With quarterbacks potentially moving teams this offseason, the position is able to last longer than normal in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft but teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — who could be losing Tom Brady — still look for a diamond in the rough
It was another exciting weekend of football, which started with the Cincinnati Bengals shocking the world as they knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl.
After that, Matthew Stafford did just enough to take his team to the Super Bowl as well, leading the Los Angeles Rams to a three-point win over the 49ers.
While we saw some great quarterback play this postseason, the 2022 NFL Draft isn’t full of elite playmakers at the position. That’s why it takes a while to see any called as quarterbacks fall out of the top-10 in our latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Even without elite talent at the spot, some teams look for a player they can mold into a starter down the road — and one of those teams is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who could be looking to replace Tom Brady.
Jaguars get things rolling in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
There will still be calls for the Jacksonville Jaguars to go with Aidan Hutchinson, who is a worthy pick at No. 1. There will also be reason for the Jags to go with Evan Neal, the left tackle from Alabama — as they need to make sure to protect their first overall pick from 2021, Trevor Lawrence.
As true as it is Jacksonville needs to beef up their offensive line, the same can be said about pretty much every position on the roster. Teams don’t possess the No. 1 overall pick in back-to-back seasons while boasting a roster that just needs one more player to be competitive. That’s the case here as this team needs help wherever they can get it.
That’s why they snatch up Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux here. It might feel like a stretch for them to go with an EDGE player since they took Josh Allen in 2019 and K’Lavon Chaisson in 2020 but their defense is still a mess and adding a game-changer such as Thibodeaux could be a huge help in fixing that problem.
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
There was no shortage of opinions when Dan Campbell was hired as the head coach of the Detroit Lions. Campbell had some impressive experience working with Sean Payton as the assistant head coach and tight ends coach from 2016 through 2020 with the New Orleans Saints.
But if you thought he would be a carbon copy of Payton, you were mistaken. Campbell came in and had some very quotable lines during his first press conference, some of which led to plenty of jokes. Then again, it’s hard not to start laughing some when a head coach says he wants his players to bite knee caps.
Campbell came across as an old-school coach but what mattered most was that his team seemed to buy into what he was selling. The Lions were a terrible roster and they finished 3-13-1. However, they took several teams down to the wire which gives them some hope that they can be better in 2022.
The first step toward making that happen will be fixing this roster. Like the aforementioned Jaguars, Detroit can take someone from just about any position since they have needs everywhere. That means they can go with their best player available and it’s likely Aidan Hutchinson enters the draft as the top guy on their board.
Hutchinson returned for one more season despite being a highly sought-after prospect in 2020. Doing so shot him up the boards and he fits Campbell’s defense perfectly.
3. Houston Texans: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The Houston Texans could end up with several extra picks in the 2022 NFL Draft should they trade Deshaun Watson away. They’re still reportedly asking for a bounty for their former starting quarterback even though his off-field issues are still not resolved. And there are also still some teams interested in landing him.
Perhaps they do trade him and if so, they could land a quarterback to try and replace Watson. Until that happens, they can’t afford to gamble on a signal-caller and each of the prospects in this class are considered gambles.
With only one chance in this mock, they go for one of the better all-around talents in Kyle Hamilton. The Notre Dame safety was a chess piece for the Irish and should continue to be so in the NFL. He can play in deep coverage, in the slot, and can also attack the line of scrimmage.
As for the quarterback spot, the Texans could roll with Davis Mills for another season. He played in 13 games with 11 starts and completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,664 yards with 16 touchdowns against 10 picks. He was just 2-9 as the starter but with a better defense, that could improve. Hamilton helps in that regard, and we’ll have to wait to see if it’s enough.
4. New York Jets: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
Up next is the New York Jets who finished with a record of 4-13 on the season. It was a rough year for rookie head coach Robert Saleh but he knew when he took the job a rebuild was in order.
They started to work toward rebuilding their roster as they had two picks in Round 1 last season which they used to land quarterback Zach Wilson from BYU and offensive tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker from USC. Wilson has some serious growing pains as a rookie but showed some signs of progress as the season went on.
New York also started to see some growth from Elijah Moore as the year went on. Pairing him with Corey Davis should give them a formidable duo and their focus on the offense in 2021 should mean they can try and rebuild the defense for Saleh.
That’s their goal here as they use the No. 4 overall pick in this mock on Derek Stingley from LSU. The top cornerback in this class, Stingley should help them slow down the opposing passing game and in a division with Stefon Diggs, Jaylon Waddle, and Gabriel Davis, this is going to be a very important addition.
5. New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The New York Giants have their man. Again.
It’s been a two-year revolving door as of late as the Giants have not been able to find the right fit since moving on from Tom Coughlin in 2015. The two-time Super Bowl winner was replaced with Ben McAdoo who was there for just 2016 and 2017 — although he didn’t even get to finish 2017 and was replaced by interim Steve Spagnuolo.
Next was Pat Shurmur who also lasted two seasons, going 9-23 in 2018 and 2019. The latest
victim
coach was Joe Judge who had a nearly identical record to Shurmur, going 10-23 in two years — only getting one more win thanks to having a 17th game this past season.
Now, they turn to Brian Daboll who was recently the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. Daboll should probably look for a new quarterback but for some reason, reports suggest he loves Daniel Jones.
If he really is going to go with Jones, he will have to surround him with a ton of talent, and that includes fixing the offensive line. They do that with the addition of Evan Neal from Alabama at No. 5.
The 6-foot-7, 345-pound Neal is a monster who can play on the left side but as long as Andrew Thomas keeps performing well, he could move to the right side. However they line them up, this would give the Giants an elite starting tackle duo — now, they just have to fix the rest of the offense. And defense. If they do, Daboll might make it beyond two years.
6. Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
In an offseason where several underperforming coaches were let go, Matt Rhule was able to stay alive. It’s a bit surprising considering he was given a massive contract ahead of 2020 and is just 10-23 in two seasons. There were also rumors that the owner of the team was embarrassed by the deal he gave to Rhule — and he really should be since he was bidding against the Giants who have been terrible at picking coaches in recent seasons.
Still, they elected to give Rhule one more season and like many of the teams in the top-10, there’s a lot of room for improvement in Carolina. They need to figure out who will play under center as Sam Darnold faded out fast following a quick start and Cam Newton’s return to glory lasted just one game.
There will be options out there and chances remain high that Rhule will want a veteran rather than a rookie. Whoever it is they go with, not many quarterbacks will have success with the offensive line the Panthers currently employ.
This is why they use their first pick in 2022 on North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound Ekwonu has played left tackle and guard but would be best served at tackle for the Panthers — who need help there in the worst way.
7. New York Giants (via Chicago Bears): Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
It might have felt like overkill to some to see the New York Giants take Evan Neal at No. 5 when Andrew Thomas has been playing well at left tackle as of late but they were able to land the best player on the board and ensure they have two potential All-Pro starters at tackle on the offensive line.
They also felt they could do this since they were going to be right back on the clock at No. 7 with the Chicago Bears selection. This was the pick the Bears gave to the Giants during the 2021 NFL Draft as they moved up for Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
New York made out well as they end up with a top-10 selection and they decide to use this pick on one of Fields’ former teammates as they bring in Garrett Wilson. The first wideout coming off the board in this mock, Wilson is an elite playmaker who can run past defenses.
In 2021, the Giants tried to fix their receiver corps as they drafted Kadarius Toney and signed Kenny Golladay in free agency. Neither impressed as Toney had 420 yards on 39 receptions and Golladay had 521 on 37. Neither recorded a touchdown which was shocking.
That’s why they still go after Wilson despite all the capital they used on the spot last year. If Wilson can’t fix the problem, then New York might finally have to admit Dave Gettleman’s bagel guy wasn’t right about Daniel Jones.
8. Atlanta Falcons: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
This coming offseason is going to be interesting for the Atlanta Falcons. They brought in Arthur Smith last year to serve as head coach and then they traded one of their biggest stars to his old team. Julio Jones was dealt to the Tennessee Titans as there was a huge change on their offense.
Calvin Ridley was supposed to be the new No. 1 wideout but he ended up taking time off to get his mental well-being taken care of. That meant rookie tight end Kyle Pitts was the focal point of their aerial attack. They also featured Cordarrelle Patterson, who shifted to running back this season for Atlanta.
Now, it looks as though they could be moving on from Ridley as there are reports that both sides want a fresh start. If this does happen, there will be a temptation to go for a wideout here —and if they did, it would be hard to criticize them. But with this class being deep at the position, they decide to address another need and elect to go for that spot later.
Their selection ends up being George Karlaftis from Purdue who is probably the top power rusher in the class. He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 275-pounds and has an incredible motor. He’s been solid for the Boilermakers and could be an even better pro than he was a collegiate player.
9. Denver Broncos: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
There’s a chance the Denver Broncos go after a quarterback here at pick No. 9 but they also have had some bad luck in recent years when it comes to drafting signal-callers. They took Paxton Lynch in Round 1 back in 2016 and took Drew Lock in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Neither ended up being what the Broncos expected and while Lock is still on the roster, their hopes that he will become the No. 1 guy seem to have faded. With their issues scouting quarterbacks, they’re more likely to go after a player in free agency, and with their new head coach Nathaniel Hackett in town, there’s a shot they could go after Aaron Rodgers who has been unhappy with the Green Bay Packers.
All of that being said, the Broncos go in a different direction here as they tab David Ojabo as their first-round pick. Ojabo, a redshirt sophomore, is listed at 6-foot-5 and 250-pounds and burst onto the scene this season for Michigan. He entered the season with just one tackle to his name but then recorded 35 tackles and 11 sacks this season.
Denver traded away Von Miller during the 2021 season, saying goodbye to one of the best pass-rushers they’ve ever had. While Ojabo would really have to develop a lot to become close to the player Miller was, they can at least add a younger player to replace him — who is capable of getting after the opposing quarterback.
10. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): DeMarvin Leal, EDGE, Texas A&M
They landed one of the best defensive backs with their first pick in this mock and now the New York Jets are back on the clock at No. 10. This is the second day one pick they obtained from the Seattle Seahawks for Jamal Adams and it’s safe to say New York won this bet.
No one expected this to be a top-10 pick but after a rough season for Seattle, the Jets get themselves a shot at a premium player as they take DeMarvin Leal from Texas A&M.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 290-pounds, Leal is built like a defensive tackle but moves like a defensive end. That flexibility is what Keith Sanchez of The Draft Network really liked when studying the Aggies defender.
"“At Texas A&M, Leal aligned at every position along the defensive line. His natural strength and power made him a dominant player at the IDL position. He is also athletic enough to give good pass-rush reps when lined up as an edge defender. Leal has rare athleticism and power that allows him to play all over the field and be an effective player.” — Sanchez, The Draft Network"
Robert Saleh has had success with similar defensive linemen while working as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and adding Leal helps him begin to build a similar line in New York.
First quarterback comes off the board in 2022 NFL Mock Draft
11. Washington Football Team: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
It took until the 11th pick in this mock but a quarterback finally comes off the board as the Washington Football Team — who will have a name in mere hours now — takes Ole Miss signal-caller Matt Corral.
This class isn’t full of any elite talent and it’s hard to say any of the quarterbacks in the draft will be guaranteed starters. But some teams still need to take a chance and Washington is one of them. Taylor Heinicke has done better than many expected but he’s not the answer long-term.
Heinicke is still good enough to start at the beginning of 2022 if they don’t think a rookie is ready, but they have to start grooming someone. Corral could be the best option for them as he offers strong leadership, an accurate arm, and can move the ball with his legs as well — something that really helps when an offense struggles as much as WFT’s does.
While no one should be faulted for sitting out bowl games to protect their health, Corral was praised when he did suit up for his team’s final game. And then, he also showed why some players are hesitant to do so when he suffered an injury during the contest.
Thankfully, it wasn’t anything serious and he should be ready to roll when the season begins.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
One quarterback is followed by another. The Minnesota Vikings have quite the dilemma on their hands entering the 2022 season. Kirk Cousins is scheduled to count $45 million against the salary cap and they’re estimated by OverTheCap.com to be $14.5 million above the limit.
Chances are, unless new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is high on Cousins, he’s going to be moved. And while he’s been a good quarterback for them, this would probably be the right decision since Cousins has been unable to put them over the top and he’s not exactly young anymore at 33-years of age (and he will be 34 when the season kicks off).
With all that being said, the Vikings do have Kellen Mond under contract but we don’t know yet if he’s ready. For that reason, they add more talent to the room with Kenny Pickett from Pitt.
Pickett was a fifth-year senior and took off in 2021 with 4,319 yards and a 42-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. As impressive as he was this past year, there will be concerns since he was really a one-year wonder who never threw more than 13 touchdowns in a season before his breakout campaign.
Having said that, he still showed off everything a team looks for in a quarterback during his final season and it should be enough to get him selected in Round 1. Whether or not he becomes a starter at the next level, however, will be up to him.
13. Cleveland Browns: Drake London, WR, USC
It was hard to watch the Cleveland Browns play this season and not see their desperate need for help at wide receiver. Their top player at the position was Jarvis Landry who caught 52 passes for 570 yards and two touchdowns. Donovan Peoples-Jones topped him in yardage with 597 but had just 34 receptions and three touchdowns.
There were clearly other issues including a rough performance all season from quarterback Baker Mayfield but the wideouts didn’t stretch the field or offer much help when the offense was struggling. They had hoped Odell Beckham, Jr. would help in that regard but he forced his way out just after the trade deadline.
With all that being said, Cleveland has to go into the offseason with the goal of revamping the receiving corps and should add a player both in the draft and free agency. Here, they take care of the draft portion by bringing in Drake London from USC.
London offers the size (6-foot-5) and speed that this corps lacks currently. He suffered a broken ankle that limited him to eight games but he still topped 1,000-yards for the Trojans.
He also has a basketball background, playing on the USC hoops team as well. That talent was on display when he was out there leaping over defenders to pull in receptions. There will be several options for Cleveland to consider but London feels like the best fit on this roster and can provide an instant spark.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
One of the shocks during this past season was the Baltimore Ravens 8-9 finish. One of the consistently great teams in the league, Baltimore struggled all season but it wasn’t due to talent. Instead, their problem came down to health.
Before the season even began, they lost running back J.K. Dobbins to a torn ACL. He was joined on the injured reserve by fellow running backs Gus Edwards, who also tore his ACL, and Justice Hill who suffered a torn Achilles.
Their issues didn’t stop there as cornerback Marcus Peters also tore his ACL while offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley missed much of the season recovering from an injury suffered last season. As if that wasn’t enough, they even lost Lamar Jackson during the season as their former MVP quarterback was dealing with an ankle injury.
A return to health for their starters should be enough to put them back in contention in the AFC North — but that doesn’t mean they can’t add more help to improve this coming season. They do that with the selection of Kenyon Green from Texas A&M at No. 14.
Baltimore had issues on the offensive line this season and adding Green should help them rebuild this unit.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami Dolphins): Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
The Philadelphia Eagles will be the team we hear from more than any other in the opening round of the 2022 NFL Draft. They own back-to-back picks at No. 15 and No. 16 — both added through trades. No. 15 was picked up when they moved down in the previous draft with the Miami Dolphins and No. 16 was courtesy of the Indianapolis Colts who took Carson Wentz off the Eagles’ hands.
They’ll be back with their own selection at No. 19 but for now, we start with their first choice which they use on Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean. A sideline-to-sideline playmaker, Dean recorded 143 tackles over the past two seasons for the Bulldogs ‚— and in 2021, he added six sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
He also became a household name during Georgia’s title run as he stood out as one of the better defenders on the best defense in the nation.
While the Eagles had a solid run defense last year, they were still just middle of the pack overall. Adding a player such as Dean will help improve that and with two more picks coming up shortly, this franchise could be heading in the right direction quicker than expected.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis Colts): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
In 2021, the Philadelphia Eagles were the No. 1 team in the NFL when it came to rushing, putting up 2,715 yards. They also held their own on defense against the run, finishing ninth in the NFL with 1,834 yards surrendered.
Head coach Nick Sirianni made it clear he wanted to be a pass-first team but the Eagles were anything but. Considering their strong run in the second half of the season, which landed them in the playoffs was aided by the run, he also has to agree it’s still an important aspect in the league today.
Teams that can run control the clock and can close out games. Teams that can stop the run can dictate the pace as well. That’s why the Eagles use their second pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft on Jordan Davis — also from Georgia like Nakobe Dean who just landed with them on the prior pick.
Davis is a massive nose tackle at 6-foot-6 and 340-pounds. He has the ability to play three downs but has often been kept on the field for just early downs, in large part due to endurance. While the Eagles might not be getting a player who will log the most snaps, they get someone who is incredibly dangerous and can shut down the opposition’s run game.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
This season started out so promising for the Los Angeles Chargers. They were one of the hottest teams in the AFC and looked to have a real shot at winning the AFC West — especially with the Kansas City Chiefs off to a slow start.
But then, the Chiefs got rolling as the Chargers started to fall back. They also had to contend with the Las Vegas Raiders who were quickly improving after Jon Gruden left. They had losses in three of their final four games including the overtime defeat at the hands of the Raiders — when all they needed was a tie for both teams to make it to the playoffs.
Vegas avoided that tie with a last-second field goal and the Chargers offseason began. Looking forward, they need to make sure they do all they can to retain Mike Williams who has been flourishing with Justin Herbert. They also need to make sure to add more talent on the defensive side of the ball, and given Brandon Staley’s background, that’s surely going to be one of their top priorities.
Here, they improve their pass defense as they bring in Andrew Booth, Jr. from Clemson to play cornerback. Putting him and Asante Samuel, Jr. on the same roster should give them a lot more confidence as they go out to play some high-powered offenses in the AFC.
18. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The New Orleans Saints got some shocking news recently when Sean Payton elected to call it a career. While he admitted he could eventually return, the long-time head coach decided to step away and the Saints will be going through another major change just one year after they saw quarterback Drew Brees retire.
One of their biggest issues is going to be figuring out the cap space. They’re once again in the hole in a huge way and while Mickey Loomis has always been good about moving money around, it feels inevitable that they’re going to have a disastrous season eventually as they bite the bullet and eat some of their dead money — which they have been continually kicking down the road hoping for one more run with Payton.
As for their roster, they could go in a couple of directions but the one that makes the most sense is probably wide receiver. With Michael Thomas dealing with one injury after another as of late, adding another player who can take some pressure off of him and step up while he’s out will be essential.
That player could be Chris Olave who was a stand-out at Ohio State. He’s a smooth route runner who benefited from playing one more year with the Buckeyes. In the NFL, he will also benefit on a team such as the Saints where he won’t be asked to carry the load by himself and can work his way into a role at the next level.
Eagles get their version of Deebo Samuel in 2022 NFL mock draft
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
After taking two defensive players at No. 15 and No. 16, the Philadelphia Eagles are back on the clock at No. 19. This time, they turn their attention to the offense as they snatch up Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks.
This will be the third time in as many seasons that Philly takes a wideout but Burks brings something to them that they don’t have at receiver — a massive target who can win 50-50 balls and break tackles. According to Keith Sanchez of The Draft Network, these are areas where the former Razorback shines.
"“When he has the ball in his hands, Burks is a tough tackle for defenders. Burks uses his big frame to power through arm tackles and is rarely brought down by the first defender. Burks also uses his big frame to shield defenders away from the ball and on in-breaking routes. Burke’s most dynamic trait is his natural ability to go up and over defenders to win 50/50 balls. He thrives at contested catches because he has an in-depth understanding of body positioning.” ‚— Sanchez, The Draft Network"
Philly should be prepared to admit Jalen Reagor wasn’t a great pick in Round 1 back in 2020 but their 2021 selection of DeVonta Smith looks to be a legit move. Now adding a big-bodied wideout who moves like a running back after catching the ball should be what this offense needs to take their next step.
Steelers replace Ben Roethlisberger in 2022 NFL mock draft
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Back in 2004, the Pittsburgh Steelers took a quarterback out of Miami (OH) by the name of Ben Roethlisberger. He wound up being their starter until this offseason and finished with a career record of 165-81-1 in the regular season and 13-10 in the postseason. He also won two Super Bowls for the Steelers during his impressive career.
Now with Big Ben calling it a career, the Steelers are going to have to figure out what to do under center. They have Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins but neither has done a great job when given a chance. Rudolph has been the better of the two but he doesn’t exude leadership — which is a major trait that’s needed in that position.
In an effort to make sure they don’t leave any stone unturned, the Steelers use their pick in Round 1 on a new quarterback, bringing in Malik Willis from Liberty. A dual-threat player, Willis has an insanely high ceiling but there’s going to need to be some patience with him at the next level.
The Steelers have proven they have a smart enough coaching staff to get the best out of everyone and Willis will be no exception. For Willis, it’s also a good fit since he will have a lot of talent around him to keep him from feeling as though he has to do it all alone.
Patriots add some “Sauce” in 2022 NFL mock draft
21. New England Patriots: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Year after year, the New England Patriots have one of the better defenses in the league and that was the case again in 2021. There was a lot of credit given to Mac Jones who led them back to the playoffs this season as a rookie but the young quarterback was successful largely due to the defense keeping them in games.
With Jones not being asked to carry the load, the offense was able to just play smart football and it led to a lot of wins. And while the Buffalo Bills knocked them out of the playoffs and claimed the dynasty was over, they weren’t taking into account that this roster is just getting started.
Here, they continue to build their defense up as they take Ahmad Gardner from Cincinnati. Adding another cornerback could lead to them moving on from J.K. Jackson who has been a superstar for them. But the Pats have shown in the past that they are willing to let the big-name cornerbacks head out in free agency and they simply bring in their next guy who plays just as well.
Even if they keep Jackson, this move would make sense as they could build a dominant secondary that can keep up with the Bills receivers as they try to get back into the top seat in the NFC East.
Raiders get much-needed secondary help in 2022 NFL mock draft
22. Las Vegas Raiders: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
It looks as though Josh McDaniels is going to be back in the AFC West. Maybe.
There was already one team in the AFC West that he completely destroyed when he was the head coach of the Denver Broncos back in 2009 and 2010 when he was 11-17 and found himself fired following a 3-9 start in year two.
Then back in 2018, the Indianapolis Colts decided it was a good idea to hire the volatile McDaniels and he even brought in some assistants. Then a day or so before he was set to be introduced, he decided he wanted to go back to the Patriots.
So, maybe the Las Vegas Raiders got McDaniels but until he’s actually there coaching, it’s not a done deal. And even when he is, there’s no telling how this thing will go.
There will also be a question about how much control he has in the draft room. He was integral in Denver drafting Tim Tebow which was a mistake. Will he step in there and make a crazy move, or will he trust the people helping him?
If he does put faith in their fellow executives they should end up adding a player such as Kaiir Elam who could help them replace Damon Arnette.
Cardinals snag versatile DL in 2022 NFL mock draft
23. Arizona Cardinals: Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
One of the surprise teams in 2021 was the Arizona Cardinals who were the final unbeaten team in the NFL this season. They ended up struggling in the second half, however, and then found themselves one-and-done in the postseason.
Even so, they’re trending in the right direction and should be a team to watch going forward — especially if they can continue to add talent to their roster. They’re able to work toward that goal here as they land Cameron Thomas from San Diego State at pick No. 23.
Thomas plays a position of need, which could be an even bigger sore spot for the Cards in 2022 if they’re unable to retain Chandler Jones. The veteran pass rusher was a monster out of the gates for Arizona but before the season, he expressed a desire to play elsewhere. Perhaps things were smoothed over but if not, he’s a free agent and could decide to play elsewhere.
Of course, even if they do get him to return, this pick would still make sense. Jones is on the wrong side of 30 as is J.J. Watt, meaning they definitely need a younger player to start building their front-seven around.
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Thomas could be exactly that. He took a huge step forward as a player this season, wracking up 10.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for a loss.
Cowboys steal the best interior lineman in 2022 NFL mock draft
24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
There was a lot that went wrong with the Dallas Cowboys this season. They were 12-5 and won the NFC East easily but they never looked like a team that was going to contend — especially as the season went along. Then, that was proven when they were bullied at home in the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers.
Dallas did all they could to come back and they blamed the refs when they fell short but the truth is, this team simply bought into their own hype and needs a dose of reality if they ever do want to contend in the future. They also need to fix their offensive line which was once one of the best in the game but is now a complete mess.
Their biggest holes are in the middle of the line where left guard Connor Williams became a flag magnet and center Tyler Biadasz struggled with the power rush. That’s why they use their top pick in this draft on Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum who is the best center in this class.
Linderbaum should start from day one and his intelligence and ability to make line adjustments will go a long way toward helping the rest of the unit improve. It’s not a flashy pick, but it can vastly improve the offense.
Bills add more talent to secondary in 2022 NFL mock draft
25. Buffalo Bills: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
The Buffalo Bills were just 13 seconds away from another AFC Championship Game before the unthinkable happened. They elected not to run time down with a squib kick, then played prevent defense which allowed Patrick Mahomes to get the ball in field goal range and force overtime.
From there, the Chiefs won and while everyone wanted to blame the overtime rules, Buffalo should have never been in an extra period. They understand this and their players have said as much, and they’re going to be hungry in 2022 to get back in the mix.
One thing that could help them in that regard would be to strengthen the secondary. With Tre’Davious White out injured, there was no one else that could step up and slow down the Kansas City receivers. Here, they land Roger McCreary who could be a decent No. 1 cornerback but playing as the second option across from White would be an even better role for him early in his career.
McCreary has solid size at 6-foot-0 and 190-pounds and had 135 tackles, six picks, and 30 pass defenses in his career at Auburn. He’s one of the top prospects at his position and could be a steal this late in the first round.
Titans get help in the trenches in 2022 NFL mock draft
26. Tennessee Titans: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Tennessee Titans need help on their offensive line and they get that with the selection of Charles Cross from Mississippi State. Cross, who could stand to add more mass to his frame, is an athletic player who has been able to hold his own for years with the Bulldogs.
That athleticism is what stood out to Jordan Pun of Fan Nation who said he also plays with an incredibly high awareness.
"“Additionally, he shows great balance and core strength to hold his ground and redirect rushers. Furthermore, he possesses the lateral mobility to mirror pass rusher’s best moves. Athleticism isn’t everything though and playing in Mike Leach’s pass-happy Air Raid scheme has offered countless opportunities for Cross to refine his craft. He displays advanced timing of his strike and knows how to bait defender’s hands and punish them for it. He even has the awareness to pick up stunts, loops and blitzes like a seasoned veteran.”"
Cross is also praised for his high football IQ, which will help him at the next level. As for his fit with Tennessee, they need a right tackle more than a left but both positions are just as important and Cross should be able to play either.
Buccaneers replace Tom Brady with sleeper QB in 2022 NFL mock draft
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
The big story surrounding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this weekend revolves around quarterback Tom Brady. He came over from the New England Patriots last year and led them to a Super Bowl win — in front of their home crowd. This year, however, they were unable to repeat, and then before the Conference Championship Games kicked off, there was a report Brady was calling it a career.
But then, there was another report that this report might have been premature. With his future in the air, the Bucs’ moves this offseason won’t be clear. If Brady leaves, they could go after another quarterback but if he comes back, they might be loading up for one more run.
Here, we predict that Brady will call it a career. There’s no way for us to know that the report from ESPN was accurate until Brady says so but there’s usually no smoke without fire. And even before the report, it seemed as though Brady had one foot out the door.
With him out, the Bucs will need another quarterback. They do have Kyle Trask but he really wasn’t a sure thing coming out of Florida. That’s why they decide to bring in Desmond Ridder to compete with him.
Ridder also is far from a sure-thing but Bruce Arians has done great work with quarterbacks in the past and Ridder has plenty of tools to give him hope that he can turn him into a starter.
Packers steal a top playmaker at LB in 2022 NFL mock draft
28. Green Bay Packers: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
One of the many teams with some big questions to answer this year is the Green Bay Packers. They have had a ton of success but there’s a chance both Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams could be gone in 2022.
While we can’t predict what happens there, we can try and select the best fit for them in this mock and that could be Devin Lloyd from Utah. Sure, they need offensive help but the Packers have shown recently that they want to build up their defense and trust Matt LaFleur to scheme up their offense.
Lloyd would be an instant starter for them and according to Drae Harris of The Draft Network, he went from a two-down linebacker to someone who can play in every situation while also being able to get home on the pass rush.
"“My initial assessment pegged him as a two-down linebacker, however, he has had some on-the-ball production which has solidified his ability to remain on the field in sub-package situations. In the passing game he can rush from inside or outside, and while he shows some stiffness in space, he can still get depth in his zone drop, come up, and tackle underneath. He has also proven in 2021 that he can get home in pass-rush situations from various alignments.”"
They will surely add more offensive talent in subsequent rounds but this move at least solidifies their defense which will help them not have to expect so much from that side of the ball.
Dolphins invest in Tua in 2022 NFL mock draft
29. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco 49ers): Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky
Before the 2021 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins were making all sorts of moves. Their pick in this round already went to the Philadelphia Eagles due to a trade in that draft and now, they’re finally on the clock with the pick they secured from the San Francisco 49ers in another pre-draft trade.
They didn’t expect the Niners to last as long as they did but that doesn’t mean they can’t still find a talented player — which they do as they select Darian Kinnard from Kentucky. Kinnard is a huge man at 6-foot-5 and 345-pounds and due to that size, there will be plenty of calls to move him inside to guard.
But there’s also a chance he could be a great fit as a right tackle at the next level and with Tua Tagovailoa being a left-handed quarterback, that position is very important for Miami.
Where Kinnard really stands out is with his power, which isn’t surprising given his immense size. He’s also great at the point of attack as he has no problem being the aggressor. His style of play will not only help open up the run game but his edge can be contagious — something this line could use.
Chiefs load up on more speed in 2022 NFL mock draft
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The overtime giveth and the overtime taketh. For two weeks in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs hit a field goal at the end of regulation to force overtime, and for the second week in a row, they won the coin toss to start with the ball. In the Divisional Round, they marched right down the field and scored a touchdown to win it all. However, things were different this weekend.
Patrick Mahomes nearly threw a pick-six but it was dropped by Eli Apple. Then on the next pass, Jessie Bates tipped a deep pass that was intercepted by Vonn Bell. Cincinnati then took it downfield and won it on an Evan McPherson field goal.
The loss ends a two-year run as the AFC Champions and the Chiefs also have to do some soul-searching. They still have one of the best, if not the best, quarterbacks in the game today and their defense has been improving. However, they need another game-breaker at wide receiver. This was shown when the Bengals slowed down Tyreek Hill and help them to just three points in the second half.
Kansas City lands that playmaker here as they select Jahan Dotson from Penn State. Similar in stature to Hill, Dotson stands 5-foot-11 and 184-pounds and is a big play waiting to happen. He racked up 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns this season and could make this offense unstoppable.
Detroit Lions take a risk late in 2022 NFL mock draft
31. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
An injury suffered in the final game of his collegiate career could end up hurting the draft stock of Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams. He hurt his knee during their title game against the Georgia Bulldogs and to display how tough he is, head coach Nick Saban had to force him not to re-enter the game.
Then, an MRI revealed he had a torn ACL which casts some doubt on his availability for the 2022 season. Teams often overthink this and will skip on an injured player, as if they don’t realize they can actually still have them on their roster when they return to health.
For the Detroit Lions, this ends up being a blessing for them as Williams is still on the board near the end of Round 1 in this mock — and they need a new No. 1 wide receiver in the worst way. Williams, who transferred from Ohio State to Alabama due to the depth around him with the Buckeyes ended up making the most of his chance with the Tide.
He recorded 79 receptions for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns as he asserted himself as one of the best in the class. Once he is able to suit up in Detroit, he should help everyone on their offense perform better as he attracts plenty of attention from opposing defensive backs.
Cincinnati Bengals close out 2022 NFL mock draft
32. Cincinnati Bengals: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Entering the playoffs, there was a lot of talk about how no one had ever sent a text message that the Cincinnati Bengals won a playoff game. Now, they won three in one month as they secured their first berth into the Super Bowl since 1988.
It wasn’t easy for them as they fell behind 21-3 to the Kansas City Chiefs and ended up taking a late lead 24-21. A field goal from the Chiefs sent it to overtime but the defense got the ball on a deep pick from Vonn Bell and Evan McPherson shocked the Kansas City Crowd when he split the uprights to knock off the Chiefs.
While they got the win, the Bengals did continue to show their biggest flaw — the offensive line. Yes, they were right to take Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell in the 2021 NFL Draft but they do still need to address the position this coming offseason.
They do that as they select Trevor Penning from Northern Iowa. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 321-pounds, Penning has played both left and right tackle for Northern Iowa and in the NFL he could likely do the same. There’s a belief he would be better on the right side but for Cincy, they just need bodies who can get the job done — and Penning can do that.