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

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
2022 NFL Mock Draft: Garrett Wilson #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes a 20 yard reception for a touchdown ahead of Brian Branch #14 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the third quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2022 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-18

17. Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

Don’t look now, but the Atlanta Falcons are trending up.

Kyle Pitts has been playing out of his mind, and the Falcons are 3-3 after winning two straight games.

Who knows what the rest of the season will bring? For now, the Falcons can hang their hats on remaining in contention in the NFC South, and Matt Ryan has started to play a lot better under Arthur Smith.

A playmaker at the wide receiver position like Garrett Wilson would be absolutely huge for this Falcons’ offense, especially after making the near-impossible decision to trade Julio Jones in the offseason.

Wilson has big-play ability and his dominance at the catch point is a lot of fun to watch on a weekly basis.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

Will the end of the 2021 season be the end of the line for Ben Roethlisberger?

After a pretty cold start to the 2021 season, he has some people wondering how much is truly left in the tank as the Steelers have now won two in a row with Roethlisberger throwing three touchdowns and no picks.

We’ll see how the Steelers legend looks coming off of a bye week this week.

In this scenario, how could the Steelers pass on Sam Howell or even Carson Strong?

Those two players are good enough prospects at the QB position to help the Steelers transition to the future rather seamlessly.

Watching Sam Howell vs. Baker Mayfield twice a year would be an on-field version of the pointing Spiderman meme.