After a seemingly long wait, the 2022 NFL Draft is finally here! In this mock draft, I’m mocking the first two rounds of the draft, explaining my reasoning with the first round. I’m also including trades that are within the value guidelines specified in the Rich Hill trade chart. Enjoy!
FIRST ROUND:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia: The choice at #1 for the Jaguars seems to be between Walker, Aidan Hutchinson, and even Ikem Ekwonu; however, GM Trent Baalke’s draft history at the EDGE position (as evidenced by his past selection of Aldon Smith as GM of the 49ers) seems to indicate he prefers edge rushers with a higher arm length. As such, the versatile Walker would have the edge here over the shorter-armed Hutchinson.
2. Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan: The Lions would be very happy if they got Hutchinson here. In Hutchinson, the Lions are bringing in a premier pass rusher who can line up out wide and match up against an offensive tackle all game. Head coach Dan Campbell will appreciate Hutchinson’s motor and tenacity he displayed throughout the course of entire games.
3. Houston Texans – Evan Neal, OL, Alabama: The Texans seem committed to Davis Mills as their starting QB (at least for this season) and shore up the right side of his offensive line here. Neal can start at right tackle or right guard, depending on where the Texans prefer to line up Tytus Howard, and Neal can potentially take over at LT if Houston decides to move on from Laremy Tunsil after this season.
4. New York Jets – Ikem Ekwonu, OL, North Carolina State: With Mekhi Becton’s future uncertain with the Jets, New York gives Zach Wilson his blindside blocker with the flexibility to kick inside to guard if necessary.
5. New York Giants – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State: With a run on tackles in front of them and the Panthers lurking behind as well, the Giants make sure they secure a franchise blindside blocker in Cross. Cross is one of the top-tier pass protectors in this class who’d slide in at left tackle while Andrew Thomas moves to the right side in the Giants’ continuing attempt to fix their offensive line.
TRADE: Houston Texans send picks #13, #68, and #80 to the Carolina Panthers for picks #6 and #137
6. Houston Texans (via Carolina Panthers) – Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati: The Texans need blue-chip players to build around, and trading up into the top 10 puts them in the range to get another one in Sauce Gardner. His sticky coverage and physical play on the outside will be a boon for the Texans for years to come.
TRADE: Pittsburgh Steelers send picks #20, #84, and a 2023 1st round pick to the New York Giants for pick #7
7. Pittsburgh Steelers (via New York Giants) – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty: It’s no secret that the Steelers have done extensive work on this QB class in the wake of Ben Roethlisberger retiring. With the Saints and potentially the Falcons and Seahawks as competition for a QB, Pittsburgh jumps in front of them to take their QB of the future. Willis’ upside is worth chasing here, and he can sit behind Mitch Trubisky this year and learn how to operate the offense.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Drake London, WR, USC: The Falcons’ roster is barren in general, but especially at wide receiver. Between Garrett Wilson and Drake London, the Falcons opt for the more possession-oriented, big-bodied receiver with the idea of winning contested catches.
9. Seattle Seahawks – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon: In the wake of trading Russell Wilson, the Seahawks seem to be in rebuild mode. The Seahawks signed Uchenna Nwosu and brought back Carlos Dunlap but the future at EDGE is uncertain beyond this season. Thibodeaux can move around the formation at will and he’s also big-bodied enough to win one-on-ones on the outside and set the edge on run defense.
10. New York Jets – Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State: Under Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas, the Jets have been operating like a team that’s going to consistently invest in the trenches early in the draft. They do so again here by taking the best EDGE available in Jermaine Johnson, who should bring some stability to the position that the Jets are lacking beyond Carl Lawson who’s returning from injury.
TRADE: Kansas City Chiefs send picks #29, #94, and a 2023 1st round pick to the Washington Commanders for pick #11
11. Kansas City Chiefs (via Washington Commanders) – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama: The Chiefs probably aren’t going to use all 12 draft picks they have, so they trade up for Williams, whose deep speed combined with tenacious route-running will help fill the void left by Tyreek Hill. While Williams won’t see the field right away, his potential to transform the offense will be worth the wait when he returns from his torn ACL injury.
TRADE: Los Angeles Chargers send picks #17 and #79 to the Minnesota Vikings for picks #12 and #184
12. Los Angeles Chargers (via Minnesota Vikings) – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa: The Chargers mostly fixed their defense this offseason by bringing in Khalil Mack from the Bears and signing JC Jackson. The only glaring hole that they have left that they have to fill is at right tackle. With the top 3 off the board and the Panthers and Saints also needing a tackle, the Chargers jump in front of them and take Penning to bookend with Rashawn Slater.
13. Carolina Panthers (via Houston Texans) – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh: The Panthers are in a tricky spot, between needing to improve the QB position and not having a lot of time to improve the team into playoff contenders. By trading back, the Panthers gain picks on Day 2 to replenish the rest of the roster. With the top OTs off the board, the Panthers pivot to Pickett who should compete with Sam Darnold for the starting QB job this year.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU: The Ravens ran into extensive injury trouble in the secondary last season and lack quality options at CB beyond Marlon Humphrey. With Stingley falling, this would be a no-brainer pick with the idea that Stingley returns to his elite 2019 form.
TRADE: Minnesota Vikings send picks #17, #156, #250, and a 2023 5th round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for pick #15
15. Minnesota Vikings (via Philadelphia Eagles) – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame: The Vikings secure an additional Day 2 pick to get higher-quality depth at positions of need by trading back from #12, but with Stingley taken at #14, they trade back up to make sure they get Hamilton to pair with Harrison Smith and ideally be his future successor at the safety position. With Hamilton and Smith and Cam Bynum behind them as well, the Vikings can mix and match coverages any way they want while fortifying the secondary at the same time.
16. New Orleans Saints – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State: The Saints have pressing needs at both WR and OT and Wilson is the best player here at either of those positions. Wilson gives the Saints an intermediate threat to complement the bigger-bodied Michael Thomas who’ll operate mostly along the sidelines.
17. Philadelphia Eagles (via Los Angeles Chargers) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State: This would be the third year in a row the Eagles would take a wide receiver in the first round, but they still have a need at the position. With Olave and DeVonta Smith, the Eagles would ideally have two savvy route runners with the ability to scheme into one-on-one matchups which they would easily win.
18. Philadelphia Eagles – Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia: With the futures of Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave uncertain beyond this year along the interior defensive line in Philadelphia, the Eagles continue to invest in the trenches and take one of the most, if not the most, athletic nose tackle prospects in history in Jordan Davis. Even if he doesn’t play every down, Davis’ presence alone in the middle will enable the Eagles’ other defensive linemen to gain one-on-one opportunities and generate a lot of pressure.
19. New Orleans Saints – Tyler Smith, OL, Tulsa: The Saints lost Terron Armstead in free agency and still have to fill the void at the left tackle position. While Smith needs development, he can eventually be that piece with the added athletic ability to play all over the offensive line if necessary.
20. New York Giants (via Pittsburgh Steelers) – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: By trading back, the Giants enter the derby of teams with multiple firsts in 2023 competing to secure a QB from that class. They also pick up a versatile three-down linebacker in Lloyd, whose apt blitzing ability will be a huge benefit in Wink Martindale’s blitz-heavy defensive scheme.
21. New England Patriots – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington: Despite a small frame, McDuffie is one of the smartest and most instinctive CBs in this class combined with high-end athleticism. McDuffie’s high football IQ would provide Bill Belichick with an apex of the defense in his Cover 7, man-match defensive scheme.
22. Green Bay Packers – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas: By trading Davante Adams, the Packers left themselves a huge, glaring need at the WR position. Scheme-wise, Adams was a huge safety blanket for Aaron Rodgers as a quick read option who leaked out of the formation immediately after the ball was snapped, and Burks is the WR who can best replicate that.
23. Arizona Cardinals – George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue: The Cardinals need to both replace Chandler Jones, who they lost in free agency and shore up their run defense, especially along the edge. Karlaftis’ bigger-bodied frame and ability to set the edge will help here.
24. Dallas Cowboys – Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College: The Cowboys underwent a major talent shed this offseason, especially along the offensive line by cutting La’el Collins. Zion replenishes the Cowboys’ IOL depth with Terrence Steele set to be the starting RT.
25. Buffalo Bills – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida: The Bills’ run defense last season was outstanding, but their performance against the pass against the Chiefs in the playoffs highlighted a need to improve there. Elam has to work on cutting down his penalties but he’s an aggressive, press-man corner and he’ll provide solid secondary depth.
26. Tennessee Titans – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia: The Titans don’t have much at ILB beyond Zach Cunningham, which Dean can provide in addition to being used as a Blitzer in certain sub-packages for Tennessee.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Daxton Hill, NCB/S, Michigan: Hill is a very good downhill player who will thrive in Todd Bowles’ blitz-heavy scheme. He’ll have to fix his boom-or-bust tackling, but he can step in to replace Jordan Whitehead who left in free agency, and can also slot in at nickel corner.
28. Green Bay Packers – David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan: If Ojabo didn’t tear his Achilles at his Pro Day, he would go much higher than this. With Rashan Gary finally breaking out and Preston Smith back on a new deal, the Packers can afford to wait on Ojabo to be ready by the end of the season and make great use of his elite explosiveness along the edge and ability to blow up plays before they process.
29. Washington Commanders (via Kansas City Chiefs) – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State: The Commanders brought in Carson Wentz to stabilize the QB position this offseason, but he needs more wide receiver options to throw to than just Terry McLaurin in order to be successful. By trading back, Washington gets future insurance for 2023 in case Wentz isn’t the answer and in Dotson, Washington gets a very sure-handed receiver to operate in the short and intermediate ranges of the field while McLaurin can function as Wentz’s deep-ball receiver who can win 50-50 jump ball matchups.
TRADE: New York Jets send picks #35 and #117 to the Kansas City Chiefs for picks #30 and #259
30. New York Jets (via Kansas City Chiefs) – Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa: The Jets need an eventual long-term successor for Connor McGovern at Center, who’s on an expiring contract at a high cap hit. A lack of positional value and not a lot of teams in need of a primary zone-blocking center push Linderbaum this far down the board, but the Jets would be a great fit here, trading up to also jump ahead of the Bengals.
31. Cincinnati Bengals – Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson: The Trae Waynes signing in 2020 never panned out, leaving the Bengals with a need for outside corner depth beyond Chidobe Awuzie and Eli Apple. While Booth is injured, he has insane ball skills and sticky coverage ability that will serve the Bengals well when he gets healthy.
32. Detroit Lions – Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati: Jared Goff isn’t the future at QB for the Lions. The Lions have a chance to see if Ridder develops adequately enough behind the scenes to show he can be the QB of the future and if not, they can always try again at the position next year. By securing Ridder in the first round, the Lions gain the financial power of being able to exercise a 5th-year option on Ridder’s rookie contract if they choose to do so.
SECOND ROUND:
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
- Detroit Lions – Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
- Kansas City Chiefs (via New York Jets) – Jalen Pitre, NCB/S, Baylor
- New York Giants – Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
- Houston Texans – Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
- New York Jets – Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
- Chicago Bears – Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
- Seattle Seahawks – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
- Seattle Seahawks – Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
- Indianapolis Colts – George Pickens, WR, Georgia
- Atlanta Falcons – Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
- Cleveland Browns – Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
- Baltimore Ravens – Logan Hall, DL, Houston
- Minnesota Vikings – Roger McCreary, Auburn
- Washington Commanders – Zach Tom, OL, Wake Forest
- Chicago Bears – Cole Strange, IOL, Tennessee-Chattanooga
- New Orleans Saints – Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
- Kansas City Chiefs – Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
- Philadelphia Eagles – Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Travis Jones, IDL, Connecticut
- Green Bay Packers – Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
- New England Patriots – John Metchie II, WR, Alabama
- Arizona Cardinals – Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
- Dallas Cowboys – Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia
- Buffalo Bills – Kenneth Walker II, RB, Michigan
- Atlanta Falcons – DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
- Green Bay Packers – Bernard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Dylan Parham, IOL, Memphis
- San Francisco 49ers – Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
- Kansas City Chiefs – Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
- Cincinnati Bengals – Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
- Denver Broncos – Perrion Winfrey, DL, Oklahoma
