The week of the 2022 NFL Draft is finally upon us, and after a rampant period of rumors flying around, it is almost time to finally see Las Vegas host what will likely be a fantastic presentation of the draft. As this year’s class doesn’t truly have that one bonafide top option, the speculation of how the draft will play out certainly helps give it more intrigue than usual.

After having created the 1.0 version of a mock draft, this final mock is reflective of all the changes that have happened since then – from draft pick trades to rumors and speculations, April 28th cannot happen soon enough.

For insight and predictions on the 2022 NFL Draft, listen below:

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2022 NFL Mock Draft

No. 1 — Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker (DE, Georgia)

While the consensus for the top selection seems to be narrowed down to two players, betting odds and signs point to Travon Walker getting the slight edge here.

As a havoc creator on the Georgia defensive line, Walker is one of the more moldable prospects being considered to go first overall, and while maybe not as established as the 2nd overall selection, he certainly has a high ceiling.

No. 2 — Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson (DE, Michigan)

After having played for the Wolverines, Aidan Hutchinson is able to remain in the state of Michigan and suit up for the Detroit Lions as they commence the next steps in their rebuild plan.

A high motor and established collegiate production headline the things he does right, and the Lions should be ecstatic about having Hutchinson fall into their lap.

No. 3 — Houston Texans: Ikem Ekwonu (OT, NC State)

Make no mistake – the Houston Texans need to take the BPA (best player available) method to heart this draft. With how many holes this team has, making their first move in the trenches by adding a bonafide OT in Ikem Ekwonu is exactly how you build from the ground up.

Davis Mills may not be the long-term solution at QB, but the Texans are better off punting on a below-average QB class this early, making Ekwonu an excellent fit opposite Laremy Tunsil.

 

No. 4 — New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner (CB, Cincinnati)

Here is where the draft will get even more interesting – after having gone QB with their top selection last year, the New York Jets still have a bunch of holes to plug, one of which being DB.

Ahmad Gardner, who is well-known for not having allowed a single TD in coverage during his college career, would help stabilize Robert Salah’s defense and get this team one step closer to finally being semi-competent. Oh – and grabbing a weapon for Wilson comes very soon.

No. 5 — New York Giants: Charles Cross (OT, Mississippi State)

Drafting right behind their New York counterparts, the Giants have two first-round selections at their disposal to utilize in Brian Daboll’s first year as HC, and they likely will use their first on someone on offense.

Grabbing a tackle like Charles Cross, who they are very familiar with, can help make Daniel Jones semi-efficient again and hopefully get Saquon Barkley back on his feet.

No. 6 — Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett (QB, Pitt)

Whether the Carolina Panthers grab a QB at 6 or trade back and grab one there, all signs point to Pitt’s Kenny Pickett being their favorite choice of the bunch. As HC Matt Rhule and company have all socialized with Pickett in a very chummy way, Carolina is likely looking for a rookie option to plug and place in Year 1, especially with Rhule barely hanging onto chances to lead this team.

No. 7 — Minnesota Vikings (via NYG through CHI): Derek Stingley Jr. (CB, LSU)

Our first trade in this mock is not necessarily a big one, but it lends itself to be quite a surprising one. The Minnesota Vikings, who must be so tired of playing little brother in the NFC North, decide to move up and grab a player some feel is the best defensive back in the draft in LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr.

Minnesota loves to draft CBs early and this year is no different – the Giants, who originally had this selection, move back to 12th overall, pick up some extra selections along the way, and are able to add more ammo to the chest for Joe Schoen to use in his first chance to build the roster.

No. 8 — Atlanta Falcons: Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE, Oregon)

Much like many of the other teams in the top 10 of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons have many positions that need upgrades. Adding a bonafide pass-rusher like Kayvon Thibodeaux is a great way to do so, especially for a player that should have earned far more attention at #1 than he ultimately did.

No. 9 — Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Jordan Davis (DT, Georgia)

With the top selection acquired in the Russell Wilson deal, the Seattle Seahawks will likely keep the league on the edge of its seat (again) with how it utilizes it. Needing to shore up the interior of their defensive line, they go out and grab the second member of Georgia’s defense in Jordan Davis, who is an absolute unit of a man but has the athleticism of someone who can play linebacker.

No. 10 — New York Jets: Chris Olave (WR, Ohio State)

The Jets are back on the clock, and pairing Chris Olave with Elijah Moore should represent a seismic shift in their offensive efficiency in ‘22. With Wilson now having two bonafide youngsters to throw to, there is no excuse for him to make good on being drafted second overall last year.

No. 11 — Pittsburgh Steelers (via WAS): Malik Willis (QB, Liberty)

Another trade-up scenario this time, but it is for a QB, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are the intended beneficiaries.

Mike Tomlin and GM Kevin Colbert have not been shy about their interest in this year’s QB class (especially Willis), and Willis checks a lot of the boxes that the Steelers are looking for in their next franchise option. Pairing him with Najee Harris and Diontae Johnson will actually give this offense its identity back, but with a flair.

No. 12 — New York Giants (via MIN): Kyle Hamilton (S, Notre Dame)

After having moved back from 7th overall, the Giants are back on the clock, selecting Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. The do-it-all defender can give the Giants a bonafide safety prospect with more hype than what Landon Collins did a few years prior.

While their passing on a DL may be surprising, going BPA in this situation is the right plan of attack, especially with how deep the DL class is this year.

No. 13 — Houston Texans (via CLE): Jermaine Johnson (DE, Florida State)

With the pick acquired in the Deshaun Watson trade, the Texans jump to the defensive line and grab a super high ceiling option in FSU’s Jermaine Johnson. Johnson, who made the trek from Last Chance U to Georgia and finally to the Seminoles, has a fantastic motor and is a bonafide pass-rushing option.

The Texans need to build from the trenches and grabbing Ekwonu and Johnson really couldn’t be a better start.

No. 14 — Baltimore Ravens: Evan Neal (OT, Alabama)

Ronnie Stanley has ended the past two seasons with season-ending surgery on his ankle, sparking the need for the Ravens to consider going OL here. Plus, with Evan Neal taking a bit of a fall, the Ravens are more than happy to grab one of the three-best OTs in the draft to help protect Lamar Jackson.

No. 15 — Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): Jameson Williams (WR, Alabama)

The second WR off the board will likely not suit up until October at the earliest, as Jameson Williams is recovering from a torn ACL. With the Eagles having two 1st round selections in the teens, they can afford to take a shot at Williams, who likely would have gone a lot sooner if he was fully healthy.

Alabama has a very strong presence on offense for the Eagles, and the trio of Jalen Hurts / DeVonta Smith / Williams certainly gives that unit a fighting shot in the NFC East.

No. 16 — New Orleans Saints (via IND through PHI): Matt Corral (QB, Ole Miss)

With their first of two 1st-round selections, the New Orleans Saints find what they hope is their next franchise QB in Matt Corral. Even though Jameis Winston returned on a two-year deal, working a rookie like Corral into the speed of the NFL can help him develop at a better pace, while giving him a shot to be what this team needs in an NFL QB.

No. 17 — Green Bay Packers (via LAC): Garrett Wilson (WR, Ohio State)

While it is common for the Green Bay Packers to move up in the draft, it certainly is not common for them to make a move to go and grab a WR. Alas, this team understands the need to grab a proven WR option, and Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson is a perfect fit for them.

Moving up five slots to get him is not a huge price to pay, and they still have their second option at 28 to use as well.

No. 18 — Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Devonte Wyatt (DT, Georgia)

After grabbing WR at 15, the Eagles go to the defensive side of the ball and select DT Devonte Wyatt, who teamed up with Jordan Davis and Travon Walker at Georgia. With Fletcher Cox returning to the Eagles, the 31-year-old is on his last legs, so bringing in a player like Wyatt to learn from one of the best can help pass that torch.

Getting out of the first round with two bonafide blue-chip options in Jameson Williams and Wyatt should be seen as a win for Philly, especially after having added a plethora of future picks in their deal with the Saints.

No. 19 — New Orleans Saints (via PHI): Jahan Dotson (WR, Penn State)

Speaking of the Saints, this was the second first-round selection they received in the trade with Philly, and they are going back to adding talent to their offense with Penn State WR Jahan Dotson.

While on the shorter side (5’10), Dotson performs extremely well with the ball in his hands and his 4.4 speed more than makes up for what he gives up vertically. This selection may also factor in Christian Watson (NDSU) and Skyy Moore (WMU) if looking for similar skill-set options.

No. 20 — Washington Commanders (via PIT): Kenyon Green (IOL, Texas A&M)

After swapping first-round selections with the Steelers, the Washington Commanders make their first selection after their rebranding and tumultuous offseason involving Dan Snyder and their troubling decisions.

Having lost Brandon Scherff to the Jaguars, adding Kenyon Green to the offensive line can help protect fragile Carson Wentz while freeing up holes for Antonio Gibson. Green is widely viewed as the best interior lineman of this draft, and his positional flexibility certainly makes him a likely top-20 option.

No. 21 — New England Patriots: Tyler Linderbaum (IOL, Iowa)

Is it a surprise to see the Patriots go after a big ol’ hog molly to kick off their draft? Only because the player is not from an SEC team.

Tyler Linderbaum, while a natural center, can join the guard rotation for the Patriots, with the idea that once David Andrews ultimately is not the starting center, he can move over and fill that vacated spot. Bill Belichick is kicking off this draft the right way by adding a BPA that is huge for the team’s depth.

No. 22 — Los Angeles Chargers (via GB): Bernhard Raimann (OT, Central Michigan)

Moving back a few spots nets the Chargers an extra selection or two, they are still able to add a player in a position of need – offensive line – by selecting Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann.

Potentially knocked by being an older prospect (25 in September) and having limited run as an OL (2 years), Raimann is an experienced option that can slide in for Bryan Bulaga or mostly any spot on the offensive line not named center. Positional flexibility is the name of the game, and Raimann can help bring that to LA.

No. 23 — Arizona Cardinals: Treylon Burks (WR, Arkansas)

With Christian Kirk leaving this offseason and resetting the market in one fell swoop, the Arizona Cardinals need more talent on offense – enter in Treylon Burks.

Once thought of as the bonafide best WR prospect in this class, Burks has fallen a bit down the board, falling right into AZ’s lap and giving Kyler Murray another strong target and DeAndre Hopkins a running mate.

No. 24 — Dallas Cowboys: George Karlaftis (DE, Purdue)

With the thought of potentially addressing WR in the 1st round for the second draft out of the past three, the Dallas Cowboys should turn their attention to the DL and add a player that should have gone top 15 in George Karlaftis.

The Purdue product is as stout as they come, and he was toughened up by playing in the Big Ten. With Dallas needing to establish more of a pass rush, Karlaftis would be a solid add here for their future.

No. 25 — Buffalo Bills: Zion Johnson (G, Boston College)

There are not many holes that the Buffalo Bills need to fill, so good teams handle the draft board by selecting the best player available at that time, which looks to be BC’s Zion Johnson. With the ability to play every position on the offensive line, Johnson is a solid add this late in the first round, helping keep Josh Allen upright in the pocket.

No. 26 — Tennessee Titans: Trevor Penning (OT, Northern Iowa)

While he may be one of the older first-round prospects, Trevor Penning is a strong OT option for the Tennessee Titans to let fall into their lap. As they try and determine their next moves involving their QB future, passing on that position, for now, is the best path to take, especially for their competitive window.

No. 27 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent McDuffie (CB, Washington)

The defensive secondary for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is going to look far different than that of last season – Jordan Whitehead departed in the offseason, leaving a big gap in that part of their defense. Trent McDuffie should go higher in this draft but with teams putting an emphasis on OL depth, the former Washington Huskie falls to the end of the draft to a team desperate for any secondary help.

No. 28 — Seattle Seahawks (via GB): Devin Lloyd (LB, Utah)

As is standard for pretty much every NFL Draft since 2010, the Seahawks and Packers make a trade, this time with Green Bay moving back 12 spots and letting Seattle back into the end of the first round. With thoughts abound about their choice at QB, they in turn decide to upgrade their offense with a second consecutive selection, Utah’s Devin Lloyd.

Securing that fifth-year option is valuable, especially for teams looking for that next QB prospect, but the Seahawks seemed uninterested in engaging with any of the top members of that group, pointing to them kicking the can down the road until 2023.

No. 29 — Kansas City Chiefs (via SF through MIA): Travis Jones (DT, Connecticut)

Connecticut is not commonly thought of as being a school that creates NFL prospects, but DT Travis Jones is one of those rare occurrences. Needing to add more depth to their DL, Jones would learn from and pair well with Chris Jones, a big-time addition to shore up the middle of the line.

No. 30 — Cleveland Browns (via KC): Quay Walker (LB, Georgia)

Without having a first-round selection, the Browns need to move up to get a blue-chip player, and that is what they do here. With the Chiefs having back-to-back selections in the 1st round, they decide to recoup some extra selections and swap with the Browns, who move up to grab a LB from the vaunted Georgia defense that has been a fringe 1st-round prospect throughout the pre-draft process.

No. 31 — Atlanta Falcons (via CIN): Daxton Hill (S, Michigan)

Seen as a potential QB destination, the Falcons move up a few slots and swap selections with the Cincinnati Bengals. While Atlanta certainly could go QB here, they instead go defense again and bring in one of the draft’s best safeties in Michigan’s Daxton Hill.

There are a bunch of holes in Atlanta, and while Marcus Mariota certainly won’t be a permanent stop-gap solution, it looks like the team does like him, letting them go in a different direction with this selection.

No. 32 — Detroit Lions: Desmond Ridder (QB, Cincinnati)

The final selection of the 2022 NFL Draft is a polarizing one by the Lions, who went with Hutchinson earlier. Drafting Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder is a cheap way to get a shot at finding their next franchise QB, and while Ridder is a bit difficult to project, he certainly has all the right intangibles in play to become a starting QB in the NFL in a season or three.