2022 NFL Draft: What every AFC team should focus on in round one
By Sean Basile
We all know by now what every AFC team “could” do in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but what they “should” do is another story entirely.
The big day is just a few sleeps away, and this offseason continues to be one of the most wide-open draft classes in recent memory as the 2022 NFL Draft inches ever closer.
2022 is a unique year compared to others of the last handful of years where a vast number of teams and players mix well together at various different points of the first round. In other words, so many teams could pick so many different players in the first round and still wind up with solid choices.
Perhaps this is what a weak quarterback year looks like.
Let’s take a look at each AFC team selecting in the first round and see what they should be focusing on with their first pick(s).
The Dolphins, Browns, Colts, Raiders, and Broncos can all go grab lattes and prepare for day two because this doesn’t apply to them.
What should every AFC team be focused on in the 2022 NFL Draft’s first round
New England Patriots (Pick #21)
I see a bevy of different routes the Pats can go with this pick. They’re in a good spot with Mac Jones having a solid rookie year and going into his sophomore season. Their running game is set as well.
Looking pass rush if Devontae Wyatt, Jermaine Johnson III, or George Karlaftis drop to them might be to their benefit.
They lost JC Jackson, so Andrew Booth Jr. could be a nice replacement if he falls.
They traded Shaq Mason, so a guard pickup like Kenyon Green or Zion Johnson might be nice.
And of course, there’s always the option to go the wide receiver route with whoever is left over by pick 21, i.e. a Treylon Burks, Chris Olave, Jahan Dotson, etc.
But something about this spot just gives me the feeling they could look to bolster their linebacking core and add Devin Lloyd to assist Dont’a Hightower/be Hightower’s eventual replacement.
As long as they touch on one of those position groups, I feel the Patriots will have a successful first-round pick.