2022 NFL mock draft: 7 defenders crack the top 10 picks in recent simulation

The NFL Draft is still nine months away, but here’s why Pro Football Network has seven defenders going early in their recent 2022 NFL mock draft. 

It’s never too early to take another look at how things could shape up in the 2022 NFL Draft. Since the previous draft ended, hardcore draft fans have shifted their focus to next April. So far, most of the talk has been centered around the young quarterback class. However, the defensive side of the ball isn’t getting enough love.

Recently, Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator predicted the first round of next year’s class. They had seven defenders going inside the top ten in their 2022 NFL mock draft.

To kick things off, the first two selections of the draft were occupied by quarterback Sam Howell and Spencer Rattler, respectively. To those that have been following along closely this offseason, this should come as no surprise. Both Howell and Rattler are 20 years old with immense upside, and they could very well wind up as the top two picks in the NFL Draft next year.

While some have projected a few more quarterbacks to land in the top ten, PFN’s simulator disagrees. In fact, 7 of their next 8 picks are all on the defensive side of the ball.

Going 3rd overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars is Kayvon Thibodeaux. The extremely talented Oregon pass rusher could prove to be one of the best prospects we have seen on the edge since Myles Garrett in 2017. With a strong season, he could lock himself into a top-three pick next year.

The Thibodeaux pick is followed up by a pair of cornerbacks in two of the next three selections in Kaiir Elam and Derek Stingley Jr. Surprisingly, the PFN simulator has Elam going ahead of Stingley – who is one of the best cornerback prospects ever graded.

The simulator has four more defenders going picks 7-10 with USC EDGE Drake Jackson, Purdue EDGE George Karlaftis III, Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton, and Alabama LB Christian Harris.

Could this 2022 NFL mock draft come to fruition?

Obviously, it’s important to consider that this is still a very early mock draft (and made via simulation, no less). While all seven of these defenders may prove that they deserve to be taken this high, it’s very unlikely that the draft will shape up this way.

Nothing is more valuable than the quarterback position in today’s NFL, and there are sure to be more than two teams who will be pursuing their next franchise passer next year. This doesn’t mean that candidates like Kedon Slovis, Malik Willis, or Phil Jurkovec will play well enough to warrant a top-ten selection next year, but history tells us that quarterback is a position that is frequently over-drafted.

In addition, this mock draft simulation doesn’t have a single skill player projected inside the top ten next year and only one offense tackle – something that would certainly go against the norm.

Next year’s defensive group looks very promising, but it’s important to take these mocks with a grain of salt. Still, it’s interesting to see that Pro Football Network has seven players inside the top ten of their latest 2022 NFL mock draft.