NFL Mock Draft 2022

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

Profile: 6’7”, 260lbs | Age: 21 (August 9, 2000)

Although Jacksonville cannot go wrong with either Hutchinson or Thibodeaux, I think it is universally agreed that Hutchinson is the better of the two. Hutchinson resembles players like Joey and Nick Bosa, who have dominated this league since the day they entered. Hutchinson is quick off the edge with several dominate bull rush and swim moves that will overpower many NFL tackles, so the Jaguars will not have to question whether they are taking a risk with this pick.

2. Detroit Lions: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

Profile: 6’4”, 254lbs | Age: 21 (December 15, 2000)

As mentioned above, Thibodeaux would be the obvious second pick here assuming Detroit does not go the offensive line route considering they drafted OT Penei Sewell last year. Thibodeuax ranks second on many boards across the league with ideal size and explosiveness off the edge, so for Detroit not to select the Oregon Junior at #2 would be foolish.

3. Houston Texans: OT Ickey Ekwonu, NC State

Profile: 6’4”, 310lbs | Age: N/A (N/A, N/A, 2001)

Surprisingly, the Texans have been very open about their commitment to QB Davis Mills. Houston claims they have seen great potential from what Mills accomplished last season and they intend to build around him for the foreseeable future. So, it is only right they take the best available linemen on the board: Ockey Ekwonu, who, by many analysts, is ranked second in the entire draft ahead of Thibodeaux.

4. New York Jets: OT Evan Neal, Alabama

Profile: 6’7”, 337 | Age: 21 (September 19, 2000)

The Jets seem fairly committed to QB Zach Wilson, so some protection for the sophomore will be necessary if they want to see the young talent succeed at all next season. OT Evan Neal is considered the #2 offensive linemen in the draft, so aside from the possibility that New York goes the wide receiver route this early, Neal seems like a lock to the Jets.

5. New York Giants: Edge Travon Walker, Georgia

Profile: 6’5” 272lbs | Age: 21 (December 18, 2000)

In many reactionary mock drafts strictly based on combine performance, Travon Walker has risen to #2 on many overall boards to go to the Lions. I do not see Detroit drafting Walker over Thibodeaux, as Walker benefited heavily from the inside dominance of DT Devonte Wyatt and DT Jordan Davis at Georgia all season long. As long as the Lions do not go out of character, Walker will fall to the Giants at #5 as the Jets and Texans will be obligated to take offensive linemen.

6. Carolina Panthers: QB Malik Willis, Liberty

Profile: 6’0”, 219lbs | Age: 22 (May 25, 1999)

Carolina has struggled to find a replacement for QB Cam Newton for the past several years and it is fair to say they do not believe QB Sam Darnold is the answer. In an underwhelming draft class in terms of quarterbacks, Malik Willis is by far the most talented and pro-ready. The 22-year-old has a solid arm and showed sparks of greatness at his pro day. Although they may not feel confident about this pick, Carolina will have to plunge on Willis at #6.

7. New York Giants (via Chicago): CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati

Profile: 6’3”, 190lbs | Age: 21 (August 31, 2000)

If the Giants can land Sauce Gardner at #7, they should be thrilled because he is the definition of a lock-down corner. Gardner is by far the best cornerback in the draft, so although unlikely, it is possible he is either stolen earlier in the draft or traded-up for by a team in need of a #1 cornerback. Furthermore, considering New York already has CB James Bradberry IV, they may go a different route here but to pass on Gardner would be foolish.

8. Atlanta Falcons: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Profile: 6’0”, 183lbs | Age: 21 (July 22, 2000)

With WR Calvin Ridley being suspended for illegally gambling on NFL games and the loss of WR Julio Jones last off season, Atlanta needs a receiver to complement TE Kyle Pitts. Additionally, QB Marcus Mariota has shows potential at times, so to give him a rookie sensation in Garrett Wilson on top of a generational talent in Kyle Pitts, the Falcons’ offense would be a real threat in the NFC South.

9. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver): OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State

Profile: 6’5”, 307lbs | Age: 21 (November 25, 2000)

For an offensive line that has been beat-up and very underwhelming for the majority of Russel Wilson’s time in Seattle, head coach Pete Carroll will likely result back to his old ways of running the ball and playing defense. Drew Lock has not shown any potential in the NFL, but if Seattle believes in the gunslinger as much as they say they do, an offensive lineman like Cross would be perfect.

10. New York Jets (via Seattle): S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

Profile: 6’4”, 220lbs | Age: 21 (March 16, 2001)

If Kyle Hamilton were to fall all the way to #10 in the draft, as I predict he will, many people will be shocked. Hamilton is considered by many analysts the best secondary player in the draft, ahead of Sauce Gardner. I have him at #2 and believe that although there is a great chance he goes much higher than #10, I do not think he is as much of a necessity for those teams in the top 10 as much as the positions that I have them selecting.

11. Washington Commanders: WR Drake London, USC

Profile: 6’4”, 219lbs | Age: 20 (July 24, 2001)

Predicting a landing spot for Drake London will be the toughest out of all of the first round because some people rank him the #1 receiver in the class, while others consider him #4 or #5. From what I have read, it seems NFL general managers think high of London so I have going to Washington at #11. In my opinion, I would take Jameson Williams and Chris Olave over London, but this mock is based on who I believe these teams will select, not who they should select.

12. Minnesota Vikings: CB Derek Stingley JR., LSU

Profile: 6’0”, 190lbs | Age: 20 (June 20, 2001)

It seems to be agreed that Minnesota will select a cornerback if they remain at #12; the debate is which cornerback. Many mock drafts have CB Trent McDuffie going to Minnesota, but the Vikings are similar to the Seahawks in that they often draft taller corners for their defensive scheme. McDuffie, being 5’11” and under 200lbs, would not be as good of a fit to complement CB Patrick Peterson in Minnesota when compared to Stingley Jr.

13. Houston Texans (via Cleveland): DT Jordan Davis, Georgia

Profile: 6’6”, 341lbs | Age: 22 (January 12, 2000)

Jordan Davis took the world by storm at his NFL combine. For whatever reason, analysts did not have him going as high in the draft as they do now. The man terrorized college offensive linemen alongside Devonte Wyatt at the University of Georgia all year long. He may go higher than #13 because of his pure dominant, game-wrecking capabilities.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Edge Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State

Profile: 6’5”, 254lbs | Age: 23 (January 7, 1999).

After losing DE Matthew Judon to New England last offseason and failing to sign DE Zadarious Smith this offseason, Baltimore needs a pass rusher. Like S Kyle Hamilton, Jermaine Johnson II is ranked much higher on other boards compared to mine. Also similar to Hamilton, in terms of talent and overall ranking, I have Johnson ranked higher than #14, but teams will pass on him for reasons in terms of position needs.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami): WR Jameson Williams, Alabama

Profile: 6’1”, 179lbs | Age: 21 (March 26, 2001)

After a debacle of a disaster passing on WR Justin Jefferson two years ago, the Eagles and GM Howie Roseman look to make-up for their countless draft blunders these past few seasons. Jameson Williams is coming off of a torn ACL injury, the only reason Philadelphia even has a chance of taking the young star at #15. Philadelphia needs a receiver to complement Davonte Smith, so to pair him with his former Alabama teammate would be perfetct.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis): LB Devin Lloyd, Utah

Profile: 6’3”, 237lbs | Age: N/A (September 30, N/A)

Linebacker being the other position in need of filling, the Eagles could get the best linebacker on the board all the way down at #16 thanks to their trade with the Colts involving current Commanders’ QB Carson Wentz. Philadelphia’s only weak spot on the defense, aside from a possible #2 cornerback, is at linebacker. The current MLB Alex Singleton is a solid player, but he is not a game changing player, and Devin Lloyd will be able to come in and make a difference on day 1.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

Profile: 6’0”, 187lbs | Age: 21 (June 27, 2000)

After their shopping spree in free agency where they acquired both J.C. Jackson and Khalil Mack, the Chargers do not have many positions to fill. They also drafted OL Rashawn Slater in the 2021 Draft and the young tackle had a sensational rookie season. As a result, the Chargers may take an offensive lineman to protect Justin Herbert, but I think Chris Olave would be the final piece to a championship team to complement Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

18. New Orleans Saints: QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

Profile: 6’3”, 211lbs | Age: 22 (August 31, 1999)

After head coach Sean Peyton and S Malcom Jenkins stepped away from the game at the end of the season, the Saints appear to be in rebuild mode. Although QB Jameis Winston re-signed with the team, New Orleans will likely either trade-up in the draft for Malik Willis or sit here at #18 to take Desmond Ridder, a great fit for the new system led by Dennis Allen in New Orleans.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: DT Devonta Wyatt, Georgia

Profile: 6’3”, 304lbs | Age: 24 (March 31, 1998)

The final part of the loaded Georgia defensive line, Devonta Wyatt, was previously ranked above the other Georgia DT Jordan Davis before Davis took the combine by storm. Wyatt is not 6’6”, but if the Eagles were to plunge on him, he and Fletcher Cox would be an unstoppable duo up front.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

Profile: 6’3”, 220lbs | Age: 23 (June 6, 1998)

Although the Steelers gave QB Mitchell Trubisky a relatively big contract this offseason, I think even head coach Mike Tomlin understands that Trubisky cannot lead Pittsburgh to a Super Bowl. Kenny Pickett, who attended Pitt, would not only be a perfect fit for the city and environment but he fits the Steeler culture and Tomlin’s system.

21. New England Patriots: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Profile: 6’2”, 225lbs | Age: 22 (March 23, 2000)

Unless Bill Belichick uncharacteristically trades up to select a top tier receiver, the Patriots will likely have another underwhelming draft. Treylon Burks is a solid receiver who may have a nice career, but I do not see him being a #1 receiver that will change Mac Jones’ life next season.

22. Green Bay Packers (via Las Vegas): WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Profile: 5’11”, 184lbs | Age: 22 (March 22, 2000)

It is very likely that Green Bay will trade up in the draft to select one of the top receivers, considering the loss of WR Davante Adams this offseason. Do not expect GM Brian Gutekunst to sit comfortably at the 22nd pick, but for whatever reason if he does not move up, the Packers will likely settle with a speedster like Dotson to replace WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling at the very least.

23. Arizona Cardinals: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington

Profile: 5’11”, 193lbs | Age: 21 (February 28, 2001)

Another top tier cornerback, Trent McDuffie, will be a great fit in Arizona for a team in need of a reliable cornerback. The Cardinals did resign CB Rasul Douglas to a nice deal, but Douglas is not a life changing cornerback like McDuffie. The University of Washington has a history of producing great cornerbacks, so McDuffie will be a safe, but great pick for the Cardinals. Side note: Arizona may take a defensive end to replace Chandler Jones, who they lost to the Raiders, but if McDuffie is available at #23, he will be hard to pass on.

24. Dallas Cowboys: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

Profile: 6’7”, 325lbs | Age: 22 (May 15, 1999)

After losing OT La’el Collins to the Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas will have to replace the former all-pro if they want to keep an injury prone Dak Prescott healthy all year. Trevor Penning is a nice option, especially coming out of Northern Iowa, as the University of Iowa is often considered the NFL pipeline for offensive linemen. Penning is massive tackled at 6’7”, 325lbs, and he is the one player Dallas must add this offseason, especially in a free agency when Dallas has been very inactive.

25. Buffalo Bills: IOL Zion Johnson, Boston College

Profile: 6’3”, 312lbs | Age: 22 (November 18, 1999)

Considering their devastating loss to Kansas City due to many defensive blunders, Buffalo broke the bank this offseason and gave Von Miller a deal he could not resist. With all of their defensive concerns taken care of, Buffalo’s final move will have to be to do the best they can to protect franchise quarterback Josh Allen. Whether they trade-up in the draft or wait at #25, the Bills will likely select an offensive lineman in the first round and then a RB in the second or third, as they failed to land RB J.D. McKissic in free agency.

26. Tennessee Titans: C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

Profile: 6’2”, 296lbs | Age: 21 (April 7, 2000)

As mentioned earlier, Iowa is an NFL pipeline for both tight ends and offensive linemen and Tyler Linderbaum will be no different. The only player that can make the Tennessee run game, led by Derrick Henry, even scarier is another beast on the front to make the king’s job even easier.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson

Profile: 6’0”, 194lbs | Age: 21 (September 28, 2000)

At the 27th pick, there are not many gamechangers left on the board. The one guy left on the board ranked fairly high on other boards is Edge George Karlaftis, but Tampa will not take a defensive player on the front seven because that is the last position they need. Booth Jr. is the best option for Tampa, unless they trade out of the first round.

28. Green Bay Packers: WR George Pickens, Georgia

Profile: 6’3”, 195lbs | Age: 21 (March 4, 2001)

This pick becomes completely dependent upon what Green Bay decides to do at #22. Assuming they trade up for a top tier receiver, they may take WR Jahan Dotson down here at #28 if he still available. Now, if they trade up and take a top tier speed receiver like Chris Olave, they may go with Pickens at #28 for his physicality and jump-ball capability.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via San Francisco): S Dax Hill, Michigan

Profile: 6’0”, 192lbs | Age: 21 (September 29, 2000)

With the uncertainty of S Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu, the Chiefs must select a safety in the first round to make up for a potential hole in their defense. Of they do not, they will be stuck with S Daniel Sorenson, who was nothing more than a complete disaster in the red zone all of last season. Sorenson lacks game IQ and awareness, something Mathieu has mastered, so the Chiefs must plunge on a safety whether Mathieu returns or not.

30. Kansas City Chiefs: Edge George Karlaftis, Purdue

Profile: 6’4”, 266lbs | Age: 20 (April 3, 2001)

Karlaftis is projected to go somewhere between #15-#20 in many mocks, but I do not see any teams in need of an edge until the Chiefs here at either #30 or one pick earlier at #29. Karlaftis has great potential and is the perfect size at 6’4”, 266lbs to be a dominant edge rusher in a superstar-packed AFC West.

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Edge Boye Mafe, Minnesota

Profile: 6’4”, 261lbs | Age: 23 (November 30, 1998)

It will be shocking to me if Cincinnati does not trade out of this pick to either move up and select a #1 cornerback or move out of the first round entirely. A player taken at #31 will not help the Bengals win the Super Bowl this year, but if they do remain at the 31st pick I expect them to take the best available edge rusher or cornerback depending on who is available (according to my predictions, the best available player will be Boye Mafe, who was incredible at Minnesota).

32. Detroit Lions (via Rams): LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia

Profile: 5’11, 229lbs | Age: 21 (December 13, 2000)

With the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Nakobe Dean, and incredible linebacker out of the star-studded Georgia defense, will head to Detroit. Nakobe Dean and Devin Lloyd are considered the two best linebackers in this draft, so if Dean falls this far, the Lions will get a steal at #32. Many mocks have Dean going to Philadelphia at #16, but I think Lloyd is slightly better. Ultimately, do not be surprised if Dean is selected before the Lions have a chance to snag him at #32.