NFL DRAFT 2022: MOCK DRAFT

 

1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-14) 
Aidan Hutchinson-EDGE/DE-Michigan Even
6’6”/260/78.18 wingspan
NFL Comparison: Jared Allen/Chris Long  
14 sacks
62 tackles
94.5 PFF Grade

The Jaguars go with the best player in on the board. Hutchinson was very productive last year and graded as the highest edge rusher according to PFF. There are rumors Jacksonville could go with the better athlete in Travon Walker but Hutchinson is the clear cut best player and safest pick in this draft.

 

2. DETROIT LIONS (3-13-1)
Kayvon Thibodeaux-EDGE-Oregon  Value near EVEN
6'4"/254/27 reps/80.13 wingspan/4.58 forty time
NFL Comp: Simeon Rice/Robert Quinn
7 sacks
49 tackles
89.3 PFF Grade

The Lions may take a QB here but would be smarter to simply trade back up using picks 30 and 34 to take a QB later in the draft. Thibodeaux would be a great fit with coach Dan Campbell. Thibodeaux was highly ranker player coming out of high school and has been a constant producer as a pass rusher since his Freshman year.

3. HOUSTON TEXANS (4-13)
Travon Walker-EDGE-Georgia Value near EVEN
6'5"/271/84.28 wingspan/4.51
NFL Comp: Jason Pierre Paul/Danielle Hunter
7 sacks
49 tackles
70.5 PFF Grade

Walker may not be as productive as Hutchinson or Thibodeaux but he may have the most potential as a prospect given his freakish size and athleticism. Like JPP and Hunter he can become an All Pro level player if he can develop.

4. NEW YORK JETS (4-13)
Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner-CB-Cincinnati Value near EVEN
6'3"/190/4.41
NFL Comp: Nnamdi Asomugha/Antonio Cromartie
3 interceptions
40 tackles
87.1 PFF Grade

Sauce is a true lockdown corner that is known for not giving up a single touchdown in his three-year career at Cincinnati. He would be an ideal fit in Robert Saleh’s defense as he loves long corners with speed and physicality.

5. NEW YORK GIANTS (4-13)
Derrick Stingley-CB-LSU   Value near EVEN
6'1"/191
NFL Comparison: Hines Ward/Faster Michael Crabtree
3 interceptions
40 tackles
91.7 PFF Grade as a Freshman

With all three of the top tackles still on the board, the Giants can address the corner spot then swing back and get a top tackle at pick 7. Stingley had arguably the best season of any Freshman in college football history in 2019. He has had steady play since then but was not as productive as his freshman season. He still projects as a top pick with his combination of instincts and size. The Giants can’t go wrong taking him or Gardner.  

6. CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-12)
Kenny Pickett-QB-Pittsburgh
6’3”/217
NFL Comparison: Derek Carr/Matt Ryan

Most draft lists have Malik Willis ahead of Pickett but considering the combination of Head Coach Matt Rhule and Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo, Pickett would be the better fit as a pocket passer. He has ideal size and has shown a lot of improvement over his five years at Pittsburgh. He may never be a superstar but could easily develop into a franchise QB in the mold of Carr and Ryan.

 

7. NEW YORK GIANTS Via Chicago
Evan Neal-OT-Alabama   Value +5
6'7"/337/83.0 wingspan
NFL Comp: Bryant “Mount’ McKinnie/Orlando Brown

The Giants get the mammoth lineman that they can pair with Andrew Thomas. Neal can come in and start from day one at right tackle. The Giants will win the night if they can make this happen.

8. ATLANTA FALCONS (7-10)
Malik Willis-QB-Liberty   Value near EVEN
6’2”/219
NFL Comp: Kordell Stewart/Robert Griffin III

Willis isn’t as fast as Michael Vick, but he will bring plenty of electricity to Atlanta. Willis reminds me of Kordell Stewart coming out of Colorado. Had Stewart played in today’s league, he would have been a top ten pick. Willis has great athletic ability and throws a great deep ball. He will need to improve as a precision passer though. Atlanta has some nice new pieces to build around with Willis and last year’s first round pick Kyle Pitts.

9. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-10) Via Denver
Ikem Ekwonu -OT-NC St Value +5  
6'4"/310/30 reps/84.24 wingspan
NFL Comp: Jordan Gross as a left tackle/Joel Bitonio as right tackle or guard

Seattle has had many struggles along the offensive line the past few seasons. The first step in rebuilding the line would be to draft Ekwonu. He is a versatile lineman with great length and power.

10. NEW YORK JETS Via Seattle
Garrett Wilson-WR-Ohio St   EVEN
6’0”/183/4.38
NFL Comp: Santana Moss/Mike Wallace
70 receptions
1132 total yards
13 TD

The Jets need a deep threat given the strong arm of Zach Wilson. Wilson is more than just a deep burner as he also has excellent hands and is great after the catch. Jets fans will see many similarities to Santana Moss

11. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (7-10) 
Kyle Hamilton-DB-Notre Dame   Value +8
6’4”/220/4.59/38 vert
NFL Comp:  Sean Taylor/Mel Blount

Hamilton can play both safety spots and even play as a big slot corner against Tight Ends. He has size and big hitting ability similar to the two legends I compare him to. Ron Rivera could maximize his potential in Washington.

12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8-9)
Jameson Williams-WR-Alabama Value near EVEN
6’1”/179
NFL Comp: Calvin Ridley/DeSean Jackson
79 receptions
1654 total yards
15 TD

I expect the new regime led by General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell to be a lot more offensive minded than the Mike Zimmer era. Williams is next in line of good Alabama wideouts with great speed and route running ability. The Vikings need to pair Justin Jefferson with another young receiver.

13. HOUSTON TEXANS Via Cleveland
Charles Cross-OT-Mississippi St    Value +4
6'6"/307/81.0 wingspan
NFL Comp: Russell Okung/La’el Collins

This would be a homerun if the Texans can get both a pass rusher and offensive tackle in the first 13 picks. Cross is a great pass protector with good length that can play both tackle spots.

14. BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-9)
Jordan Davis-DL1T-Georgia Value near EVEN
6'6"/350/81.18
NFL Comp: Haloti Ngata/Michael Brockers

Davis is Ngata 2.0. He just feels like a perfect Raven. Humans at his size should not be that fast and athletic.

15. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES Via Miami
Jermaine Johnson-EDGE-FSU   Value near EVEN
6’5”/254/81.25
NFL Comp: Jadeveon Clowney/DeMarcus Ware

Johnson could end up being the steal of the draft, he is a wild card in this draft as his projection is anywhere from the top 5 to slipping out of the first round.

16. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-8)
Trevor Penning-OT-Northern Iowa   Value -7
6'7"/325/82.78
NFL Comp: Tom Compton/Eric Fisher

It is need over value as the Saints MUST take a left tackle early. They have arguably the best right tackle with Ryan Ramczyk, now they must fix the other side.  

17. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (9-8)
Trent McDuffie-CB-Washington Value near EVEN
5'11"/195/4.44
NFL Comparison: Kareem Jackson/Casey Hayward
35 tackles
86.3 PFF Grade

The Chargers signed JC Jackson in free agency but still need more help at corner. McDuffie is the next in line of great corners from Washington.

18. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES Via New Orleans Saints
Drake London-WR-USC   Value +5
6’4”/219
NFL Comp: Brandon Marshall/Marques Colston
88 receptions
1173 total yards
7 TD

The Eagles get a bigger wideout to pair with Devonta Smith. London had a monster year at USC. He can make the big play and is also a big target in the red zone.

19. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-8)
Chris Olave-WR -Ohio St   Value +2
6’0”/187/4.39
NFL Comp: Terry Glenn/Kenny Stills   
65 receptions
1001 total yards
13 TD

The Saints could also go QB here, but Olave is the smarter option here. He is small but very explosive and has proved himself in many big games.

20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (9-7-1) 
Matt Corral-QB-Ole Miss  
6’2”/212
NFL Comp: Baker Mayfield/Case Keenum

Corral is a very competitive signal caller that is underrated as an athlete. He has a very nice arm that will come in handy playing in the AFC North. I think the Steelers are hoping that Baker Mayfield gets released eventually but they cannot take the chance of passing on a QB early.  

21. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-7)
Devin Lloyd-LB-Utah   Value near EVEN
6’3”/237/4.66/25 reps
NFL Comparison: KJ Wright/Demarrio Davis

The Patriots go with the best defender on the board. Lloyd is a versatile athletic linebacker that is good in coverage and against the run.

22. GREEN BAY PACKERS Via Las Vegas
Treylon Burks-WR-Arkansa Value EVEN
6’2”/225/4.55
NFL Comp: Josh Gordon/Dez Bryant
66 receptions
1184 total yards
12 TD

Burks is ‘only’ 6’2” but plays much bigger than his size. He is not a burner, but he has big play potential. The Packers need to replace Devante Adams. Burks is clearly the most consistently mocked player to the Packers.

23. ARIZONA CARDINALS (11-6)
Tyler Linderbaum-C/G-Iowa   Value +11
6'2"/296
NFL Comp: Corey Linsley/Jeff Hartings

Linderbaum at #23 is the biggest steal I have thus far. This would be a homerun for the Cards as he could learn under Rodney Hudson then eventually take over as the starting center.

24. DALLAS COWBOYS (12-5)
Devonte Wyatt-DL1T/3T-Georgia Value near EVEN
6'3"/304/4.77
NFL Comp: Tommie Harris/Kawann Short

Wyatt is an insanely fast lineman as illustrated by his 4.77 forty at over 300 pounds. He can play anywhere inside. Dan Quinn can use him in a variety of ways

25. BUFFALO BILLS (11-6)
Andrew Booth-CB-Clemson    Value EVEN
6’0”/194
NFL Comparison: Marlon Humphrey/Darius Slay

The Bills need elite corner play if they are to get Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow in the playoffs.

26. TENNESSEE TITANS (12-5)
George Karlaftis-EDGE-Purdue   Value +5
6'4"/266/38.0 vert/21 reps
NFL Comp:  Ryan Kerrigan/Za'Darius Smith

Bud Dupree was a major disappointment in 2021. Karlaftis has very similar size and ability to Kerrigan, a fellow Purdue product.

27. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (13-4)
Boye Mafe-EDGE-Minnesota Value -7
6'4"/261/4.53/38.0 vert
NFL Comp: Chandler Jones/Dante Fowler

Mafe is athletic freak that has risen up draft boards. He has the size and length to play outside backer in the Tampa defense, he is also strong enough to play base end.

28. GREEN BAY PACKERS (13-4)
Bernhard Raimann-OT-Cent Michigan Value near EVEN
6'6"/303/80.18
NFL Comp: Joe Staley/Jason Spriggs

This would be a smart pick for the Packers as Raimann can start at right tackle or guard. He could also be insurance in case All Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari has another injury. The Packer must do a better job protecting Aaron Rodgers.

29. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Via San Fran/Miami
Kaiir Elam-CB-Florida  Value near EVEN
6'1"/191/4.39
NFL Comp: Kyle Fuller/ Quinton Dunbar

The Chiefs have a major need at corner. Elam is a long corner that has good ball skills. He has NFL bloodlines as his dad Abram Elam and uncle Matt Elam both played in the league.

30. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12-5)
Jahan Dotson-WR-Penn St   Value -10
5'11"/178/4.43/36.0 vert
NFL Comp: Brandin Cooks/Dede Westbrook   
91 receptions
1279 total yards
13 TD

Goodbye Tyreek, hello Jahan. Dotson was extremely productive last year and would be a welcome addition to Patrick Mahomes and company. The Chiefs need a wideout and there is no guarantee a prospect like Dotson or Skyy Moore will still be around at pick #50.

31. CINCINNATI BENGALS (10-7)
Zion Johnson-G-Boston College Value +3
6'3"/312/82.38
NFL Comp: Ali Marpet/Shaq Mason

The Bengals may have their choice of Zion or Kenyon Green. Both would be great choices to protect Joe Burrow.

32. DETROIT LIONS (3-13-1) Via LA Rams
Sam Howell-QB-UNC 
6-1/218
NFL Comp:  Rex Grossman/Jimmy Clausen

The Lions get take a QB here in order to secure future investment as they can offer Howell the prized 5^th year option if he is drafted in the first round. Howell was great as a freshman but has kind of fizzled out as a prospect. He still could end up being a long-term starter like Grossman but he lacks the upside of the other QBs in the draft class.

 

BEST AVAILABLE:

Desmond Ridder-QB-Cincinnati    
6-3/211/4.52
NFL Comp: Tyrod Taylor/Geno Smith 

Nakobe Dean-LB-Georgia
6'0"/229
NFL Comp: Jonathan Vilma/Eric Kendricks

Daxton Hill-S-Michigan 
6’0”/191/4.38
NFL Comparison: Devin McCourty/Micah Hyde

Kenyon Green-G-Mississippi St    Value -2
6'4"/323/20 reps/83.38 wingspan
NFL Comp: Brandon Brooks/Kevin Zeitler

Tyler Smith-RT/G-Tulsa Value EVEN
6'5"/324/83.18
NFL Comp: Taylor Moton

Darian Kinard-OT-Kentucky  Value Near EVEN
6'5"/328/83.28
NFL Comp: Mike Iupati