As the NFL Combine begins tomorrow, Draft Season is in full swing. So, here’s my first, long overdue mock for 2022.
Featured image from Ann Arbor News
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Priority #1 needs to be to protect Trevor Lawrence, so Neal first overall makes sense.
- Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Hutchinson is as powerful as they come, as he brings back memories of a young J.J. Watt.
- Houston Texans – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Hamilton could bring his special blend of size (he’s about 6’4”, 220 lbs) and athleticism to a lackluster Texans defense.
- New York Jets – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Robert Saleh knows what it’s like to have a young, elite edge rusher (Nick Bosa), and he wouldn’t pass up on the chance to bring in Thibodeaux.
- New York Giants – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Ekwonu is a great run-blocker who could free up a ton of space for Saquon Barkley.
- Carolina Panthers – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Panthers have multiple glaring holes on their offensive line, so Cross could fill one of them.
- New York Giants (from Chicago Bears) – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Athletic, versatile linebackers are becoming more and more popular in the NFL, and Lloyd fits that mold.
- Atlanta Falcons – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Stingley has been a shutdown corner since his first year at LSU when they won a national championship.
- Denver Broncos – Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
Johnson is one of the biggest risers so far in this year’s draft season.
- New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks) – Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Jets continue to add to their defense by taking Gardner, who is fantastic in the red zone.
- Washington Commanders – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Willis has a huge arm and electric running ability, and in the right situation, he could become a top QB in the league.
- Minnesota Vikings – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Vikings haven’t found a true CB1 since the glory days of Xavier Rhodes, so maybe a player from this year’s draft like McDuffie can fill that role.
- Cleveland Browns – Drake London, WR, USC
At 6’5”, 210 lbs, London can dunk on defenders and be the field stretcher the Browns need.
- Baltimore Ravens – Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
The Ravens bet on the physical tools of Jayson Oweh in last year’s draft, and they do the same here with Walker.
- Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins) – David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
The Eagles’ front seven is aging, so taking a young, talented edge rusher like Ojabo makes sense.
- Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis Colts) – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Booth has superior anticipation skills, and he’d pair with Darius Slay in Philly well.
- Los Angeles Chargers – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
If the Chargers lose Mike Williams in free agency, Burks would be the perfect replacement for him.
- New Orleans Saints – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Wilson is the playmaker the Saints need, although they do need a quarterback, too.
- Philadelphia Eagles – Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
Green is massive (6’4”, 325 lbs) and versatile, although his best fit is probably inside.
- Pittsburgh Steelers – Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
The Steelers need to find their future at QB soon, but it’s such a shallow class that I think their first priority should be to build their offensive line.
- New England Patriots – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The Patriots are missing a true WR1, and Williams’s speed should allow him to play that role for an NFL team.
- Las Vegas Raiders – Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia
Davis’s movement skills at 6’6”, 340 lbs are simply incredible.
- Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
The Cards desperately need help at corner, so they take an athletic freak in Gordon.
- Dallas Cowboys – George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Lining Karlaftis up on the opposite end of DeMarcus Lawrence would be a dream for the Cowboys.
- Buffalo Bills – Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia
Wyatt is another explosive Georgia DT, although he doesn’t have the immense size of Jordan Davis.
- Tennessee Titans – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
At 6’0”, 225 lbs, Dean is small for a traditional LB, but that only adds to his intrigue as a multi-dimensional defender.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Corral has an unorthodox release, but it’s obviously worked just fine for him.
- Green Bay Packers – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Penning is a small-school gem who is a great run-blocker at 6’7”, 321 lbs.
- Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco 49ers) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Olave is a proficient route-runner who would work well with Tua Tagovailoa.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The safe-handed Dotson would complement Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce well
- Cincinnati Bengals – Bernard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
After their Super Bowl appearance, the Bengals must do anything they can to revamp their O-Line.
- Detroit Lions (from LA Rams) – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Pickett had a superb 2021 season at Pitt, landing him behind Jared Goff in Detroit.
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