The New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons both decide to go for new quarterbacks early in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft
We are headed into the 12th week of the 2021 NFL Season — which means we’re roughly three-quarters of the way through.
Many fans are already looking ahead to the upcoming draft which is something we have been doing all year long. We continue to do this with our latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
As is always the case, we use the latest NFL Spin Zone Power Rankings to determine the order, which has the Detroit Lions kicking things off.
Detroit Lions and New York Jets take defensive pieces atop 2022 NFL Mock Draft
1. Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Another loss for the Detroit Lions took place on Thanksgiving day and once again, it was a last-second defeat. The Lions were in the game all day but Andy Dalton and the Chicago Bears got within range for a game-winning field goal.
Kayvon Thibodeaux is the exact player who may have helped them pull off the win on that day. With Dalton having all day to pass, that could have been different with the ability Thibodeaux has to get in the opposing backfield.
There will be calls for a quarterback but this team needs more than just one position and should go with the best player available which is the Oregon pass rusher.
2. New York Jets: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The New York Jets have multiple picks in this draft and it wouldn’t be surprising in the least to see them go with a defender for each pick. Their first comes off the board at No. 2 as they grab Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton.
A safety by trade, Hamilton is much more than this as he’s able to line up all over the field. In New York, he would give Robert Saleh a chess piece to match up against the opposing team’s best weapon.
Saleh is a well-respected defensive mind but he needs to add more pieces on that side of the ball in order to reach his potential as a coach. Hamilton could help him do just that.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Things continue to be a mess for the Jacksonville Jaguars this season. Not only has there been one problem after another with Urban Meyer as the head coach, but now there are reportedly concerns about how Trevor Lawrence is being developed.
Such concerns are justified because this coaching staff is doing him no favors. Then again, neither is the roster that he’s working with. In an attempt to make life in the NFL easier for Lawrence, the Jags add Even Neal from Alabama with this pick.
Neal is a huge left tackle that will help Lawrence feel more comfortable in the pocket. Although, Lawrence would probably feel even more comfortable if there were new coaches as well, but we can’t draft a replacement for Meyer.
4. Houston Texans: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
One way or another, the Deshaun Watson saga has to be figured out before 2022. The Houston Texans can’t go into another season with him on the payroll but not playing. They also can’t expect Davis Mills or Tyrod Taylor to be the long-term answer.
Thankfully for them, they have their choice at quarterback since none have been taken yet. Their choice in this mock is Matt Corral, who has put together two good seasons in a row, and has a really impressive 19-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio this year.
5. New York Giants: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Changes are coming for the New York Giants. That was evident even before they fired offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, but the decision to move on from him proves that Joe Judge is looking for a scapegoat to blame the team’s failures on. That usually doesn’t work which is why a massive overhaul seems to be on the horizon.
Part of that could be a change at quarterback. Daniel Jones is still not taking his next step as a franchise quarterback and a new staff will probably want a new signal-caller. In this mock, that player ends up being Malik Willis from Liberty.
Willis is more of a playmaker than Jones and his ceiling is also much higher. With the right coaching, he could end up being a star.
6. New York Giants (via Chicago Bears): Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The order of this mock favors the Giants since they’re on the clock for their second pick in a row. This selection comes courtesy of the Chicago Bears who made the move for Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft.
After taking Malik Willis, New York now adds Ikem Ekwonu as their new bookend offensive lineman. They have invested a lot in the line and it hasn’t worked out, which is why this new staff (which we predicted at pick No. 5) will want to start bringing in new bodies.
7. Atlanta Falcons: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The Atlanta Falcons are a mess. This team doesn’t really seem to have much of an identity and Arthur Smith might be in over his head as a coach. However, he could buy himself some time as he tries to keep his job a little longer while also finding who he wants this team to be by drafting a new quarterback.
Doing so allows them some leeway and in this mock, their selection is Sam Howell from North Carolina. Howell hasn’t done a whole lot to assert himself this season but he’s still had a solid career. He should be a good player at the next level and the Falcons need someone to eventually take over for Matt Ryan who will be 37 before next season begins.
8. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
With their second pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Jets replaced Jamal Adams with the selection of Kyle Hamilton. Now, they use the second day one pick from the Adams’ trade to build some depth on their defensive line.
Their selection is Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson who boasts great size at 6-foot-6 and 265-pounds. He’s also fresh off his best season as a pro, recording 9.0 sacks in 11 games as he was spending much of the season camped in the opposing backfield.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami Dolphins): Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
The Philadelphia Eagles have won three of their last four games including two in a row. They could keep this streak going as they have an incredibly soft schedule over the next five games that includes contests against the Giants and Washington twice each and a New York Jets game sandwiched in there.
Even better news for them is the fact that they could have up to three picks in the opening round of the 2022 NFL Draft, which starts with this selection they obtained from Miami. Philly uses that pick on LSU cornerback Derek Stingley. The top corner comes off the board and lands with a team that needs a young stud at the position.
10. Washington Football Team: Kenny Picket, QB, Pitt
From one NFC East team to another.
The Washington Football Team knows now that Taylor Heinicke isn’t the long-term answer. Sure, he could put up some solid numbers, especially when playing against Tom Brady, but his consistency isn’t there. That’s why their choice at No. 10 is Kenny Pickett from Pitt.
It’s been a long time since Washington has had a quarterback they can trust and while other first-round picks have failed them, they need to continue to look for their franchise leader. Pickett has the tools to become that, but they have to hope they don’t ruin him first.
11. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
Bringing back Cam Newton seems to have been the right move for the Carolina Panthers. He’s provided a spark and it gave their fans something to root for this season since they got to see the biggest star in franchise history return.
There’s no telling what they will do in 2022, but it seems as though Matt Rhule favors looking for veteran players rather than a rookie. That means they skip on a signal-caller but instead go with Kenyon Green from Texas A&M.
Green is capable of playing either tackle or guard and the Panthers need both. They can see where he’s best suited at the next level and plug him in.
12. Denver Broncos: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Teddy Bridgewater has been good this season but he’s not the future of the position for the Denver Broncos. They need to bring in a younger player to develop — and it’s already clear that Drew Lock is not that guy.
Enter Desmond Ridder, who has put up some impressive numbers throughout his career but has really taken off this season. His great performance is enough to not only get him into the first round, but he goes as high as No. 12. Denver has their wide receivers locked up for the foreseeable future and now they could have their quarterback situation figured out.
13. Cleveland Browns: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
It’s good that the Cleveland Browns have been able to put the Odell Beckham drama behind them but they now have a much bigger hole at wide receiver. None of their players have been creating much separation at all in 2021 and Jarvis Landry has taken a step back due to injuries.
This mock adds some much-needed talent to that room as they take Garrett Wilson from Ohio State. There are several talented receivers in this class and it would be crazy to think Cleveland would look at any other position.
Here, they end up with their choice of all the available players and settle on Wilson who has been a star in Columbus.
14. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Cleveland took Garrett Wilson but could have done well taking his teammate Chris Olave. As for Olave, he doesn’t wait long at all before hearing his name called as the new Orleans Saints select him one pick after Wilson lands in Cleveland.
Olave is a well-rounded wide receiver who simply does everything well. He would have likely been a late pick in Round 1 or even early Round 2 last season had he turned pro but he decided to play one more season with the Buckeyes and solidified himself as a top-20 player.
In New Orleans, they can use the help at wide receiver since their roster has been basically made up of undrafted players and mid-round picks without Michael Thomas.
15. Las Vegas Raiders: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
On Thanksgiving Day, the Las Vegas Raiders were able to secure a win over the Dallas Cowboys. They ended up needing overtime as the Cowboys fought back and exposed some of the issues they had on defense, but in the end, the Raiders got the stop they needed in overtime to get the huge win.
While there are some talented players on that defense, there’s still a need for more depth — and of course, a big-time playmaker. That’s what they get with Nakobe Dean who has been all over the field for the Bulldogs.
He’s a game-changer who can come in and contribute right away which should help Las VEgas continue its upward trajectory.
16. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco 49ers): Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
This season has been one to forget for the Miami Dolphins. They came into the year with high hopes following a 10-6 campaign in 2020 but they have fallen off in a big way this season. They have performed better as of late but they’re likely focused on building for 2022 at this point.
Unfortunately, they won’t get the benefit of a super-high draft pick due to the trades they made last year but they do at least still have the 49ers’ first-round selection. That pick is used on center Tyler Linderbaum from Iowa. His arrival should help solidify that line, which will go a long way toward improving this offense as a whole.
17. Philadelphia Eagles: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
It was already mentioned that the Philadelphia Eagles are trending in the right direction and at 5-6, they’re nipping at the Dallas Cowboys heels following their loss to the Raiders. They also still have several picks in this next class to build their roster and with their own selection at No. 17, they again focus on defense.
Their selection is none other than George Karlaftis from Purdue. The Boilermakers’ star defensive end already has an NFL-ready body at roughly 275-pounds. He’s also a player who seems to have his best days ahead of him. His addition should help solidify the D-line while preparing them for life after Brandon Graham.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
One of the surprise teams this season is the Cincinnati Bengals. They had a hot start and even though they have cooled off some, they still are in the mix for the AFC North title. The development of Joe Burrow as well as the ascension of rookie Ja’Marr Chase has a lot to do with why they’ve done so well.
Looking ahead, they still need to add some help on the offensive line. Riley Reiff has been a decent addition but he’s a stop-gap, which is why they add Charles Cross from Mississippi State with this pick. Cross feels like a sure-hit and the Bengals could definitely use his blocking to keep Burrow comfortable in the pocket just a bit longer.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis Colts): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Again on the clock with their third and final pick, the Eagles once again stick with defense. They took George Karlaftis a couple of picks ago to give them a defensive end capable of replacing Brandon Graham and now, Jordan Davis comes in as a possible suitor for Fletcher Cox.
The 6-foot-6, 340-pound Davis is an absolute bully on the Georgia defensive line and will be the same in the NFL. He possesses a great mix of power and athleticism and can not only serve as a 1-tech but is capable of sliding to the 3-tech and pushing the interior of the pocket.
There might be some growing pains for this line with Karlaftis and Davis being rookies but before long, this could become an elite unit.
20. Minnesota Vikings: DeMarvin Leal, EDGE, Texas A&M
It seems unlikely that DeMarvin Leal is going to slide this far since he’s such an athletic freak but the truth is, there are some very talented players entering this class at defensive end. Leal has been moved all over the Aggies line due to his 290-pound frame but he’s best suited on the edge.
For the Minnesota Vikings, they get a huge talent at pick 20 and he would be a day one starter across from Danielle Hunter.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Following a slow start, the Pittsburgh Steelers are turning things around and playing very well. Perhaps they realized their 11-0 start and 1-4 finish in 2020 was a problem so they elected to do the opposite?
Whatever it was, they’re in good shape heading into Week 12 but they do still have a roster with several older players. That’s why they use this pick to start bringing in some youth to replace a few of those veterans as they target Andrew Booth, Jr. from Clemson.
Joe Haden has had his moments but he’s definitely on the back nine, which is why Booth makes so much sense for them.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Los Angeles Chargers are really close to being an elite team. They have a stud quarterback in Justin Herbert and some big-time star players such as Keenan Allen, Joey Bosa, and Austin Ekeler. They just need to round out the roster in order to become a more consistent team.
That’s the goal here as they take Devin Lloyd from Utah with their first-round pick. Lloyd is listed at 235-pounds which might make him a little thin for a linebacker but he flies around the field and is capable of rushing the passer as well. Head coach Brandon Staley will love having such a weapon to deploy.
23. Buffalo Bills: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Watching the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, it didn’t seem as though they need to add anything to their roster. They handed the New Orleans Saints a 31-6 defeat and it wasn’t even as close as the score suggested — and the score suggested a blowout, so let that sink in.
With their roster being strong, it allows the Bills to go for the best player on the board which is Kaiir Elam from Florida. A young man who had a father and uncle both play in the NFL, Elam is pro-ready and should be a starter across from Tre’Davious White. Adding him would give Buffalo one of the best, if not the best, secondaries in the league.
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Another team that has a stacked roster is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, they do have a bit of a hole in theirs as the defensive backfield is suspect. That’s why they go for a cornerback with their pick in Round 1, settling on Ahmad Gardner from Cincinnati.
One of the surprise teams in the NCAA, Cincinnati continues to roll and Gardner is a huge part of that. After 10 games, he has 25 tackles, two sacks, and three interceptions — his third season in a row with three. He’s a ballhawk who could help give the Tampa Bay offense more favorable starting positions, which will only make an already dangerous team that much tougher to deal with.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Travon Walker, DT, Georgia
The Baltimore Ravens have dealt with just about as many injuries as anyone else this season yet they continue to roll. They’re down to their fourth option at running back but it hasn’t slowed them down much — because they do a great job scouting, drafting, and adding in-house competition.
With their first pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, they continue to add strong players as they select Travon Walker from Georgia. Listed as a defensive tackle, Walker would likely line up on the edge in the Ravens’ 3-4 system but he could also slide inside whenever they move to a four-man line.
He’s been a fast climber in recent weeks as he’s one of the more impactful players on arguably the best defense in the nation.
26. Tennessee Titans: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
Replacing Jonnu Smith has not been easy but the Tennessee Titans didn’t really try. They simply went with the next-man-up approach and while Geoff Swaim is a solid backup option, he’s not really the guy.
That’s why this pick is used on Jalen Wydermyer from Texas A&M. Wydermyer has 16 career touchdowns and averages nearly 13-yards per reception. He would be an instant upgrade at the position for Tennessee and could develop into an even stronger weapon than Smith was for them.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
There was very little to be thankful for in Big D on Thanksgiving Day. The Dallas Cowboys were beaten by the Las Vegas Raiders and even though the game went to overtime, they never once led and spent the whole day trying to slow down an offensive attack that isn’t as strong as this defense made them look.
It was frustrating for a unit that has been good this season but it highlighted that they have been winning more with scheme as opposed to overall player talent. That’s why they Dallas gives Dan Quinn a safety who can make a huge difference in Daxton Hill.
Listed at 6-foot-0 and 192-pounds, Hills is capable of playing corner or safety. Dallas would surely want him in the centerfield role but if Kelvin Joseph can’t develop into a starting corner, they will have options.
28. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
A last-second Thanksgiving Day loss to the Chicago Bears was tough for the Detroit Lions and while we added Kayvon Thibodeaux with the first overall pick who might have helped them secure such a win, we still need to address some of their issues on offense. The most glaring of which is their lack of playmakers at wide receiver.
Here, they take Treylon Burks from Arkansas who is 6-foot-3 and 225-pounds. He’s everything they don’t have in their offense right now and could help Jared Goff look much better for them under center.
29. New England Patriots: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
No team has turned things around more than the New England Patriots have this year. They were 2-4 not too long ago but have now reeled off five wins in a row. While some will dismiss this and say they haven’t beaten many great teams, they do have wins over the Browns and Chargers who have winning records as well as a one-score loss to the Bucs and Cowboys.
In short, this team is for real and Mac Jones should be preparing his NFL Rookie of the Year speech. He could be even better moving forward if the Patriots bring in a former teammate of his such as Jameson Williams.
The Alabama wideout didn’t do much with Jones but has broken out with 1,218 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. He would give New England a solid No. 1 option who could grow alongside Jones, keeping them relevant for another 10-plus seasons (insert every other fan base’s moan here).
30. Green Bay Packers: John Metchie, WR, Alabama
For the second time in this draft players at the same position from the same team go back-to-back. First, it was Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave from Ohio State and now it’s John Metchie following Jameson Williams as the two Alabama wideouts find their NFL homes.
Metchie entered this season as the alpha in the Crimson Tide receiving corps but was overtaken by the explosive Williams. Even so, he’s a stellar route-runner who catches everything thrown his way. Lining him up across from Davante Adams would almost seem unfair, but the Packers would be just fine doing that.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Many fans were hoping to see the Kansas City Chiefs continue their early-season struggles but they’re simply too good for that to have continued. Entering Week 12, they seem to have things figured out and are well on their way to being favorites in the AFC once again.
Having said that, they still can use some more help on offense since Patrick Mahomes seems to lean primarily on Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. While it’s understandable he does this, it would make them even more dangerous if they added another player capable of destroying a defensive game plan.
Enter Penn State wideout Jahan Dotson. He’s a quick and shifty player who seems to be tailor-made for the Kansas City offense. Should this pick happen, the rest of the AFC will be incredibly annoyed.
32. Arizona Cardinals: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
The biggest surprise team this season has been the Arizona Cardinals. Not only are they winning but they’ve continued to do so with Colt McCoy starting for an injured Kyler Murray.
While their offensive output was expected, it’s been the play of their defense that has really shocked the rest of the NFL. And with most of their offensive players still under contract, Arizona continues to build up their defense in this mock as they take Drake Jackson at No. 32.
The USC EDGE rusher could help them as a starter across from Chandler Jones while also giving them someone who can take over should Jones want to try and force his way out again in 2022 as he seemed to hint at this year.