With the NFL Combine in the books, that means it’s full-on NFL Mock Draft season. But even with new testing data at our disposal, there are still many unknowns heading into this draft.
For starters, there is no clear-cut No. 1 pick and while there are some high-ceiling quarterbacks like Malik Willis and Matt Corral, there is no Andrew Luck or Joe Burrow in this class.
With the combine in the rearview mirror, more betting options will be on the way as NFL Draft odds are available, so here is version 2.0 of my 2022 NFL Mock Draft to help get us prepared. You can also review Mock Draft version 1.0.
•JAX •DET •HOU •NYJ •NYG •CAR •NYG •ATL
•DEN •NYJ •WSH •MIN •CLE •BAL •PHI •PHI
•LAC •NO •PHI •PIT •NE •LVR •ARI •DAL
•BUF •TEN •TB •GB •MIA •KC •CIN •DET
2022 NFL Mock Draft version 2.0
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Protecting Trevor Lawrence should be priority No. 1, 2, and 3 for the Jaguars and new head coach Doug Pederson. Neal is the -120 favorite to be the first overall selection in the draft and obviously, I agree. While Neal didn’t test at the combine his measurables were impressive and the Alabama tackle is an athletic freak who will immediately make life easier for Lawrence.
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
This is not the pick I would make here if I was the Lions (I really wanted to select Malik Willis here) but it makes too much sense. This is the epitome of a Dan Campbell pick. He’s a hometown kid with a high floor and a higher motor. Hutchinson would immediately become the Lions’ best edge rusher and he might not have the same ceiling as Kayvon Thibodeaux, but Campbell should have him biting off kneecaps before you know it. He’s a great fit for this Lions team.
3. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The Texans have a roster full of holes so don’t expect them to get picky. Thibodeaux did enough at the combine to remind people why many thought he would be the slam dunk No. 1 pick in this draft. While he may not go No. 1, that’s where he sits on my board and new head coach Lovie Smith knows if he can’t get a franchise quarterback in this draft, a game-changing edge rusher is the next best thing.
4. New York Jets: Ikem Ekownu, OT, NC State
The first change in Mock Draft 2.0 goes to the Jets. I gave the Jets safety/unicorn Kyle Hamilton in my first go-around. But the more I think about it, the Jets need to have the same mentality as the Jaguars, which is giving Zach Wilson the best chance to succeed. And while they have already invested in Mechi Becton, teaming him with “Icky” seems like a winning proposition.
5. New York Giants: Charles Cross, OT, Texas A&M
In my first mock, Ekownu fell into the Giants’ laps, and they happily snatched him up to play opposite Andrew Thomas. But with Icky already gone this time around, the Giants elect to go with Cross here because there seems to be a gap between him and the next tackle, while there'll still be some elite edge rushers on the board when they pick again at No. 7.
6. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Fun fact. I have larger hands than Kenny Pickett. While there are rumors going around that head coach Matt Rhule has been making calls for a veteran signal-caller, I don’t think he lets another draft go by where he doesn’t select a young arm he can mold. Hand size jokes aside, he’s arguably the most pro-ready of all the QB prospects and played in cold weather at Pittsburgh. And do you think hand size matters to Rhule? Imagine how small those mitts were when he recruited him to Temple.
7. New York Giants: Travon Walker, DL, Georgia
What is the one thing we took away from the combine? That all Georgia defenders are freaks. And Walker is the first Bulldog who tested through the roof. He’s the perfect example of the type of player who can benefit from the combine. His tape was great and moved all over the line, but his size had some thinking he was a tweener without a true position. But after that show Walker put on in Indy, that versatility looks like a plus.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
I really wanted to take a gamble here and have the Falcons select a wide receiver here with the recent news Calvin Ridley would be suspended a year for betting on NFL games (see what I did there?), but I couldn’t let Hamilton fall any farther. The kid is a unicorn who can play anywhere and has the potential to be the most talented player to come out of this class. He can QB a defense that ranked 30th in DVOA for years to come.
9. Denver Broncos: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, FSU
Meet the first off-season workout superstar. Johnson had a great season at FSU after transferring from Georgia. He had an outstanding Senior Bowl followed that up with another electric performance at the combine. I am still convinced the Broncos go out and sign a veteran quarterback, so in this spot, they turn their attention to defense. The Broncos would love to have another elite playmaker opposite Bradley Chubb now that Von Miller is gone.
10. Jets (via SEA): Drake London, WR, USC
The Jets got Wilson some protection with their first pick, so now they need to get him a security blanket in the passing game. That’s exactly what London is, not to mention being the No. 1 wide receiver on my board. The former Trojan has elite size, surprising speed, and can high point the ball better than anyone in this class. He’ll be the perfect outlet for Wilson in this offense.
11. Commanders: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Willis didn’t run the 40 at the combine but still had a great showing. He reportedly made a great impression on teams in his interviews and made some incredible throws in the on-field drills. My gut says by the time the draft rolls around, someone will trade up with the intention of grabbing Willis. But, with no trades in this version, he goes to the next team that needs a quarterback and that’s the newly minted Commanders. Willis is raw but his potential is ridiculous and too tempting for Washington to pass on.
12. Vikings: Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Minnesota secondary needs help in the worst way possible and No. 1 cornerback on my board falls into the laps of the Vikings' new front office. Gardner likely cemented his spot as the top corner by testing well at the combine. His combination of size and athleticism makes him a prototypical lockdown corner in the NFL
13. Cleveland Browns: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
One of my favorite questions going into the combine was who was going to run the faster 40 time...Wilson, or his Buckeyes teammate Chris Olave? Wilson edged Olave by a hundredth of a second. So, with Wilson matching Olave’s speed, we’re sending him to the Browns, who need to get Baker Mayfield some more weapons. Wilson can do it all. Great speed, can create separation and has excellent body control and hands.
14. Ravens: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Stingley Jr. is going to be one of the most polarizing players in the draft. After his freshman season, he looked like a lock to be the first defensive back taken in the draft, but injuries and inconsistent play the next two seasons derailed that. That said, Stingley has Top 10 talent and just looks like a future Raven.
15. Eagles (via MIA): David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
The Eagles need some help with their pass rush and are thrilled to see the uber-athletic, yet raw Ojabo still available to them here. He’s got elite speed and length, and the scary thing is he’s still learning the game. Is it blasphemous to say that I like Ojabo’s ceiling a little more than Hutchinson's?
16. Eagles (via IND): Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa
The Eagles take Linderbaum here knowing he may not get back to them at No. 19.
This is a pick that should make Jalen Hurts happy as Philly looks to shore up an offensive line that is likely to lose mainstay Jason Kelce. Linderbaum is a plug-and-play interior lineman coming off an incredible season at Iowa. We saw the impact Creed Humphrey had on the Chiefs' line — Linderbaum could do the same for the Eagles.
17. Chargers: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Want to know how much of a freak Davis is? The only player to ever test better at the combine than Davis was Calvin Johnson. Well, if anyone can live up to that lofty moniker, it’s the monster that is Davis. And talk to about a perfect pairing. The Chargers rank 30th in DVOA against the run and Davis won’t just clog up the middle, he will obliterate it.
18. New Orleans Saints: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Saints could draft Drew Brees’ successor here, but I think they believe they have a championship-level defense and will be better off pursuing a veteran signal-caller via free agency or trade. That quarterback will need more weapons and Treylon Burks does it all. He is a big, physical receiver with explosive breakaway speed and the ability to line up on the outside and in the slot.
19. Eagles: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
In my first mock, the Eagles took McDuffie with their first of three first-round picks. So, this time around they’ll happily take him with their third after already improving their pass rush and offensive line. The corner out of Washington isn’t flashy, but he is versatile and as solid as they come. He didn’t have many picks at Washington but that’s because teams didn’t want to throw his way. He’s a great fit opposite Darius Slay.
20. Steelers: Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi
It’s becoming widely rumored that the Steelers are enamored with quarterback Malik Willis. But unless they trade way up in the draft, it’s unlikely they’ll get him. That said, in this mock, they’ll happily take Matt Corral to be Ben Roethlisberger’s successor. Corral is a dynamic dual-threat QB with a strong arm and solid instincts.
21. Patriots: Devin Lloyd LB, Utah
Getting the No. 1 linebacker on my board makes perfect sense for the Patriots. D’onta Hightower and Jamie Collins are free agents and the team just released Kyle Van Noy. So, the Pats will need to improve that linebacking corps and Lloyd is the perfect guy for that. The kid out of Utah is an elite athlete who can play all three downs, blitz off the edge, and he’ll have no problem in coverage against running backs and tight ends at the next level.
22. Raiders: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
I thought Olave might climb up the board after his combine performance but sometimes things just fall a certain way, thus he lands with the Raiders once again. Las Vegas needs more pass catchers and Olave fits the bill. He is a smooth route runner, can take the top off a defense, and has stickum hands. He provides another weapon for Derek Carr and takes some of the pressure off Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow.
23. Cardinals: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
In a draft full of great edge rushers, Karlaftis can be overlooked and he drops quite a bit in this version, but he does it all and the Cardinals are getting a steal. Karlaftis is a great athlete with tremendous power and a high motor. With Chandler Jones potentially on his way out of the desert and J.J. Watt always an injury concern, the Cardinals could have a big need for another pass rusher.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
The Cowboys grabbed a linebacker in my first mock but are more than happy to select Green here. The once-vaunted Dallas offensive line is lacking some depth, particularly on the interior, and Green’s combination of size, strength, and positional versatility makes him a great fit for America’s team.
25. Bills: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The rich get richer. This roster doesn’t have many holes so they can take the gamble on Williams, who obviously didn’t work out at the combine as he recovers from a knee injury suffered in the national championship. But reports are the electric playmaker is way ahead of schedule and could you imagine Williams putting on the turbo boosters to fly down the field and catch bombs from Josh Allen?
26. Titans: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Titans' offensive line needs to get younger, and Penning will fit in great next to the like of Taylor Lewan in the Titans' run-first offense. Penning is your classical, nasty blocking lineman who loves contact. While he took too many penalties at NIU, he is a monster in the run game and has quick feet to develop into a solid pass blocker.
27. Buccaneers: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
This is one of the most difficult picks to lock down in the first round. With the retirement of Tom Brady, the Bucs could go in many different directions. But the latest news is Tampa Bay is trying to work out a long-term deal with WR Chris Godwin. If they can’t, expect the franchise tag on him, which means CB Carlton Davis could walk. The former Tiger is a long and athletic corner with excellent ball skills and will be an excellent addition to the Bucs’ secondary.
28. Packers: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Mafe is another prospect who has been flying up draft boards this offseason. The Golden Gopher dominated the Senior Bowl and that continued with great testing at the combine. Mafe is explosive, long, athletic, and fits in well with what the Packers try to do on defense. Besides, we can’t ruin the Packers' trend of not drafting an offensive weapon for Aaron Rodgers in the first round.
29. Dolphins: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
The Dolphins and Mike McDaniel really need to improve the offensive line if they want to give Tua Tagovailoa a real shot in this offense, but I think they’ll sign several free agents to address that. There could be multiple wideouts selected before they pick again at No. 50, so they take their pick at the end of the first round. Watson followed up a solid Senior Bowl by putting on a show at the combine. He could be the perfect receiver to pair with Jaylen Waddle.
30. Chiefs: Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia
I was very tempted to throw in a WR here to give Andy Reid yet another toy, but the Chiefs’ defensive line needs to create more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Drafting Wyatt can really open things up for Chris Jones, but the former Bulldog can also create pressure on his own. He is incredibly quick off the snap and powerful, and turned heads at the combine. He is a fit for most defensive schemes.
31. Bengals: Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College
The Bengals take an offensive lineman again in my latest mock. Johnson might not make it this far come April thanks to his positional versatility and his strong testing at the combine but for now, he lands with the Bengals who desperately need to do a better job of protecting Joe Burrow if they hope to return to the Super Bowl.
32. Lions (via LAR): Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
It’s obvious that the Lions need a quarterback, and the model for success these days is to draft a QB in the first round so you have the extra year of control at a reasonable price. Ridder is another guy Dan Campbell could fall in love with. He’s an experienced dual-threat quarterback who works hard with sound technique. He has the ability to develop into a solid pro and only saw his stock rise at the combine.
