25. Cleveland Browns: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
Let’s face it, one of Jarvis Landry or Odell Beckham Jr. (or both) will not be back with the team in 2022 as the Browns have some big contracts to shell out in the near future. After passing on the likes of Rashod Bateman and Elijah Moore early in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Browns will need to make the position a priority moving forward. Enter John Metchie III.
Alabama continues to produce dominant NFL wide receivers, with the likes of Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle, and DeVonta Smith all falling in the first round over just the past two years. Metchie has called next. After coming off of a season with nearly 1,000 yards receiving and six touchdowns, Metchie now becomes the top dog for the Crimson Tide. As he looks to solidify himself as a first rounder, he lands in Cleveland in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
26. Miami Dolphins: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Despite the “running backs don’t matter” movement, we have been averaging one falling in the first round over the past three drafts. Here, we have our one and only running back come off the board as well as the Miami Dolphins come on the clock. Looking at the Dolphins’ depth chart at the position, it is headlined by Myles Gaskin and seventh round pick Gerrid Doaks. This becomes a glaring red flag on their roster.
Should Doaks and Gaskin fail to carry the load in 2021, the Dolphins will look to make a significant upgrade after passing on the likes of Etienne, Javonte Williams, and Najee Harris a year ago. Iowa State’s Breece Hall enters the fold as a dominant ball carrier, coming off of a season with 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground a year ago. He lands in Miami here as the first round comes closer to the end.