Malik Willis slides toward the end of Round 1 in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers replace Antonio Brown
Heading into Week 18, there are still a few teams fighting for playoff positioning but for the most part, teams that will miss out already know they will. That means they will be turning their attention to the offseason, much like we are about to do with this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
Of course, it feels as though the talk right now in the league isn’t about the draft or the upcoming playoffs. Instead, it’s all been about a couple of high-profile players — Baker Mayfield and Antonio Brown.
Brown was last seen in the NFL world when he walked off the field after taking off his jersey and ditching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Much has gone on since then, including claims from AB that he was being forced to play hurt. He’s now officially gone from Tampa Bay, but that won’t quiet the noise.
As for Mayfield, he was injured for much of the season and now there are reports he’s grown frustrated with the coaching staff — and could try and force his way off the Cleveland Browns roster. In this mock, we treat it as if he does indeed move on as the Browns find a replacement under center and Tampa Bay also replaces Brown.
Jaguars take elite EDGE atop latest 2022 NFL mock draft
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
There’s a huge temptation to take Evan Neal here and improve the Jacksonville Jaguars line but instead, they go with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. The Michigan product has been climbing up draft boards and even though Jacksonville has spent a lot of resources on pass rushers, their defense still struggles and can use a bully like him on their line.
2. Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
If Hutchinson isn’t the pick at No. 1 it would seem to be Kayvon Thibodeaux. If he is, then there’s no way the Detroit Lions won’t pounce on the opportunity to get Thibodeaux on their roster.
He’s a pure pass rusher and is athletic enough to play from a two-point stance for Detroit. He can help with their defensive rebuild as Dan Campbell continues to try and fix this team.