2022 NFL Mock Draft: First round shaken up with blockbuster trade prediction
By Randy Gurzi
Oregon. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 10. EDGE. Kayvon Thibodeaux. 3. player
3. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
When the Houston Texans were at their best, they had one of the best defensive ends in the game. With J.J. Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, as the leader of the franchise, they were heading to the playoffs with guys such as Brock Osweiler running the offense.
Now, they’re in the midst of a major rebuild as they’re turning the team over to Lovie Smith and will again roll out Davis Mills as their starting quarterback. In an effort to start rebuilding their roster, they add the top prospect on the board here as they bring in Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux.
He will have a long way to go in order to be compared to Watt, but having a potentially elite edge rusher leading the defense is a great first step.
player. Pick Analysis. Notre Dame. Kyle Hamilton. 30. Scouting Report. S. 4
4. New York Jets: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The New York Jets have two picks in Round 1 for the second season in a row. After going with Zach Wilson and Alijah Vera-Tucker in 2021, they now start to rebuild the defense as they bring in Kyle Hamilton from Notre Dame with the No. 4 pick.
It’s not often a safety goes this high but Hamilton is no ordinary safety. He’s an elite playmaker who can line up all over the defense and makes the entire secondary better.