2022 NFL mock draft: Desmond Ridder soaring in final predictions

21. New England Patriots: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia

The first off-ball linebacker off the board is not Devin Lloyd or Nakobe Dean, but Quay Walker, whose name has been picking up a lot of steam in the weeks leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft.

What is something we know to be true about Bill Belichick?

He is not afraid of the perceived “reach”.

What’s something else we know to be true about Belichick?

He loves players from Georgia and Alabama, and rightfully so. Those are two powerhouse college programs that consistently crank out NFL-ready talent.

Quay Walker is one of many outstanding athletes from the Bulldogs’ legendary 2021 defense and he’ll be an instant starter for the Patriots.

22. Green Bay Packers: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan

Although everyone has been predicting the Packers will finally take a receiver in round one since the Davante Adams trade, I’m not so sure about that.

Here, the Packers do end their streak of not taking offensive players (not including Jordan Love) with the underrated Bernhard Raimann, a converted tight end out of Central Michigan who is a great fit in the zone blocking scheme.

Raimann doesn’t have ideal length at the position, and he’s perhaps a bit of a project, but he could be an immediate starter at right tackle for the Packers while Elgton Jenkins could play his more natural position on the interior.