JC’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft

The 2022 NFL Draft is simply over two weeks away. I’ve determined to throw my hand within the ring with an try at a first-round mock draft. Jon Ledyard debuted his personal NFL Mock Draft 2.0 final week. Whereas the quarterback class isn’t something to jot down residence about, yearly it appears coaches and basic managers discuss themselves into prospects. This yr is not any totally different with three going within the Prime 10 picks. With the Bucs locking up a majority of their wants in free company, they might finally go in any path at No. 27.

See who rises and falls on this first-round NFL mock draft. Whether or not you roast it or toast it, right here goes it. Take pleasure in!

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Edge Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

The Jags might elect to go together with one of many prime offensive tackles right here. However after franchise tagging Cam Robinson for a second straight yr it’s probably they seize the highest edge rusher on the board. Pairing Hutchinson with Josh Allen provides Jacksonville a dynamic move rush for years to come back.

2. Detroit Lions – QB Malik Willis, Liberty

Whereas the Lions might definitely go in a variety of instructions right here, Willis has been climbing up the boards as of late. The Lions have proven legit curiosity in him and will fall in love along with his twin risk capability. The prospect of getting him sit for a season as he will get adjusted to the pro-game is alluring. And the Lions have a plethora of picks the subsequent two seasons to handle different wants.

3. Houston Texans – CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati

Cincinnati CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner – Picture by: USA As we speak

One other group filled with holes, the Texans go together with the highest nook within the draft right here at choose three. Gardner provides them an instantaneous improve on the place and must be a starter day one. They may additionally attempt to commerce down just a few spots if they’ll discover a taker.

4. New York Jets – CB Derek Stingley, LSU

Stingley put to relaxation any issues after his Professional Day, which noticed him take a look at extraordinarily properly. The Jets have holes all around the protection. Whereas they might go sort out right here, the Jets want assist in the secondary within the worst manner. With picks arising at 10 and 35, they might goal a sort out there.

5. New York Giants – OT Evan Neal, Alabama

The Giants want offensive line assist in the worst manner. Daniel Jones has been operating for his life. Saquon Barkley has been obliterated behind the road to typically. With each of the highest tackles on the board on this mock draft, the Giants go together with the safer choose in Neal. Similar to they did with Andrew Thomas two years in the past.

6. Carolina Panthers – QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

The Panthers have been doing their due diligence on the quarterbacks on this years class. Carolina settles on Pitt’s Kenny Pickett. The Sam Darnold experiment clearly didn’t work out the best way Matt Rhule hoped. Together with his title on the recent seat he grabs a quarterback he hopes may also help flip the franchise round. Rhule recruited Pickett to Temple earlier than leaving for the Baylor job.

7. New York Giants (from CHI) – EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia

Speak about a prospect that has shot up the boards. After grabbing their sort out with their first choose, the Giants nab an edge rusher right here who can hopefully give their protection some extra spark. Walker examined extraordinarily properly on the NFL Scouting Mix. He provides New York a bodily, athletic specimen who can set the sting for a protection that had simply 34 sacks final season.

8. Atlanta Falcons – QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

Let’s face it right here. Whereas Kyle Pitts goes to be an outstanding participant it feels just like the Falcons missed the boat right here final season not deciding on a quarterback. After trading Matt Ryan, the Falcons are out there and have met Ridder a number of instances. With the addition of Marcus Mariota, Ridder received’t be thrust into the beginning job instantly. He may have an opportunity to get acclimated to the NFL sport.

9. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) – OT Ikem Ekwonu, N.C. State

With the highest QBs on their want record off the board on this mock draft, the Seahawks buck their current pattern right here and do what they by no means did when Russell Wilson was their QB – take an offensive lineman early within the draft. With Ekwonu, Seattle is getting a participant with an especially excessive ceiling. He will not be as refined as Evan Neal however he can become the lessons prime sort out.

10. New York Jets (from SEA) – EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

The questions on Thibodeaux’s love for the sport see him fall proper into the Jets lap right here at 10. They may go sort out right here on this mock draft with Charles Cross. Seeing Ekwonu go proper earlier than them hurts, they usually safe the most effective move rushers within the draft. With Gardner and Thibodeaux the Jets have chosen prime skills at an important positions on the protection.

11. Washington Commanders – S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

The Commanders should be thrilled how the board on this mock draft falls right here. They land one of many prime gamers within the draft outdoors the highest 10. Hamilton has been mentioned as a risk as excessive because the Lions at choose two. With a dominant entrance seven and two high quality corners, Hamilton will add to an already loaded protection.

12. Minnesota Vikings – CB Trent McDuffie, Washington

Even with addition of Chandon Sullivan and the re-signing of Patrick Peterson the Viking might nonetheless use assist on the cornerback place. Each are on one-year offers. McDuffie will present stability on the place for the subsequent 5 years. McDuffie’s athleticism and anticipation ought to see him begin his rookie yr.

13. Houston Texans (from CLE) – WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

One other choice for the Texans right here after the Deshaun Watson commerce. The Texans might actually go wherever on this mock draft with this choose. With not one of the prime quarterbacks accessible they resolve to not attain for one and as a substitute give Davis Mills some assist. Wilson is arguably the highest wideout within the class and offers the Texans a dynamic pairing with Brandin Cooks.

14. Baltimore Ravens – Edge Jermaine Johnson, Florida State

FSU DE Jermaine Johnson – Picture by: USA As we speak

The Ravens have been in on a variety of edge rushers this offseason. After being scorned by each Za’Darius Smith and Bobby Wagner, the Ravens might go in certainly one of two methods with edge rusher Jermaine Johnson or linebacker Devin Llyod right here. The possibility to pair Johnson with Jayson Oweh right here is simply too good to move up on this mock draft.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) – LB Devin Lloyd, Utah

The Eagles often don’t prioritize linebacker of their protection however with Lloyd staring them within the face right here at 15 and the shortage luster play from the place final season, they flip the script. Lloyd truthfully shouldn’t get out of the highest 10. He’s that good. Lloyd is nice in protection, can blitz from wherever within the alignment and doesn’t come off the sphere. House run choose for the Eagles.

16. New Orleans Saints (from IND by way of PHI) – OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State

When the Saints made this commerce it was a bit puzzling. Have been they buying and selling to attempt to have the ability to package deal picks for a QB or to place themselves for prime sort out? Effectively the QBs are off the board however they’d a sort out fall proper into their laps. With the lack of Terron Armstead,  New Orleans had an enormous gap at left sort out that Cross will fill. Excellent in move safety, he’ll want get larger and stronger to carry out higher within the run sport. However has future Professional Bowler written throughout him.

17. Los Angeles Chargers – DT Jordan Davis, Georgia

Evan with the additions of Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson the Chargers are nonetheless anticipated so as to add a defensive sort out within the draft. Davis ought to assist flip round a run protection that was ranked thirtieth within the league final season, permitting over 100 yards in 12 of 17 video games. His addition may even assist LB Kenneth Murray and edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack see much less double groups.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) – WR Drake London USC

After grabbing the highest linebacker within the draft on this mock draft, the Eagles choose arguably one of the best receiver within the class in London. The Eagles have spent sources on the receiver place the previous three years. However in a passing league you possibly can’t have sufficient weapons. If Philadelphia really needs to see what they’ve in Jalen Hurts, surrounding him with receivers is an efficient step.

19. New Orleans Saints (from PHI) – WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

It’s no secret the Saints want receivers. With Michael Thomas lacking almost your complete final two seasons, there is no such thing as a telling what he’ll appear like in his return. With Olave the Saints get a dependable, sure-handed risk within the passing sport. He received’t give a lot after the catch however has very good route-running capability and might take the highest off defenses.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

The Steelers are transitioning to a life with Massive Ben but it surely doesn’t matter who’s below middle if they’ll’t block for him. Roethlisberger had the quickest launch of any QB final season and it was largely as a result of he was below fixed duress. Including Penning will assist the Steelers in two methods, opening up the operating sport for spectacular rookie Najee Harris and shopping for Mitch Trubisky or whoever the sign caller is time for performs to develop.

21. New England Patriots – CB Andrew Sales space Jr., Clemson

The Patriots are ready right here have been earlier than the commerce for Devante Parker I’d have thought huge receiver would’ve been the play. And whereas it nonetheless could be I feel they appear to the nook place right here particularly with Sales space nonetheless on the board. The Pats let J.C. Jackson take a look at the market and he discovered a brand new residence in LA. They introduced in Tremendous Bowl hero – and goat – Malcolm Butler. New England will nonetheless want to handle the place. Olave’s a fluid athlete, makes performs on the ball and matches the scheme the Pats prefer to run.

22. Inexperienced Bay Packers (from LV) – WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Arkansas WR Treylon Burks – Picture by: USA As we speak

With the choose the Packers obtained within the Adams commerce they choose his substitute. Burks has the flexibility to be one of the best receiver on this class. He possess inside outdoors versatility and is dynamic with the ball in his arms. His dimension, athleticism and ball expertise will work properly inside the Packers offense. Burks might shortly become Aaron Rodgers favourite goal.

23. Arizona Cardinals – G Zion Johnson, Boston Faculty

Offensive line has been a well-liked choose for the Cardinals and for good purpose. Kyler Murray can create magic when he’s pressured to scramble. However the fee it occurred final yr was problematic. Johnson is a plug-and-play guard and can slot in properly subsequent to Rodney Hudson. It’s not a flashy choose, however defending Murray, particularly in a contract yr, will likely be vital.

24. Dallas Cowboys – C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

Dallas has misplaced two gamers from its offensive line together with their beginning proper sort out and middle Tyler Biadasz was uninspiring to say the least. Linderbaum provides them an instantaneous improve. The Cowboys have a great monitor file of drafting prime tier lineman and that continues right here. They may additionally have a look at edge rusher or huge receiver. However each positions are fairly deep on this draft.

25. Buffalo Payments – CB Kaiir Elam, Florida

The Payments get a nook right here to pair with Tre’davious White. Elam is speedy, bodily nook that may reroute receivers coming off the road. He’s bought the pedigree and intangibles groups search for. Nevertheless he’s not essentially a ballhawk and wishes to raised job of wrapping up ball carriers when making tackles.

26. Tennessee Titans – G Kenyon Inexperienced, Texas A&M

The Titans have had some flip over on the offensive line this offseason. In Inexperienced they get a substitute for Rodger Safford, and a man who can step in and begin immediately. Inexperienced is a mauler within the run sport and can assist open lanes for Derrick Henry. He should be extra refined in his method within the passing sport. However the Titan are primarily a run-first group anyway.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia

Georgia DT Devonte Wyatt – Picture by: USA As we speak

I didn’t plan for it to work out this fashion on this mock draft. Really throughout my tough draft I didn’t even have Wyatt chosen within the first spherical. However the Bucs must be thrilled he fell into their laps at No. 27. Should you’re a Pewter Report reader you already ought to know all about Wyatt and his match with the Bucs. The considered pairing him subsequent to Vita Vea for the subsequent 5 plus years is salivating.  He provides Tampa Bay the inside velocity the group needs whereas not shedding something within the run sport.

28. Inexperienced Bay Packers – EDGE George Karlaftis, Purdue

After shedding Za’Darius Smith on account of cap constraints, the Packers choose a flexible edge rusher with their second first-round choose in Karlaftis. The Purdue product is NFL prepared and will begin from Day 1. He’s bought that kind of ground as a prospect along with his fast first step, energy and relentless power.

29. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (from SF by way of MIA) – WR Jameson Williams, Alabama

You knew the Chiefs would take a large receiver someplace within the draft. However i doubt they thought Williams would slide to them at No. 29. Coming off an ACL tear, Williams may not be prepared for the beginning of camp. However he provides them all the things they misplaced in Tyreek Hill and extra.

30. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs – EDGE Boye Mafe, Minnesota

With back-to-back first-round picks, the Chiefs now flip their focus to the defensive facet of the ball. Whereas they might go nook right here, in a loaded division at QB they seize a participant that may put some strain on them. Mafe has top-end velocity and explosion. He’s a pure disrupter within the passing sport. Whereas he must refine his function as a run defender he could make instant impression attending to the quarterback.

31. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Kyler Gordon, Washington

One title – Eli Apple. The Bengals must get higher on the nook place and after a whole overhaul on the offensive line in free company this choose permits them that chance. Gordon, the opposite Washington nook, isn’t as polished at McDuffie. However  he has pure fluidity and toughness for the place.

32. Detroit Lions (from LAR) – LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia

Touchdown Dean at this level on this mock draft is a steal for the Lions. Whereas they introduced again Jared Davis and re-signed Alex Anzalone neither strikes the needle like Dean. A playmaker on the sphere, the unanimous All-American completed his last collegiate season with 10.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, two pressured fumbles and two interceptions. He could be a welcome addition to the Lions protection.