Wednesday, April 27, 2022

2022 NFL Mock Draft

 




It's that time of year! The time to put a mock draft together and attempt to project what unpredictable NFL franchise's will do after 1 evening of "research". This year feels particularly difficult with no clear top pick or top QB. Will I get any picks correct ? Probably not, but here I go nonetheless.



1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Ikem Ekwonu

Doug Pederson wants to invest in offense. As a franchise who's future is ride or die with Trevor Lawrence, it's probably a good idea to draft a protection plan.


2. Detroit Lions - Aiden Hutchinson 

This just feels right. Let Lions fans have something to cheer about.


3. Houston Texans - Travon Walker

Texans have been linked to Derek Stingly. Well folks we might just get to that shortly.


4. New York Jets - Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner

Jets need a ton of help in the secondary. They gave up the 3rd most passing yards last season. As deep as this class is at WR they can afford to wait before adding a playmaker on offense.


5. New York Giants - Evan Neal

For the love of God please draft a lineman to help Saquon and give Daniel Jones a chance.

6. *TRADE* Houston Texans - Derek Stingly

The Carolina Panthers draft capital has been decimated. Yes they desperately need to find a franchise QB, but I'm not sure if they need to take one at 6 when they can potentially get their guy at 13. If the Texans truly want Stingly this move makes a lot of sense. He could fall to 13, but sometimes you just have to go get your guy. 

Texans trade picks 13, 37 and 170 for picks 6 137 and a future 5th


7. New York Giants - Kyle Hamilton

His draft stock has been sliding since his underwhelming 40 time, but this guy is a baller. He's one of the safest players in the draft. 


8. Atlanta Falcons - Jameson Williams

The Falcons are no strangers to Bama WRs. They have selected both Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley in previous first rounds. I get the worry about him potentially missing part of the season, but do the Falcons really expect to contend this year anyways ? Shouldn't matter.


9. Seattle Seahawks - Kayvon Thibodaux 

Seattle needs pass rushing juice. Why not take a guy who was in contention for the number 1 pick just a few months ago.


10. New York Jets - Garrett Wilson

The Jets rush to the podium with this pick. They struck out on trading for WRs. Unless they can convert a hail marry deal for Deebo I believe Wilson is their target. They want speed. Many mocks have London here, but I don't think he has the explosiveness the Jets are looking for.


11. Washington Commanders - Drake London

Washington has speed with Scary Terry, Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown. London would compliment this group very well and add a different element to their passing game and redzone offense.


12. *TRADE* New Orleans Saints - Kenny Pickett

After the slide down from the Panthers the Saints would love nothing more than leap right in front of their division rivals to not only get their guy but block the Panthers in the process.

Saints Trade picks 16 49 and 120 for picks 12 77 and 184


13. Carolina Panthers - Malik Willis

I think Pickett is their guy, but they will look to slide back and get him being content with Willis as a plan B.


14. Baltimore Ravens - Charles Cross

The Ravens are obviously built around Lamar Jackson and the run game. Cross will only help their philosophy thrive.


15. Philadelphia Eagles - Chris Olave

Olave is a dynamic deep threat. The Eagles desperately need a playmaker opposite of Devonta Smith.


16. Minnesota Vikings - Trent McDuffie 

The Vikings need help in the secondary. The value wasn't quite there at 12 with sauce and stingly gone. This makes more sense.


17. Los Angeles Chargers - Zion Johnson

The Chargers bolstered their pass rush with the off-season blockbuster deal for Mack. They could potentially go WR here, but adding another potential star on the O-line next to Slater seems like the right decision.


18. Philadelphia Eagles - Nakobe Dean

The Eagles need to come away with a WR and a LB early in this draft. Dean would provide much needed athleticism and upside at the LB position. 


19. New Orleans Saints - Trevor Penning

They traded up to get their guy now it's time to build around him.


20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jordan Davis

They need to upgrade their O-line, and add depth in the secondary as well as their WR corp, but they have a huge void in run defense. The Steelers franchise needs a guy like Jordan Davis. They were uncharacteristically abysmal against the run last season and have to play in a division against Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb and the Ravens. Davis would be a match made in heaven.


21. New England Patriots - Devin Lloyd

A versatile LB to bolster the defense seems like a direction Belicheck would love to go in.


22. Green Bay Packers - Treylon Burks

Will this finally be the year the Packers draft a QB in the first round ? Has to be right? Burks has the traits to be a number 1 WR. I'm not worried about his underwhelming 40 time. He carries his pads well and is still dynamic with the ball in his hands.


23. Arizona Cardinals - Jermaine Johnson

The Cardinals could look to add a dynamic WR here, but Johnson sliding is too good to pass up after the loss of Chandler Jones


24. Dallas Cowboys -  George Karlaftis

Will Jerry Jones just take a WR anyways ? Probably, but they could use offensive line and pass rush help much more.


25. *TRADE* Kansas City Cheifs - Christian Watson 

The Cheifs have 12 picks in this draft and have a huge void to fill to replace Hill. Watson has elite size and speed (6'4" 4.36 forty 38.5" vert). KC would be wise to be aggressive to lock up their guy by leaping GB and Tennessee. 

KC trades picks 29 and 94 for picks 25 and 130


26. Tennessee Titans - Devontae Wyatt

Titans could look to trade back here, but I think the D-Line talent still left is too tempting to pass up.


27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers  - Kenyon Green

A versatile Offensive lineman to help protect Brady in what might be his last dance.


28. Green Bay Packers  - Skyy Moore

Wait now the Packers take 2 WRs ?? Seems blasphemous, but something they probably need to do. They locked up an Alpha Anquan Bolden type with Treylon Burks and now can add a burner (4.41 forty) to go with him. Rodgers won't complain.


29. Buffalo Bills - Breece Hall

Offense complete. This is the missing piece that could put them over the top and into the Super Bowl.


30. Kansas City Cheifs  - Boye Mafe

The Cheifs need to load up on defense after doing what it takes to add a dynamic WR. Mafe lead senior bowl practices in pass rush grades according to PFF.


31. Cincinnati Bengals - Tyler Linderbaum

The clear cut center in this class ends his slide here. The Bengals passed on addressing offensive line needs last year and hit a home run in the process. This year they might just strike gold on the O-line


32. Detroit Lions - Desmond Ridder

They pick again at 34. If they want to take a QB here why not ?





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