To celebrate the 2022 NFL Draft being less than a week away it is time to roll out version 1.0 of my mock draft. The seemingly inevitable trades make speculating on draft positions/teams extra tricky this year, that being said I like the approach of focusing more on a player and a draft position than a team and a need.
How many qaurterbacks will get drafted in the 1st Round? When will the first offensive lineman go? Can this be the 1st year ever with 3 straight defensive linemen to lead off the draft? Sit back and enjoy as I answer all of your draft questions. And of course, LET IT RIDE.
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| # | Team | Pick | Pos | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Jaguars | Aidan Hutchinson | EDGE | Michigan |
| No curveball here, best prospect, amazing production at the college level. Jacksonville makes the "Safe" pick with Hutchinson | ||||
| 2 |  Lions | Malik Willis | QB | Liberty |
| Are we really trying to pretend that a QB isn't gonna go top5/top 10. Jared Goff isn't a winner, even FOOTBALL GUY Dan Campbell sees that. Take your shot with the highest ceiling QB in the class | ||||
| 3 |  Texans | Travon Walker | EDGE | Georgia |
| Texans didn't expect him to be here cant pass on a freaky prospect like Walker , will fit into Lovie Smith's defense nicely. | ||||
| 4 |  Jets | Kayvon Thibodeaux | EDGE | Oregon |
| Formerly the clear #1 prospect, "off-field" concerns has put doubt into the minds of front office personal. That being said, ALL-TIME JETs pick right here if it turns out he really doesnt love football! | ||||
| 5 |  Giants | Evan Neal | OT | Alabama |
| With both tackles on the board a trade down is very possible to let a team come up and take Pickett. If they dont trade down here it's 100% a tackle. Neal 1a to Ekwonu 1b, I lean Neal as he projects to be a better completement right now for Andrew Thomas and brings a nasty streak that I don't see in the other top OTs. | ||||
| 6 |  Panthers | Ikem Ekwonu | OT | NC State |
| Surprised this isn't a potential bigger story, while everyone is looking for Rhule to take a QB, the bigger need is OT, to avoid ruining another QB. Heck their OC Macadoodle even pointed out that Darnold is gonna be their starter, albeit a slip. Carolina keep the NC State product at home. | ||||
| 7 | Giants via CHI | Ahmad Gardner | CB | Cincinnati |
| Dream scenario here for the Giants. Pass rusher is a deep pool this year and I expect them to go that route in the 2nd round. Wink Martindale's system is all about coverage and confusion. The Giants replace James Bradberry (draft day trade) with the top prospect at the CB position. | ||||
| 8 |  Falcons | Drake London | WR | USC |
| For some time I've believe that Drake London is just flat out the top prospect in the WR class. I also believe that Arthur Smith brought in Mariota to be the QB. London + Pitts creates a pretty dynamic receiving corp, replacing the suspended Calvin Ridley | ||||
| 9 |  Seahawks via DEN | Jermaine Johnson | DE | Florida State |
| Pete Carroll will almost certainly want to take Hamilton here but they need a pass rush and he could be the last of the top shelf guys | ||||
| 10 |  Jets via SEA | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State |
| The Jets are in need of a WR based on their attempts to trade for one this offseason, they get their pick of the litter here with only London off the board. Just imagine the Wilson -> Wilson best ball stacks! | ||||
| 11 |  Washington | Kyle Hamilton | S | Notre Dame |
| The Redskins AKA The Football Team AKA The Commanders have actually drafted well of late and I don't see how they let the top safety on the board to slide past them here. | ||||
| 12 |  Vikings | Derek Stingley Jr. | CB | LSU |
| Need meets BPA, Stingley has shot up the board since his pro day and is one of the clear top CB prospects. I didn't have the balls, but Kenny Pickett to Minnesota is very intriguing as word has it that the front office is sour on Cousins | ||||
| 13 | Texans via CLE | Charles Cross | OT | Mississippi |
| Will they be tempted to take a pass catcher to help Davis Mills and the offense out, yes. Can they pass on the last elite OT prospect, NO | ||||
| 14 |  Ravens | George Karlaftis | EDGE | Purdue |
| Ravens are taking CB, OT or DL/EDGE. I think there is a chance McDuffie could be the pick to replace Marcus Peters going forward. BUT I think they settle on the versatile Edge (Former Water Polo player) who will fit their system nicely. FWIW Karlaftis comped himself to Khalil Mack | ||||
| 15 |  Eagles via MIA | Jordan Davis | DT | Georgia |
| MONSTER of a man, and a clear replacement plan for Eagle great Fletcher Cox...the comedian in me wants to give the Olave to the Eagles here. | ||||
| 16 |  Saints | Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State |
| Winston is gonna need some help on the outside as this team hasn't been the same since Michael Thomas stopped playing. Why not replace him with another stud from Ohio State | ||||
| 17 |  Chargers | Trevor Penning | OT | Northern Iowa |
| Chargers seem to always match best player available with need. Perfect spot here to solidify the O-line for Mr. Herbert and this dynamic offense. | ||||
| 18 | Eagles via NOLA | Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama |
| Eagles go WR in the 1st round for the 3rd straight year and 2nd straight year going Alabama WR in the first round. No excuses for Jalen Hurts after this year. | ||||
| 19 | Saints | Matt Corral | QB | Ole Miss |
| Word on the street is the Saints love a QB who isn't Pickett or Willis...I'm willing to bet it isn't that lawn chair Desmond Ridder. The Saints keep the Ole Miss product in SEC country with the extra draft ammunition gained from the Eagles. | ||||
| 20 |  Steelers | Kenny Pickett | QB | Pittsburgh |
| Steelers are almost certainly going QB here and if they don't come up for WIllis, the Steelers keep the Pickett in Pittsburgh. | ||||
| 21 |  Patriots | Devin Lloyd | LB | Utah |
| Pats trade back, but if they don't, Lloyd is a perfect defender to fit the Steve Belichick versatile defense as he fits any scheme and do whatever is asked of him. My #1 LB in the class. | ||||
| 22 |  Packers via LV | Treylon Burkes | WR | Arkansas |
| Drake London and Treylon Burkes stand out to me as the best size speed combo guys this year. I think Burkes won't replace Adams but I love his chances to produce in Matt Lafleur's offense. | ||||
| 23 |  Cardinals | Trent McDuffie | CB | Washington |
| Elite athletic profile being held back by size, Cards would be wise to invest in the position after trotting Malcolm Butler on the field last season. | ||||
| 24 |  Cowboys | Tyler Linderbaum | OL | Iowa |
| Hate the idea of the Cowboys getting a steal here, but Linderbaum is a line changing player. Top 10 talent playing a less valuable position. | ||||
| 25 |  Bills | Andrew Booth Jr. | CB | Clemson |
| Biggest need other than Offensive Coordinator for the Bills, will feel burned after targeting McDuffie but Booth Jr. fits the bills PUN INTENDED. | ||||
| 26 |  Titans | Desmond Ridder | QB | Cincinnati |
| EYE EMOJI, Ryan Tannehill's successor is in the building. Craziest thing about the Ridder prospect rise, "his mobility". This is a classic case of NFL GMs and Colby Dant not seeing eye to eye, Ridder coming in as Dant's #8 lawn chair QB | ||||
| 27 |  Buccaneers | Zion Johnson | OG | Boston College |
| Could be Kenyon Green but almost certainly will be the top OG as the Bucs need a starter and I think the rest of the roster is in good shape. | ||||
| 28 |  Packers | Devonte Wyatt | DL | Georgia |
| Small chance they go OL here but for my money they go DL and eating space is a great way to upgrade your pass rush without drafting a pass rusher. | ||||
| 29 |  Chiefs via 49ers via MIA | Jahan Dotson | WR | Penn State |
| Simple solution, let Tyreek Hill walk for a billion dollars and draft his replacement with the pick you got back from the Dolphins...winning franchise management. | ||||
| 30 |  Chiefs | David Ojabo | EDGE | Michigan |
| Luxury pick here for the Chiefs, top 10 upside. We have seen this before, injured but freak pass rusher falls in draft and returns all the way, just not in time for day one...rich getting richer | ||||
| 31 |  Bengals | Boye Mafe | Edge | Minnesota |
| They invested in OL in FA, logical for them to continue to stockpile pass rushers considering the state of the AFC | ||||
| 32 | Lions via LAR | Tyler Smith | OL | Tyler Smith |
| After securing their QB of the future they solidify the OL with the last of the 1st Round OTs in Tulsa's Tyler Smith, Lions can focus on defense for the rest of the draft. | ||||
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