing out on the hometown product, they decide to pivot and address one of their roster’s biggest holes – OL. Kenyon Green is the second-best interior lineman in this draft and the Steelers need a lot of help in that area.
Whoever ends up being the QB of this team (my money is on Desmond Ridder) will love to have Green blocking in front of him, and the Steelers will be happy to add an OL building block.
No. 21 — Detroit Lions (via NE): Matt Corral (QB, Ole Miss)
The only way this first round seems to be getting its QB on is through trades, so here is another one – the Detroit Lions get ambitious and trade up to nab Ole Miss’ Matt Corral. The New England Patriots get to collect draft capital and move back a few spots, but the Lions are the real winners here.
The only way you get out of a rebuild is if you play the right cards, and going after Corral in the later stages of the first round is a great move to make, and one that does not have super high ramifications if it does not pan out.
No. 22 — Las Vegas Raiders: Jordan Davis (IDL, Georgia)
The Las Vegas Raiders need help in a lot of key areas, but Josh McDaniels would be smart to go ahead and address the defensive trenches by bringing in Jordan Davis, underrated but one of the best interior options in the draft.
Georgia’s grip on producing NFL-ready defensive talent is hard to match, and Davis will quickly be joined in the NFL by his DL teammate as well.
No. 23 — Arizona Cardinals: George Karlaftis (EDGE, Iowa)
With the whole Kyler Murray situation still unfolding, the Arizona Cardinals have more pressing needs to concern themselves with, which includes finding fresh legs for their defensive line. Iowa’s George Karlaftis continues the run on DL and he should be a big-time producer for the Cardinals right out of the gate.
No. 24 — Dallas Cowboys: Devonte Wyatt (IDL, Georgia)
Devonte Wyatt joins Davis from two picks prior in the NFL, and Wyatt is the big-bodied lane clogger that the Cowboys desperately miss from their DL. Going WR here again is going to be very tempting, but using two consecutive first-rounders on luxury selections can get hard to justify, so Wyatt becomes that safer pick to help improve this team.
No. 25 — Buffalo Bills: Zion Johnson (IOL, Boston College)
Another potential home for one of the top WRs in the draft, the Buffalo Bills instead decide to help protect Josh Allen by adding Zion Johnson, one of the draft’s best interior prospects. The offense will be taking on a new identity with Daboll no longer in-house, but improving the line will translate across whatever schemes are implemented there in 2022.
No. 26 — Tennessee Titans: Devin Lloyd (LB, Utah)
A blue-chip prospect that fell quite far in the first round is great news for the Tennessee Titans and their defense, and a hard-nosed LB like Devin Lloyd will be music to Mike Vrabel’s ears.
A dark-horse candidate for an early QB selection, the Titans instead go and address a lacking element of their defense, getting a player that was, at times, mocked to be a top-12 player.
No. 27 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameson Williams (WR, Alabama)
New QB or not, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be one of the teams best suited to take a chance on a first-round talent coming off an ACL tear – Jameson Williams is that kind of unmissable player.
Likely undergoing a rebuild, Tampa Bay is on the perfect timeline to be able to wait on Williams’ recovery, potentially getting a player that is an absolute burner and a regular deep threat.
No. 28 — Green Bay Packers: Drake London (WR, USC)
There really are no more jokes that have not been said already when it comes to getting Rodgers offensive talent early in the NFL Draft – but could this finally be the year that it happens?
To have, potentially, the WR1 of the draft fall to 28th overall certainly makes it nearly impossible to pass up, but Drake London would look super good in green and gold on Sundays. Regardless of if Rodgers is back in 2022 or it is the Jordan Love show, Green Bay needs WRs, and London is a great option to bring in.
No. 29 — Miami Dolphins (via SF): Garrett Wilson (WR, Ohio State)
The final offensive player of the first round also happens to be the third consecutive WR off the board too. The Miami Dolphins are going to try their best to replicate some of the success Mike McDaniels experienced with San Francisco, which likely means running the ball, but they also need established pass catchers too, which is where Garrett Wilson would come in, giving Tua Tagovailoa a solid target that can help take this offense to another level.
No. 30 — Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill (S, Michigan)
The Kansas City Chiefs seem to be one of the league’s bigger question marks every NFL Draft cycle, never quite knowing where they are going. But adding a running mate alongside Tyrann Mathieu (if he resigns) in UM’s Daxton Hill would make this team’s secondary electric, all while adding some positional flexibility into Steve Spagnuolo’s play calls too.
No. 31 — Chicago Bears (via CIN): Nakobe Dean (LB, Georgia)
Not having a first-round pick this year due to selecting Justin Fields last year, the Chicago Bears decide to end the fall of Georgia’s Nakobe Dean, one of the draft’s best LB prospects.
Grabbing a stud LB will help in Chicago’s defensive scheme transition to a 4-3 under first-year HC Matt Eberflus, and with the Bulldogs churning out defensive players like it’s nothing, Dean will be a big addition to an already-strong defensive unit.
No. 32 — New England Patriots (via DET & LAR): DeMarvin Leal (IDL, Texas A&M)
Seeing the Patriots drafting from the 32nd spot brings back haunting memories of how often this used to happen, but since they made the deal with the Lions to move back, they lucked into one of the draft’s best interior defensive linemen in Texas A&M’s DeMarvin Leal.
Leal has surprising explosiveness for someone hovering around the 300-lb. mark, but Bill Belichick will love having a big-bodied option clogging up running lanes and absorbing double teams.
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