2022 NFL Mock Draft - Pro Day

Here is my Post Pro Day 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

This is not a mock draft where I substitute my judgment for that of the teams. I try to research the opinions of those who most closely follow NFL teams like scouts, insiders, and beat writers from all of the NFL cities. I then try to make the most educated prediction as to which way each team will go in the draft based upon that information.

I start out by targeting each team's most obvious need, and then try to home in on the most logical pick based upon value and need as roster cuts and free agency transpires.

My mock draft has been linked by Walter Football, The Huddle Report, and EDS Football, in their Mock Draft Databases, so click their links to check out all of their draft related content!

1st Round

 

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Aiden Hutchinson, DE, Michigan:

After franchise tagging LT Cam Robinson for the second consecutive year, the Jaguars seem committed to reaching a long-term deal with him. That would free up their options to select the best overall player at the No. 1 pick. Aiden Hutchinson's motor across from Josh Allen's pure talent on the edges would set Jacksonville's defense up for years to come. 

2. Detroit Lions - Travon Walker, DL, Georgia:

Whether it's Aiden Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, or Travon Walker, the Lions need an elite pass rusher to pressure the quarterback and take some pressure off of their back seven. Travon Walker of Georgia offers Detroit a little more flexibility as they transition to more of a 4-man front this season, as Thibodeaux fits better in a 3-4 scheme.

3. Houston Texans - Ikem Ekwonu - T, NC St.:

After trading Deshaun Watson, the Texans have many picks to start their rebuild with. Starting in the trenches, a tackle like Ikem Ekwonu of North Carolina State would be a nice building block, making Laremy Tunsil a nice bookend or trade chip. 

4. New York Jets - Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame:

Kyle Hamilton of Notre Dame is a long and athletic safety who can excel in both the backend of a secondary erasing mistakes, or in the box against the run and negating athletic tight ends.   

5. New York Giants - Evan Neal, T, Alabama:

The Giants are perpetually looking to solidify their offensive line. A bookend tackle like Evan Neal of Alabama would be a nice start in addressing a long-standing position of weakness. 

 

6. Carolina Panthers - Kenny Pickett, QB Pitt:

While offensive line is also a priority, I don't think Kenny Pickett of Pitt gets past Carolina unless they trade back for more picks, which is still a distinct possibility. 

7. New York Giants (via the Chicago Bears) - Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon:

The Giants are in the market for a pass rusher. Kayvon Thibodeaux might end up being the best in this year's class if a coaching staff is able to motivate him and light a fire under his ass. 

8. Atlanta Falcons - Malik Willis, QB, Liberty:

The Falcons are in rebuild mode after trading Matt Ryan. Malik Willis has the biggest arm and upside in this year's quarterback class...but buyer beware given his rawness and lack of pocket awareness. 

9. Seattle Seahawks (via the Denver Broncos) - Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State:

The Seahawks have picks to play with if they feel confident in trading up, or for a veteran quarterback. If they keep their pick at No. 9, they could rebuild their pass rush and defense around Jermaine Johnson II of Florida State. 

10. New York Jets (via the Seattle Seahawks) - Drake London, WR, USC:

The Jets need to both protect Zach Wilson and give him weapons. Drake London of USC has Calvin Johnson like size, speed and talent.

11. Washington Commanders - Derek Stingley, Jr., CB, LSU:

The Commanders are looking to upgrade their secondary. At No. 11, Derek Stingley, Jr. is still an elite player and athletic corner despite coming off of a couple of injury plagued seasons at LSU.  

12. Minnesota Vikings - Ahmad Gardner, CB Cinci:

The Vikings need to address their secondary. Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner of Cincinnati would give them a lock down corner that opponents won't even throw against, along with some high character. 

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

As the Texans move to a Cover-Two defensive scheme under Lovie Smith, the Texans need to add players who make that system work, namely an emphasis on getting standouts at the 3-technique, a weakside linebacker, and at safety. Jordan Davis is an absolute freak on the interior of a defensive line and play the Warren Sapp role in Houston's new defense.  

14. Baltimore Ravens - George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue:

The Ravens need to replenish their defensive line. George Karlaftis of Purdue fits the profile of a Calais Campbell 5-technique that the Baltimore defense builds around. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (via the Miami Dolphins) - Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio St:

The Eagles are still looking to upgrade their receivers, so why not add another target like Garrett Wilson of Ohio State to pair alongside Davonte Smith? Wilson is the most explosive receiver in this year's draft and would give Philadelphia two elite playmakers. 

16. New Orleans Saints (via the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles) - Charles Cross, T, Mississippi St.:

With Terron Armstead departing in free agency, the Saints have a vital need at LT if they wish to contend this year. Charles Cross of Mississippi State could step in and help stabilize that position. 

17. Los Angelas Chargers - Trevor Penning, T, N. Iowa:

Trevor Penning is a bad man. When you know you hate a guy as an opponent, you'd probably rather have him on your team instead. Penning would be the perfect right tackle with a nasty streak opposite of a finesse pass protector like Rashawn Slater. 

18. Philadelphia Eagles (via the New Orleans Saints) - Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia:

For the love of God, the Eagles need to draft a linebacker! (Kudos to those who get the reference). Nakobe Dean of Georgia is an athletic playmaker who can cover and make tackles from sideline to sideline. 

19. New Orleans Saints (via the Philadelphia Eagles) - Chris Olave, WR Ohio St.:

The Saints need to hit the restart button at quarterback or give Jameis Winston the pieces he needs at receiver to succeed. Chris Olave of Ohio State is an adept route runner who could immediately compliment a (hopefully) healthy Michael Thomas. 

 

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kenyon Green, T/G, Texas A&M:

The Steelers could go many different directions in this draft, whether it's starting fresh at quarterback, giving Mitch Trubisky another option at receiver, or adding to their offensive line and going all in on their running game. Given that their defense is solid, and Trubisky should at least be able to hold serve in a conservative offense, an offensive lineman like Kenyon Green of Texas A&M would give Pittsburgh the best chance to win immediately. 

21. New England Patriots - Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington:

The Patriots need to replace J.C. Jackson at cornerback. Trent McDuffie of Washington is possibly the best coverage corner in this year's draft and is capable of playing both in man coverage and zone. 

22. Green Bay Packers (via the Las Vegas Raiders) - Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas:

Now that Davante Adams left the team the Packers have no choice but to draft wide receiver in the 1st Round. Treylon Burks is a big bodied "X" receiver who can be Aaron Rodgers new go-to guy. 

23. Arizona Cardinals - Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota:

With Chandler Jones leaving in free agency, the Cardinals need to address their edge pass rush. Boye Mafe of Minnesota has started to gain some momentum from strong showings at the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine. 

24. Dallas Cowboys - Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa:

The Cowboys have all kinds of holes on their offensive line. Building from the inside out with an elite center like Tyler Linderbaum of Iowa would be a good way to begin righting the ship. 

 

25. Buffalo Bills - Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida:

The Bills need a corner to play opposite Tre'Davious White. Kaiir Elam of Florida was not only productive on the field, but his 4.39 - forty time should be intriguing to a team that will now be facing Miami's speedy group of receivers two times per season. 

26. Tennessee Titans - Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama:

The Titans are still looking for a receiver opposite of A.J. Brown. Given that the team has been willing to take draft risks on injured players in the past to get long term value, Jameson Williams of Alabama seems like an ideal fit in Tennessee 

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia:

One of the few positions where the Buccaneers may have a need is at defensive line, depending on what their own pending free agents decide to do. Devonte Wyatt of Georgia could be an immediate rotational player, and a long term option as starter next to Vita Vea. 

28. Green Bay Packers - Bernhard Raimann, T, Central Michigan:

The Packers have a gaping hole at RT. Bernhard Raimann is a raw run blocking tackle out of Central Michigan, but has the athleticism to eventually develop into a plus pass protector as well. 

 

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via the San Francisco 49'ers and Miami Dolphins) - David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan:

The Chiefs could use a defensive end to play opposite Frank Clark. While David Ojabo of Michigan is coming off of an offseason Achilles injury, but he provides value in the long run as a late 1st round pick.  

30. Kansas City Chiefs - Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State:

The Chiefs would love to give  Patrick Mahommes a speed option to at least try and replace Tyreek Hill. Jahan Dotson has amazing hands and is a gifted route runner, which is a good start.  

31. Cincinnati Bengals - Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson:

The Bengals are just a few playmakers away from turning last year's Super Bowl loss into a win. After addressing their offensive line in free agency, another lockdown corner is a must, and Andrew Booth of Clemson is a big corner who excels in coverage. 

32. Detroit Lions (via the Los Angeles Rams) - Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota St.:

With picks at the end of the first round and in the top two to begin the second, the Lions are in a sweet spot to grab a starter at both strong safety and wide receiver. While Jalen Pitre could be an option at safety, the wide receiver market has made getting a potentially elite receiver under team control at a reasonable cost almost as important as a quarterback, making Christian Watson of North Dakota State the pick as Detroit hopes that Pitre stays on the board for one more pick.