NFL Mock Draft 1.0
AP Photo/Stephen Brashear
We are about three-quarters of the way through the NFL regular season and teams have begun to separate into clear tiers that will dictate how they approach the last month of the season. While some teams are still fighting for playoff positioning, there are a group of teams that are already looking towards addressing their needs in the offseason through the draft and free agency. Using this logic, it is the perfect time to start a run of mock drafts up until April’s draft.
Note: Draft order is based on NFL.com’s projected draft order, which is based on the completion of Week 11.
2022 NFL Round 1 Mock Draft
1) Detroit Lions: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux - Oregon
With no clear-cut QB1 prospect, Detroit is in a position to take the best player available to center their rebuild around. Thibodeaux is an explosive pass rusher who has shown the versatility to play multiple positions on the line. He has the ability to be a game-wrecker who is dominant against both the pass and the run when fully engaged.
2) New York Jets: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson - Michigan
The Jets could use an infusion of talent into their secondary, but in this mock I have them selecting another pass-rusher for Robert Saleh’s aggressive scheme. Hutchinson’s combination of flexibility and power along with an endless motor would give the Jets a dominant edge rusher to solidify their pass rush.
3) Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Evan Neal - Alabama
Priority #1 in Jacksonville this offseason should be to find protection for Trevor Lawrence. Evan Neal is an athletic marvel at 6’7 360 lbs who has shown the versatility to play every position on the line at an elite level. He will immediately slide in as Lawrence’s blind-side protector from Day 1.
4) Houston Texans: QB Matt Corral - Mississippi
Houston could go in multiple directions here, including trading down from this spot to acquire more draft capital, but in this mock, they select their quarterback of the future. Corral is a bit raw and may need to sit for a year to polish his game, but he has the elite arm strength and athleticism that teams covet in today’s game. He is my QB1 in this draft class.
5) New York Giants: OT Ikem Ekwonu - NC State
Regardless of whether the Giants still view Daniel Jones as their quarterback of the future, the Giants need to make several improvements to their offensive line this offseason. Ekwonu is an elite run-blocker who has soared up draft boards due to his impressive improvements in the pass game. Ekwonu has experience playing inside but has more than enough talent to slide in at tackle to form a young bookend duo with Andrew Thomas.
6) New York Jets (via SEA): CB Derek Stingley Jr. - LSU
With their second top-ten selection, the Jets select a shutdown corner in Stingley to help bolster their secondary. While Stingley has struggled with injuries and hasn’t played up to the talent he showed in his All-American freshman season, he has undeniable talent and has the makeup of a shutdown corner when healthy.
7)New York Giants (via CHI): EDGE David Ojabo - Michigan
While the Giants are certainly happy with their second-round selection Azeez Ojulari from last year’s draft, they could use another pass-rusher to help their defensive line get more 1 on 1 looks. This pick is a bit of a projection, but Ojabo is a physical freak at 6’5 250 lbs who has dominated this season while playing opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. Ojabo would give the Giants two twitchy athletes to build their pass-rush around.
8) Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): S Kyle Hamilton - Notre Dame
The Eagles’ defense has been underrated this season and, in this mock scenario, will look to bolster it with the selection of Hamilton. While positional value may lead to him falling outside of the top five picks, Hamilton is a top-3 prospect in this class who offers rare size and versatility at the safety position. The Eagles would be ecstatic to grab a talent of his caliber at pick #8.
9) Atlanta Falcons: OG Kenyon Green - Mississippi State
The Falcons have many needs and do not have their successor to Matt Ryan on the roster, but here they will use their selection to improve the infrastructure before their successor’s arrival. Green has logged significant snaps at all offensive line positions other than center and would help Atlanta build a foundation in the trenches with his brawler mentality.
10) Washington Football Team: WR Garrett Wilson - Ohio State
Washington could certainly look to find a franchise quarterback here, but instead, opt to select an outside receiving threat to pair with Terry McLaurin. Wilson has high-level ball skills and is a dangerous receiver after the catch. Pairing him with McLaurin would help set a foundation for whoever their future quarterback might be.
11) Philadelphia Eagles: LB Nakobe Dean - Georgia
The Eagles could use an athletic sideline to sideline tackler to anchor their defense from the linebacker position. Dean has been the center of a ferocious Georgia defense that has terrorized opposing offenses all season. He is one of the biggest risers in this year’s class.
12) Carolina Panthers: OT Charles Cross - Mississippi State
Carolina is another potential quarterback landing spot but they’d be wise to invest in their offensive line before spending a premium pick on an uncertain quarterback class. Coming from Mike Leach’s Air Raid offensive scheme, Cross has advanced pass-pro skills that should translate well to the NFL game. He would pair with Taylor Moton to create one of the better young tackle duos in the league.
13) Denver Broncos: QB Malik Willis - Liberty
The Broncos have struggled to find stable quarterback play in the post-Peyton Manning era and it has become obvious that Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater are not long-term solutions. While still raw, Willis has made strides this season and has a tantalizing skillset with enormous potential if developed properly.
14) Miami Dolphins (via SF): IOL Tyler Linderbaum - Iowa
While Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins’ quarterback situation has been the center of attention, Miami’s offensive line has been arguably the worst unit in the league. Linderbaum is a plug-and-play prospect who is a fantastic scheme fit with Miami’s quick-hit offense and would give the team a building block in the trenches.
15) Las Vegas Raiders: DL Jordan Davis - Georgia
While their secondary has played admirably this season, the Raiders’ run defense continues to be the Achilles heel of this team. Davis is an enormous athlete who is dominant in the run game and would give Las Vegas a much-needed boost in the middle of their defensive line to complement their edge rushers.
16) Philadelphia Eagles: WR Treylon Burks - Arkansas
Devonta Smith has looked great in his rookie season, but the Eagles would be wise to pair him and Dallas Goedert with a more consistent outside option. Treylon Burks has a unique frame for a receiver (6’3’ 230 lbs) and uses it to shield off defenders at the catch-point and make plays after the catch. He can operate as a safety valve for Jalen Hurts with the potential to take any play to the house.
17) Cleveland Browns: WR Chris Olave - Ohio State
With the departure of Odell Beckham Jr. and the contract situation for Jarvis Landry, the Browns need to add talent to their receiving room. While not as explosive as his Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson, Olave is an elite route runner who is also one of the best deep ball trackers in the class. Cleveland would be grateful to add a receiver of his quality to their receiving corps.
18) Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Kenny Pickett - Pittsburgh
This could be longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s final season and Mason Rudolph has shown that he doesn’t have the skill set of a worthy successor. Pickett doesn’t have the highest ceiling, but his mobility, accuracy, and quick processing have served as catalysts for his improved draft stock throughout the season.
19) New Orleans Saints: WR Jameson Williams - Alabama
With Michael Thomas’s absence over the past season and a half, the Saints’ lack of depth at the receiver position has become much more pronounced. An offseason transfer from Ohio State, Williams has exploded on the scene to lead the SEC in both receiving yards and touchdowns. His lethal speed would bring a big-play element to a Saints offense that has been lacking explosive plays all season.
20) Minnesota Vikings: CB Andrew Booth - Clemson
The Vikings need to infuse talent into a cornerback unit that lacks young talent. Booth has displayed elite cover skills on a Clemson defense that has had to mask a mediocre offense all season. While you would wish that he made more plays on the football, Booth has prototypical traits for cornerback position that should translate to the NFL.
21) Buffalo Bills: CB Kaiir Elam - Florida
The Bills could also look to improve their interior offensive line at this spot, however, Tre’Davious White’s injury on Thanksgiving has created a big need in their secondary. Elam hasn’t been targeted much this season, but he has the build (6’2” 200 lbs) and fluid movement to be a #1 corner on a team with championship aspirations.
22) Cincinnati Bengals: OT Trevor Penning - Northern Iowa
Coming from a small school, Penning is a big tackle who plays with a non-stop motor and pissed-off mentality. He may end up outplaying this draft slot but in this scenario, he gives the Bengals a dominant bookend who will slide in as Joe Burrow’s blindside protector.
23) Los Angeles Chargers: WR Drake London - USC
While the Chargers need to add bodies on the defensive side to improve their run defense, giving Justin Herbert another big-play threat on the outside might be too tempting. London is a former basketball player who is only scratching the surface of his potential. With Mike Williams primed to receive a big payday, the Chargers replace him with another big-body who is also elite at the catch point.
24) New England Patriots: CB Ahmad Gardner - Cincinnati
With J.C. Jackson set to hit free agency in the offseason, the Patriots could look to find a replacement in the draft. However, in the scenario that Jackson re-signs, Gardner gives New England another elite cover corner who has yet to allow a touchdown in his three seasons at Cincinnati.
25) Kansas City Chiefs: S Daxton Hill
The Chiefs’ defense has improved in recent weeks but they would be wise to infuse more talent into their secondary to relieve some pressure off of Patrick Mahomes and the offense. Hill has the athleticism to play multiple positions in the secondary and would give the Chiefs another aggressive player on the back end.
26) Detroit Lions (via LAR): WR Jahan Dotson - Penn State
There may not be a position group with less depth in the league than the Lions’ receiver room. While his slender frame (5’11” 175 lbs) might worry some teams, Dotson is an explosive athlete with an enormous catch radius for his frame. He would provide an immediate boost to an offense that lacks explosiveness.
27) Baltimore Ravens: OT Jaxson Kirkland - Washington
Lamar Jackson’s one-of-a-kind elusiveness helps mask an offensive line that lacks depth and has struggled with injuries. Kirkland plays with sound technique and offers solid athleticism that provides him with the versatility to play multiple positions on the line. He would benefit by adding more mass to his frame but he has the look of a plug-and-play prospect who would bolster Baltimore’s offensive line.
28) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Roger McCreary - Auburn
Tampa Bay’s defense has struggled to reach their 2020 heights due to injuries and inconsistency in the secondary. McCreary is a twitchy athlete who would bring elite cover skills and shutdown corner potential to their defense.
29) Dallas Cowboys: OT Nicholas Petit-Frere - Ohio State
Tyron Smith has struggled to stay on the field in recent years and the rest of the offensive line doesn’t have much depth past the starters. Although Petit-Frere struggled in his litmus test against Michigan’s Aidan Hutchison, he has made a smooth transition to left tackle this season and has the makeup of a solid starter at the next level.
30) Green Bay Packers: LB Devin Lloyd - Utah
Llyod is a physical run defender who has improved in coverage this season. He has the size and athleticism to play in the middle of a Green Bay defense that could use some physicality and athleticism at the linebacker position.
31) Tennessee Titans: EDGE George Karlaftis - Purdue
Karlaftis hasn’t put up the production expected from a player of his talent level, but he has an elite motor and uses his frame well to disrupt opposing offenses. Adding Karlaftis would help Tennessee deploy an effective defensive line rotation that keeps their pass rushers fresh and active.
32) Arizona Cardinals: CB Trent McDuffie - Washington
Byron Murphy has been solid and Marco Wilson has played above his draft spot as a rookie, but the Cardinals could use more talent to provide more consistent play to their secondary. While he doesn’t have a ton of ball production, he has been a model of consistency who has blanketed receivers all season in the Pac-12.
