2022 NFL Mock Draft: Washington, Pittsburgh land top QBs

2022 NFL mock draft: Picks 29-32

The Titans go as Derrick Henry goes; it’s just that simple. Ryan Tannehill has proved that he can play away from Adam Gase, but Tennessee still relies upon Henry and the big plays by AJ Brown. However, the defense is not as fortunate, and they need fresh blood. They get it in the form of Nakobe Dean, an underrated member of the great Georgia defense.

Dean recorded 61 tackles and five sacks with two picks this past season, as Georgia earned a berth in the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2018. Dean’s best game came against Tennessee with 11 tackles in a 41-17 victory.

With Tennessee, Dean will likely be used as a pass rusher and work mainly from the inside instead of the edges. With that, it is possible to see him becoming a starter down the line, given his style of play and how it meshes with Mike Vrabel’s defense. His first role will likely be on special teams as he works up the ladder.

Dallas’ defense has gotten them this far, and their offense has sometimes played well. But the consistency is lacking. As such, they need a boost, particularly up front. Though their offensive line has played well at times, they are in dire need of strength. Enter Zion Johnson from Boston College, an unknown with a pedigree of intensiveness.

Voted a captain by his teammates, Johnson brings a level of aggression not seen on the Cowboys offensive line since Nate Newton. Granted, Johnson is not as heavy as Newton was; his burst off the line is all too reminiscent of the former 3x World Champion and member of the famed “Great Wall of Dallas.”

Johnson will certainly push Connor Williams for the starting left guard spot, and his credentials as a solid pass blocker and vicious run blocker will bode well for Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot. If Dallas doesn’t win it all this year, Johnson may be one of the few missing pieces that could help finish the job.

Steve Spagnuolo is very good at getting the best out of defensive linemen and aggressive linebackers, but he needs help in the secondary. As such, the Kingdom grabs their next soldier in Auburn’s Roger McCreary. At 6’0 190, he has the ideal height and weight for the position. Additionally, he is physical with receivers, almost to the point where there is the potential for a holding call but not enough to warrant a flag.

In 2021 McCreary recorded 49 tackles and two interceptions while being named first-team All-American by both the Associated Press and ESPN. Though the Tigers faltered down the stretch, including a loss to Alabama, McCreary played well, earning enough praise to warrant a potential first-round selection.

In Kansas City, McCreary will likely start alongside L’Jarius Sneed and Tyrann Mathieu in a division where secondary play is critical, given the likes of Justin Herbert and Derek Carr. Another potential piece of excellence for a cheap rookie price, good for Andy Reid and Brett Veach.

Whether Aaron Rodgers sticks around or not remains to be seen. But the Packers need weapons outside of Davante Adams. With the last pick of the first round, they get one in Arkansas’ Treylon Burks. At 6’3″ 225, he boasts a big frame, one that requires attention from secondary players.

66 catches for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns, only the fourth player in program history with over 1000 yards receiving in a single season in Razorback history. Though he will skip the Outback Bowl, Burks has proven to be a solid player and deemed a first-round pick, though he goes near the end of the round.

Ultimately, Green Bay knows that if/when Rodgers leaves, the draft is most likely where they will find their next stars. Most of their team has been drafted and developed by the organization, and Burks will be the next one to do so while keeping the franchise competitive in the years to come.