The 2022 NFL offseason is officially upon us, which means it’s time for another 2022 NFL mock draft scenario, this one with some big trades.
The 2022 NFL offseason is officially here for all 32 NFL teams. The Los Angeles Rams are Super Bowl champions and the rest of the league is playing catch-up.
There could be some crazy quarterback movement in the 2022 offseason, but that remains to be seen. Until that movement happens (or doesn’t, for that matter), we get to have some fun looking through different scenarios.
This 2022 NFL mock draft scenario is going to include some big projected trades, namely the Denver Broncos sending a package to the Green Bay Packers for Aaron Rodgers and the Washington Commanders sending a package to the Las Vegas Raiders for Derek Carr.
Buckle in for this scenario.
2022 NFL mock draft featuring some big-time QB trades
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
Ever since Dane Brugler of The Athletic proposed this idea, it’s sort of been catching fire. Brugler is very plugged in with people around the NFL and people in charge of making some of these selections, so he’s not just throwing Ekwonu’s name out there to get clicks.
There’s a legitimate chance the Jaguars could settle on Ekwonu as their top choice in this draft.
I think the popular alternative here is obviously Evan Neal, but I have yet to look at a 2022 NFL mock draft scenario with Ekwonu on top, so that’s what we’re doing today.
Although this pick has some serious Eric Fisher in 2013 vibes to it, the Jaguars need to do whatever they possibly can to protect Trevor Lawrence and surround him with the appropriate talent.
Ekwonu would be a day one starter for them.
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
I’m sure Detroit Lions fans have been having a ton of fun with 2022 NFL mock draft scenarios lately.
Aidan Hutchinson again, eh?
Surprise, surprise!
If Hutchinson doesn’t go first overall — which he very well could — it’s just really hard to see a scenario where the Detroit Lions would pass on him.
He fits an obvious and pressing need for this team off the edge. He’s already going to be beloved by the majority of the fan base. What he lacks in flash he makes up for in production.
He seems like exactly the type of player this rebuilding Detroit Lions team needs, a true star on the defensive side of the ball who can make the players around him better.
It had to be tough for Detroit fans watching Matthew Stafford hoist the Lombardi trophy in just his first season with the Los Angeles Rams. Stafford had spent his entire career in Detroit before he and the Lions decided to mutually part ways in 2021, and that move turned out to be a decision that will likely reshape Stafford’s ultimate legacy in the NFL.
Lions fans hoped back in 2009 that Stafford could help their franchise get to that spot, but now they are simply left with the reality that they have to endure yet another long-term rebuilding project.
2022 NFL mock draft picks 3-4
3. Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The Houston Texans are moving forward with Lovie Smith as their head coach, and Pep Hamilton is coming back in 2022 but as offensive coordinator.
Everything that has happened so far in the 2022 offseason is good news for young Davis Mills, who may not have posted incredible stats in 2021 as a rookie but he certainly passed the eye test and looks like someone that the Texans might be able to build around.
With that in mind, adding along the offensive line is a great idea for Houston in a draft class that is absolutely loaded up front.
Evan Neal could easily go first overall but if he’s on the board at 3, the Texans could draft him as an eventual replacement to Laremy Tunsil but he’s also played on the right side at Alabama as well as at left guard.
4. New York Jets: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Ultimately, this was a pretty tough call for the Jets. I debated between Thibodeaux, Derek Stingley Jr., Kyle Hamilton, and even offensive tackle Charles Cross.
There are so many directions the Jets could go especially since they have another pick coming up again soon, but ultimately, I went with the risk-reward option of Kayvon Thibodeaux here, keeping all options on the table with the Jets’ second first-round pick.
Thibodeaux needs a situation in the NFL where the coaching staff is going to help get the most out of him, and Robert Saleh can help do exactly that.
2022 NFL mock draft: Picks 5-6
5. New York Giants: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Unless the Giants make a blockbuster trade for a quarterback, it seems like year one of the Brian Daboll era is going to be spent with Daniel Jones on the final year of his rookie deal.
Luckily for Jones, Daboll got the job with the Giants because he worked some serious magic with Josh Allen.
If the Giants are going to get the best out of Jones, they need to upgrade the offensive line and they need to stay healthy. Charles Cross accomplishes at least one part of that.
Cross is an outstanding athlete who can pass protect with the best of them, but he’s not quite the sum of his parts yet as a prospect. The Giants may need to reshuffle the line a bit with Andrew Thomas possibly transitioning to right guard in this case, but either way, this is an upgrade to an offensive line that desperately needs it.
6. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The Carolina Panthers can’t afford to go into the 2022 season with Sam Darnold as their QB1.
They have to make a move, and in this 2022 NFL mock draft scenario, Kenny Pickett is the move.
Matt Rhule is familiar with Pickett dating back to the former Pitt quarterback’s high school days. Pickett may not have ideal NFL hand size (in fact, his hands may be historically small) but he showed arguably the most improvement of any draft-eligible quarterback this past season and has all of the other tools to be an effective starter early on.
7. New York Giants (via CHI): Travon Walker, DL/EDGE, Georgia
The New York Giants need help off the edge and this is a great draft class for that.
Assuming the Giants don’t trade either of their top two selections in this draft for help at the quarterback position, their more pressing needs outside of that particular position fall pretty well in line with the strength of this draft class.
Draft experts seem to be fairly all over the board on where Walker will land, but he is a top-10 talent and with his combination of versatility, athleticism, and upside, it’s not hard to see him rising to this point.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
For the majority of 2022 NFL mock draft scenarios, you’ll see the Atlanta Falcons going with an edge rusher so I’m going to change it up a little bit here.
Although it’s gone fairly underrated by the masses, Falcons cornerback AJ Terrell has been a tremendous pick for them after being considered by many to be a reach a couple of years ago in the middle of the first round.
With how well he has developed to this point, the Falcons would be wise to invest in someone on the opposite side of the field that can take advantage of those targets and Derek Stingley Jr., even coming off of injury, could be the unquestioned CB1 of this class.
Edge might be a more pressing need, but Stingley is far and away the best player on the board for the Falcons here.
9. Green Bay Packers (projected trade with Broncos): Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
In this mock draft scenario, we’re getting crazy and predicting an Aaron Rodgers trade. It’s hard to know exactly what the framework would look like, of course, but in the end, I can see the Packers coming away with three first-round picks, multiple day two picks, and a player like wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
For the purposes of this mock draft post, I’m predicting they at least get Jeudy as a proven player in return for Rodgers (along with the bounty of picks), and the Broncos get the four-time MVP.
To be clear, Rodgers would have to force this trade and the Packers wouldn’t take that deal, at least not in my opinion, if Rodgers wanted to stick around, obviously.
We’re here to look at scenarios.
For the Packers, a safety with the first pick of the Aaron Rodgers haul may not be the one to tip the scales, but Kyle Hamilton is a rare breed of playmaker on defense.
Not only can he play a deep free safety role, but Hamilton can also play in the box, he can play in the slot, and he flies around the field.
This guy makes it feel like your defense has 12 players on the field at all times.
With Adrian Amos in the final year of his contract, Hamilton would perhaps be a weapon that floats around the defense in Green Bay in year one before taking on a full-time role on the back end in year two.
10. New York Jets (via SEA): Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
With their first pick in this mock draft, I almost took Derek Stingley Jr. for the New York Jets.
This is a team that hired a defensive-minded head coach in Robert Saleh, and then went out and (wisely) invested a ton of NFL Draft assets on offense in his first year as captain of the ship.
As much as the Jets emphasized offense in 2021, they might need to do the same defensively in 2022. Ahmad Gardner has a reputation of being a shut-down type of cornerback and joining him up with the talent the Jets are assembling on the defensive front could lead to a lot of opportunities to make plays on the ball.
11. Las Vegas Raiders (projected trade with Commanders): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Washington Commanders need a new quarterback STAT. This defense is ready-made for a playoff run.
The Commanders have an absolute stud WR1 with Terry McLaurin. If they can swing a trade for Derek Carr, I think this team is going to seriously be in business.
The going rate for Carr would be — at least — a first-round pick in 2022 and probably quite a bit more. Not to mention, Carr is going to be asking for $40 million per year on his next contract.
Although this kind of acquisition might give off some Alex Smith vibes, Carr has proven he can not only endure in difficult circumstances in the AFC West, but he has been a difference-maker in some key wins against the Chiefs and Chargers.
For Las Vegas, this would pave the way for a hypothetical trade for Jimmy Garoppolo to reunite with Josh McDaniels in the AFC West. Trading for Garoppolo might be a means to a 2023 NFL Draft end, but in this scenario the Raiders get Devin Lloyd, one of the top playmakers on defense in all of college football.
Lloyd is an absolute stud with size, range, athleticism, and instincts. He would be a great fit in the middle of an improving Raiders derfense.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
If at first you don’t succeed, keep throwing draft capital at the position and something will eventually stick.
The saying goes something like that, right?
The Minnesota Vikings have been investing high draft choices in cornerbacks for a long time, yet they still find the position lacks a solidified starting presence. Trent McDuffie can help them with that and come in as a week one starter. He has big-time speed, big-time explosiveness, and he is aggressive on every snap.
13. Cleveland Browns: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Keeping a local flavor for this pick with the Browns, who get arguably the WR1 of this class.
Garrett Wilson is an absolute monster at the catch point and there were so many impressive plays from him with the Buckeyes using his leaping ability and strong hands to pluck the ball out of the air where it seemed at times like there wasn’t even a play to be made.
He creates separation as a route runner, he creates separation at the catch point, and he has a knack for making big plays in the open field.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa
Although he played center at Iowa, I think Linderbaum projects to the NFL at any of the interior offensive line positions.
This guy is an athletic and physical specimen with the ability to get out in space, make blocks 30 or 40 yards downfield if you need him to, and he’s as smart as they come.
The Ravens always seem to find a way to draft decade-long starters annually, and Linderbaum is that type of guy. He may be one of the best and safest players in the entire 2022 NFL Draft class.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Although the Eagles just spent a first-round pick on another former SEC wide receiver — DeVonta Smith — they take another one here.
One of my favorite mock draft picks right now is Burks to the Eagles because of the type of weapon he can be for their offense.
The NFL is a copycat league and teams are going to be trying to find the “next” Deebo Samuel. I think Burks is that guy. He’s got outstanding size and bulk for the wide receiver position, tremendous body control, and he’s already done plenty of work taking the ball out of the backfield in addition to his wide receiver duties.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND): David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
The EDGE class in 2022 is ridiculously good, and getting Ojabo in the middle of the first round might look like theft sooner rather than later.
Although his game is not as refined as Aidan Hutchinson right now, the tools and traits are more abundant with Ojabo, and thus many like his ceiling even more at the next level than his Wolverine teammate.
The Eagles take unicorn athletes at two very critical positions in today’s NFL with back-to-back picks.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
The Los Angeles Chargers need an edge rusher that can properly complement Joey Bosa.
For a couple of years at least, that guy was Melvin Ingram, who was outstanding for the Chiefs this past season.
Now, the Chargers have to move forward and while it was painful to not take a right tackle here after what we saw in the Chargers’ final game of the 2021 season, Johnson would be a great pick.
He took major strides this past season at Florida State after transferring from Georgia, becoming one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the ACC.
18. New Orleans Saints: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Although the pendulum seems to have been swinging the opposite direction, I think the closer we get to the 2022 NFL Draft, the more we’re going to hear about NFL teams liking Sam Howell.
At least at this juncture of the first round, Howell could be a steal for a team like the New Orleans Saints.
One of the best deep-ball throwers in the class and someone who proved this past season he is a true dual-threat, Howell has some of the best production of all the quarterbacks in the class and certainly was one of the most consistent guys.
There was a time when some viewed him as the clear QB1 and possible number one pick in this class. He took a step back slightly in 2021 as a passer with so many weapons heading to the NFL, but Howell still has a big arm and has toughness and poise.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
After taking Treylon Burks and David Ojabo, this could complete something of a first-round dream scenario for the Philadelphia Eagles.
After landing two key players already, the Eagles get one of the NFL Draft community’s favorite playmakers at linebacker and someone who was just constantly flashing on a very good overall defense.
Nakobe Dean is a versatile playmaker at linebacker and someone who can come in right away, play all three downs, and be an impact player for you in coverage and as a pass rusher.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The Pittsburgh Steelers have finally reached the end of the Ben Roethlisberger era. This NFL Draft will be the final class for general manager Kevin Colbert, who has been part of the Steelers organization since 2000.
In his final draft with the team, we could see Colbert go after Liberty quarterback Malik Willis, someone the team apparently had eyes on at the 2022 Senior Bowl.
Willis has huge upside and is a dynamic talent with his big arm and athleticism, but scouts question whether he will ever become consistent enough with his decision-making to be an NFL starter. He would be going to a great environment in Pittsburgh with tremendous weapons and a very good defense backing him.
21. New England Patriots: Drake London, WR, USC
The New England Patriots spent a bunch of money in last year’s free agent signing period on defense and on the tight end position.
This offseason, they need to put a little more focus on the wide receiver position.
Drake London was hurt this past year but he’s a big play threat with his outstanding size and ability to win jump ball situations. He’s only 20 years old and with his combination of size and youth (London is 6-foot-5) he is reminiscent of Mike Evans.
22. Las Vegas Raiders: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
With their first selection in this mock draft scenario, the Raiders went with Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd. Here, they go for some big-time upside at the cornerback position to help the secondary.
The Raiders have invested in the secondary in recent years, both through free agency and the NFL Draft, and they haven’t really been able to get anything figured out.
Booth has slowly but surely been blossoming into a top-flight cornerback prospect for the next level with outstanding ball skills and quickness to break on the ball.
23. Arizona Cardinals: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Arizona Cardinals could have a longer list of needs this offseason than they would like, especially if things continue to go haywire with Kyler Murray.
With that being said, the EDGE position could need some attention if Chandler Jones is not brought back on the franchise tag or via a long-term deal.
With Jones likely coming back on the franchise tag, how can the Cardinals supplement his ability and build toward the future? George Karlaftis would be a great start.
Although Karlaftis has gotten a lot of top-10 love this year, he may lack the overall package to be a top-10 player off the edge. He will still beat you with hustle and he’s still a good athlete who gets consistent pressure over the course of a game.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
The Dallas Cowboys could be poised to lose Connor Williams in free agency at the guard position and after Dak Prescott’s 2020 injury, they simply cannot afford to risk him getting hurt again.
Whatever assets the Cowboys have to throw at the offensive line in 2022, they need to do it.
After prioritizing the defense in 2021, the Cowboys had a major turnaround on that side of the ball. The 2022 offseason should be all about fortifying Dan Quinn’s defensive unit as well as upgrading the offensive line for both the short and long term to ensure Prescott stays upright.
25. Buffalo Bills: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The Buffalo Bills don’t have a ton of pressing needs outside of the cornerback position, but the value of Jameson Williams is too good to ignore here.
Even after Williams suffered an injury in the National Championship game so his availability will be a question mark at the start of the 2022 season, but there’s no question about his talent and big-time speed.
With Emmanuel Sanders hitting free agency in 2022 as well as Cole Beasley getting older, the Bills could seamlessly add Williams to the mix whenever he is healthy to go with Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis.
26. Tennessee Titans: Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College
The Titans have a couple of key free agents on the offensive line and that is an area they need to continue to build moving forward.
In the later portion of the first round, it sounds like Johnson is going to be in high demand. With the Titans’ need for offensive line help in addition to the fact that Mike Vrabel’s son Tyler played with Johnson on the line at Boston College, I could see this fit in Tennessee to upgrade in the trenches.
Derrick Henry is the MVP of this team and drafting Johnson makes Henry’s job a little easier.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
Tom Brady retired?
Nothing is official until it’s official, right?
If Tom Brady is actually retired or leaves the Buccaneers some other way, they aren’t going to be able to just move forward with Kyle Trask, are they?
I guess they might.
If they end up heading into the NFL Draft without a veteran solution, I like the idea of Carson Strong in the Byron Leftwich/Bruce Arians offense. Strong can push the ball vertically with the best of them and even though he lacks elite mobility, he’s got pocket poise and the ability to avoid pressure to make any type of throw he needs without a “clean pocket”.
28. Green Bay Packers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Even after the projected trade for Jerry Jeudy, I like this pickup.
Even assuming the Packers franchise tag Davante Adams, they have a number of receivers and offensive weapons with expiring contracts.
Chris Olave is somewhat similar to Jerry Jeudy but I think the two of them could be interchanged from the outside receiver position to the slot.
This kind of pick would give the Packers and Jordan Love the weapons they have so desperately needed the past few years at receiver with dynamic speed, route-running ability, and the ability to create separation.
29. Miami Dolphins (from SF): Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Upgrading the offensive line is going to be non-negotiable this offseason for the Miami Dolphins.
New head coach Mike McDaniel just came over from the San Francisco 49ers where that was a huge point of emphasis with the big trade for Trent Williams a few years ago and the drafting of Mike McGlinchey in the first round.
Trevor Penning comes from a small school but he has a nasty playing style and with his combination of size, athleticism, and physicality, he could start at left or right tackle immediately.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Tyrann Mathieu is a free agent for the Chiefs in 2022, and with their salary cap situation, there’s no guarantee he will be brought back.
Daxton Hill may not have been a Heisman candidate in college like Mathieu was at LSU, but he offers similar versatility to a defense with the ability to play deep free safety, play in the box, or play the nickel role and do them all well. He’s tremendous in coverage, aggressive against the run, and a physical player with speed.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
After the Super Bowl, is there really any question about what direction the Bengals will go here?
The wide receiver argument won’t win out this time, although Ja’Marr Chase was the right pick over Penei Sewell in 2021 regardless of what happened in the Super Bowl.
After Joe Burrow suffered an injury in his rookie season and then was taken down a record number of times in the Super Bowl, the Bengals simply have to pour every asset into the offensive line.
Bernhard Raimann is going to make some noise at the Scouting Combine as a former tight end who bulked up and has become one of the top tackle prospects in a very deep class at the position.
32. Detroit Lions (from LA Rams): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
I wasn’t planning on a quarterback for the Lions in this mock draft, but this scenario was intriguing.
With Matt Corral suffering an injury this past season, his value is hard to project right now. If he does last until the late first round, this is absolutely worthy of a dart throw by the Lions.
Corral is a talented dual-threat quarterback prospect who lacks elite size but certainly makes up for with big-time throws and plays with his legs.
Ole Miss’ offense didn’t force Corral to do a lot of complicated things like he will undoubtedly have to in the NFL, but there are traits and tools here that intrigue enough that I think the Lions would potentially take this shot, because this pick wouldn’t marry them to Corral forever.