2022 NFL Mock Draft: 3-rounds with surprise blockbuster trades
By Randy Gurzi
Trade: New Orleans Saints send Round 1 pick 16, Round 1 Pick 19, Round 2, Pick 49 to New York Jets for Pick No. 4
Scouting Report. DT. 19. player. 30. Pick Analysis. Georgia. Devonte Wyatt
19. New York Jets (via New Orleans Saints through Philadelphia Eagles): Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
The New York Jets are back on the clock and they make it three Georgia defenders in a row as they pick up Devonte Wyatt. A bit overshadowed by Jordan Davis, Wyatt stood out during his workouts and the two are seen neck and neck heading into the draft — which explains how they come off the board with just one pick between them.
Sheldon Rankins didn’t turn out to be the player they hoped for and adding Wyatt could allow them to move on while also bolstering their defensive line. He’s a disrupter but can also help eat up blocks so Carl Lawson and Jermaine Johnson, who they took at No. 15, can get after the quarterback and make some impact plays.
Northern Iowa. Trevor Penning. 20. 55. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. OT. player
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Ben Roethlisberger took a lot of grief down the stretch in 2021 but the truth is, he was still playing very well for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not only did he get them into the postseason but his ability to make pre-snap reads led to him releasing the ball insanely quick — and that hid just how bad their offensive line really was.
In an effort to shore that up, they go with Trevor Penning at No. 20. The Northern Iowa product was a star at the Senior Bowl and proved he can hold his own against the best competition, which was a question coming from a smaller program.