24 hours from now, the majority of the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft picks will have been announced. The suspense over the first overall pick will be over, and many other questions will have been answered. I’m now offering you a 7-round 2022 NFL mock draft to try to answer those questions and allow you to indulge in 262 picks. Here it is!
Round 1
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
Although it is way too big of a risk for my taste, General Manager Trent Baalke has been salivating over Travon Walker’s potential and is set to make the highly controversial selection.
2) Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
The Lions sprint the card up in this scenario. Hutchinson epitomizes everything Head Coach Dan Campbell is attempting to instill in Detroit.
3) Houston Texans: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
I thought hard about Ikem Ekwonu for this pick, but I doubt the Texans would take him since his best fit on their offensive line would be at guard. Instead, I’ll allow General Manager Nick Caserio using his first selection as GM on Davis Mills suggest that he is not afraid of a talented prospect’s injury history.
4) New York Jets: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
This would likely signal the end of the Mekhi Becton experiment in New York but word on the street is that General Manager Joe Douglas would not pass on Ikem Ekwonu.
5) New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
In dire need of one, the Giants select my top-rated offensive tackle in the draft.
6) Carolina Panthers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Panthers could still go quarterback here, but playing a rookie QB given the state of their offensive line would be a disaster.
7) New York Giants: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Giants fans can sleep well tomorrow night as they land the second part of their dream scenario, Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner.
8) Atlanta Falcons: Drake London, WR, USC
The Falcons could go with a few wide receivers here, or stop Kayvon Thibodeaux’s fall, but I’ve heard them connected to London the most.
9) Seattle Seahawks: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
Seattle takes perhaps the most naturally gifted player in the draft with the ninth pick, taking advantage of picking higher than they have in a long time.
10) New York Jets: Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State
The Jets reportedly love Jermaine Johnson and the gamble here to pick Ekwonu at 4 in hopes that Johnson lasts to 10 pays off. They’ll address wide receiver in round 2.
11) Washington Commanders: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Washington goes back to the Ohio State wide receiver well, pairing up Terry McLaurin with a fellow quick, skilled receiver in Wilson.
12) Minnesota Vikings: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Vikings are dreaming of Derek Stingley but Trent McDuffie is an even safer pick and would instantly be a solid starting cornerback.
13) Houston Texans: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The Texans shore up their secondary for years to come with the selection of the rock-solid Hamilton.
14) Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Davis comes with a leap of faith that he can increase his pass-rush ability, but the supremely athletic mammoth defensive tackle fits the Ravens type.
15) Philadelphia Eagles: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Jameson Williams and Devonta Smith would be quite the dynamic receiving duo for years to come. Philadelphia could finally be satisfied with their wide receiver corps after selecting wide receivers in the first round for three straight years.
16) New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Saints have a glaring need at left tackle and address it with a talented but raw FCS prospect.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
I sense that the Chargers are looking to add a vertical element to their offense to truly unleash Justin Herbert and Olave gives them exactly that.
18) Philadelphia Eagles: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
With their other targets Jordan Davis and Trent McDuffie off the board, the Eagles add cornerback help. Elam is talented but needs to become less grabby in man-coverage.
19) New Orleans Saints: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Do the Saints truly believe Winston can be their answer? Pickett fits their offense very well and can distribute the ball efficiently.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Throughout this draft process, Willis has been connected to the Steelers and I really believe he could fall into their laps. Now it’s their job to develop him into the franchise quarterback he can be.
21) New England Patriots: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Patriots find their next big, physical Pro-Bowl caliber linebacker in Lloyd. Watch out for Quay Walker here too.
22) Green Bay Packers: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Green Bay’s love for Burks is no secret. He’s a steal this low in the draft order and will instantly become their WR1.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The Cardinals have been looking for speed at the wide receiver position. They could try trading up for Williams or Olave but I could see them being happy with Dotson at this pick.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
I think this pick will be Treylon Burks, Zion Johnson, or Kenyon Green. With Burks off the board, the Cowboys go with one of the cleanest prospects in the draft.
25) Buffalo Bills: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
The Bills wanted Travis Etienne last year but missed out on him. This year they have their eyes set on Breece Hall and they’ll take the chance to add the missing element to their dynamic offense.
26) Tennessee Titans: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
Smith is far too raw for me to like his value in the first round, but the Titans have shown to be okay with that type of gamble on the offensive line in the opening frame of the draft. I wouldn’t completely rule out a quarterback like Desmond Ridder, but Smith is the pick here.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
After losing both starting guards from 2021, the Bucs have to make sure that Brady isn’t facing too much pressure from the interior in order to make another Super Bowl run. Green is the best interior offensive lineman in the draft in my view and a steal here.
28) Green Bay Packers: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
Karlaftis checks in as one of the top ten players in the draft for me given his knack for constantly applying pressure on the quarterback. Green Bay wins the first round by grabbing Burks and Karlaftis in the 20s.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Boye Mafe, DE, Minnesota
The Chiefs are widely known to covet Mafe, who has some development ahead of him but has great juice off the edge.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
Gordon is a really twitchy, athletic cornerback who’ll instantly help Kansas City’s back end.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: Logan Hall, DT, Houston
Hall could be a surprise first-round pick due to his impressive pass-rush ability and he is a good fit in Cincinnati.
32) Detroit Lions: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Ridder could get picked here by a team trading up like the Seahawks, but I could also see the Lions taking him here as a developmental option. Like Hutchinson, he fits the Dan Cambell mentality.
Round 2
33) Jacksonville Jaguars: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
34) Detroit Lions: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
35) New York Jets: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
36) New York Giants: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
37) Houston Texans: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
38) New York Jets: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
39) Chicago Bears: Luke Goedeke, OG, Central Michigan
40) Seattle Seahawks: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
41) Seattle Seahawks: Jamaree Salyer, OG, Georgia
42) Indianapolis Colts: Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State
43) Atlanta Falcons: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
44) Cleveland Browns: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
45) Baltimore Ravens: David Ojabo, DE, Michigan
46) Minnesota Vikings: Travis Jones, DT, UConn
47) Washington Commanders: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
48) Chicago Bears: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
49) New Orleans Saints: Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
50) Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
51) Philadelphia Eagles: Cam Jurgens, C, Nebraska
52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
53) Green Bay Packers: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
54) New England Patriots: John Metchie, WR, Alabama
55) Arizona Cardinals: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
56) Dallas Cowboys: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
57) Buffalo Bills: Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
58) Atlanta Falcons: Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
59) Green Bay Packers: Drake Jackson, DE, USC
60) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
61) San Francisco 49ers: Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
62) Kansas City Chiefs: Calvin Austin, WR, Memphis
63) Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
64) Denver Broncos: Nik Bonitto, DE, Oklahoma
Round 3
65) Jacksonville Jaguars: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
66) Detroit Lions: Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
67) New York Giants: James Cook, RB, Georgia
68) Houston Texans: Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State
69) New York Jets: Josh Ezeudu, OL, North Carolina
70) Jacksonville Jaguars: Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State
71) Chicago Bears: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
72) Seattle Seahawks: Cole Strange, OG, Tennessee-Chattanooga
73) Indianapolis Colts: DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
74) Atlanta Falcons: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
75) Denver Broncos: Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
76) Baltimore Ravens: Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
77) Minnesota Vikings: Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor
78) Cleveland Browns: Kingsley Enagbare, DE, South Carolina
79) Los Angeles Chargers: Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
80) Houston Texans: Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati
81) New York Giants: Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State
82) Atlanta Falcons: Kevin Austin, WR, Notre Dame
83) Philadelphia Eagles: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
84) Pittsburgh Steelers: Josh Paschal, DE, Kentucky
85) New England Patriots: Marcus Jones, CB, Houston
86) Las Vegas Raiders: Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
87) Arizona Cardinals: Akayleb Evans, CB, Missouri
88) Dallas Cowboys: Micheal Clemons, DE, Texas A&M
89) Buffalo Bills: Nick Cross, S, Maryland
90) Tennessee Titans: Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Maryland
91) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota
92) Green Bay Packers: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
93) San Francisco 49ers: Brian Robinson, RB, Alabama
94) Kansas City Chiefs: J.T. Woods, S, Baylor
95) Cincinnati Bengals: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
96) Denver Broncos: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
97) Detroit Lions: Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois
98) New Orleans Saints: Charlie Kolar, TE, Iowa State
99) Cleveland Browns: Luke Fortner, C, Kentucky
100) Baltimore Ravens: Zamir White, RB, Georgia
101) Philadelphia Eagles: Matt Araiza, P, San Diego State
102) Miami Dolphins: Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati
103) Kansas City Chiefs: Kellen Diesch, OT, Arizona State
104) Los Angeles Rams: Jordan Stout, P, Penn State
105) San Francisco 49ers: Danny Gray, WR, SMU
Round 4
106) Jacksonville Jaguars: Dylan Parham, C, Memphis
107) Houston Texans: Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
108) Houston Texans: DeAngelo Malone, DE, Western Kentucky
109) Seattle Seahawks: Ed Ingram, OG, LSU
110) Baltimore Ravens: Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
111) New York Jets: Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State
112) New York Giants: Cordale Flott, CB, LSU
113) Washington Commanders: Zach Tom, C, Wake Forest
114) Atlanta Falcons: Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida
115) Denver Broncos: Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah
116) Denver Broncos: Thayer Munford, OG, Ohio State
117) New York Jets: Pierre Strong, RB, South Dakota State
118) Cleveland Browns: Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State
119) Baltimore Ravens: Eric Johnson, DT, Missouri State
120) New Orleans Saints: Spencer Burford, OT, UTSA
121) Kansas City Chiefs: Joshua Williams, CB, Fayetteville State
122) Indianapolis Colts: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
123) Los Angeles Chargers: Damarri Mathis, DB, Pittsburgh
124) Philadelphia Eagles: Jesse Luketa, DE, Penn State
125) Miami Dolphins: Brian Asamoah, LB, Oklahoma
126) Las Vegas Raiders: Alontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee
127) New England Patriots: Thomas Booker, DT, Stanford
128) Baltimore Ravens: Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
129) Dallas Cowboys: Tycen Anderson, S, Toledo
130) Buffalo Bills: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
131) Tennessee Titans: Haskell Garrett, DT, Ohio State
132) Green Bay Packers: Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada
133) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State
134) San Francisco 49ers: Velus Jones, WR, Tennessee
135) Kansas City Chiefs: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
136) Cincinnati Bengals: Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
137) Carolina Panthers: Logan Bruss, OL, Wisconsin
138) Pittsburgh Steelers: Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati
139) Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Philips, WR, UCLA
140) Green Bay Packers: Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB, Alabama
141) Baltimore Ravens: Dominique Robinson, DE, Miami (OH)
142) Los Angeles Rams: Mario Goodrich, CB, Clemson
143) Tennessee Titans: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
Round 5
144) Carolina Panthers: Amare Barno, DE, Virginia Tech
145) Seattle Seahawks: Cade Otton, TE, Washington
146) New York Jets: Sean Rhyan, OL, UCLA
147) New York Giants: Bo Melton, WR, Rutgers
148) Chicago Bears: Vederian Lowe, OL, Illinois
149) Carolina Panthers: Jerome Ford, RB, Cincinnati
150) Chicago Bears: Esezi Otomewo, DE, Minnesota
151) Atlanta Falcons: Kalia Davis, DT, UCF
152) Denver Broncos: David Anenih, DE, Houston
153) Seattle Seahawks: Percy Butler, S, Louisiana
154) Philadelphia Eagles: David Bell, WR, Purdue
155) Dallas Cowboys: Grant Calcaterra, TE, SMU
156) Minnesota Vikings: Sam Williams, DE, Ole Miss
157) Jacksonville Jaguars: Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky
158) New England Patriots: Bailey Zappe, QB, Western Kentucky
159) Indianapolis Colts: Jojo Domann, LB, Nebraska
160) Los Angeles Chargers: Eyioma Uwazurike, DT, Iowa State
161) New Orleans Saints: Isaiah Weston, WR, Northern Iowa
162) Philadelphia Eagles: Trestan Ebner, RB, Baylor
163) New York Jets: Tariq Carpenter, LB, Georgia Tech
164) Las Vegas Raiders: Otito Ogbonnia, DT, UCLA
165) Las Vegas Raiders: James Mitchell, TE, Virginia Tech
166) Philadelphia Eagles: Zachary Carter, DL, Florida
167) Dallas Cowboys: Ja’Tyre Carter, OL, Southern
168) Buffalo Bills: Charleston Rambo, WR, Miami
169) Tennessee Titans: Marquis Hayes, OG, Oklahoma
170) Houston Texans: Dare Rosenthal, OT, Kentucky
171) Green Bay Packers: John Ridgeway, DT, Arkansas
172) San Francisco 49ers: Samori Toure, WR, Nebraska
173) New York Giants: Hassan Haskins, RB, Michigan
174) Cincinnati Bengals: Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana
175) Los Angeles Rams: Jake Ferguson, TE, Wisconsin
176) Dallas Cowboys: Chris Paul, OT, Tulsa
177) Detroit Lions: Derrick Deese, TE, San Jose State
178) Dallas Cowboys: Chasen Hines, OG, LSU
179) Indianapolis Colts: Jayden Peevy, DL, Texas A&M
Round 6
180) Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyrion Davis-Price, RB, LSU
181) Detroit Lions: Delarrin Turner-Yell, S, Oklahoma
182) New York Giants: Devin Cochran, OT, Georgia Tech
183) New England Patriots: Terrel Bernard, LB, Baylor
184) Minnesota Vikings: Dawson Deaton, C, Texas Tech
185) Buffalo Bills: Josh Thompson, CB, Texas
186) Chicago Bears: Smoke Monday, S, Auburn
187) San Francisco 49ers: Alex Wright, DE, UAB
188) Jacksonville Jaguars: Malcolm Rodriguez, LB, Oklahoma State
189) Washington Commanders: Tyree Johnson, DE, Texas A&M
190) Atlanta Falcons: Yusuf Corker, S, Kentucky
191) Minnesota Vikings: Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame
192) Minnesota Vikings: Jack Jones, CB, Arizona State
193) Dallas Cowboys: Daron Bland, CB, Fresno State
194) New Orleans Saints: Jaylen Watson, CB, Washington State
195) Los Angeles Chargers: Keaontay Ingram, RB, USC
196) Baltimore Ravens: Jason Poe, OG, Mercer
197) Jacksonville Jaguars: Daniel Bellinger, TE, San Diego State
198) Jacksonville Jaguars: Cordell Volson, OL, North Dakota State
199) Carolina Panthers: Abram Smith, RB, Baylor
200) New England Patriots: Chase Lucas, CB, Arizona State
201) Arizona Cardinals: E.J. Perry, QB, Brown
202) Cleveland Browns: Isaiah Thomas, DE, Oklahoma
203) Buffalo Bills: Justin Shaffer, OL, Georgia
204) Tennessee Titans: Isaih Pacheco, RB, Rutgers
205) Houston Texans: Sincere McCormick, RB, UTSA
206) Denver Broncos: D’Marco Jackson, LB, Appalachian State
207) Houston Texans: Leon O’Neal, S, Texas A&M
208) Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU
209) Cincinnati Bengals: Matt Henningsen, DE, Wisconsin
210) New England Patriots: Britain Covey, WR/KR, Utah
211) Los Angeles Rams: Markquese Bell, S, Florida A&M
212) Los Angeles Rams: Chris Hinton, DT, Michigan
213) Atlanta Falcons: Joey Blount, S, Virginia
214) Los Angeles Chargers: Ryan Van Demark, OT, UConn
215) Arizona Cardinals: Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia
216) Indianapolis Colts: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
217) Detroit Lions: Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri
218) Los Angeles Rams: Jack Coan, QB, Notre Dame
219) Tennessee Titans: Matthew Butler, DT, Tennessee
220) San Francisco 49ers: Ty Chandler, RB, North Carolina
221) San Francisco 49ers: Cameron Goode, LB, California
Round 7
222) Jacksonville Jaguars: Andrew Stueber, OL, Michigan
223) Cleveland Browns: Christopher Allen, DE, Alabama
224) Miami Dolphins: Kennedy Brooks, RB, Oklahoma
225) Pittsburgh Steelers: Josh Ross, LB, Michigan
226) Cincinnati Bengals: Ty Fryfogle, WR, Indiana
227) Las Vegas Raiders: Erik Ezukanma, WR, Texas Tech
228) Green Bay Packers: Cole Kelley, QB, Southeastern Louisiana
229) Seattle Seahawks: Clarence Hicks, DE, UTSA
230) Washington Commanders: Samuel Womack, CB, Toledo
231) Buffalo Bills: Dohnovan West, OL, Arizona State
232) Denver Broncos: Kaleb Eleby, QB, Western Michigan
233) Kansas City Chiefs: Lucas Krull, TE, Pittsburgh
234) Denver Broncos: Kevin Atkins, DL, Fresno State
235) Jacksonville Jaguars: Neil Farrell, DT, LSU
236) Los Angeles Chargers: Kyron Johnson, LB, Kansas
237) Philadelphia Eagles: Jean Delance, OT, Florida
238) Los Angeles Rams: Dai’Jean Dixon, WR, Nicholls State
239) Indianapolis Colts: Luiji Vilain, DE, Wake Forest
240) Washington Commanders: Leddie Brown, RB, West Virginia
241) Pittsburgh Steelers: Alec Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
242) Carolina Panthers: Xavier Newman-Johnson, IOL, Baylor
243) Kansas City Chiefs: Jaquarri Roberson, WR, Wake Forest
244) Arizona Cardinals: Cole Turner, TE, Nevada
245) New England Patriots: Slade Bolden, WR, Alabama
246) Cleveland Browns: Verone McKinley, DB, Oregon
247) Miami Dolphins: Jaylin Thomas, LB, Ball State
248) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jeremiah Moon, DE, Florida
249) Green Bay Packers: Bamidele Olaseni, OT, Utah
250) Minnesota Vikings: Corey Sutton, WR, Appalachian State
251) Kansas City Chiefs: Mike Harley, WR, Miami
252) Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Sir Taylor, CB, Wake Forest
253) Los Angeles Rams: Marcus McKethan, IOL, North Carolina
254) Los Angeles Chargers: Faion Hicks, CB, Wisconsin
255) Los Angeles Chargers: Zachary Thomas, OT, San Diego State
256) Arizona Cardinals: Brock Purdy, QB, Iowa State
257) Arizona Cardinals: Gerrit Prince, TE, UAB
258) Green Bay Packers: Mike Rose, LB, Iowa State
259) Kansas City Chiefs: Ali Fayad, DE, Western Michigan
260) Los Angeles Chargers: Tayland Humphrey, DL, Louisiana
261) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carson Wells, DE, Colorado
262) San Francisco 49ers: Jaylen Warren, RB, Oklahoma State
Sources
- https://www.si.com/nfl/2022/04/27/nfl-draft-ikem-ekwonu-evan-neal-tackles-mailbag
