2022 NFL Mock Draft: Thibodeaux goes No. 1, Dallas gets an EDGE

9 of 16

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 02: Cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. #23 of the Clemson Tigers pumps up the crowd during their game against the Boston College Eagles at Clemson Memorial Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Clemson. Andrew Booth, Jr.. 17. 47. Scouting Report. player. Pick Analysis. CB

17. New England Patriots: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

The New England Patriots have been slowly climbing this season and after eight games (which is no longer the halfway point), they’ve improved to 4-4. It’s a far cry from the constant 12-14 wins per season they would get with TB12, but they’re trending in the right direction which is important.

In an effort to continue to build up the talent on their roster, they add Andrew Booth, Jr. from Clemson with their first pick. For years, Stephon Gilmore has been the No. 1 guy but with him gone, they get a little younger and begin to develop their next potential top corner.

player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. CB. Kaiir Elam. 18. Florida. 60

18. Minnesota Vikings: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

One cornerback after another. Just after the Pats take Andrew Booth, Jr., The Minnesota Vikings grab Kaiir Elam from Florida. His father and uncle both played in the NFL so Elam is no stranger to what it takes to make it at this level and he seems to be a superior player to both.

In Minnesota, a lot will be expected of him. They have seemingly had one failed draft pick after another at cornerback and the issues in their secondary were on full display when they couldn’t stop Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb in Week 8 despite Cooper Rush being the quarterback in his first NFL start.

Elam won’t fix everything but he’s surely a guy who can start to bring some much-needed talent and youth into that defensive backfield.

Home/NFL Draft