2022 NFL MOCK DRAFT 2.0

BY ADAM GREENE

I’ve put this off long enough. Trades have come in fast and loose as the draft approaches. The first round has gone through more changes than Pearl Jam has drummers and if you’re old enough to get that joke, all I can say is, you should probably go ahead and schedule that prostate exam.

But it’s stabilized enough to at least fool me into doing another mock draft. Some people out there are brave (or stupid) enough to factor in their own mock trades into their drafts. I’m not going to do that. I might talk about a possible trade during a pick, but I won’t predict. Here’s one thing I believe. I don’t think any NFL writer has every predicted an NFL trade in a mock draft that’s ever actually happened. And I’m not checking to see if I’m correct.

Here’s something else to know going in about Mock Drafts. We’re never right. I hit three consecutive picks in my final mock draft last year and four correct picks overall (if you count Kyle Trask eventually going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a later round) and that’s probably the best I’ve ever done.

Here’s what I do know coming into this year’s NFL amateur player selection meeting —

 At least two quarterbacks are probably going in the first round when absolutely none should. In my mock below, I have just one being selected because I’m trying to make the best picks for each team. I already know this mock is probably toast. But there you go.

If you want to see my first mock draft that has since been obliterated, click here. And if you’re curious if I’m still slotting guys into the first round that will probably end up being busts, you can click here.

1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

(6-8, 337 pounds)

I had the Jags taking Kayvon Thibodeaux the first time around, but that was before they hired Doug Pederson and went all in on actually making Trevor Lawrence the generational quarterback he could be. As such, you must be able to protect that guy to let him make his pass reads to the overpriced receivers you’ve acquired in free agency. So you better pick the best offensive tackle in the draft to block for him for the next decade and a half or so.

2. DETROIT LIONS — Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan

(6-6, 265 pounds. 2021: 62 tackles, 16.5 for a loss, 14 sacks, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery)

There’s no change here for the Lions, who run the card up with Hutchinson, the second coming of JJ Watt, as fast as they can once he’s still on the board. He’s a local kid. He played at Michigan. Dan Campbell has probably already promised one of his daughter’s to him.

3. HOUSTON TEXANS — Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon

With Thibodeaux dropping from my top pick, the Texans rush this pick up to Roger Goodell, which is bad news for the former Oregon Duck. Never a good feeling to be drafted into the NFL’s version of Jonestown.

4. NEW YORK JETS — Derek Stingley, Jr., CB, LSU

(6-1, 195 pounds, 2021: eight tackles, 3.5 for a loss, one forced fumble)

Ahmad Gardner thinks he’s the best player in the draft and I, for one, hope he’s right. But if I’m the Jets, I turn in the card with the guy who’s proved he can do it against SEC talent for most of three seasons.

5. NEW YORK GIANTS — Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

(6-5. 3-7 pounds)

The Giants are rolling with Daniel Jones for at least one more season and they need to give the kid a real chance at success. They’ve hired the right coach, former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, and now they need to make sure he’s properly protected. They can grab a receiver in the second round.

6. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

(6-4, 310 pounds)

You’ll see a lot of mock drafts with the Panthers taking a quarterback here. If they could somehow trade down, way down, maybe that makes sense, but at No. 6? I can’t see it happening. No, Sam Darnold isn’t the answer and as excited as I was to see Cam Newton back in Carolina, his time might be over as well. If you like one of these quarterbacks, a Matt Corral perhaps, he should be there in the second round so go ahead and pick an offensive tackle that’ll play for your team for the next 10 plus years to protect him or whoever you end up with under center.

7. NEW YORK GIANTS (from Bears) — Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

(6-2, 188 pounds, 2021: 40 tackles, five for a loss, three sacks, four passes defending, three interceptions)

It might seem like I’m down on Sauce, but I’m not. I just don’t trust what I’ve seen from him against Cincinnati’s schedule. I’d probably still take him in the first round, just at the bottom. But that’s not how it’s playing out, so I’m putting him on the Giants with Daboll’s new staff and hoping for the best.

8. ATLANTA FALCONS — Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

(6-0, 188 pounds, 2021: 70 catches, 1,058 yards, 12 touchdowns, one rushing touchdown)

Ironically, this was the same pick I had the Falcons taking in my first mock draft, but for different reasons. Then, it was because the team made it clear that Calvin Ridley was on the trading block. This time, it’s because Ridley is suspended for a season. New starting quarterback Marcus Mariota, who I still like, needs weapons if the Falcons are going to contend for a wide open NFC Wild Card spot and Wilson is a plug and play guy.

9. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from Broncos) — Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida State

(6-5. 260 pounds, 2021: 70 tackles, 17.5 for a loss, 11.5 sacks, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one defensive touchdown)

You’ll see plenty of mock drafts slotting Malik Willis, QB out of Liberty here, but I don’t believe Pete Carroll will OK that. There’s absolutely no question that Dew Lock, in 2022, will be a better QB than Willis will be as a rookie so there’s no impetus here to make that pick. They didn’t take Russell Wilson until the third round and in a normal year, that’s where Willis would go. So I’m thinking the Seahawks go with the best edge rusher on the board and think about a quarterback later if one falls into their laps. It’s not like Willis will be any better than Lock at handing the ball off on first and second downs.

10. NEW YORK JETS (from Seahawks) — Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame

(6-4, 219 pounds, 2021: 34 tackles, two for a loss, three interceptions, four passes defended)

On plenty of boards Hamilton is the best player in this draft. The problem is, he plays safety, an undervalued spot like running back or inside linebacker. Still, the Jets are run by Robert Saleh, a defensive coach, who can work some real magic with a safety Hamilton’s caliber.

11. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS — Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

(6-0, 225 pounds, 72 tackles, 10.5 for a loss, six sacks, two interceptions, five passes defended, two forced fumbles, one defensive touchdown)

The newly named Commanders would have been a good bet to reach for a quarterback if they didn’t already make one of the dumbest trades of the offseason, acquiring Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts. They have a good WR1 in Terry McLaurin and a good RB in Antonio Gibson. Their offense shouldn’t be bad and they have the best head coach in their division in Ron Rivera. How much he can counteract the worst owner in the NFL is anyone’s guess this season. I’m slotting them the draft’s best linebacker here, but a trade down makes plenty of sense.

12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa

(6-2, 296 pounds)

Pro Football Focus called Linderbaum the “best center prospect they’ve seen” in their era. The Vikings have a new offensive coach to go with all their old offensive weapons, but I think Linderbaum might be the best player available at this point in the draft so why not take him to add to your run and pass game?

13. HOUSTON TEXANS (from Browns) — Travon Walker, DL, Georgia

(6-5, 275 pounds, 2021: 33 tackles, 7.5 for a loss, six sacks, two passes defended, one fumble recovery)

With their second selection in the third round, the Texans continue building up their offensive line to eventually trade all these players away for peanuts because Jack Easterby thought he saw an image of Paul the Apostle in a piece of toast.

14. BALTIMORE RAVENS — Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

(6-3, 235 pounds, 2021: 111 tackles, 22 for a loss, seven sacks, four interceptions, six passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, two defensive touchdowns)

No team in recent NFL history has won more thanks to elite NFL linebackers and their pursuit of Bobby Wagner in free agency was no accident. Since they missed out on BWags, they might as well add a guy who looks a lot like him in Lloyd.

15. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (from Dolphins) — Andrew Booth, Jr., CB, Clemson

(6-0, 195 pounds, 37 tackles, three for a loss, five passes defended, three interceptions)

The Eagles were a surprise playoff team in 2021 and thanks to a severely weakened NFC in 2022, should expect to contend again. If they’re going to make it past the Wild Card round, they need to build up their defense. Facing the likes of Mike Evans and Cooper Kupp, it’s probably smart to start with a corner.

16. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (from Eagles) — Daxton Hill, Safety, Michigan

(6-0, 192 pounds, 2021: 69 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, 0.5 sacks, two interceptions, eight passes defended, one fumble recovery)

The Saints need a quarterback, but have rightly decided that Jameis Winston is better than any of the guys available in this particular draft. Because of that, they take Hill and make an elite defense just that much better by adding one of the best safeties available.

17. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS — Bernhard Raiman, OT, Central Michigan

(6-6. 303 pounds)

The draft scouts love these tackles from smaller schools. I’m not so enamored, but the goal here in the mock draft is to guess who these teams will select, so I’ll go with Raiman with the Chargers here at 17. He might end up a guard, but if he’s an above average NFL starter that’s a win.

18. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (from Saints) — Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia

(6-6. 340 pounds, 32 tackles, five for a loss, two sacks, one pass defense)

The Eagles can target another receiver in the second round, but it’s the defense that will make the difference for them in 2022. Sure, it’s probably at best a trip to the Divisional Round or a stronger showing in the Wild Card, but making the playoffs and maybe winning double digit games is an accomplishment in itself.

19. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (from Eagles) — Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

(6-2, 189 pounds, 2021: 79 catches, 1,572 yards, 15 touchdowns)

If Williams hadn’t been hurt in the College Football Playoff, he would have been a Top Five pick. As it is, he probably won’t be ready to hit the field until November at the earliest. The Saints aren’t desperate for wide receiver help, but plugging in Williams across from a healthy Michael Thomas is a game changer that could equal a solid playoff run.

20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

(6-3, 220 pounds, 67.2 completion percentage, 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns, seven interceptions)

I said what I said. None of these quarterbacks should go in the first round. As good as Pickett’s stats look, Kyle Trask was 68.9 percent with 4,238 yards, 43 touchdowns and eight interceptions the year before and didn’t get taken until the final pick of the second round. He was No. 3 on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers depth chart all last season. There is not a universe in the Marvel Multiverse where Pickett can beat Mitchell Trubisky out as the Steelers’ starter in camp. But he makes sense in that he’s a hometown guy in that he went to Pitt and the fans will be pumped to see him on the team. I just feel like this is going to happen whether it should or not.

21. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Drake London, WR, USC

(6-5, 210 pounds, 2021: 88 catches, 1,084 yards, seven touchdowns)

The Pats have whiffed at wide receivers in the first round under Bill Belichick, but that should just steel his resolve in taking another one. In this case, he forgoes the speedster and instead goes with the big body guy that can add a legitimate third down and red zone target the team hasn’t had since Rob Gronkowski left for the strip club capital of the United States.

22. GREEN BAY PACKERS (from Raiders) — Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

(6-3, 225 pounds, 2021: 66 catches, 1,104 yards, 11 touchdowns, one rushing touchdown)

No one will laugh harder if the Packers, with the pick they got for trading away Devante Adams (one of the best wide receivers in the NFL), don’t take a receiver. I’m going to pretend they’re not run by crazy people and will want to keep the moody, highly paid, Covid-19 truther quarterback they’ve locked in for the foreseeable future happy by taking an actual offensive weapon for him to use. Call me crazy.

23. ARIZONA CARDINALS — Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

(5-11. 195 pounds, 2021: 35 tackles, four for a loss, one sack, six passes defended)

The Cardinals are in the rare position of drafting late in the first round. Their pick selection isn’t as robust as they’re used to. With all this talk of the NFL’s best receivers, it’s important to note that the Cardinals will face the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, All Pro Selection and Super Bowl MVP in Cooper Kupp twice next season at least. Probably three times if they make the playoffs. It might be a good idea to try to draft a guy that can cover him. And that’s not even bringing up the other All Pro in the NFC West, Deebo Samuel.

24. DALLAS COWBOYS — Georgia Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue

(6-4, 275 pounds, 2021: 39 tackles, 10 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one defensive touchdown)

I’m not a big Karlaftis fan. I look at the stats he put up against future NFL opposition and I’m not impressed. The scouts apparently disagree and everyone has the Purdue edge as a first rounder. Because of that, I have Jerry Jones pulling the trigger. Not only because they need to add another edge rusher, but because Dallas is more likely to pick the wrong one.

25. BUFFALO BILLS — Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M

(6-4, 323 pounds)

The Bills have invested a lot into their offense over the last two seasons and picked up one of the biggest free agent acquisitions of the offseason in Von Miller for their defense. With the edge rusher hole filled, there’s no reason to take any chances with Josh Allen’s health. They can find receivers and a running back later in the draft. This is the time to add another starting offensive lineman.

26. TENNESSEE TITANS — Boye Mafe, DL, Minnesota

(6-4, 265 pounds, 2021: 34 tackles, 10 for a loss, seven sacks, one forced fumble)

If not for the acquisition of Robert Woods from the Los Angeles Rams for next to nothing, the Titans would be looking at receiver here. As it is, they can skip that and add another monster defensive lineman to their rotation. With Matt Ryan in the AFC South now, they’ll need it.

27. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS — Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

(6-1, 189 pounds, 2021: 65 catches, 936 yards, 13 touchdowns)

Hey, I’m not happy about this either. With the Titans turning in a DT card, the Buccaneers and Tom Brady get the perfect receiver to replace noted head case and perennial local newspaper crime beat fixture Antonio Brown. It sucks, but what can you do?

28. GREEN BAY PACKERS — Arnold Ebiketie, Edge, Penn State

(6-3, 253 pounds, 2021: 62 tackles, 18 for a loss, 9.5 sacks, one pass defended, two forced fumbles)

Having done the right thing by Aaron Rodgers and adding a top flight wideout with their earlier first rounder, the Packers plug in the best edge rusher left on the board with their second. No Green Bay pass rusher recorded double digit sacks last year. They need help at the edge.

29. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (from Dolphins) — George Pickens, WR, Georgia

(6-3, 200 pounds, 2021: 5 catches, 107 yards)

Like the Packers, the Chiefs have to replace an NFL Top Five wideout they’ve stupidly traded away because they didn’t want to pay him. Unlike Green Bay, their options are basically Pickens or Jahan Dotson from Penn State. I have then going with Pickens, who is far enough away from his ACL to not scare any teams off from turning in his card.

30. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

(6-0, 190 pounds, 2021: 49 tackles, two for a loss, two interceptions, 14 passes defended, one fumble recovery, one defensive touchdown)

With back to back picks, the Chiefs could flip these selections, but they need a corner to stand up against the elite QB and WR play they’ll face in the AFC West this season. McCreary has done it in the SEC against plenty of guys he’ll be playing on Sunday for the next eight or so seasons.

31. CINCINNATI BENGALS — Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College

(6-3, 312 pounds)

The Bengals have already spent tons of money on their offensive line in free agency, but I see no reason to take the chance on Joe Burrow’s health, especially picking so late in the draft. They have an elite, Super Bowl defense and Super Bowl offensive skill position players. Why not continue to build a Super Bowl offensive line?

32. DETROIT LIONS (from Rams) — Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia

(6-3, 315 pounds, 2021: 39 tackles, seven for a loss, 2.5 sacks, one pass defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery)

Detroit has needs all over the roster and it’ll take more than this draft to fix them, but it’s hard to argue putting Wyatt next to Michael Brockers and Aiden Hutchinson on a defensive front along with Charles Harris, who had a pretty nice 2021.

TEAMS WITH NO FIRST ROUND PICK

CHICAGO BEARS (No. 39 overall) — Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

(5-11, 184 pounds, 2021: 91 catches, 1,182 yards, 12 touchdowns, one rushing touchdown)

There are plenty of mock drafts that have Dotson going in the first round, but I couldn’t make it work. As such, I’m sticking him with the Bears, a team that should be desperate to add a star WR1 for Justin Fields to grow along with.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (No. 42 overall) — Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

(6-7, 325 pounds)

While I’m not excited about the prospects of Penning as a first rounder, a second round selection here to the Colts makes a lot of sense. If he’s ready early, all the better for Indianapolis. But if he takes a year or two to develop into a starting tackle, it’s a lot easier to swallow if he’s a mid second rounder.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (No. 44 overall) — David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan

(6-5, 250 pounds, 2021: 35 tackles, 12 for a loss, 11 sacks, three passes defended, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery)

The only issue the Browns should have in turning in this card is if Ojabo gets snatched up in the first round. This is a guy that faced future starting NFL offensive linemen most weeks and still recorded double digit sacks while helping his team win a national title.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (No. 61 overall) — Dylan Parham, OL, Memphis

(6-3, 311 pounds)

The 49ers lost Laken Tomlinson in free agency and this is an offense that needs an elite front. Parham should be a day one starter, maybe not at tackle, but for sure at guard.

DENVER BRONCOS (No. 64 overall) — Christian Harris, LB, Alabama

(6-2, 232 pounds, 2021: 80 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three passes defended, two forced fumbles)

The Broncos are now loaded with the acquisition of Russell Wilson, but there’s no reason not to build on a strength. Harris should slide right into a starting inside linebacker spot and add some extra pass rush as well.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (No. 86 overall) — Zach Tom, OL, Wake Forest

(6-4, 304 pounds)

The Raiders traded plenty to add Devante Adams and he’s probably worth it. Bringing in Tom as an offensive lineman could make up for it, stealing a starter this late. According to Pro Football Focus he was the best pass blocker in all of college football in 2021 with a 92.1 rating.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (No. 102 overall) — Luke Goedeke, OL, Central Michigan

(6-5, 312 pounds)

If Tua Tagovailoa is an NFL quarterback, he’ll have all the tools he needs to prove it after the Dolphins offseason. Goedeke adds one more, shoring up an offensive line that was one of the worst in the league in 2021.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (No. 104 overall) — Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia

(6-0, 190 pounds, 41 tackles, two for a loss, four interceptions, three passes defended)

Thanks to the Rams trading future draft picks for talent that can win them a Super Bowl today, they don’t pick until deep in the third round. That doesn’t mean they still can’t add a starter. In this case, it’s finding a replacement for departed Darious Williams (who they signed off the street) with Georgia’s Derion Kendrick.

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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