Mock Draft SZN!
2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
(Pre Free Agency)
-London Taylor
1.Jacksonville Jaguars- Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
Many believe the Jags will and should draft an offensive tackle in this spot. Despite guys like Ikem Ekwonu boosting their stock after the combine, Hutchinson is simply the best prospect in this class.
2.Detroit Lions- Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame
Some will argue that Hamilton is the best player in this class and they may be right. With his size, athleticism and versatility this is the type of pick that can transform a defense.
3.Houston Texans- Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
The Texans need to rebuild this team from the inside out. There’s plenty of talent in the trenches for them to choose from. Despite the general consensus of Thibodeaux falling in the eyes of teams, he is way too good to fall out of the top 5.
4.New York Jets- Ikem Ekwonu, Tackle, NC State
If there were no medical concerns with CB Derek Stingley he would absolutely be my pick here. But until we get more information, presumably at his pro day, the Jets pivot to get whoever they like best of the OT bunch. Pairing Ekwonu with LT Mekhi Becton would give them one of the most physically imposing bookends in the league.
5.New York Giants- Evan Neal, Tackle, Alabama
With the top edge talent off the board the Giants add to their weak offensive line. Neal will give them a pair of tackles to build upon.
6.Carolina Panthers- Charles Cross, Tackle, Mississippi State
Three straight tackles off the board here. The Panthers HAVE to add some talent to this offensive line to support whoever ends up playing quarterback this year.
7.New York Giants- Derek Stingley, Cornerback, LSU
Assuming the Giants are comfortable with his health, Stingley is way too talented to let fall past this point in the draft. His freshman tape is the best I have ever watched at the cornerback position. Size, speed, ball skills; Stingley has everything you could want at the position.
8.Atlanta Falcons- Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati
Sauce is simply the best prospect on the board at this point and there is a tier drop after him. Edge and receiver were in serious consideration but none of those players made me feel comfortable at the eight pick.
9.Denver Broncos- Malik Willis, Quarterback, Liberty
It’s well known at this point that this quarterback class is considered very weak. But the nature of the position will inevitably have multiple quarterbacks most likely taken in the first round. Sure the Broncos would probably prefer a veteran option but there’s a good chance none of those options come to fruition.
10.New York Jets- Drake London, Wide Receiver, USA
After picking up a tackle with the first of their two top ten picks, the Jets continue to build around second year QB Zach Wilson. London seems to be the consensus top wide out in this class and will provide Wilson with a big bodied target to throw to.
11.Washington Commanders- Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Pittsburgh
Again, there are only so many veteran QB options to go around. If Washington finds themselves on the outside looking in, they may turn to the draft to solve their QB needs.
12.Minnesota Vikings- Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
Walker’s stock will definitely be on the rise after his combine performance. He is the perfect prospect to fill Minnesota’s edge needs.
13.Cleveland Browns- Garrett Wilson, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
The Browns have almost pigeon holed themselves into drafting a wide out early in this draft. Luckily for them a great prospect is waiting for them in Wilson. He will give them much needed WR1 potential.
14.Baltimore Ravens- David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
The Ravens stock their pass rushing cupboard with what could end up being the best in this class. Ojabo goes to the perfect place to develop.
15.Philadelphia Eagles- Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington
With three first round picks the Eagles have a chance to reshape the top end of their roster, assuming they don’t use that capital to go after a quarterback. McDuffie puts them off to a great start.
16.Philadelphia Eagles- Jameson Williams, Wide Receiver, Alabama
The Eagles take Willams to give them the impact speed player they thought they were getting with Jalen Reagor.
17.Los Angeles Chargers- Jordan Davis, Defensive Line, Georgia
The Chargers have a huge hole right in the middle of their defense and Davis put on a show at the combine. Men that big shouldn’t be able to move the way he does. Questions about his role and pass rushing ability will keep him out of the top half of the first round but someone will fall in love with the potential.
18.New Orleans Saints- Treylon Burks, Wide Receiver, Arkansas
Those who had Burks as their WR1 were probably disappointed with his combine performance. That being said, the Saints desperately need some explosiveness at wide out.
19.Philadelphia Eagles- George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
The Eagles love drafting in the trenches. It wouldn’t feel right leaving them without a linemen with one of their first round picks. Questions about Karlaftis’ role will push him down a bit but the Eagles will be able to get the most out of him.
20.Pittsburgh Steelers- Trevor Penning, Tackle, UNI
Penning’s combine performance should safely put him in the top 20. Pittsburgh needs help all along the O-Line. Getting Penning here would be best case scenario.
21.New England Patriots- Andrew Booth, Cornerback, Clemson
According to reports the Pats are not planning on franchise tagging free agent corner JC Jackson. If they get outbid for his services, cornerback becomes an even bigger need than it already was.
22.Las Vegas Raiders- Chris Olave, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
It looks like the Raiders are set to keep quarterback Derek Carr. Adding to his weapons should be a top priority. Olave will give them a much needed deep threat that can change the dynamic of the offense.
23.Arizona Cardinals- Tyler Linderbaum, Center, Iowa
The Cards get the safest prospect in the draft. A “QB” for their O-Line for the next ten years.
24.Dallas Cowboys- Devonte Wyatt, Defensive Line, Georgia
The Cowboys have seemingly needed help on the interior of their D-Line for years now. Hoping Wyatt finally gives them a force up front they can count on.
25.Buffalo Bills- Kenyon Green, Guard, Texas A&M
The Bills could be looking at some turnover along the O-Line. Grabbing a versatile linemen that could come in and start right away will help settle the position and keep this offense churning.
26.Tennessee Titans- Bernhard Raiman, Tackle, Central Michigan
Raiman secured himself a spot in the first round with his combine numbers. The Titans need a tackle opposite Taylor Lewan. Raiman’s athleticism and toughness will fit right into what they want to do.
27.Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Zion Johnson, Guard, Boston College
Tampa all of a sudden has some holes to fill with the retirement of G Ali Marpet and starting C Ryan Jensen an impending free agent. Johnson gives them versatility to fill either of those positons.
28.Green Bay Packers- Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, Utah
Green Bay has shown they don’t put as much value in the LB position as some other teams. Lloyd is just too good a prospect to pass up at this point in the draft.
29.Miami Dolphins- Nakobe Dean, Linebacker, Georgia
With the top O-Line talent gone, Miami pivots to Dean who will fit in nicely on that defense.
30.Kansas City Chiefs- Jalen Pitre, Safety, Baylor
The Chiefs get a fast, physical player for their secondary to help slow down the gauntlet that will be the future of the QB position in the AFC.
31.Cincinnati Bengals- Kaiir Elam, Cornerback, Florida
Another team that desperately needs help along the O-Line misses out on the value in the first round. Elam is no consolation prize as he will be a welcome addition to that secondary.
32.Detroit Lions- Sam Howell, Quarterback, North Carolina
With an extra pick in the first round, the Lions can take a shot at one of the QB prospects in this class.