Over the recent weeks, we have seen a flurry of landscape-changing trades, and free agent signings that will undoubtedly alter the entire draft approach for over 70 percent of organizations in the NFL. This current Draft Class, while short on big-name star power (exclusively at the QB Position), does in fact provide outstanding depth at key positions (WR/TE/RB/DB/EDGE). All five are paramount playmaking positions in a league where it has become crucial to “BE EXPLOSIVE THROUGH THE AIR & STOP THE PASS.” The QB position is riddled with question marks and high risk/high reward talents, and despite the fact that we may see five OTs go in the First Round, there is still a high drop off between the consensus top-two, and the rest to follow. The 2022 NFL DRAFT is a little under a month away and with Pro Days and team interviews moving towards an end; I personally can’t wait for all the fast-paced and unexpected drama that’s certain to fill the Las Vegas air starting April 28th. Let’s take a look at how I have the first round (Picks 1-32) potentially unfolding.
1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: AIDAN HUTCHINSON DE/MICHIGAN
Since the start of Free Agency, the Jags have been one of the busiest franchises in football in regard to overhauling their roster. While protecting former NO.1 Overall Pick From a year ago, Trevor Lawrence, seems massive, the team made correct steps in the right direction with the signing of long time Pro Bowl Guard Brandon Scherff, and Franchise Tagging Tackle Cam Robinson. You counter those moves by losing two Guards in Free Agency, Andrew Norwell and AJ Cann, to Washington and Houston respectively, then you can understand the sense of urgency for an Offensive Tackle to occupy this spot. But the Jaguars may have other ideas. The temptation of pairing Aidan Hutchinson with Josh Allen to further bolster a pass rush, and a front seven that accumulated 32 sacks in 2021, but also saw mainstays in Taven Bryan, Myles Jack, and Jihad Ward all leave the defense seems just as urgent.
2. DETROIT LIONS: MALIK WILLIS QB/LIBERTY
The Detroit Lions have the pleasure of picking 2nd Overall in a Draft with no consensus Top Pick or QB, but that doesn’t mean the organization can’t still potentially strike it rich. For a Franchise that is only a year removed from seeing its best QB in team history leave town and reap immediate success, it is obvious that things will have a difficult time officially taking off until the Lions solve their long-term question at the position. Willis is still very raw when it comes to the nuances of the QB position, but possesses elite arm strength, deep ball accuracy, intangibles, mobility, and is a natural playmaker. Pair his skillset with a very young and athletic Offensive Line, a solid stable of Running Backs, the perfect bridge QB on the perfect deal, and an ascending TE in TJ Hockenson, and the Lions could potentially see their long-time struggles finally fade.
3. HOUSTON TEXANS: IKEM EKWONU T/NC STATE
The team seems to be all in on second-year pro QB Davis Mills who showed a ton of promise during a very trying rookie season that left him with very few weapons on the outside, in the backfield, and along with one of the poorest Offensive Lines in all of football. I don’t expect the Texans to reach for a perimeter player this early, but the next best thing would be to begin building a competent line for the young QB who already has an injury history. I currently have Ekwonu graded as the NO.1 Offensive Lineman on the board, and his rare combination of size, power, agility, nastiness, and position versatility makes him a no-brainer for a Texans team desperate to see what they have long term in Mills.
4. NEW YORK JETS: JERMAINE JOHNSON DE/FSU
Johnson was one of many, but definitely the biggest standout, and the beneficiary from the entire Senior Bowl process. The National Team (Coached by The New York Jets) was able to get the first hands-on look and coaching with the former Seminole pass-rusher. Johnson is equipped with outstanding size, power, get-off, effort, and finishing ability. He also plays the run just as well. He finished 2021 with 70 Tackles, 12 Sacks, and two FFs.
5. NEW YORK GIANTS: KAYVON THIBODEAUX EDGE/OREGON
The Giants Defense really regressed from 2020 to 2021. Getting to the QB wasn’t the problem; it was more so the pass defense. A Cornerback such as Gardner or Stingley Jr. would definitely fill a need, but Thibodeaux is a unique pass-rush specialist that could develop into the best in this class. He’s a top-five talent and adding him to a Giants front-seven that already contains Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, and last year’s rookie Azeez Ojulari could have the makings of the great Giants pass-rush of old.
6. CAROLINA PANTHERS: MATT CORRAL QB/OLE MISS
The Panthers have a promising young defense chocked full of first-round talent. They also have one of the best receivers in the league and a healthy Christian McCaffrey back for 2022. A level up in the QB position is what this team has been in critical need of for the past few years. After four seasons of play, QB Sam Darnold still seems to suffer from the same points of issues that made him such a dicey pick in 2018. Poor decision making, inconsistent pocket awareness, and an inability to routinely win from the pocket have stunted his growth in the NFL early on in his career, tied along with injuries. If the Panthers are primed to cease kicking the can down the road with vets, and are ready to move forward with a young, gifted arm, then Matt Corral is the pick. Slight frame with room to fill ou, Corral is a true gunslinger with a massive arm, quick compact release, and he’s very accurate on the move.
7. NEW YORK GIANTS: EVAN NEAL T/ALABAMA
Neal would have easily been the selection at five if Thibodeaux had not still been on the board. With the loss of Will Hernandez to the Cardinals, Evan Neal fills a current need, provides a big upgrade to the Giants O-Line, and it doesn’t hurt that you can get arguably the best Tackle in the class at #7.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS: DEREK STINGLEY JR. CB/LSU
This is a peak spot in the Draft for a QB, but with the recent signing of Marcus Mariota, the two top guys (Willis & Corral) both off of the board and this roster void of talent everywhere, needing to work on one level at a time would probably be the best approach to consider Stingley Jr. Former first-round pick AJ Terrell had an outstanding 2021 season with a PFF GRADE of 85.6 in coverage and second overall at 82.7 behind only Jalen Ramsey. Terrell is a budding star! Stingley Jr. has every elite corner trait in the book from size to Olympic speed, agility, ball skills, and instincts. He’s been inconsistent over the past two seasons after a tremendous freshman year in 2019, but if he puts it all together at the next level, the Falcons could potentially have the best CB tandem in the league in a few years.
9. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: GEORGE KARLAFTIS 
The Seahawks have been in search of an impact player on that Defensive Line for years now. Karlaftis from day one demands a double team, plays the pass and run evenly well with equal effort, is huge, powerful at the point of attack, and has all the makings of a legit game-wrecker.
10. NEW YORK JETS: KYLE HAMILTON S/NOTRE DAME
The Top-10 of the draft couldn’t have fallen any better for the Jets. They add bigtime pass rush help at #4, then follow it up at #10 by selecting arguably the best safety and defensive player in the entire draft in Kyle Hamilton.
11. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: KENNY PICKETT QB/PIT
Perfect landing spot for the experienced senior in Pickett! His size, mobility, pocket awareness, and willingness to put pressure on the third level of defenses would be a welcomed addition to a team that is ready to compete now. Even though they just took a flier on journeyman Carson Wentz, who is now on his third team in as many years.
12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: TRAVON WALKER DE/GEORGIA
The Vikings have a talented but aging front-seven, and questionably their best young player within the box in Danielle Hunter at age 27 only played in seven games a season ago after playing/starting in 48 straight over the previous four. At 6’5” 275lbs Walker has enough size and athleticism to have an impact at multiple positions along the line. During the 2021 season at Georgia, he even displayed the ability to drop into coverage and log a pass breakup. He’s still pretty raw as a pass-rusher and could learn to play with a better anchor along with improving handwork. But Walker has a special combination of athletic traits in a huge 3-tech. Walker could be special down the line!
13. HOUSTON TEXANS: TYLER LINDERBAUM C/IOWA
It’s been widely discussed that Tyler Linderbaum could possibly be the best overall Offensive Lineman prospect in the draft regardless of position. Solidify the Center and Left Tackle positions within your first two picks (Ekwonu/Linderbaum) and insulate Davis Mills moving forward.
14. BALTIMORE RAVENS: DRAKE LONDON WR/USC
Baltimore has invested First Round Picks in the WR position in two of the past three Drafts (Marquise Brown-2019 & Rashod Bateman-2021) with spotty success from both. Brown has been plagued by drops, and his lack of stature plus small frame, which were concerns coming out of Oklahoma, has continued through his first three seasons. Bateman had a late start to his rookie season due to injury and took a few games to look officially comfortable. Then before you knew it, Lamar Jackson was shut down for the season, and that killed any chance those two had to build chemistry. Drake London is a no-brainer at this spot for an offense desperate for a legit WR1 on the perimeter for Lamar Jackson. 6’5” 210lbs, outstanding ball skills, body control, and YAC production. He’s a former basketball player, with an all-around skill set strikingly close to Mike Evans.
15. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: AHMAD GARDNER CB/CINCINNATI
Tall, physical, insane wingspan, and shuts down his half of the field. Built to be a Philadelphia Eagle, resurfacing the days of the great Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent. There’s no chance of Philly passing on this talent.
16. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: CHRIS OLAVE WR/OHIO STATE
Looks a lot like DeVonta Smith from a year ago just a slight faster. The best receiver on the board and gives you an immediate upgrade after Smith on the outside. Smooth route runner, dependable hands, and is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.
17. LA CHARGERS: CHARLES CROSS T/MISSISSIPPI STATE
Can never have too much talent and depth on the Offensive Line. With the amount of activity the Chargers have been involved in during free agency, filling needs throughout the roster; Charles Cross would only make sense here. A Top-10 talent at the Tackle position with tremendous upside. Over the past two Super Bowls, we have witnessed the significance of having healthy capable bodies to protect your franchise QB. The Chargers struck gold a year ago with Rashawn Slater at #13. Could they pull it off again with the ultra-athletic Charles Cross?
18. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: JAMESON WILLIAMS WR/ALABAMA
The Saints need playmakers on the outside badly, and if it weren’t for a torn ACL, Williams would have heard his name called somewhere in the top-10. As of recently, Williams has stated that he is ahead of schedule on his return back to playing football, but there’s no need to rush this talent. Last season at Alabama, he averaged 20 yards per catch while racking in 15 touchdowns. He’s worth the redshirt investment!
19. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: JORDAN DAVIS DT/GEORGIA
Moutain of a DT with rare athleticism! Can he be a three-down player at the next level? If so, the Eagles have found the anchor of their defense for the next decade.
20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: DAX HILL S/MICHIGAN,
During Free Agency, the Steelers re-signed CB Ahkello Witherspoon and added CB Levi Wallace while bringing in long-time Jaguar Myles Jack to complete their Linebacking core. Minkah Fitzpatrick is one the most versatile Safeties in the league, but the Steelers have virtually no depth after him, and no legit starter at Strong Safety. Dax Hill has the overall size, tackling, physicality, and smarts to step right in and play next to Fitzpatrick. Hill had one of the most impressive NFL Combines ever for a Safety running a 4.38 in the 40, and finishing first amongst all Safeties in the 20-yard shuttle and three-cone drills.
21. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: GARRETT WILSON WR/OHIO STATE
Pure Playmaker with a nose for the endzone! Only 6’0” but plays much taller, has terrific body control, and consistently attacks the ball in the air. Mac Jones future Go-To-Guy?
22. GREEN BAY PACKERS: TREYLON BURKS WR/ARKANSAS
It’s going to be tough replacing the production of an All-Pro WR, right along with losing your designated deep threat, so Treylon Burks is really a gift at this pick. Big, athletic dude that carries his pad extremely well and is a demon in the open field with true game speed.
23. ARIZONA CARDINALS: KAIIR ELAM CB/FLORIDA
In 2021, the Cardinals continued to struggle stopping teams through the air finishing 25th in the league in touchdowns given up with 30. Byron Murphy is solid and Marco Wilson was a great mid-round find at pick 136 a season ago, but neither have the physical traits of Elam. At 6’2” 191 lbs, he has the prototypical size, length, COD skills, and straight-line speed to become the Cardinals CB1.
24. DALLAS COWBOYS: BOYE MAFE EDGE/MINNESOTA
In the early stages of the offseason, the Cowboys endured significant damage to their WR corp and Offensive Line while also losing edge rusher Randy Gregory to the Denver Broncos seemingly overnight. There’s a variety of directions Dallas could turn with this pick, but in my opinion, Minnesota Edge Rusher Boye Mafe provides the most value at this spot for them, and also gives them a relentless edge rush paired with Micah Parsons.
25. BUFFALO BILLS: DEVIN LLOYD LB/Utah 
You take the NO.1 ranked defense in football from a year ago, bring back a healthy Tre ‘Davious White, and have the most versatile LB in the draft fall right in your lap. There’s nothing from the LB position that Lloyd doesn’t do at a high level. He excels in pass coverage, he’s an excellent blitzer, and he’s a sound tackler with elite instincts. In his final season at Utah, he tallied 111 tackles (66 solo) (22 for loss), seven sacks, four INTs, and six passes defended. Could become a very special player!
26. TENNESSEE TITANS: ZION JOHNSON G/BOSTON COLLEGE
The Titans have a lot of questions along that O-Line, but for the welfare of Derek Henry, Offensive Guard can’t afford to be one of them. Rodger Saffold signed with the previously mentioned Buffalo Bills, and now there’s a massive need for a run-block first Guard that’s explosive, violent, and ready to open holes for King Henry.
27. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: KENYON GREEN G/TEXAS A&M
Green isn’t the sexiest pick; he’s the rational pick for a team that is loaded at every position but lost one of their best linemen in Guard Alex Cappa to the Cincinnati Bengals. While Green’s position in the NFL is destined to be at Right Guard, he displayed amazing versatility at Texas A&M playing all five positions when called upon.
28. GREEN BAY PACKERS: TREVOR PENNING T/NORTHERN IOWA
David Bakhtiari will be 31 at the start of the new season and has missed a total of 20 games over the past two seasons. The line as a unit is questionable at the least, and the Packers currently have a sixth-round pick from a year ago in Cole Van Lanen slated as the starter on their depth chart. Penning is the best Offensive Tackle prospect remaining on the board, is a monster in the run game, very competitive in pass blocking, and would be a great fit for protecting the Packers new $150M man.
29. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: DEVONTE WYATT DT/GEORGIA
Wyatt is the more athletic, and better pass-rusher of the two Georgia Bulldog DTs slated as first-round picks. He’s one of the more versatile Tackles in this class and would give the Chiefs a sorely needed upgrade in pass-rush talent within their front seven to relieve some of the pressure off of Pro Bowl Nose Tackle Chris Jones.
30. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: CALVIN AUSTIN III WR/MEMPHIS
Austin has the entire package Scouts and GMs search for in an X-Receiver (minus the size). Legit track speed, solid hands, exceptional short-area quickness and burst, good route runner, with advanced footwork at the line of scrimmage to beat press coverage. The Chiefs recently traded away a huge part of their passing game and are currently stuck with “Just Guys” on the outside. Austin’s skill set matched with Andy Reid’s play-calling and Patrick Mahomes’ right arm seems very intriguing at #30.
31.CINCINNATI BENGALS: TREY MCBRIDE TE/COLORADO STATE
One of the best overall, and cleanest TE prospects to come out of college over the past few years. McBride is a serious obstacle in the run game as a blocker while being a constant threat in the receiving game as well. The combine was a stage for him to show the league exactly how solid his hands are which measured in at 10 ⅛, and how agile he is when the ball is in the air. The Bengals saw CJ Uzomah bolt for the Jets while replacing him with only Hayden Hurst, who has had issues remaining healthy and is looking more and more like a career journeyman at this stage of his career now. McBride would be an improvement to the position, a steal at this point in the first round, and would complete this young Bengals offense.
32. DETROIT LIONS: ARNOLD EBIKETIE EDGE/PENN STATE
After landing their future franchise QB at #2, the Lions follow it up by selecting one of the biggest backfield disruptions in all of College Football in the past two seasons. Ebiketie transferred from Temple after a productive 2020 and got even better as a pass-rusher against better competition. He achieved a PFF Pass Rush Grade of 90.5, and validated that grade by racking up 9.5 sacks, 18 TFL, and 52 QB pressures in only 12 games played.
