Here is
my Post Free Agency 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 hone 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 DC Pro Sports Report, 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 success for years to come.
2. Detroit Lions - Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon:
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.
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 if the top edge rushers are off the board. He would also make Laremy Tunsil a viable trade chip, or give the team bookend tackles.
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 erasing 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 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 for an established QB, which is still a distinct possibility.
7. New York Giants (via the Chicago Bears) - Travon Walker, DL, Georgia:
The Giants are in the market for a pass rusher. Travon Walker of Georgia might end up being the best in this year's class despite playing both inside and outside in the Bulldog's loaded defense.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Malik Willis, QB, Liberty:
The Falcons are in rebuild mode after trading Matt Ryan. Even though he is very raw, Malik Willis has the biggest arm and upside in this year's quarterback class.
9. Seattle Seahawks (via the Denver Broncos) - Charles Cross, T, Mississippi 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 start their rebuild around a cornerstone tackle like Charles Cross of Mississippi State.
10. New York Jets (via the Seattle Seahawks) - Drake London, WR, USC:
The Jets need to both protect Zach Taylor 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 and give Carson Wentz another target in the passing game. At No. 11, Derek Stingley, Jr. is probably the better value to address one of their positions of need.
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 don't even throw against, along with some swagger.
13. Houston Texans (via the Cleveland Browns) - Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State:
If the Texans are going to rebuild, they might as well take a "best player available" approach, especially when it comes to a skilled position. Jermain Johnson II of Florida State is the last of four elite edge rushers in this year's draft.
14. Baltimore Ravens - Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia:
The Ravens need to replenish their defensive line. If big man freak athlete Jordan Davis is still on the board when they pick at No. 14, they should be ecstatic.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via the Miami Dolphins) - 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 tackle and cover from sideline to sideline.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (via the Indianapolis Colts) - Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama:
The Eagles are still looking to upgrade their receivers, so why not add another explosive Alabama standout like Jameson Williams to pair alongside Davonte Smith? Williams may need a year to recover from a season ending injury, but the Eagles need to look long-term.
17. Los Angelas Chargers - Trevor Penning, T, N. Iowa:
Trevor Penning is a bad ass man. When you know you'd hate a guy as an opponent, you'd probably rather have him on your team instead. Penning would be a perfect RT with a nasty streak opposite of a finesse pass protector like Rashawn Slater.
18. New Orleans Saints - Kenyon Green, T, Texas A&M:
With Terron Armstead departing in free agency, the Saints have a vital need at LT if they wish to contend this year. Kenyon Green of Texas A & M could step in and help stabilize that position.
19. Philadelphia Eagles - Devonte Wyatt, DT. Georgia:
The Eagles will eventually need to replace Fletcher Cox at the DT position. DeVonte Wyatt of Georgia is an elite athlete with first step burst to rush the passer, but the size to be a plus run defender at the next level.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio St:
The Steelers have lost JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington this offseason. In order to give new quarterback Mitchell Trubisky the best chance to succeed, they will need to give him another wide receiver who can step in and start, like big play threat Garrett Wilson of Ohio State.
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) - Chris Olave, WR Ohio State:
It would be kind of ironic if the Packers waited until after Davante Adams left the team to draft wide receiver in the 1st Round. Now they have no choice, and Chris Olave is a big play threat that would give their offense a new dynamic.
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 - Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah:
Devin Lloyd would give the Titans a bigger option and a big play threat at inside linebacker, relegating David Long, Jr. to more of a situational role in passing situations.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M:
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. DeMarvin Leal of Texas A&M is a versatile defensive lineman who can play inside and out, but is ideally suited as a 5-technique in a 3-4 scheme.
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) - Christian Watson, WR, N.D. St.:
Not only is Christian Watson a big receiver at 6'4, but he has the speed to help replace Tyreek Hill at wide receiver in Kansas City.
30. Kansas City Chiefs - George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue:
The Chiefs could use a defensive end to play opposite Frank Clark. George Karlaftis of Purdue is a big end who can set the edge against the run, who can also provide some untapped potential as a pass rusher.
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) - Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas:
The Lions are looking to upgrade their receiving corps. While they signed D.J. Chark in free agency, he is not a long-term solution on only a one-year deal. Treylon Burks of Arkansas is a big receiver who simply makes plays while playing faster than his Combine results and body type would suggest.
