2022 NFL 1st Round Mock Draft

1. Jaguars

OT Ickey Ekwonu – NC State

• You’re probably surprised by this choice considering the Jags used the franchise tag on LT Cam Robinson. But Ekwonu is easily the most physically dominant in-game OL in this draft and his combine numbers also jump off the board. Doug Pederson won the Super Bowl by having the league’s best OL and Ekwonu is his kind of guy. He’s only 6’4 and would fit in perfectly at RT to protect Trevor Lawrence going into year 2.

2. Lions

Edge Aidan Hutchinson – Michigan

• This is an easy one. Hutchinson has been thought of as the best player in this draft and led college football in pass-rush win rate last season. Not to mention he played for Michigan which is less than an hour away from Detroit. Hutchinson is a blue-collar player, with a big motor and would fit into Dan Campbells culture seamlessly.

3. Texans

Edge Travon Walker – Georgia

• Walker has been climbing up boards throughout the off-season with many experts having him as a sleeper first pick. You’re talking about a guy with a 6’5 frame, 4.51 40 time and a 35’ vertical. These measurements just can’t be taught, and many experts believe he has a higher ceiling than Aiden Hutchinson. Texans need a pass rusher here more than anything else to replace the void left by J.J. Watt.

4. Jets

CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner – Cincinnati

• It’s almost like pulling hairs when deciding who is a better prospect between Gardner and Stingley. Sauce in my opinion is the much safer pick her in the top 5, and with his college numbers, it’s not hard to understand why. While playing in man-to-man coverage, he didn’t allow a receiver to get over 13 yards on him in the entire 2021 season. He also has never allowed a touchdown to be scored on him in his entire college career. Pair those stats with a 6’3 frame and 4.41 speed, you shouldn’t be surprised with the Jets selection here.

5. Giants

OT Evan Neal – Alabama

• The Giants need help on the OL if they’re going to give Daniel Jones one last year to prove he is their guy. Neal is the perfect pick here for them because of his versatility starting 15 games at LT, 13 games at RT and 12 games at LG. Along with his 6’7 350-pound frame, this gives the Giants a great prospect to help protect their unproven signal caller.

6. Panthers

OT Charles Cross – Mississippi State

• Many think the Panthers are going to take either Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett here, but I just don’t think that makes sense for them. They boasted one of the worst offensive lines in the league last year and invested a lot of draft capital on Sam Darnold. Considering this is the weakest QB class we’ve seen in years and the Panthers don’t have another pick until the 4^th round, they’ll take the less risky move at 6. Charles Cross, a solidified LT that held his own against the SEC’s finest will be the pick here.

7. Giants

S Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame

• After losing Jabrill Peppers who never lived up to be what he was supposed to be, the Giants are in need for a play making SS. Hamilton is a do it all kind of safety to be paired with Xavier McKinney. Hamilton would go higher if he had a better 40 time; yet on film, his play speed is much faster than that. He’s a great open field tackler and can make reads on the ball quickly. Giants DC Don Martindale also uses the safety position in unique ways and would love to have Hamilton at his disposal.

8. Falcons

WR Garrett Wilson – Ohio State

• Falcons could go anywhere with this pick as they need help all over their roster. The team just signed Marcus Mariota after trading their franchise QB Matt Ryan. I don’t think HC Arthur Smith will want to go QB when he needs to build up more of their roster before making a move like that. Atlanta doesn’t have a single notable receiver right now and that’s why I think they bring in Wilson. Wilson is an excellent route runner who can beat you deep and create big plays with his speed and agility.

9. Seahawks

Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux – Oregon

• During the beginning of the college football season, it looked as if he would be the perineal number one pick with his freakish athleticism and his play making ability in rushing the passer. But in the latter part of the season, he was seen as a guy who focused on himself and took plays off. This really has pushed him back in many mock drafts and I believe it will on draft night as well. Pete Carrol is known to love freakish athletes and would take a chance on a guy like Thibodeaux. The Seahawks haven’t had a pass rusher with this ability since Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril in the days of the Legion of Boom defense.

10. Jets

WR Drake London – USC

• The Jets have made it known this off-season that they will do whatever it takes to get an elite receiver. London is the big play receiver that will become the number one target for their 2^nd overall pick last year Zach Wilson. He only played in 8 games for the Trojans in the 2021 season but averaged 135 yards per game and 7 TD’s. Bottom line, when he’s on the field he is a game changer. He’s a great blocking receiver, can make people miss and will use his size to break through tacklers and high point passes. He will need to work on his foot work and expand his route running ability, but you can’t teach his size and natural ability to play the position.

11. Commanders

WR Chris Olave – Ohio State

• The Commanders will likely open the season with Carson Wentz as their starter in 2022. This team isn’t as far off as many would think as they have a good running game and a solid defense. What Wentz needs in Washington that he didn’t have last season in Indianapolis was receiving weapons. Washington already has a premier receiver in Terry McLaurin but could use another weapon to enhance their passing attack. Curtis Samuel didn’t have the season the Commanders would have hoped for, but Olave has little chance to disappoint with his sub 4.4 speed and ability to get behind a secondary.

12. Vikings

CB Derek Stingley Jr – LSU

• If this guy was eligible to be drafted after his freshman year in 2019, he would’ve been a top 5 pick. Stingley has some of the best tape in this entire draft but has slipped this year due to injury and being a part of much less talented LSU teams since 2019. The Vikings need another CB and there wouldn’t be a better mentor than their current CB, and former LSU Tiger Patrick Peterson. I think if Stingley is there at 12, this is a no brainer pick for them to go along with Peterson and Harris in the secondary.

13. Packers via trade with Texans

WR Jameson Williams – Alabama

• Packers want to show Rodgers that they are serious about building the best team possible. Williams is a guy that would likely be the top receiver in this year’s draft if it wasn’t for the ACL tear that he suffered in the National Championship game. He’s great route runner in this draft class but his ability to create after the catch is what separates him from others in this year’s draft. He also returned two kicks for touchdowns this past season which will make him that more valuable for the Packers and Aaron Rodgers. With the loss of Devante Adams in the trade with the Raiders, look for the Packers to move up for him

14. Ravens

OT Trevor Penning – Northern Iowa

• With the Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley missing nearly the entire 2021 season and losing RT Alejandro Villanueva to retirement in the offseason, this is a must need for this team. Trevor Penning is a 6’9 tackle that can play on both sides of the line. He is very physical at the point of attack in the run game and has quick feet on his drop step in the pass game. He will need to work on his hands and reaction time with his size with speedy edge rushers. From all accounts, he’s a tough and very athletic modern tackle, that has a chance to be elite if he can put his skills together.

15. Eagles

DT Devonte Wyatt – Georgia

• Fletcher Cox has been a staple of this Philadelphia team, but this is looking like the last year he will be with the team. Devonte Wyatt is a very similar player with his combination of size and speed for an interior defensive lineman. Wyatt is excellent when it comes to attacking opposing teams run game but can struggle in the pass rushing category. Wyatt is very quick at the point of attack with his hands which gives him great leverage and the ability to expose offensive lineman with his speed. Look for him to be a project in Philadelphia to use his athleticism to become a more well-rounded player and replace Cox.

16. Saints

DT Jordan Davis Georgia

• The Saints could use help on the interior of their defensive line and Jordan Davis is the man to do that. Cameron Jordan will love this pick because Davis has a height of 6’6, weighs 350 plus, and has speed like no other defensive lineman with his build. This addition to this Saints team will take this defense to the next level and help against division rival Tampa Bay with Tom Brady returning. Only downside is that Davis conditioning isn’t the best and will likely not be a 3-down player.

17. Chargers

G Zion Johnson – Boston College

• The Chargers keep building for what they know is a window for a run. Justin Herbert is becoming one of the biggest young stars in the league today and is still on his rookie deal for the next few seasons. Getting the best guard in this year’s draft and only adding to the home-run pick of LT Rashawn Slater last year. The Chargers don’t have many holes on this team and bulking up the offensive line with a guy like Johnson is only going to make them more dominate offensively. Johnson is known as very physical and fundamentally sound player that will be an instant starter on this team.

18. Eagles

S Daxton Hill – Michigan

• The Eagles have not had elite safety play since Malcom Jenkins left to go back to New Orleans. Daxton Hill is the perfect playmaking safety that has sub 4.4 speed and has great ability to diagnose plays as they unfold. He’s great at keying in on the quarterback’s eyes and makes plays on the ball. Although he is very disruptive in pass defense, he can falter when it comes to open field tackling and run support. With the Eagles having a solid front seven, this can aid him when it comes to making plays in the run game and in the open field.

19. Saints

WR Treylon Burks – Arkansas

• Burks is a very physical receiver and plays faster than what his combine numbers would tell you. I think he would be a perfect combination with Michael Thomas in this Saints offense. He could be a very physical slot player that can catch contested balls over the middle. His speed does concern me, and I don’t think that he can beat defenders in the NFL down field like he could college. He is great at gaining extra yards with screen passes and uses his bulky size to run through tacklers. A switch to tight end in the NFL may happen, but either way this guy will be a good weapon in the league.

20. Steelers

QB Malik Willis – Liberty

• Willis had an up and down year in 2021, but that doesn’t take away the potential that this player clearly has. Mike Tomlin made it very clear that he values a mobile QB in the modern NFL. Willis can do that better than any QB in this draft and along with that, he has the best arm talent as well. The Steelers just signed Mitch Trubisky to a team friendly 2-year deal which doesn’t rush Willis to be the starter anytime soon. Steelers get their guy for the future.

21. Patriots

LB Nakobe Dean – Georgia

• This is a Patriots pick if I have ever seen one. Dean has been out shadowed in this draft by Utah standout, LB Devin Lloyd. Dean is under-sized for his position, but in my opinion, he checks all the boxes you want for a great ILB. Dean is very methodical. He has quick feet to be able to jump and make plays. He can Blitz and fill gaps, he’s great at stopping the run and is solid in coverage. Many people have Devin Lloyd getting picked here but I think the Patriots see this kid as the best interior linebacker in this year’s draft.

22. Texans via trade with Packers

CB Andrew Booth Jr – Clemson

• Houston needs players everywhere on their roster, and this trade with Green Bay will allow them to add more depth to their team. I see them adding to their defense with Booth Jr here because I don’t think Desmond King or Steven Nelson are the answer for this team. Booth has some inconsistencies at times but overall, he has lived up to his five-star rating out of high school. This is a boom or bust pick, but I think with Lovie Smith’s defensive background, he would be a good fit in Houston.

23. Cardinals

CB Trent McDuffie – Washington

• McDuffie is exactly what the Cardinals are looking for and that’s a do it all and versatile corner. I think this player is the one CB that will be taken in the first round that can be moved from inside in the slot to out wide as well. McDuffie has 4.4 speed and has very good technique and hip movement. For his size, he’s also a very physical corner who isn’t afraid to step up and make a big hit. I see him being a similar player to Mike Hilton if put into the right positions.

24. Cowboys

C Tyler Linderbaum – Iowa

• I personally think Tyler Linderbaum should be a top 10 pick with how good he will be in the NFL. Experts say that he is undersized, but he makes up for that with his athleticism, quick feet, good technique, and the usage of his hands. Linderbaum was a top 5 wrestler in the state of Iowa, which helps with the usage of grappling defensive lineman and keeping his balance. He is crazy athletic, smart and is considered one of the best center prospects coming into the draft that we’ve seen in years. With the Cowboys losing many of their veteran offensive lineman, getting Linderbaum would be a great beginning to fixing those holes.

25. Bills

RB Breece Hall – Iowa State

• This is a draft pick based on need here for the Buffalo Bills. Devin Singletary is a decent back and can put up solid numbers to keep this teams run game competent. For this team to take the next step to get to a Super Bowl is to have a more consistent run game that complements Josh Allen and the passing game. Singletary is more of an elusive back that likes to create separation. Hall would complement Singletary perfectly with his downhill running style as more of a power back. The NFL has moved toward more of a two back system than just feeding one guy the ball. This pick could really elevate the Bills running game and take their offense to a new level.

26. Titans

G – Kenyon Green – Texas A&M

• The Titans can go multiple different routes here because of how deep their roster is. With the cap casualty of Rodger Saffold and the need at RT, Green makes the most since here. Standing at 6’4, Green has the flexibility to play both guard and RT. His strength also plays into what the Titans like to do, and that’s running the ball. Green is the best run blocking guard in this draft and could come in and fill that void the Saffold left. Green struggles in pass protection and will need to work on it if he is going to start right away for this team.

27. Buccaneers

Edge George Karlaftis – Purdue

• With Jason Pierre Paul and Ndamukong Suh still unsigned, the Bucs need help rebuilding their front seven. Karlaftis only started playing football when he was in 8^th grade and soon became a four-star recruit coming out of high school. He has the build and frame of an NFL edge rusher, but his game is not yet refined. He uses his long arms to extent for leverage to get to the quarterback and has good maneuvers in his hips to slide by tackles. He still needs refinement on his run stopping ability but playing with the Bucs could help that as they have a ton of talent on the front seven.

28. Packers

Edge Jermaine Johnson – Florida State

• The Packers with the loss of Za’Darius Smith need someone to fill that pass rushing void. Jermaine Johnson and George Karlaftis are very similar prospects in that they both are there physically, but their technique needs a lot of work. Although Johnson played at Florida State in college, he’s originally from Minnesota and is used to playing in cold weather. He uses his pure strength to bully tackles to get to the quarterback but doesn’t have a counter rush move to save him. With that being said, the potential is there and that’s something that a good organization like the Packers can work with. Johnson’s combination of speed and strength is why he’s being selected here.

29. Chiefs

WR Christian Watson – North Dakota State

• This is one of the most intriguing prospects to me because I think this guy has potential to be the best WR in this draft. His combine was absolutely insane, boasting a 4.36 40 yd dash and a 38.5’ vertical. He’s already 6’4 with long arms and is just an athletic freak. On film you can see that for a guy his size, his elusiveness just cannot be taught. Some of the negatives are attention to detail and timing his jumps on 50/50 ball’s. After the Chiefs dealt Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, Mahomes would be thrilled to begin working with a guy with Watson’s. Mahomes talent can bring out the best in this young receiver.

30. Chiefs

LB Devin Lloyd – Utah

• Devin Lloyd is many experts’ number one linebacker in this draft and for good reason. He has a 6’3 build and ran 4.66 40 at the combine. On tap he’s all over the field and that sideline-to-sideline linebacker you want on your team. He isn’t the best in pass coverage but makes up for it by being the most physical player on every field he steps on to. He can come in and play multiple different linebacker positions and can even rush the edge. I look at him as a less athletic version of Micah Parsons but has the same kind of versatility. Look at him to be a good fit in Kansas City and help turn a weakness into a strength.

31. Bengals

CB Kaiir Elam – Florida

• Elam has potential to be a really good player in the league if he can become more consistent. He runs a sub 4.4 40 and is very fluid in his drop backs helping him run alongside speedy receivers. He isn’t much help in tackling or assisting in the run game but is a good cover 3 corner. He barely gets beat off a receivers release or on double moves. I think if put into the right scheme he could be a good number two corner for the Bengals and help improve that secondary.

32. Lions

QB – Kenny Pickett – Pittsburgh

• The Lions take Pickett here because he is the most NFL ready QB in this draft. Many experts believe he has a low ceiling, but I don’t think that’s entirely true. He was advised by Peyton Manning to return to school for his final year and went from a 4^th-5^th round pick, to arguably a top 10 pick. Unfortunately, the Panthers are the only team that would draft him that high and they can’t afford to take a risk on a guy like Pickett. He’s mobile, can throw on the run and probably the most accurate QB coming out this year. He’s a tough kid with a chip on his shoulder and I think Dan Campbell will really enjoy coaching this guy.