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2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jaguars take surprise pick at No. 1, Matt Ryan replaced in Atlanta

By Randy Gurzi

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson sacks Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras during the first half of the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.Mich Iowa
Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson sacks Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras during the first half of the Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.Mich Iowa /
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2022 NFL mock draft
2022 NFL mock draft: Linebacker Drake Jackson #99 of the USC Trojans lines up during the second half of the PAC-12 football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Tucson, Arizona. The Trojans defeated the Wildcats 34-30. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

32. Scouting Report. USC. Drake Jackson. 29. Pick Analysis. EDGE. player

29. Arizona Cardinals: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC

The Arizona Cardinals defense has been pretty good at getting after the quarterback this season. Markus Golden has been the best with 11 sacks and Chandler Jones has 9.5. However, Jones is a free agent this offseason, and Golden will be 31 in 2022 — plus he’s not been very consistent throughout his career.

That’s why the Cards bring in Drake Jackson from USC. Tall and long, Jackson is a great prospect to play in the stand-up pass-rushing role for Arizona. His addition also wouldn’t mean they have to let Jones walk because he could serve as a rotational player while getting his feet wet in the NFL.

Nakobe Dean. 50. Georgia. 30. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. LB

30. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

They took a quarterback with their first pick and now the Detroit Lions are back on the clock at No. 30 — one of the two first-rounders they got from the Rams for shipping off their old quarterback. This time, they turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball where they land Nakobe Dean from Georgia.

A playmaking linebacker, Dean has racked up 132 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two picks the past two seasons for the Bulldogs. He’s always around the ball and should help get the ball back for the Lions’ offense much more than they’re used to.

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