There are sure to be some interesting selections next April, but here’s why trenches dominate the first round in my latest 2022 NFL mock draft.
We’re over halfway through the NFL season and beginning to get a clearer idea of which teams will be picking where. We’re also finding out exactly which areas of each team are in need of an upgrade.
This is a strong defensive group that is sure to feature some elite talent at the next level, but the trenches will include some of the best prospects that will be selected in April. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The draft order is taken from Tankathon.
2022 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-8
1 – Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux – Defensive End – Oregon
The Lions need help everywhere, so can afford to take a BPA approach this year. Simply put, Thibodeaux is the best player in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Jared Goff may not be the long-term answer, but the Lions are giving him very little help and he’s not the reason they’re losing.
They can afford to give him another year, safe in the knowledge that they’ll likely be picking near the top of the draft again in 2023. Thibodeaux looks dominant every time he’s on the field and would instantly upgrade the Lions’ pass rush and their entire defense.
2 – Houston Texans: Matt Corral – Quarterback – Ole Miss
The Texans still have Deshaun Watson under contract but it would be a surprise at this point if he played for the franchise again. They will be desperate to find an answer at the position and it doesn’t look as if either Tyrod Taylor or Davis Mills are it.
In Matt Corral, they get a player who is improving every year and adding some consistency to the highlight-reel plays. He’s impressed through the air and on the ground and looks as if he’ll be the first quarterback taken.
3 – Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins): Aidan Hutchinson – Defensive End – Michigan
The Eagles defensive line is strong on the interior with Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, and Milton Williams making up a disruptive trio. They could use help on the edge, though, and Hutchinson gives them that. Josh Sweat is having a strong start to the season, but Derek Barnett could be upgraded. Hutchinson would give them another athletic rusher and contribute to an impressive defensive line.
4 – New York Jets: Derek Stingley Jr. – Cornerback – LSU
The priority for the Jets should be upgrading the offense to help second overall pick Zach Wilson, but Stingley would be a huge upgrade to the defense. The cornerback group badly needs investment and Stingley has been locking players down since he was a freshman.
He’ll bring an attitude and confidence to the team that could completely change the identity of the defense and put them in a much better position to face the young quarterbacks in the AFC East.
5 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal – Offensive Tackle – Alabama
The Jaguars are a team that could go in almost any direction and would come out of it a better team. Their priority has to be trying to get the best out of 2021 first pick Trevor Lawrence, though. In Neal, they get the best offensive lineman in the class and a player who has experience at both left and right tackle. Not only will he keep pressure off Lawrence and give him time to make plays, but he’ll help James Robinson, Travis Etienne, and the Jaguars running game.
6 – Washington Football Team: Carson Strong – Quarterback – Nevada
Washington has been thinking year to year at the quarterback position since Kirk Cousins left. Whether it’s been Dwayne Haskins, Alex Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, or Taylor Heinicke, they’re yet to find the long-term answer. Strong is a traditional pocket passer who could find Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel accurately and often. He’d keep the offense on track.
7 – Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Booth Jr. – Cornerback – Clemson
Darius Slay has been a good addition to a cornerback group that was the worst in the league just a couple of years ago. He’s an aging player but could be a great mentor as Booth becomes more of a playmaker. With Amari Cooper, Ceedee Lamb, and McLaurin in the division, adding a player with speed and coverage skills is a necessity. He would be a huge upgrade to the defense.
8 – New York Giants: Jordan Davis – Defensive Tackle – Georgia
There’s no guarantee that Dave Gettleman will still be the general manager of the Giants by the time the draft rolls around. If he is, though, Jordan Davis is exactly the type of player he’ll love. Gettleman has previously used first-round picks on Star Lotulelei, Vernon Butler, and Dexter Lawrence. He’s addicted to big defensive tackles.
Davis is 6’6, 340 pounds, and an outstanding athlete. He eats double teams and would join Lawrence and Leonard Williams to give the Giants one of the most intimidating defensive fronts in the league.
2022 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 9-16
9 – New York Giants (from Chicago Bears): Tyler Linderbaum – Center – Iowa
The Giants were hoping that Nick Gates would return to his best this season, but a leg break has left him with an uncertain future. Linderbaum would be an instant upgrade to the offensive line and anchor it for a decade.
He’s athletic, physical, and intelligent. With Daniel Jones entering a make-or-break season, the Giants must give him the opportunity to succeed. Few picks would be celebrated by Jones as much as Linderbaum would.
10 – Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco 49ers): Kenyon Green – Guard – Texas A&M
The Dolphins have invested in their offensive line in recent years – Austin Jackson was a first-round pick, Liam Eichenberg was taken in the second, and so was Robert Hunt. They’re yet to find the solution, though, and Tua Tagovailoa has been spending a lot of time under duress in the pocket.
In Kenyon Green, they get a player who can be plugged into any spot on the offensive line and provide an upgrade. He can improve the unit’s run blocking and pass protection from day one.
11 – New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks): Garrett Wilson – Wide Receiver – Ohio State
Mekhi Becton, Connor McGovern, and Elijah Vera-Tucker are great starting points for an offensive line. They’ve also traded for Laurent Duvernay-Tardif from the Chiefs, who could hold down a guard position. That means that the Jets can invest in a wide receiver to help Zach Wilson.
In this mock draft, they turn to his namesake. Garrett Wilson is a nuanced route runner who can get open but also win in contested catch situations. He’ll join a QB who isn’t afraid to throw deep passes into traffic.
12 – Minnesota Vikings: Kaiir Elam – Cornerback – Florida
Vikings fans will groan at the thought of taking another cornerback early in the draft, but Elam is different. He’s a much more complete player than Jeff Gladney, Mike Hughes, Mackensie Alexander, or even Trae Waynes. Elam could step in right away, either with Cameron Dantzler or as part of a trio with Dantzler and Patrick Peterson. He has the length that Mike Zimmer likes in his cornerbacks and, if he’s still the head coach, it’s a sensible pick.
13 – Carolina Panthers: Malik Willis – Quarterback – Liberty
The Sam Darnold experiment looks as if it could be coming to an abrupt end. Injury and inconsistency have caused questions to be asked about the former Jets quarterback. In Malik Willis, the Panthers would get to add an exciting playmaker who could be unleashed in Joe Brady’s offense. He’s capable of making plays with both his arm and his legs and that will appeal to Panthers fans.
14 – Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis Colts): Kyle Hamilton – Safety – Notre Dame
With their third pick of the first round, the Eagles complete their defensive transformation. Hamilton is a complete safety who can run, hit, and cover. Some think he’s a lock for the top-10, but we see safeties fall every year. Hutchinson, Booth, and Hamilton would give the Eagles one of the best young defenses in the league.
Jalen Hurts is developing well, but he’s a mobile QB who is more suited to a ball-control style of football. Hamilton is a playmaker and would help the Eagles win low-scoring games.
15 – Denver Broncos: DeMarvin Leal – Defensive End
The Broncos have question marks on both sides of the ball, but they take the best player available approach here. Leal has been a wrecking ball this season, dominating offensive linemen. With Von Miller out of the picture, Leal could be the perfect running mate for Bradley Chubb.
Vic Fangio would love a player with the versatility of Leal, who can play both outside and inside. He could move him around based on matchups and it would be a home run pick.
16 – Cincinnati Bengals: Ahmad Gardner – Cornerback – Cincinnati
Logic would dictate that the Bengals are heavily aware of Sauce Gardner, who has been playing in the same city for the past three years. The Bengals have invested in their defense and still have holes on the offensive line, but Gardner would be a great addition. He has the size to hold up in a physical division and would give the Bengals the legitimate number one cornerback they’ve been searching for.
2022 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-24
17 – Cleveland Browns: Chris Olave – Wide Receiver – Ohio State
The Browns moved on from Odell Beckham Jr. last week. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, they need more than just Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Anthony Schwartz under contract for 2022. Olave is an impressive route runner who is capable of winning deep. On an offense committed to running the ball, he could feast when Baker Mayfield throws vertically.
18 – Kansas City Chiefs: George Karlaftis – Defensive End – Purdue
The Chiefs need help in a lot of areas on defense but a dangerous pass rush could help solve a lot of problems. In Karlaftis they get a versatile player with an outstanding motor who is capable of rushing from anywhere.
He’d add much-needed physicality to the defense and would give opposing offenses something else to think about. With an offense as good as the Chiefs should be putting out there, a few extra pressures could be the difference between winning and losing.
19 – Atlanta Falcons: Drake Jackson – Defensive End – USC
The Falcons have holes all over the roster but they have to get better on the defensive line. Dante Fowler could move on and he’s been their best edge rusher, despite inconsistent production. Jackson has the athleticism that defensive coordinator Dean Pees looks for on the outside, which will enable him to drop into coverage when the situation calls for it. With Grady Jarrett inside, Jackson will be able to take advantage of one-on-one matchups.
20 – New England Patriots: Jahan Dotson – Wide Receiver – Penn State
It’s early in his career but Mac Jones looks like a home run pick at quarterback. If he’s to take that next step, though, then he’s going to need better receiving options. Jones excelled when going deep at Alabama and Dotson is one of the top deep threats in the draft. He would add speed and explosiveness and become a reliable downfield target.
21 – New Orleans Saints: Drake London – Wide Receiver – USC
The Saints will be keeping an eye on quarterbacks but, assuming he recovers from his torn ACL, they could opt to put their faith in Jameis Winston for another season. They desperately need a talent infusion at wide receiver and London would give them just that, irrespective of whether Michael Thomas is back.
He’s a big target who Sean Payton would love. London won’t play again for USC due to an ankle injury but he should be healthy and could dominate from day one.
22 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Ikem Ekwonu – Offensive Tackle – North Carolina State
Ben Roethlisberger has struggled massively this season but the Steelers may have to look at adding a veteran quarterback in free agency if they’re picking at this point. Past offenses in Pittsburgh have relied on strong offensive line play, though, and inconsistency has held back the offense. Ekwonu has the size and strength to open holes for Najee Harris in the run game and give whoever is passing the ball longer in the pocket.
23 – Las Vegas Raiders: Treylon Burks – Wide Receiver – Arkansas
The Henry Ruggs news has left the Raiders short at the wide receiver position. While Darren Waller will continue to be the focal point of the passing game, there’s a reason that the team went out and invested in Ruggs in the 2020 NFL Draft. Adding firepower will only help Derek Carr and Burks would give him another big target who he can count on.
24 – Dallas Cowboys: Sean Rhyan – Offensive Tackle – UCLA
Left tackle may seem like a strange direction for the Cowboys to go in given they have Tyron Smith, one of the best in the game. The Cowboys have been struggling with offensive line depth, though, and Smith missed 14 games last season.
He’s dealing with another injury this season, although the team hopes he can play through it as often as possible. Rhyan wouldn’t be rushed into the lineup and could learn from Smith while providing a backup plan who won’t sink the offense.
2022 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 25-32
25 – Buffalo Bills: Derion Kendrick – Cornerback – Georgia
The Bills have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL but adding another top-level cornerback opposite Tre’Davious White could elevate the defense to another level. Kendrick has had an eventful road to this point but he’s excelling on the top team in the country. The former wide receiver has among the highest ceilings in the class and should continue to improve.
26 – LA Chargers: Adam Anderson – Linebacker – Georgia
Joey Bosa was an outstanding pick for the Chargers but they’ve struggled to replace Melvin Ingram opposite him. Anderson has been disrupting offensive lines and hitting quarterbacks all season and would be a great addition to Brandon Staley’s defense. In a division with Patrick Mahomes and Derek Carr, there’s no such thing as having too many pass rushers.
27 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zion Johnson – Guard – Boston College
Tom Brady continues to defy the aging process but he’s never liked interior pressure in his face. Johnson has been dominant in multiple positions and should make a smooth transition to the NFL. If Alex Cappa isn’t re-signed to play right guard then Johnson could slot in next to Wirfs to form an intimidating right side of the line.
28 – Detroit Lions (from LA Rams): John Metchie – Wide Receiver – Alabama
The Lions currently have a very depressing group of wide receivers. Jared Goff is capable of keeping the offense moving but adding a player like Metchie, who can create big plays with the ball in his hands, would certainly make things easier. He’s a smooth route runner who would join D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson to form an exciting young trio.
29 – Baltimore Ravens: Charles Cross – Offensive Tackle – Mississippi State
Ronnie Stanley landing on injured reserve and Orlando Brown being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs has shown that the Ravens could still do with upgrading at tackle. Cross is an outstanding athlete for a man of his size and could be a perfect fit for the Ravens, who have had success developing offensive linemen in the past.
30 – Green Bay Packers: Jameson Williams – Wide Receiver – Alabama
Could 2022 be the year that the Packers finally invest in weapons for Aaron Rodgers? Davante Adams is arguably the top receiver in the league but it’s been a steady stream of disappointments behind him. Williams has been excellent since transferring from Ohio State. He has the speed to separate deep and has proven himself one of the top playmakers in college football.
31 – Tennessee Titans: Nakobe Dean – Linebacker – Georgia
The Titans defense has been a lot more effective getting after the quarterback this season but adding an athletic playmaker at linebacker could take them to the next level. Dean might be a little undersized but he can do it all, giving them a big upgrade in pass coverage and as a blitzer.
32 – Arizona Cardinals: Darian Kinnard – Offensive Tackle – Kentucky
Putting a human the size of Kinnard in front of a human the size of Kyler Murray might not be ideal but the Cardinals could do with upgrading their tackle spots. Kinnard is a behemoth. He isn’t going to be the most athletic offensive lineman in the league but he’s capable of moving around as Murray leaves the pocket and he’d be a worthy addition.