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2022 NFL mock draft: Eagles take Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder to Broncos

By Sayre Bedinger

Oct 23, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) tries to get past UCLA Bruins offensive lineman Alec Anderson (70) in the second half at Rose Bowl. Oregon defeated UCLA 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) tries to get past UCLA Bruins offensive lineman Alec Anderson (70) in the second half at Rose Bowl. Oregon defeated UCLA 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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2022 NFL Mock Draft
EUGENE, OREGON – OCTOBER 15: Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the Oregon Ducks reacts as Quarterback Chase Garbers #7 of the California Golden Bears looks on as time winds down late during the second half of the game against the California Golden Bears at Autzen Stadium on October 15, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won 24-17. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Kayvon Thibodeaux has a hold of the top spot in this 2022 NFL mock draft scenario while Pitt QB Kenny Pickett’s massive rise continues.

As crazy as it seems, we are nearly halfway through yet another NFL season. That means that 2022 NFL mock draft scenarios are going to be flooding in, and we might finally have some buzz building toward top quarterback prospects for this year’s class.

Unfortunately for those quarterbacks, it’s now going to take a miracle to take over the top overall spot in this class from Oregon Ducks pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, who has all but cemented himself as the overall top player and the potential top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

As of right now (Week 8 of the NFL season), 16 of the 32 NFL teams have .500 records or better, and another six teams are 3-4 with opportunities to still make some noise. It’s still really competitive out there but many teams are already looking forward to next year. Here’s our latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft projection for the first round.

2022 NFL mock draft: Picks 1-2

1. Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

50. Scouting Report. Oregon. Kayvon Thibodeaux. player. Pick Analysis. EDGE. 1

As was previously stated, Kayvon Thibodeaux has likely cemented himself as this year’s number one overall player. The star pass rusher out of Oregon has four sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, and a pair of forced fumbles in four games this season.

Even with some time missed due to injury, Thibodeaux has proven that he is going to be a force off the edge at the next level with his explosive burst off the snap, outstanding length, and ability to finish as a pass rusher.

The Detroit Lions certainly need a difference-maker off the edge and they really just need building blocks in general. A year after taking one building block for the offense out of the Oregon program (OT Penei Sewell) they get another one on the defensive side.

2. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Kenny Pickett. 2. 54. QB. Pitt. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

Is this too much too soon?

Kenny Pickett is certainly an ascending prospect and the name “Joe Burrow” has been thrown around. That’s a little too much at this point considering Joe Burrow’s 2019 season was absolutely legendary, but Pickett has been phenomenal in 2021.

In my last mock draft projection, I had Pickett going in the middle of the first round to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here, he still stays in the same state and takes the “QB of the future” title from Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia.

Pickett has proven this season that he can make great decisions at every level of the field as a passer, and he has plenty of arm talent to be a game-changer at the next level if he continues to improve.

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