2022 NFL mock draft: Run on quarterbacks early in round one

2022 NFL mock draft:

23. Tennessee Titans – Charles Cross, OT Mississippi State

The Isaiah Wilson experiment was an epic failure for the Titans and left the team in a tough spot following the 2020 NFL season. Beyond LT Taylor Lewan, the team does not have many proven options outside for this season and beyond. An argument could be made for Cross as the top tackle in the 2022 cycle. He was a diamond in the rough for a struggling Bulldogs squad in 2020 and could challenge Neal as the first tackle drafted from the SEC.

24. Philadelphia Eagles – Rasheed Walker, OT Penn State

Another team with big question marks upfront is the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles appear to be finally moving on from the injury-ravaged Jason Peters while returning starter Andre Dillard is coming off a season-ending injury of his own. Penn State has not had an OT selected in the first round since the Cardinals took Levi Brown fifth overall in 2007. That should change in the 2022 NFL Draft with ultra-talented, Rasheed Walker. At 6-foot-6, Walker has one of the better skillsets in the Big 10 and is an excellent pro prospect for the Nittany Lions.

25. Cleveland Browns – Perrion Winfrey, DT Oklahoma

The Browns enter the 2021 NFL season with one of the youngest and most imposing defenses in the league. That unit should help catapult the Browns to a playoff berth in back-to-back seasons. One of their few weaknesses on that defense is the defensive front and defensive tackle position. Larry Ogunjobi departed via free agency and the team is left with few proven options upfront. Winfrey is the next man up in a very talented Sooners’ front seven and would fit in nicely here at the end of the first round.

26. Green Bay Packers – Chris Olave, WR Ohio State

I have to believe the Packers would be elated to add to their receiving corps with the talent of a player like Ohio State’s Chris Olave. The team took steps to improve this offseason with the addition of Clemson’s Amari Rodgers, but there is more work to be done. While Olave appears to be a darling of the Draft community early on, I believe his lack of ideal NFL size will hinder his stock on draft day. However, Olave’s speed is a big-time asset and would take this Packers’ offense to the next level.

27. Miami Dolphins – Breece Hall, RB Iowa State

This pick for Miami is tough to predict, as they have shown a complete aversion to early-round upgrades thus far at the RB position. That could change here with the availability of the workhorse-like, three-down potential in Iowa State’s Breece Hall. I’ve previously discussed Hall as a great fit for Miami in the 2022 NFL Draft. Hall is a bruising runner with soft hands that knows how to finish drives in the end zone. He’s scored 33 total touchdowns the past two seasons and could immediately help solve some of Miami’s red zone woes.

28. Baltimore Ravens – Kenyon Green, OG Texas A&M

The retirement of long-time right guard Marshal Yanda prior to the 2020 season left Baltimore with a big weakness inside. The Ravens attempted to fill the spot with veteran D.J. Fluker but were met with mixed results. Kevin Zeitler was signed as a free agent in another attempt to solve their woes on the OL, but a long-term investment is needed here. Green returns as one of the best players on a top-10 Aggies’ roster and would slide in immediately as a starter in Baltimore.

29. Buffalo Bills – Isaiah Spiller, RB Texas A&M

Much like the Dolphins, Buffalo is in need of a talent upgrade at the RB position moving forward. Hopes are high for the duo of Zack Moss and Devin Singletary, but neither player is a home run threat or three-down option at the NFL level. Spiller was a key cog in one of the top-ranked offenses in college football last season and could be one of the first running backs taken. He has the ideal size for an NFL RB at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, and his pass-blocking ability will get him on the field right away for the Bills.

30. Detroit Lions – Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio State

The second of Ohio State’s dynamic wide receiver duo is speedster Garrett Wilson. While Olave receives most of the praise in this Buckeyes’ WR corps, Wilson could end up as the better pro. He is a very good route runner with great hands and a terrific ability to track the ball in the air. Wilson earned the weekly trust of former QB Justin Fields on his way to 723 yards and six receiving touchdowns. With the loss of Kenny Golladay to free agency, Detroit desperately needs a player like Wilson on the outside.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bubba Bolden, S Miami (Fla.)

The Buccaneers are one of the tougher teams to predict for the 2022 NFL Draft, with few weaknesses and every starter returning from their 2020 campaign. However, the team struck gold with S Antoine Winfield, Jr. last year and could turn to the secondary again here. Bolden is a great hitter that reads plays well and has terrific ball skills for the safety position. He would be a great compliment and running mate for Winfield Jr. and upgrade an already outstanding Tampa Bay defense.

32. Kansas City Chiefs – Cade Mays, OT Tennessee

The Chiefs are another team loaded with talent heading into the 2021 season, and any addition here would be an embarrassment of riches for a great Kansas City roster. Kansas City remade their offensive line this offseason, with impact moves such as the trade for Orlando Brown Jr. and signing of guard Joe Thuney.

Additional pieces may be needed to continue the rebuild and depth could be crucial for a unit that scores at the pace of the Chiefs. Mays is a versatile offensive lineman with the ability to play both tackle or guard in the NFL.