2022 NFL Mock Draft: First round shaken up with blockbuster trade prediction
By Randy Gurzi
2022 NFL Mock Draft trade prediction: New Orleans trades No. 16 and No. 19 to the New York Giants for No. 5 overall, future third-round pick
5. QB. Kenny Pickett. Pitt. player. 15. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
5. New Orleans Saints: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt
It seems very unlikely that the New Orleans Saints made their recent move with the Philadelphia Eagles to stay put. New Orleans now has the No. 16 and No. 19 picks as they traded their own selections at No. 18, 101, and 237 in this draft as well as a 2023 first-round pick, a 2024 second-round pick.
It would be strange to see them give up so much with no clue who will be there at 16 and 19, which is why a predicted trade happens here — and they make that deal with the New York Giants as they give up their two picks in this round to move to No. 5.
Here, they take Kenny Pickett from Pitt as they make sure their divisional rivals, the Carolina Panthers, don’t land the player who looks to be the top signal-caller in this class. The Saints did re-sign Jameis Winston but his contract isn’t large enough to keep such a move from happening and the two can compete for the starting role in 2022.
Pick Analysis. QB. 6. 87. Scouting Report. Liberty. Malik Willis. player
6. Carolina Panthers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The worst kept secret in the league this season has been the Carolina Panthers interest in Kenny Pickett, which leads to the aforementioned trade. The good news is, there will be options for Carolina as they could look to trade for Baker Mayfield if they don’t get Pickett or they could go for the next best quarterback, Malik Willis.
This would be no consolation prize either as Willis is a playmaker who arguably has the highest ceiling in this class. He’s a dual-threat who needs time to hone his skills but can become something special.