It’s finally here.
Draft day is upon us, ladies and gentlemen.
Tomorrow night, Roger Goodell will announce, “with the first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select…,” and we’ll be off and running. We’ll finally see how the first round of the NFL Draft plays out. There are 2 more days of this after Thursday night, with Rounds 2 & 3 beginning Friday night, and Rounds 4 through 7 will be conducted throughout the day on Saturday. So, if your favorite team didn’t address a need you wanted them to, they have six more rounds to do so after Thursday night.
Let’s get real: this isn’t a very popular draft class, especially at the top. There’s no Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert, or Joe Burrow in this class. This year’s group is underwhelming. However, if your team has a buttload of Day 2 selections, there should be a lot of good talent available. I’ll be honest…this has been one of the most tiring draft cycles. But, it’s also been one of the more diverse in terms of differences of opinion on prospects. There has been very little groupthink among prospects. However, we’ve seen our fair share of draft fatigue over prospects such as Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton and Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux.
But, folks, we’re finally at the end of this thing. I can’t guarantee I won’t dive right into the class of 2023 after the draft because looking at some of the talents for next year, there might be some special talent to look at come next offseason and I am very much looking forward to it.
Well, here it is. This is my final pre-draft article for the offseason. Mock draft 3.0 is here and this is my final prediction as to what may happen on draft night. Please note that I will be very wrong with this and don’t take me seriously. If you do, I’ll send your complaints to my good friend Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson).
Let us begin:
1) Jacksonville Jaguars select: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
This has been THE guy to be taken here since Cam Robinson received the franchise tag a couple of months ago. This pick could absolutely be Travon Walker, Evan Neal, or Ikem Ekwonu. However, I think the safest pick for Jacksonville (and the smartest of the three other choices) is Hutchinson. While he isn’t a true blue-chip talent, he has a very high ceiling and floor. The Heisman Trophy finalist is technically sound as a pass rusher who can lineup in a variety of alignments.
2) Detroit Lions select: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
I feel like Walker would be a phenomenal pick here for Detroit. He seems like the type of player that would fit right into Dan Campbell’s team culture from the jump. Walker still has some growth to do as a pass rusher and developing even a simple pass-rush plan. However, he has rare athleticism, raw power, and unreal explosiveness to make an immediate impact on all three downs early on in his career. The end result could be Walker developing his pass rush plan and becoming one of the most feared pass rushers in the league.
3) Houston Texans select: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
I know “Sauce” Gardner might be a better fit for Lovie Smith’s defense. Though, I think Stingley should be an easy choice here and could also fit right into Smith’s unit. Stingley’s tape is phenomenal and was good in his sophomore and junior year when he was “not good.” He has shown the ability to play the run very well and make good tackles in space. There are some inconsistencies, yes. However, Stingley has the goods to be a star in this league for years to come.
4) New York Jets select: Ikem Ekwonu, OL, North Carolina State
I believe that protecting Zach Wilson should be a top priority for the Jets. Sure, they can draft someone like Sean Rhyan or Tyler Smith on Day 2. But, I think with a premium player available here such as Ekwonu, it will be hard to pass up. Ekwonu has the versatility and movement skills to play left tackle and left guard. I expect him to play LG, allowing Alijah Vera-Tucker to move to right guard while the team gets another look at Mekhi Becton at left tackle. Ekwonu brings aggressiveness and physicality to every play, something the Jets have lacked in recent years.
5) New York Giants select: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
I think the Giants have a really good left tackle in Andrew Thomas. However, if things don’t work out in Year 3, they’ll need someone that can step in right away and play at a high level on the left side. Evan Neal has the ability to play right tackle and do it very well, as we saw in 2020 during Alabama’s National Championship run that year. Neal and Thomas could man the right and left sides of the Giants offensive line for years to come. Good luck trying to get up the arc against these two.
TRADE! The Carolina Panthers trade back with the Seattle Seahawks, acquiring the 9th overall pick, the 41st overall pick, and a 2023 4th round pick in exchange for the 6th overall pick.
6) Seattle Seahawks (via Carolina) select: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The Seahawks could be trading up for someone like Malik Willis or Charles Cross. However, I see this season as a rebuild-ish (maybe retool?) type of year for Seattle and building the roster around the QB position. When was the last time the Seahawks had a legitimate stud pass rusher? Probably either Bruce Irvin or Michael Bennett. Grabbing Thibodeaux, my #2 overall prospect on my personal board, would be a home-run selection for Seattle and would keep him in the northwest. Thibodeaux is a phenomenal talent who can be one of the better rushers in the entire league due to his athleticism, run defending skills, explosiveness, and raw power.
7) New York Giants select: Ahmad “Sauce” Garnder, CB, Cincinnati
I don’t know how much longer James Bradberry will be on the Giants roster, and that means the cornerback position will be a position of need this weekend. I believe that Sauce Gardner would be a fantastic selection here. He offers great size, physicality, ball skills, man and zone cover skills, and good football intelligence that will be a good fit in Brain Daboll’s defense.
TRADE! The Atlanta Falcons trade back with the Pittsburgh Steelers, acquiring the 20th overall picks, 84th overall, and Pittsburgh’s 2023 1st round pick.
8) Pittsburgh Steelers (via Atlanta) select: Malik Willis, QB, Pittsburgh
The Steelers are in the market for a quarterback. In this mock draft scenario, with Carolina picking at 9th overall via trade-back and Malik Willis still on the board, Kevin Colbert gets aggressive in his final draft and trades up for Ben Roethlisberger’s successor. While Willis may not start right away, he has the tools to be a special quarterback at the next level.
9) Carolina Panthers (via Seattle) select: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Scott Fitterer’s gamble in trading back pays off, landing one of the best offensive tackles in the draft with Charles Cross. Did you know that the Panthers have had a different starting offensive tackle every season since Jordan Gross retired in 2014? Well, that changes for good. Cross is a well-refined offensive tackle in pass protection with great movement skills, hand technique, and football IQ in terms of ID’ing blitzes, stunts, and twists. He also has the upside to be a great run blocker with more growth in terms of functional strength.
10) New York Jets (via Seattle) select: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
The Jets turn to the trenches in the 1st round, going with Ekwonu at 4th overall and now with Jermaine Johnson here at 10th overall. Johnson is a technically refined pass rusher and run defender that can play along any defensive front from any alignment. Johnson is currently ranked higher than Aidan Hutchinson on my draft board and I believe he would fit Robert Salah’s defense to perfection.
11) Washington Commanders select: Kyle Hamilton, SAF, Notre Dame
This is the best player available and the best player in the NFL Draft. I know Commanders fans want something other than safety because it’s not exactly a need. However, if the best player in the draft lands on your lap, you SPRINT to the podium to turn that draft card in. Kyle Hamilton is the best safety to come through the NFL Draft since Derwin James in 2018. This should be an easy no-brainer.
12) Minnesota Vikings select: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Booth may end up going later in the draft due to an injury that hampered his pre-draft process. Though, it would not be a surprise at all to see him taken in the Top 15. The No. 1 rated cornerback on my board, Booth offers great size, length, man cover skills, ball skills, athleticism, and unbelievable twitch and closing speed. Patrick Peterson only has a few solid years left in the tank. It’s time to start thinking about the future at CB for Minnesota.
13) Houston Texans (via Cleveland) select: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
With it being a DEEP pass rush class this year, I would not blame Houston for waiting until Round 2 for a pass rusher. They’re still in a developmental stage/rebuild as a roster overall. However, I think George Karlaftis has a very bright future at the next level. He has arguably the best pass rush plan of any EDGE in this draft class. While there are areas for more growth, Karlaftis could be a menace for the Texans defense.
14) Baltimore Ravens select: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
I think the Ravens could go with any defensive position here at 14. But, I think after the type of draft process Jordan Davis has had, it’s going to be hard for him to not be the first defensive tackle taken in the NFL Draft. Davis is the best run defending iDL I’ve ever evaluated and one of the strongest and most powerful defensive linemen I’ve ever seen since starting this in 2018.
15) Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis) select: Kenyon Green, iOL, Texas A&M
Brandon Brooks retired this offseason, which means the Eagles need to find his successor. I believe Kenyon Green, tied for the highest-graded offensive prospect on my personal big board, can be that guy. Green offers good hand technique, consistency in his pass sets, and good functional strength in the run game. He has the makings of being a mainstay at any of the two guard spots for years to come.
16) New Orleans Saints (via Philadelphia from Miami) select: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The best receiver in the draft lands on a team known for having amazing talent at the position ever since Drew Brees came to town in 2006. That line of talent is extended with Garrett Wilson. The former Buckeye offers great RAC ability, ball skills, route-running ability, and natural separation skills. A Day 1 starter who can be the Saints No. 2 WR very quickly.
17) Los Angeles Chargers select: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Penning is a raw player, yes. A lot of his issues come down to technique. However, his deficiencies are coachable. Add his Day 1 physical traits and you might have a future star. Penning has the movement skills and athleticism to play on the right side. If you’re looking for a right tackle version of Taylor Lewan, Penning is your guy.
18) Philadelphia Eagles (via New Orleans) select: Drake London, WR, USC
The Eagles drafted their X-receiver in Devonta Smith last year. Now they add a Z/big-slot receiver in Drake London. The former Trojan offers great size, catch radius, route-running ability, and physicality after the catch. I think having a receiver that can go up and get the ducks Jalen Hurts throws on a weekly basis will actually help the Eagles passing game.
19 New Orleans Saints (via Philadephia) select: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
This quarterback class is bad and I’m not the biggest fan of Desmond Ridder as a prospect. I think he has some deficiencies that need to be addressed before he starts an NFL game. However, the NFL is higher on him than the pundits. I think sitting behind Jameis Winston in New Orleans would allow him to develop correctly at the next level.
20) Atlanta Falcons (via Pittsburgh) select: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Calvin Ridley’s future is up in the air and with his year-long suspension, the Falcons are desperate for more talent at the position. Get Ridley 2.0 with Chris Olave, who offers the best route-running skills in the draft to go along with natural separation skills, and great hands. Olave can be a WR1 at the next level with the right team.
21) New England Patriots select: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
After losing J.C. Jackson to the Chargers in free agency, the Patriots need another starting corner either at nickel or on the outside. Trent McDuffie is a well-refined corner that can play either spot with great coverage skills and offers great value as a run defender in space.
22) Green Bay Packers select (via Las Vegas): Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
The Packers don’t necessarily need a ton of help along the defensive line, but adding more talent to the position should be a priority. Taking, in my opinion, the best defensive tackle in the draft would be a great start to the Packers 2022 draft class. Wyatt has the ability to play 3-4 5-tech end while playing from a 3-tech in 4 down lineman packages.
TRADE! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers trade up with the Arizona Cardinals, acquiring the 23rd overall pick in exchange for the 27th overall pick, 91st overall, and a 2023 3rd round pick.
23) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Arizona) select: Zion Johnson, iOL, Boston College
I feel like this would be a dream scenario for Tampa Bay. After Ali Marpet’s retirement, Zion Johnson would be the perfect successor. Johnson has very few flaws and can play either guard spot or center right away due to consistent technique and good overall power at the point of attack.
24) Dallas Cowboys select: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Linderbaum tied for the highest-graded offensive prospect on my personal big board along with Evan Neal and Kenyon Green. Linderbaum would be a perfect fit for the Cowboys, who have been looking for Travis Frederick’s successor with Tyler Biadasz showing too much inconsistency. Linderbaum offers great technique and wonderful football IQ that will allow him to be a plug-in-play center at the next level.
25) Buffalo Bills select: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
I could see the Bills drafting Breece Hall here. However, with his current value and how I think the NFL views him right now, I think Williams would be a great pick here to pair up with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. All 32 teams would be very fearful of the combination of Josh Allen’s arm and Williams’ coverage-busting speed.
26) Tennessee Titans select: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
A linebacker is certainly a possibility. However, Ryan Tannehill isn’t going to be in Nashville forever and it should be time to consider his future successor. I think Pickett provides good value here and would land on a team that has had consistent success with Mike Vrabel as head coach. Pickett would be landing in a great environment that would allow him to succeed early on in his career, assuming he starts in 2023.
27) Arizona Cardinals (via Tampa Bay) select: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
I think here in the late 20s there will be some good value picks and I believe this is another one. Elam fills a need on the boundary for the Cardinals defense and would be a Day 1 starter. Elam offers good press-man skills but his true strength is his zone cover skills which he can attack throwing windows and offer great awareness and ball skills.
28) Green Bay Packers select: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
After trading Davanta Adams, the Packers have truly addressed the position other than signing Sammy Watkins a few days ago. I believe that one of the Packers first-round picks will be a wide receiver. Treylon Burks could be a perfect fit for the Packers, offering amazing RAC ability, ball skills, and the ability to play both the slot and the X-receiver at the next level.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (via Miami from San Francisco) select: Logan Hall, EDGE, Houston
30) Kansas City Chiefs select: Daxton Hill, SAF, Michigan
SURPRISE! We have a shocking first-round selection. Logan Hall is a versatile defensive lineman that offers the ability to play in 5-tech as a base end or 3-tech, similar to how the Chiefs have used Chris Jones in the past. Hall is a well-refined pass rusher with a good rush plan and great run defending skills.
With their second 1st-round pick, the best player available on my personal big board finally comes off the board. Daxton Hill is a terrific talent with great athleticism, man cover skills, ball skills, and versatility. Hill could be a starting nickel for the Chiefs and play in a similar role that Tyrann Mathieu played.
31) Cincinnati Bengals select: Lewis Cine, SAF, Georgia
I understand that the Bengals have Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates on the roster. It doesn’t hurt to have three good safeties on your roster. Cine is a versatile safety that can be very impactful on special teams early on and play in sub-packages where he’ll be able to run the alley and make plays against the run while offering an insurance policy should Jessie Bates walk in free agency in 2023.
32) Detroit Lions (via Rams) select: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The best QB in the NFL Draft on my personal board, Sam Howell would be a perfect fit in Detroit and offers the talent to be a formidable starting QB down the road with further development. I’m a fan of Howell’s deep ball and running ability, which adds more value for him his prospects at the next level. Having a bridge QB such as Jared Goff should be good for Howell’s development and allow for the Lions to continue to build around the QB position.
