2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
First draft of my 2022 NFL mock draft
It is NFL Draft szn aka the best szn. With the first big wave of free-agency in the books, this seemed like a good time to post my first mock.
1 - Jaguars - Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
Jacksonville has put a bunch of money into the offensive line, opening them up to take the best overall prospect in the class to shore up the defense.
2 - Lions - Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Detroit would love to get Hutchinson, but will instead look to their potential QB of the future. Willis worked with the Lions at the Senior Bowl, and can sit behind Jared Goff for some or all of 2022.
3 - Texans - Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
Absolute freak that aligns well with both Lovie Smith and Nick Caseria/Patriot Way.
4 - Jets - Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Jets give themselves some flexibility here with free-agent additions. Here they side with the elite corner talent who did not allow a single touchdown in three college seasons.
5 - Giants - Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Versatility and big-school pedigree earn Neal the nod as new Giants GM Joe Schoen’s first selection with the team.
6 - Panthers - Ickey Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Carolina satisfies a desperate need up front with the player many thought would go first a month ago.
7 - Giants - Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Safety is a premium position in “Wink” Martindale’s defense, and Hamilton is an elite prospect.
8 - Falcons - Drake London, WR, USC
Atlanta finds a deep aDOT complement to Kyle Pitts.
9 - Seahawks - Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
Seahawks pick off the sliding talent who dares to have interests outside of football.
10 - Jets - Jermaine Johnson, Edge, Florida State
Second blue-chip defensive piece added for Robert Saleh. Jets can find receivers and linemen at picks 35 and 38.
11 - Commanders - Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Cross would allow the Commanders to kick 2021 second-rounder Sam Cosmi inside to guard, fortifying the offensive line.
12 - Vikings - Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
Corner is an obvious need for Minnesota and Stingley has tremendous natural talent.
13 - Texans - Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
In order to fairly evaluate Davis Mills, he is going to need some weaponry apart from Brandin Cooks.
14 - Ravens - Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
Davis is a potentially destructive force up front if he can handle meaningful snaps.
15 - Eagles - Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
With three first round picks, Philly should be able to address some major needs, one of which being linebacker.
16 - Eagles - Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Another need, this time filled by Cornerback U.
17 - Chargers - Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
With some defensive needs filled through free agency and trades, LA takes this chance to strengthen the protection for Justin Herbert.
18 - Saints - Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
QB is a popular choice here, but New Orleans has a desperate need at WR. They can still acquire a veteran through trade.
19 - Eagles - Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Jalen Reagor was a miss, so Philly looks to Burks to fill in opposite Devonta Smith.
20 - Steelers - Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Local collegiate who fills the long-term QB need.
21 - Patriots - Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
New England looks to re-stock the secondary after losing JC Jackson.
22 - Packers - Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Green Bay desperately needs a WR upgrade after trading Davante Adams.
23 - Cardinals - George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
After losing Chandler Jones, Arizona needs an edge player more than anything on offense.
24 - Cowboys - Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
Dominated the Combine, and Dallas has lost some of their strength up front.
25 - Bills - Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia
Buffalo continues to strengthen their defensive front after signing Von Miller.
26 - Titans - Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
He doesn’t have the measurements, but Dean is a straight football player. Mike Vrabel is sure to be a fan.
27 - Bucs - Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
Now that Tampa has Tom Brady back in the fold, they need to protect him.
28 - Packers - Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
In addition to WR, Green Bay has a glaring need at RT.
29 - Dolphins - Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
This selection to go along with a potential Terron Armstead signing would finally give Miami a competent offensive line.
30 - Chiefs - Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
The offense is ostensibly set, but defense still needs work.
31 - Bengals - Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
Raw prospect that would benefit from playing guard. The final piece of a puzzle Cincy has assembled nicely in free-agency.
32 - Lions - Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
Booth has been unable to workout for teams so far, but still has first-round talent.
Anthony - Its great that draft season is back and happy to see you are doing these mocks again. I am curious what information you have come across to put Malik Willis at #2 to the Lions. I get the strong sense from reading and listening to Jeremiah and Brugler that Willis is still a fringe 1st round talent and he really did not separate himself from Pickett at the Senior Bowl and Combine despite the wow plays. After both events, Brugler still had him going #18 and behind Pickett. So I'm curious what you information you have come across because I get the impression, this early on, that any QB would be a massive reach at #2.
Take it for what its worth, but I figured I would pass this along. Connor Hughes who covers the Jets got my attention last year when he said they would trade up to draft Vera-Tucker and the Jets did exactly that. On a podcast about a week ago he said something along the lines of he would put money on the Jets going pass rusher at #4 and WR at #10. I feel like he has been pretty consistent in mentioning Thibodeaux as an option at #4 as well.