2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jaguars take surprise pick at No. 1, Matt Ryan replaced in Atlanta
By Randy Gurzi
The Jacksonville Jaguars kick off this 2022 NFL Mock Draft with a surprise pick at No. 1 overall while the Atlanta Falcons replace Matt Ryan
For the first time since early this season, our 2022 NFL Mock Draft isn’t starting with the Detroit Lions.
A winless team for much of the year, Detroit continued to camp out at No. 32 in our 2021 NFL Power Rankings, which we use to determine the order of our mocks. However, a couple of wins for the Lions — including a huge one over the Arizona Cardinals — have changed things up.
With them further down the list, we start out with the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 1 overall and while they can really use an offensive tackle, they make a surprise selection.
Latest first-round 2022 NFL mock draft with the Jaguars on top
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. EDGE. Michigan. Aidan Hutchinson. 1. player. 52
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
The biggest win of the season for the Jacksonville Jaguars came when they finally fired Urban Meyer. It was clear that he wasn’t a good fit in the NFL and the Jags — who never should have hired him in the first place — wisely didn’t wait until the offseason to make their move.
With a new coach coming in, the Jaguars could go just about any direction here. Their entire roster is a mess and while it’s tempting to take Even Neal to protect Trevor Lawrence, they decide to take the top player on their board, and in this mock, that’s Aidan Hutchinson.
The Michigan defensive end will battle Kayvon Thibodeaux for the top pass-rushing spot in this class and here, he edges out the Oregon standout. It’s the third time in four seasons Jacksonville has gone for an edge player, but this one feels like it should be a home run.
EDGE. Oregon. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Kayvon Thibodeaux. 2. player. 30
2. New York Jets: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The New York Jets are on the clock at No. 2 — and they have another selection coming up at No. 8 as well. With their first pick, they take Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was left for them by the Jags.
It’s been a long time since the Jets had a legit pass rusher and Thibodeaux gives them exactly that. Should Carl Lawson be able to return to health, this would give them two solid players on the edge to really open up the defense for Robert Saleh.