2022 NFL MOCK DRAFT: Pre-Season Edition
With College Football’s opening weekend right around the corner (no week 0 doesn’t count), and the NFL season kicking off shortly after, it can only mean one thing…it’s mock draft season! When my last mock draft was posted, the word “delta” was used mostly on college campuses, President Biden promised an orderly withdrawal of our troops from Afghanistan and Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javy Baez were members of the Chicago Cubs. Let’s get started before this takes a darker turn.
Speaking of dark, the team projected with the first pick next season is…
1. Houston Texans-Spencer Rattler; QB Oklahoma
Even if Deshaun Watson plays football again, it won’t be for Houston. This season is going to be miserable for Texans fans but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Rattler’s inaugural college football season got off to a bumpy start, but by the end of last season he was among the best quarterbacks in college football. If he picks up where he left off, then he might follow the footsteps of fellow Sooners Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray and become a Heisman Trophy winning, first-overall pick.
2. Detroit Lions- Kayvon Thibodeaux; Edge Oregon
Despite enticing options available, Detroit passed on the chance to take a franchise quarterback in April. While they may come to rue that decision, they should have plenty of high draft picks these next two seasons to find their guy. With Rattler off the board, there probably won’t be a quarterback that persuades the Lions’ decision-making brass, so let’s give them Thibodeaux, the best edge rushing prospect since Chase Young.
3. Philadelphia Eagles-Malik Willis; QB Liberty
While Detroit may not be enticed by the remaining quarterback prospects, Philadelphia’s self-proclaimed quarterback factory won’t be able to pass on a duel-threat talent like Willis. The Eagles already told us how they feel about Jalen Hurts when they acquired Gardner Minshew this weekend, and with likely three first-round picks next April, they can afford to take a big swing on a volatile prospect like Willis.
4. New York Jets-Derek Stingley Jr; CB LSU
After going offense heavy with last April’s draft, the Jets can now turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball. Stingley didn’t have a great 2020 season, but as a freshman he had already established himself as one of the best defensive players in college football. Stingley is as talented as any cornerback to ever play at LSU, which is definitely saying something.
5. Cincinnati Bengals-DeMarvin Leal; IDL Texas A&M
Like New York, Cincinnati spent much of their early draft capital on offensive in April-and the one defensive player they did take will likely miss all of 2021 after having knee surgery. The Bengals finally cut ties with franchise stalwart Geno Atkins this offseason, so they will be in the market for another decade-long defensive stalwart.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars-Evan Neal; OT Alabama
The Urban Meyer era has gotten off to a rocky start so far in Jacksonville, especially in terms of pass protection. Protecting Trevor Lawrence must be the Jaguars’ top priority and this 360 lb. behemoth from Tuscaloosa fits the bill. Neal was the best offensive lineman on a team that had three players selected in last year’s draft, and he should be the consensus best offensive line prospect next April.
7. Carolina Panthers-Jaxson Kirkland; OT Washington
The jury is still out whether Sam Darnold will be the answer at quarterback in Carolina, but they are doing a great job of surrounding him with playmakers. The Panthers still need to improve the offensive line and while he’s not in the same tier as Neal, Kirkland should be a strong building block.
8. New York Giants-Kyle Hamilton; S Notre Dame
The Giants already have two talented safeties in Logan Ryan and Jabril Peppers, but there’s a good chance New York won’t be able to afford both next season. Enter Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton is built like a linebacker and coves like a corner, and if he ends up in New York alongside Adoree Jackson and James Bradberry, the Giants can reasonably claim to have the best secondary in the NFL.
9. New York Giants (via Chi)-Tyler Linderbaum; IOL Iowa
Thanks to their trade with Chicago last April, the Giants get a second first-round pick and if you’ve been following the Bears at all, then you know there’s a good chance that pick also ends up in the top ten. Despite their investment, New York’s offensive line still isn’t very good, especially after losing Kevin Zeitler this offseason. Linderbaum is arguably the best interior offensive line prospect in the draft and a true center. He should add an immediate boost to New York’s line.
10. Las Vegas Raiders-Christian Harris; LB Alabama
The Raiders continue to be one of the most directionless franchises in the NFL, and there doesn’t seem to be any sign of that changing anytime soon. Harris plays for Alabama and this is about ten spots too high for him, so in other words, a perfect Raiders pick.
11. Denver Broncos-Sam Howell; QB UNC
George Paton’s galaxy brain take on franchise quarterbacks cost the Broncos a chance at Justin Fields last April, and the end result will have Denver looking for a quarterback again this offseason. The Broncos have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL outside of quarterback, so getting a high floor player like Howell could be enough to get them back into the playoff discussion, even if Howell’s ceiling is lower than one would want from a quarterback selected this high.
12. Arizona Cardinals-Trent McDuffie; CB Washington
The Cardinals will more than likely be starting over with a new coaching staff next season, and their new coach will be inheriting a talented, but flawed roster. The biggest area of concern is the secondary, and McDuffie should be a day one starter for the Cardinals next season.
13. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND)-Kaiir Elam; CB Florida
After addressing quarterback with their first pick, Philadelphia can start to rebuild their secondary with their second pick. Elam is a polarizing prospect, so he’ll need a strong 2021 to solidify his status as a consensus first-rounder.
14. Minnesota Vikings-Chris Olave; WR Ohio State
All signs point to Minnesota moving on from Kirk Cousins sooner rather than later, which should signal a full rebuild on offense. If that happens, the Vikings may very well be looking to to move on from Adam Thielen next season. Olave’s soft hands and polished route running makes him a perfect replacement for Thielen-as well as a great compliment to Justin Jefferson.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers-Andrew Booth; CB Clemson
Pittsburgh will be looking for a new starting quarterback for the first time in nearly twenty years next offseason, but they probably won’t be in position to address that spot via the draft. Booth had a breakout 2020 and would be a great fit for a Steelers team that is thin at corner.
16. Atlanta Falcons-Drake Jackson; Edge USC
Atlanta has been in dire need of pass rush help for years, and last season’s big offseason acquisition Dante Fowler has not proven to be the answer. Jackson is a project, but his talent is undeniable so it’s hard to envision a scenario where he doesn’t get selected in the first round.
17. New Orleans Saints- Garret Wilson; WR Ohio State
Who knows if Michael Thomas will be on the Saints next season, but even if they keep Thomas and preseason star Marquez Calloway breaks out, the Saints are still painfully thin at wide receiver. Wilson isn’t as polished or pro-ready as his fellow Buckeye teammate Olave is, but he’s dripping with talent and should hear his name called in round one next year.
18. New England Patriots-Kenyon Green; IOL Texas A&M
The Patriots spent a lot of money plugging holes this past offseason, so they should go into next offseason operating from a position of strength. Adding Green to an already formidable offensive line would give New England one of the best offensive lines in football.
19. Tennessee Titans-Zion Johnson; OT Boston College
Tennessee already cut bait with 2020 first round pick Isaiah Wilson, so tackle remains a need for this team. Johnson’s best long-term position in the NFL may end up being guard but regardless, he should be a future starter in the NFL.
20. Los Angeles Chargers-Ahmad Garner; CB Cincinnati.
The Chargers already took one talented cornerback in last year’s draft when they selected Asante Samuel Jr., but new head coach Brandon Staley’s scheme needs a strong secondary. Between Garner, Samuel, and do-everything safety Derwin James, the Chargers would have the ammunition next season to allow Staley to deploy his defense in multiple ways.
21. Mia (Via SF); Nik Bonitto; Edge Oklahoma
Like Los Angeles, the Dolphis should also decide to double dip with their first rounder. 2021 first-round pick Jaelan Phillips should be a nice building block, but he alone won’t solve all of Miami’s edge rushing needs. Bonitto has a diverse skillset who can not only rush the passer but can also drop into coverage when necessary.
22. Dallas Cowboys-Jordan Battle; S Alabama
Dallas still needs some help in their secondary-especially at the safety position. Battle has been a solid contributor two consecutive seasons for a loaded Alabama defense and should take another leap forward this year for the Crimson Tide.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA)-Aidan Hutchingson; Edge Michigan
Philly’s third first-round pick should be aimed at adding some juice to their pass rush. Derek Barnett and Brandon Graham aren’t getting any younger, and if Hutchinson is fully healthy, he should have a strong season this year and carve out a nice career in the NFL.
24. New York Jets (via Seattle)-Kingsley Enagbare; Edge South Carolina
Speaking of teams that need pass rush help, the Jets suffered a debilitating blow when they lost Carl Lawson for the year with a torn Achilles. Enagbare is raw but has the upside to be a game changer at the next level.
25. Baltimore Ravens-Brandon Jospeh; S Northwestern
Northwestern had the best secondary in the NCAA last year, and Joseph was a big reason why. Baltimore is loaded at corner, but they’re always looking to add talented secondary prospects and Joseph fits the bill.
26. Washington Football Team-Charles Cross; OT Mississippi State
Washington will need a long-term answer at quarterback, but they’re going to be too good this year to address the position via the draft. The Football Team brought in Charles Leno as a short-term answer on the offensive line, but they need to keep adding young talent at the position, which is why they should take a flyer on Cross.
27. Buffalo Bills-Treylon Burks; WR Arkansas
Buffalo will need to keep adding young, inexpensive talent to their roster as Josh Allen’s extension kicks in next year. Burks has as much upside as any receiver in this year’s class and should be able to replace the production the Bills get from Emmanuel Sanders this year.
28. Detroit Lions (via LAR)-Adam Anderson; Edge Georgia
Detroit gets the Las Angeles Rams’ first round pick for the next two seasons after trading Matt Stafford this past offseason. The Lions have made it clear they want to rebuild their team through their offensive and defensive line, so adding another edge rusher at the back of the first round fits their style.
29. Cleveland Browns-John Metchie; WR Alabama
Like Buffalo, Cleveland is going to have to replace some veteran starters with cost-effective replacements as some of their big money extensions kick in. The odds of Cleveland being able to keep both Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham next season is slim, so they can use their first-round pick on one of their replacements.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Darian Kinnard; IOL Kentucky
Tampa might be looking for a new quarterback next offseason, but who knows how long Tom Brady can keep this going. Assuming Brady does come back, Tampa can keep adding to their already very talented offensive line with this pick.
31. Green Bay Packers-Jordan Davis; IDL Georgia
Green Bay is another team who may be moving on from their hall-of-fame quarterback in the offseason. It’s impossible to know what Green Bay will need until they address their situation with Aaron Rodgers, but for a team that has been gashed on the ground the last two NFC title games, adding a massive run stopper like Davis would make a lot of sense.
32. Kansas City Chiefs-Derion Kendrick; CB Georgia
The Chiefs have a surprisingly thin roster, especially on the defensive side of the ball. However, as long as they have Andy Reid and Pat Mahomes, they should get used to picking in the early 30s with their first-round pick.