My long-awaited first mock draft of the offseason has arrived!! Fans of all 32 teams can now say in unison, “it’s draft season.” Well, for draft analysts like myself and everyone else here at Blue Chip Scouting, it’s ALWAYS draft season 24/7/365.
Mock drafts are fun, unique, attention-grabbing, and, in my experience, stressful. Draft analysts use mock drafts to create different scenarios as to what will happen come draft day and/or draft weekend. We have no idea where a player may go in the first round or beyond. We can only make guesses, as that is the nature of the NFL Draft.
Sure, there might be some instances where the first few picks of the draft could be all but certain in terms of who will be drafted where. However, the NFL Draft is the biggest guessing game in sports. There are very few guarantees during this process and it’s dangerous to have this type of mindset for this event. Anything can happen come April 28th through April 30th.
With that said, here is my first mock draft of the 2022 draft process. You will hate it with a burning passion.
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: Alabama OT Evan Neal
Jacksonville can go in any direction here. But protecting your franchise quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, should be a top priority for this organization. Kayvon Thibodeaux or Kyle Hamilton (yes, safety and the best overall player in the draft) could absolutely be in play. However, passing on the opportunity to protect your quarterback with a monster like Evan Neal is too hard to pass up. Neal would be the first offensive tackle to go #1 overall in the draft since Eric Fisher in 2013.
2) Detroit Lions: Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux
You can make an argument that Thibodeaux is the best player available. The Lions are in a rebuild with a great coach in Dan Campbell at the helm. If there was a quarterback in this draft class worthy of a high draft pick, this would be the spot to take one. But this year’s class doesn’t present that type of option. Thibodeaux is a game-changing pass rusher with incredible athleticism, bend, a good pass rush arsenal, and elite explosiveness. Thibodeaux looks to be a potential cornerstone pass rusher in the NFL and one that could be considered as one of the top players at his position down the road.
3) Houston Texans: Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
The Texans are an interesting franchise. They just hired internally with the promotion of Lovie Smith from defensive coordinator to head coach, and they still have a top-flight QB on the roster who didn’t play a snap in 2021 due to off-field legal issues. Houston could with anyone here: Derek Stingley, Kyle Hamilton, or Ikem Ekwonu. Instead, the Texans get their franchise EDGE rusher in Hutchinson. The Heisman Trophy finalist brings a diverse skill set that will allow him to play in any defense from any front along with a great pass rush arsenal and incredible football IQ for the position.
4) New York Jets: Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton
With their first of two picks in the top 10, the Jets go with the best player in this year’s draft class. I know Jets fans: the last time your team drafted a safety, it didn’t go as planned. Kyle Hamilton is no Jamal Adams, though. The Jets defense would immediately get better with Hamilton in the secondary. This is a player that can impact the game in so many different ways. Line Hamilton up in the box, nickel, single high, and, or, WILL linebacker and he can play at any of those spots at a high level. He’s the real deal!
5) New York Giants: North Carolina State OL Ikem Ekwonu
The Giants will have two free agent interior offensive linemen this offseason in Billy Price and Will Hernandez. For new head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, protecting Daniel Jones should be a top priority. Ekwonu has a future at either guard or tackle, and while he is currently ranked as a tackle on my board, Ekownu might have the better future at guard. Imagine the left side of your OL with Andrew Thomas and Ekownu at your blindside…that would be #nice.
6) Carolina Panthers: Liberty QB Malik Willis
It’s no secret that the Panthers are taking a good look at Willis and Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, as it was one of the worst kept secrets from the Senior Bowl two weeks ago. Matt Rhule needs to make a splash at quarterback after dumping Bridgewater for a worse player in Darnold. These moves along with a 10-23 record in two seasons have placed Rhule on the hot seat. While Willis is raw and may need a season for better growth, he’s got the highest ceiling of any QB in this draft class due to his incredible arm talent and ability as a runner.
7) New York Giants (via Chicago Bears): Florida State EDGE Jermaine Johnson
The Giants address the trenches with their two Top 8 selections, going with Ekwonu and Jermaine Johnson. But why Johnson? This is a player that made A LOT of money at the Senior Bowl the other week and firmly placed himself into first-round consideration. He can play on any front and is as well-rounded of a pass rusher as they come. Johnson was unblockable when watching him live in person against Clemson. I think Giants fans would enjoy Johnson’s presence in the trenches.
8) Atlanta Falcons: LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.
I know they already have A.J. Terrell as their #1 cornerback. However, the Falcons are in desperate need of assistance on the backend of their defense. Derek Stingley may have not been healthy or as consistent as one would hope over the last couple of seasons, yet his 2019 tape is teaching tape for cornerbacks. Stingley is an excellent press-man cornerback with elite ball skills and good football intelligence.
9) Denver Broncos: Ole Miss QB Matt Corral
The Broncos are still to this day looking for the true successor to Peyton Manning. How long has it been? 7 years? Jeez, man. Mr. Elway, c’mon man! Thankfully, George Paton is at the helm of the decision-making and not Elway, which gives me hope the Broncos can figure out their QB situation sooner than later. In this scenario, Bridgewater sticks around for another season or another vet comes in while Corral sits and waits his turn to start. Corral has a good ceiling, is fairly accurate with the football, has good arm talent, and can be used as a threat in the run game. This helps raise his value for teams looking for a somewhat scheme-diverse QB.
10) New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum
There are currently question marks at left tackle with Mekhi Becton’s future in East Rutherford, N.J. coming into question and sure, a pass rusher would be nice here too. However, the Jets have 4 selections in the Top 64 picks and with a deep EDGE class, the Jets could get a good player in Round 2 at the position. The Jets need to protect Zach Wilson and I believe having a presence and leader like Linderbaum can go a long way in doing so. Linderbaum is physical in both the pass and run game and is a great communicator along the offensive front.
11) Washington Commanders: Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett
The Commanders need a QB. I like Heinicke and he was a nice, fun player to watch throughout the season in place of an injured Ryan Fitzpatrick. But he’s not going to get you over the top. Could Pickett be that guy? We’ll see. I think he can be a really good QB with a good system around (all quarterbacks are system QBs if we’re being honest). Pickett is smart with the football that throws with plenty of velocity in his passes. Pickett can also create off-script and has made big-time throws whining forced out for the pocket.
12) Minnesota Vikings: Clemson CB Andrew Booth Jr.
This is honestly one of my favorite selections of this mock draft. Jeff Gladney’s legal issues forced him off the team and an aging-Patrick Peterson is a free agent. That leaves Cam Dantzler as the Vikings top corner on the roster. Not ideal, which means the secondary gets addressed here, in my opinion, with the best cornerback in this year’s draft. Andrew Booth’s twitchiness and explosiveness stand out the most on tape. He’s an excellent run defender and is a great man coverage corner. This would be a homerun selection for new GM Kewsi Adofo-Mensah.
13) Cleveland Browns: Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson
I don’t want to get into the Baker Mayfield or O.B.J. discourse. However, it’s quite clear the Browns need a WR1 and that guy could be Garrett Wilson, who is currently ranked as the top player at his position on my board. Wilson reminds me a little bit of Antonio Brown in terms of his suddenness and twitchiness as a route runner. Wilson also possesses great ball skills at the catch point and is a threat after the catch. He’d easily be the Browns top receiver if drafted here.
14) Baltimore Ravens: Georgia iDL Jordan Davis
The Ravens have plenty of needs on defense, which includes the interior of their front seven. While Jordan Davis has a ways to go in terms of true pass-rush ability, he can absolutely push the pocket and be an elite two-gap defender at the next level. Davis’ size and power make him a monster against the run and would be a good asset to new Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald.
15) Philidelphia Eagles (via Miami Dolphins): Texas A&M iOL Kenyon Green
16) Philidelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis Colts): Michigan EDGE David Ojabo
Since the Eagles are selecting back to back here, I’ll just break down their selections right here. Green would be a great successor to the just-retired Brandon Brooks, as he brings good functional athleticism and physicality to the table. Ojabo, on the other hand, is a raw pass rusher but with an absurd ceiling to be a top-flight pass rusher in the NFL. Ojabo has unreal bursts and agility for his position and is still growing as a run defender. Both players could be immediate impact players for the Eagles in their rookie season.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Mississippi State OT Charles Cross
I feel like this would be one heck of a steal. The Chargers drafted second-team All-Pro LT Rashawn Slater in the first round last year and in this scenario make it a point of emphasis to protect Justin Herbert for the foreseeable future. Charles Cross is green in plenty of areas, but he would add athleticism and good pass blocking to the right side of the Chargers for years to come.
18) New Orleans Saints: North Carolina QB Sam Howell
This is currently my personal QB1 for the 2022 NFL Draft. The Saints need a true successor to Drew Brees and it was made apparent that Jameis Winston would not be that guy, despite tearing his ACL during the season. Howell has some work to do in terms of improving pocket awareness. When it comes to the full package, I think Howell brings plenty to the table: arm talent, accuracy, decision-making, and mobility, having become a threat on the ground during his junior campaign at Chapel Hill, which will add to his value at the next level.
The Playoff Teams
19) Philadelphia Eagles: Cincinnati CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner
The Eagles double-dip on defense with their THIRD selection in the first round this year with Sauce Garnder. The underclassman is a physical press-man and zone cornerback that would be a good pairing with the aging, yet consistent, Darius Slay on the boundary.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning
I have no idea what the Steelers could do here. However, in this scenario, the Steelers make the move to lock of their left side for years to come. Like Charles Cross, Penning is green but greener. Penning is a great athlete who is the definition of a mauler. If you watched the Senior Bowl a couple of weeks ago, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
21) New England Patriots: Alabama WR Jameson Williams
It’s a shame that we won’t see Williams blazing the combine at the end of the month in Indy, but his tape is all we need to see to know he is FAST. Williams would be a great addition to a Patriots in need of a playmaker at wide receiver.
22) Las Vegas Raiders: Arkansas WR Treylon Burks
The Raiders lost Henry Ruggs III during the season for reasons I do not need to explain. While Hunter Renfrow is an excellent safety net, they need a playmaker at receiver. I think new head coach Josh McDaniels and quarterback Derek Carr will have a lot of fun with Burks. The former Razorback is a versatile player who was the Deebo Samuel of the SEC and could make an impact in the NFL in a similar fashion.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Purdue EDGE George Karlaftis
This might be the steal of this mock draft. I don’t think Karlaftis actually falls this far in the draft as he’s arguably a Top 3 pass rusher in this draft. Again, this is a mock draft presenting a possible scenario that could occur during the draft. Karlaftis, who is known for being a pass rush technician, would add a boost to the Cardinals pass rush that features J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones, both of whom are creeping up there in age.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Michigan S Daxton Hill
Dan Quinn is returning to Dallas as defensive coordinator and that should make Cowboys fans happy. They have playmakers on all three levels but are still missing a cornerstone piece at safety. I believe Daxton Hill can be that cornerstone guy on the deep end of the Cowboys secondary. He brings good athleticism, versatility, and explosiveness to the position.
25) Buffalo Bills: Boston College iOL Zion Johnson
Johnson had a GREAT week at the Senior Bowl, playing mostly at center and displaying his versatility to the NFL world. The Bills need some stability in the interior for their offensive line and Johnson can play at any guard spot plus center. He could also start at LT if he is needed to.
26) Tennessee Titans: Utah LB Devin Lloyd
The Titans need a playmaker on the second level of their defense and it’s been a while since they’ve had a really good linebacker. Devin Lloyd is an older prospect but he’s the 3-down linebacker you want on your defense, displaying great range, quickness, and coverage ability.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Georgia iDL Deonte Wyatt
I have no idea what Jason Licht is going to do here at 27. They could go with Brady’s successor at QB here with Desmond Ridder or Carson Strong. Or they can go “best-player-available”. I honestly have no clue. They do need help next to Vita Vea in the interior of that defensive and while Wyatt isn’t the biggest iDL, he’s got great quickness, burst, and gap-shooting ability that the Bucs would love to have.
28) Green Bay Packers: Georgia EDGE Travon Walker
I’m going to take a guess and say Aaron Rodgers returns next season. Sadly, I don’t think Za’Darius and Preston Smith will return next season due to the Packers dicey cap space situation. Thankfully, they’ll be able to potentially replace them with a fun, versatile pass rusher like Walker, who was a standout player for the Bulldogs championship defense this past season.
29) Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco 49ers): Georgia LB Nakobe Dean
Protecting Tua is a priority for the Dolphins. In this mock draft scenario, they go all-in in free agency to help him out. That leaves the defense in need of an exciting second-level playmaker and that to me looks like Dean, who is the 3rd consecutive Georgia Bulldog to come off the board. Dean reminds me of former Bulldog Roquan Smith due to his explosiveness and sideline-to-sideline range.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Ohio State WR Chris Olave
Mahomes needs a WR2 badly. Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce being you top two targets are fun and all. And, sure, Mecole Hardman is an explosive playmaker, but he hasn’t been as consistent as some would hope. Matching Chris Olave and his terrific route running ability with the best quarterback in the world is a match made in heaven, yet a nightmare for the NFL.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: UCLA OL Sean Rhyan
I think we all saw the Super Bowl Sunday night and throughout the last two seasons to understand that Joe Burrow needs good offensive linemen protecting him. Start both Isaiah Prince or Hakeem Adeniji or Jackson Carmen is just not going to cut it for a team that seems to have emerged as the AFC’s third-best team. Sean Rhyan is a versatile offensive lineman that can start at either guard or tackle and play well at either spot. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Bengals go all-in and trade up for a top offensive lineman.
32) Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Washington CB Trent McDuffie
With their second 1st round pick, the Lions get a potential CB1 in McDuffie. With question marks surrounding Jeff Okudah and his future with the team post-Achilles injury, the Lions need playmakers at the position on a team that’s beginning to ascend with Campbell at the helm. McDuffie is a well-rounded cornerback who comes from a good line of cornerbacks to come out of Washington.
