2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.1
For my first edition of a 2022 NFL mock draft, I have decided against trades and instead focused on the projected draft order as of today. Team needs were factored into these selections as well. This mock draft is my guess as to how these general managers would tackle the first round, as opposed to how I would. It will be interesting to see how the quarterback selections play out and when the first one comes off the board. Could the first QB be selected as late as I predict?
1.Detroit Lions – Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon Ducks
Thibodeaux is my top player on the draft board, though I know that isn’t a controversial statement in the football world. With no quarterback standing out as the first selection, Thibodeaux is my favorite for first overall pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft and the real one in April. Thibodeaux is a freak of nature coming off the edge who must be heavily game planned for every week, or he will destroy you.
2. Houston Texans – Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
Taking a cornerback at #2 may cause some eyebrows to be raised, but once you get past the position, and look at who the player is, you will understand why. Stingley has been one of the nation’s best players since he was a true freshman on LSU’s National Championship team. He is an undisputed #1 corner that can routinely cover the opposition’s best receiver and make splash plays with his amazing ball skills.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
See the first sentence above, but replace cornerback with safety. Hamilton could make a case for being the top overall prospect in the class. Safeties are becoming more and more important in today’s pass happy NFL and Hamilton has the potential to be one of the best at that position with his eye-popping athleticism and playmaking ability.
4. New York Jets – Aidan Hutchison, DE, Michigan
Talk about a player who has helped his draft stock over the first half of the college football season. Thus far, this dude cannot be blocked. Hutchison can slip between double teams, beat guys with power on the inside, or win with speed. He has displayed the whole package this season.
5. New York Giants – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Neal isn’t a perfect prospect, but with a few refinements of his game he wouldn’t be far off. At 6’7, 350 pounds Neal possesses scary athleticism. That crazy athleticism allows him to dominate in the run game and deal with speedier rushers.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (Via Dolphins) – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Cincinnati CB Ahmad Gardner
Gardner was already seen as a first round prospect to begin the year, but his play thus far has put him in top 10 discussion. Gardner is a fiery player with prototypical size who will be able to play in a variety of systems. I can see him becoming one of the better press man corners within a few years.
7. Atlanta Falcons – Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
The first quarterback off the board in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Ridder brings incredible intangibles and athleticism at the position to the table. He is a winner, a leader, and intelligent. He is also mobile and has a cannon for an arm. Can he make the necessary throws in tighter windows against far superior competition?
8. Washington Football Team – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
In an extremely strong cornerback class, Elam still stands out as special. Elam is an instinctive player on the boundary and possesses superb ball skills. He has more than held his own against opposing #1 receivers in the best conference in CFB.
9. Philadelphia Eagles – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Corral is a certified gunslinger and has a cannon for an arm. This has got him into some trouble in terms of turning the ball over, but that is something that can be addressed. The arm talent is impressive and the ceiling is high.
10. New York Jets (Via Seahawks) – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Linderbaum is an impressive prospect who is probably one of the safer picks in this first round. Don’t mistake safe with having a low ceiling, because this dude can easily be one of the best centers in the league early in his career. He consistently plays with power and an admirable edge.
11. New York Giants (Via Bears) – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Liberty QB Malik Willis
Willis is a developmental prospect for sure, but you can’t question his natural gifts. Willis has the chance to be a nightmare matchup for NFL defenses with his powerful arm and running ability. He will likely sit for a year or two while he adjusts to the NFL, but it could be worth the wait.
12. Carolina Panthers – Ikem Ekonwu, OT, NC State
Last year, Christian Darrisaw was drafted in the first round by the Vikings. Still, numerous NFL scouts preferred Ekonwu to Darrisaw as the best offensive tackle in the ACC in 2021. This guy moves people, and he loves to finish the play by dumping opponents into the ground.
13. Miami Dolphins (Via 49ers) – Kingsley Enagbare, Edge, South Carolina
As a pure pass rusher, there aren’t many better prospects in this class than Enagbare. The sack totals may not be where NFL scouts would prefer, but the pressure and hurry numbers are. He flashes incredible athleticism off the edge and projects as a plug and play impact performer.
14. New England Patriots – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The first wide receiver off the board. Burks has incredible size, and he uses his size to his advantage when high-pointing catches. He has done a lot of damage from the slot for the Razorbacks, but he should be a boundary player for the most part at the next level.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (Via Colts) – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
McDuffie is an amazing athlete who thrives when asked to play off coverage. He is instinctive and with his offensive background, he consistently makes plays on the ball. He will be able to run with the speedier receivers in the league and is an above-average tackler for the position.
16. Denver Broncos – George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
One of the best recruits in Purdue history, Karlaftis has lived up to his exciting potential. He is an advanced pass rusher and has the size to kick inside on pass rushing situations. However, the best aspect of his game may be his relenting motor.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
A player that is unanimously high on most draft boards, Green is a well-built interior lineman that plays with a lot of pop at the point of attack. He offers a solid floor as a pro prospect, but there is a high ceiling to work with too if he realizes his complete potential.
18. Cincinnati Bengals – DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M
Leal is the best interior defensive line prospect in the class. He may never be a double-digit sack player, but he is extremely powerful in the run game and can knock guys back into the pocket. It helps he has played everywhere along the line and can be used as a 1-tech, 3-tech, or 5-tech at the next level.
Utah LB Devin Lloyd
19. Minnesota Vikings – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
One of my favorite players in this draft class, Lloyd is my number one rated linebacker. He is also the first ILB selected in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. 62 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 pass deflections. How does that sound through six games? Lloyd can be deployed as a sideline-to-sideline player, or as a north-south player that can get to the QB.
20. Cleveland Browns – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Olave is the best technician in this year’s wide receiver class. His separation skills and hands stand out the most when watching him. He has been a consistent producer during his time for the Buckeyes. Olave should be an immediate high-level contributor on Sundays.
21. Las Vegas Raiders – Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
Before the season started, Smith wasn’t as high on my radar as he is today. Now, Smith is one of the main reasons you would regret missing a Penn State game. He offers legitimate top-tier athleticism and size that cannot be taught. It is exciting to watch him fly around the field.
22. Tennessee Titans – Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Edge guys like Hutchison and Karlaftis have done more to improve their stock this season than Jackson. However, that doesn’t mean Jackson hasn’t put good film out there. Jackson is a stud athlete coming off the edge, who can play in an odd or even front. He offers a lot of room to get better with some added strength and technique fixes.
23. New Orleans Saints – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The second Ohio State wideout to come off the board in the first round, Wilson isn’t far behind his teammate as a prospect. Wilson is a fluid mover and is extremely smooth at the top of his routes and when changing direction. He can operate outside, but might be better inside the numbers on Sundays.
24. Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Georgia DT Jordan Davis
Perhaps the top performing defensive player in the country on the nation’s best defense, Davis is a nightmare to deal with in the trenches. Davis is strong as a bull and plays with powerful hands. Good luck running at Davis and blocking him 1 on 1. He is more powerful than he is an explosive mover.
25. Green Bay Packers – Drake London, WR, USC
USC has had a nightmare season, but London’s performance is certainly not the reason. London is putting up video game numbers even when he is the opponent’s number one focus. His stalkiness and length allow him to win most contested catch situations.
26. Kansas City Chiefs – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
I will be taking a deeper look at Dean soon, but from watching a couple Georgia games on TV I immediately see a leader and gamer. Dean has called plays for the Bulldogs and is seen as a WILL or MIKE in a 4-3. Although undersized, he is intelligent, reactive, and tough.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Cross must add strength and he hasn’t gotten much experience in the run game under Mike Leach. However, he has had the chance to work in a wider space. Cross hasn’t struggled with athletic edge rushers, because he has the athletic traits to match.
28. Arizona Cardinals – Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
Ahmad Gardner gets a lot of the attention when talking about the Bearcats defense, but Sanders deserves recognition too. He is a speed rusher through and through, but must add strength to be better against the run. Nevertheless, his rare length and speed combination will heavily entice NFL teams.
29. Baltimore Ravens – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
In today’s NFL where the upper tier offensive tackles are athletic monsters, Penning’s game is promising. There is some coaching that needs to be done to improve the finer points of playing the position. Though he is coming from an FCS school, Penning has a legitimate shot to come off the board Day 1.
30. Detroit Lions (Via Rams) – Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Howell was considered an option to go #1 overall and be the first QB off the board, but his play so far this season hasn’t solidified that position. Still, Howell has the intangibles required to play the position at a high level. He is also a decent athlete and throws with anticipation down the field.
31. Buffalo Bills – Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
Clemson CB Andrew Booth
Clemson has been disappointing this year, but Booth has flashed the skills which make him a top five cornerback prospect. Booth plays with a mean streak and loves to be aggressive against the run and when the ball is in the air.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Adam Anderson, EDGE, Georgia
Anderson has been a joy to watch coming off Georgia’s edge all season. He is a wiry and explosive athlete with long arms and strong hands. His production numbers are solid, but not dominant, likely a result of the loaded team he plays on. Anderson can be even more impactful at the next level and he closes out the first round of the 2022 NFL Mock draft.
