The 2022 NFL Draft is finally upon us and we have a long, crazy night ahead of us. Here’s my final mock draft.
There promises to be many twists and turns and excitement along the way. Dreams will be realized and hopes will be crushed for teams and players alike tonight and this weekend overall.
With that in mind, I have released my final mock draft of the 2022 cycle. This six-round extravaganza includes my final predictions for the first six rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. Take a look below and enjoy the big day!
Round 1
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Travon Walker, EDGE Georgia
This feels wrong, but the favorite for the number one pick has changed. Walker followed up a great season for Georgia with a tremendous Combine. He would provide an instant upgrade to the Jaguars’ pass rush and face of their defense for years to come.
2. Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE Michigan
The top player on my board for the 2022 NFL Draft, Hutchinson falls into the lap of his hometown team. He was the most dominant college player this past season and would be quite the coup for the Lions and Coach Dan Campbell with the second overall pick.
3. Houston Texans – Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame
My favorite for the top talent in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hamilton would be an instant upgrade for Houston in their secondary. His range and playmaking ability make Hamilton the favorite here with the third overall pick.
4. New York Jets – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE Oregon
Once considered the darling of the 2022 NFL Draft, Thibodeaux has seen his stock decline during the last few months. Even so, he’s a top-5 player that should be in the mix for the Jets here at number 4.
5. New York Giants – Evan Neal, OT Alabama
Neal started the 2021-2022 college season as the top college tackle available and winds up here as the first player taken at the position. He’s a massive human being with great length and would be a tremendous bookend with former first-rounder Andrew Thomas.
6. Carolina Panthers – Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh
The Panthers taking a QB here is one of the worst-kept secrets in the 2022 NFL Draft. Coach Rhule once recruited Pickett while he was at Baylor, so he may take this opportunity to make it right. Many have Malik Willis coming off the board first, but I believe it will be Pickett instead.
7. New York Giants (from CHI) – Ahmad Gardner, CB Cincinnati
While Derek Stingley Jr. is also a tremendous player in his own right, I believe “Sauce” to be the safer and more polished option here for the Giants. This is a clean prospect with a limited downside that should be a cinch top-10 pick on Draft day.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Malik Willis, QB Liberty
With their rival team going in another direction with Kenny Pickett, the Falcons find Willis falling into their lap here at number 8. Willis may remind fans of former Falcons’ great Michael Vick with his explosive athleticism and rocket arm, but he may need some additional time to develop.
9. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) – Ikem Ekwonu, OT N.C. State
Ekwonu was another one of the top stars of the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. He is a long and athletic prospect with experience both inside and out. His nasty demeanor and upside would provide a tremendous upgrade for Seattle on the offensive line.
10. New York Jets (from SEA) – Derek Stingley Jr., CB LSU
Like Thibodeaux earlier, the Jets decide to gamble on the talent here with Stingley Jr. at the 10th pick. Stingley Jr. has the upside to become the best player in this class and presents lockdown potential at the next level for New York.
11. Washington Commanders – Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio State
The Commanders were a shoo-in for a quarterback before the trade for Carson Wentz. However, they may now choose to upgrade their offense around Wentz with the top available WR in the draft. Wilson is an athletic playmaker outside with great hands that should complement Terry McLaurin nicely.
12. Minnesota Vikings – Jordan Davis, DL Georgia
One of the true athletic marvels of the 2022 NFL Draft, Davis wowed with his sub-5 forty-yard dash at the Combine and will be in the top ten mix in the 2022 NFL Draft. Minnesota needs reinforcements up front and Davis has the type of big body and athleticism to be a special player inside.
13. Houston Texans (from CLE) – Jermaine Johnson, EDGE FSU
A former transfer from Georgia, Johnson broke out in a big way for the Seminoles this past season. With a starting spot, Johnson was able to prove himself a legitimate force on the edge. After deciding on the safety at 3, Johnson would make a potential starter for the Texans in 2022.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Kaiir Elam, CB Florida
The Gators have been churning out talented defensive back prospects in recent years, and Elam could be the best of the bunch. The nephew of former Ravens’ DB Matt Elam, Kaiir is a long, sticky cover man that would fit in Baltimore’s defense nicely.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) – Drake London, WR USC
The second receiver comes off the board here with USC’s big-bodied Drake London. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound London has a terrific blend of size and speed that can develop into a true number-one type for the Eagles and QB Jalen Hurts.
16. New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) – Jameson Williams, WR Alabama
A legitimate top-10 talent with game-changing speed, Williams still comes off the board in the first round despite the late-season ACL injury. He has star potential as the deep option in this Saints’ offense next to target hog Michael Thomas.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Charles Cross, OT Mississippi State
Rookie offensive tackle Rashawn Slater was a massive part of the Chargers’ success in 2021. Therefore, the team turns back to the offensive line with this SEC star from Mississippi State. Cross would be a tremendous bookend to Slater on this ascending AFC squad.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) – Trent McDuffie, CB Washington
The Eagles have struggled in the secondary for the past few seasons and could use the 2022 NFL Draft to address those needs on the back end. McDuffie is a feisty, lightning-quick slot corner prospect with the skill to play outside as well. He’s a rising player in the Draft community.
19. New Orleans Saints (from PHI) – Trevor Penning, OT Northern Iowa
I mentioned Penning as one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft, and the Saints bank on his talent here at 18th overall. With the loss of Terron Armstead in free agency, Penning would step right in as a starter from day one.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Desmond Ridder, QB Cincinnati
One of the first big surprises of round 1, I believe the Steelers’ to be very interested in the tall, athletic Ridder. His big arm and sneaky athleticism are reminiscent of former Steelers’ great Ben Roethlisberger. Ridder could be the long-term answer in the Steel City.
21. New England Patriots – Devin Lloyd, LB Utah
Former defensive stalwarts Donta Hightower and Kyle Van Noy are no longer the playmakers they once were, and reinforcements are needed. Lloyd is a missile on the field and could be the man in the middle for New England for the next decade.
22. Green Bay Packers (from LV) – Treylon Burks, WR Arkansas
The loss of Davante Adams will be felt big-time in Green Bay this season, and a new number one is needed for Aaron Rodgers and company. The team also lost Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency, which makes the addition of Burks a big one for this offense
23. Arizona Cardinals – Andrew Booth, CB Clemson
The Cardinals spent multiple 2021 picks attempting to correct their secondary and they made some major strides in that area. However, the work is not finished in that area and Clemson’s Booth could provide another valuable piece to an improving Arizona defense.
24. Dallas Cowboys – Daxton Hill, S Michigan
Even with Trevon Digg’s breakout season in 2021, the Cowboys’ secondary still ranked in the bottom half of the league against the pass. Daxton Hill was all over the field for the Wolverines’ defense in 2021 and would provide an invaluable boost on the back end.
25. Buffalo Bills – Breece Hall, RB Iowa State
Buffalo is one of the more complete all-around squads heading into the 2022 season, but one area that has lacked consistency is the running game. Devin Singletary played admirably in the playoffs, but a true three-down workhorse like Hall could take this talented offense to the next level.
26. Tennessee Titans – Nakobe Dean, LB Georgia
The Georgia Bulldogs were loaded this past season and it shows here with the third or four potential players to come off in the first round. Dean is an extremely instinctual and athletic linebacker that has three-down potential and could quarterback Vrabel’s defense for the next decade.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Zion Johnson, OG Boston College
Boston College’s offensive line has been one of the more productive units over the past few seasons, and Johnson is a polished veteran that should go in the first round. The Buccaneers can use a starter inside following the retirement of Ali Marpet and the loss of Alex Cappa in free agency.
28. Green Bay Packers – Perrion Winfrey, DL Oklahoma
Despite making the playoffs again last season, the Packers have a multitude of needs heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. Winfrey is a disruptive and nasty player on the defensive line that could man the middle and give this defense a big boost in 2022.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) – Chris Olave, WR Ohio State
Losing Tyreek Hill could prove to be a fatal blow to Kansas City’s offense moving forward, so a replacement is needed badly. While Chris Olave is not the same type of prospect as Hill, he’s a polished route runner that could provide another valuable weapon for Mahomes and company.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – George Karlaftis, EDGE Purdue
After adding one of the Draft’s top receivers in Olave, the Chiefs turn to the defense with this pick of Purdue’s George Karlaftis. He has been one of the more productive pass rushers in the Big 10 for the last few seasons and should ease the potential loss of Melvin Ingram in free agency.
31. Cincinnati Bengals – Kenyon Green, OG Texas A&M
The AFC Champion Bengals took big strides this offseason to improve their sieve of an offensive line from the 2021-2022 season. The team added La’el Collins, Alex Cappa, and Ted Karras and complete their overhaul with the versatile Kenyon Green here at 31.
32. Detroit Lions (from LAR) – Jahan Dotson, WR Penn State
Detroit went into the 2022 offseason dead-set on addressing their overwhelming need at the wide receiver position. Amon-Ra St. Brown played admirably as a rookie, but adding a field-stretcher like Dotson to the mix would work wonders for this offense.
Round 2
33. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jaquan Brisker, S Penn State
34. Detroit Lions – Matt Corral, QB Mississippi
35. New York Jets – Daniel Faalele, OT Minnesota
36. New York Giants – David Ojabo, EDGE Michigan
37. Houston Texans – Bernhard Raimann, OT Central Michigan
38. New York Jets (from CAR) – Skyy Moore, WR Western Michigan
39. Chicago Bears – Boye Mafe, EDGE Minnesota
40. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) – Tariq Woolen, CB UTSA
41. Seattle Seahawks – Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE Penn State
42. Indianapolis Colts (from WAS) – Logan Hall, EDGE Houston
43. Atlanta Falcons – DeMarvin Leal, DL Texas A&M
44. Cleveland Browns – Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia
45. Baltimore Ravens – Tyler Smith, OT Tulsa
46. Minnesota Vikings – Lewis Cine, S Georgia
47. Washington Commanders (from IND) – Kyler Gordon, CB Washington
48. Chicago Bears (from LAC) – George Pickens, WR Georgia
49. New Orleans Saints – Sam Howell, QB North Carolina
50. Kansas City Chiefs (from MIA) – Jalen Pitre, S Baylor
51. Philadelphia Eagles – Tyler Linderbaum, C Iowa
52. Pittsburgh Steelers – Darian Kinnard, OG Kentucky
53. Green Bay Packers (from LV) – Sean Rhyan, OT UCLA
54. New England Patriots – John Metchie III, WR Alabama
55. Arizona Cardinals – Cameron Thomas, EDGE San Diego State
56. Dallas Cowboys – Calvin Austin III, WR Memphis
57. Buffalo Bills – Roger McCreary, CB Auburn
58. Atlanta Falcons (from TEN) – Quay Walker, LB Georgia
59. Green Bay Packers – Tyreke Smith, EDGE Ohio State
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Isaiah Spiller, RB Texas A&M
61. San Francisco 49ers – Christian Watson, WR North Dakota State
62. Kansas City Chiefs – Kenneth Walker III, RB Michigan State
63. Cincinnati Bengals – Isaiah Likely, TE Coastal Carolina
64. Denver Broncos (from LAR) – Christian Harris, LB Alabama
Round 3:
65. Jacksonville Jaguars – Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT Ohio State
66. Detroit Lions – Chad Muma, LB Wyoming
67. New York Giants – Jamaree Salyer, OG Georgia
68. Houston Texans – Alontae Taylor, CB Tennessee
69. New York Jets – Trey McBride, TE Colorado State
70. Jacksonville Jaguars (from CAR) – Travis Jones, DL Connecticut
71. Chicago Bears – Abraham Lucas – OT Washington State
72. Seattle Seahawks – Carson Strong, QB Nevada
73. Indianapolis Colts (from WAS) – Nick Cross, S Maryland
74. Atlanta Falcons – Josh Paschall , EDGE Kentucky
75. Denver Broncos – Drake Jackson, EDGE USC
76. Baltimore Ravens – Ed Ingram, OG LSU
77. Minnesota Vikings – Martin Emerson, CB Mississippi State
78. Cleveland Browns – Alec Pierce, WR Cincinnati
79. Los Angeles Chargers – Phidarian Mathis, DL Alabama
80. Houston Texans (from NO) – Jalen Tolbert – WR South Alabama
81. New York Giants (from MIA) – David Bell, WR Purdue
82. Atlanta Falcons (from IND) – Khalil Shakir, WR Boise State
83. Philadelphia Eagles – Myjai Sanders, EDGE Cincinnati
84. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mario Goodrich, CB Clemson
85. New England Patriots – Cam Taylor-Britt, CB Nebraska
86. Las Vegas Raiders – Matthew Butler, DL Tennessee
87. Arizona Cardinals – Tyler Badie, RB Missouri
88. Dallas Cowboys – Nik Bonitto, EDGE Oklahoma
89. Buffalo Bills – Brandon Smith, LB Penn State
90. Tennessee Titans – Greg Dulcich, TE UCLA
91. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Cameron Jurgens, C Nebraska
92. Green Bay Packers – Leo Chenal, LB Wisconsin
93. San Francisco 49ers – Cole Strange, OG Chattanooga
94. Kansas City Chiefs – Coby Bryant, CB Cincinnati
95. Cincinnati Bengals – Verone McKinley, S Oregon
96. Denver Broncos (from LAR) – Matt Waletzko, OT North Dakota
97. Detroit Lions* – Kerby Joseph, S Illinois
98. New Orleans Saints* – Brian Robinson, RB Alabama
99. Cleveland Browns* – Sam Williams, EDGE Mississippi
100. Baltimore Ravens* – Justyn Ross, WR Clemson
101. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO)* – Troy Anderson, LB Montana State
102. Miami Dolphins (from SF)* – James Cook, RB Georgia
103. Kansas City Chiefs* – Jake Ferguson, TE Wisconsin
104. Los Angeles Rams* – Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE South Carolina
105. San Francisco 49ers* – Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB Alabama
Round 4:
106. Jacksonville Jaguars – Romeo Doubs, WR Nevada
107. Houston Texans (from DET via CLE) – Jerome Ford, RB Cincinnati
108. Houston Texans – Bailey Zappe, QB Western Kentucky
109. Seattle Seahawks (from NYJ) – Brian Asamoah, LB Oklahoma
110. Baltimore Ravens (from NYG) – Chris Hinton, DL Michigan
111. New York Jets (from CAR) – Channing Tindall, LB Georgia
112. New York Giants (from CHI) – Luke Fortner, C Kentucky
113. Washington Commanders – Lecitus Smith, OG VIrginia Tech
114. Atlanta Falcons – Rachaad White, RB Arizona State
115. Denver Broncos – Pierre Strong Jr., RB South Dakota State
116. Denver Broncos (from SEA) – Zion McCollum, CB Sam Houston State
117. New York Jets (from MIN) – Dameon Pierce, RB Florida
118. Cleveland Browns – Bryan Cook, S Cincinnati
119. Baltimore Ravens – Rasheed Walker, OT Penn State
120. New Orleans Saints – Leon O’Neal, S, Texas A&M
121. Kansas City Chiefs (from MIA) – Mykael Wright, CB Oregon
122. Indianapolis Colts – Kaleb Eleby, QB Western Michigan
123. Los Angeles Chargers – Jesse Luketa, EDGE Penn State
124. Philadelphia Eagles – Jeremy Ruckert, TE Ohio State
125. Miami Dolphins (from PIT) – Alec Lindstrom, C Boston College
126. Las Vegas Raiders – Jelani Woods, TE Virginia
127. New England Patriots – Zachary Carter, DL Florida
128. Baltimore Ravens (from AZ) – Charlie Kolar, TE Iowa State
129. Dallas Cowboys – Marquis Hayes, OG Oklahoma
130. Buffalo Bills – Thayer Munford, OT Ohio State
131. Tennessee Titans – Shaun Jolly, CB Appalachian State
132. Green Bay Packers – Tariq Castro-Fields, CB Penn State
133. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Haskell Garrett, DL Ohio State
134. San Francisco 49ers – Braxton Jones, OT Southern Utah
135. Kansas City Chiefs – Tyquan Thornton, WR Baylor
136. Cincinnati Bengals – John Ridgeway, DL Arkansas
137. Carolina Panthers (from LAR via HOU) – Damarri Mathis, CB Pittsburgh
138. Pittsburgh Steelers* – Cade Mays, OG Tennessee
139. Baltimore Ravens* – Kyren Williams, RB Notre Dame
140. Green Bay Packers* – Wan’Dale Robinson, WR Kentucky
141. Baltimore Ravens* – JT Woods, S Baylor
142. Los Angeles Rams* – Otito Ogbonnia, DL UCLA
143. Tennessee Titans* – Amare Barno, EDGE Virginia Tech
144. Carolina Panthers (from JAX) – Joshua Ezeudu, OT North Carolina
Round 5:
145. Seattle Seahawks (from DET via DEN) – Zonovan Knight, RB N.C. State
146. New York Jets – Chasen Hines, OG LSU
147. New York Giants – Isaiah Thomas, EDGE Oklahoma
148. Chicago Bears (from HOU) – Smoke Monday, S Auburn
149. Carolina Panthers – Justin Shaffer, OG Georgia
150. Chicago Bears – Chase Lucas, CB Arizona State
151. Atlanta Falcons – Dohnovan West, C Arizona State
152. Denver Broncos – Brock Purdy, QB Iowa State
153. Seattle Seahawks – Thomas Booker, DL Stanford
154. Philadelphia Eagles (from WAS) – Erik Ezukanma, WR Texas Tech
155. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE) – Myron Cunningham, OT Arkansas
156. Minnesota Vikings (from BAL) – Alex Wright, EDGE UAB
157. Jacksonville Jaguars (from MIN) – Zamir White, RB Georgia
158. New England Patriots (from MIA) – Kyle Phillips, WR UCLA
159. Indianapolis Colts – Charleston Rambo, WR Miami (Fla.)
160. Los Angeles Chargers – Jalen Wydermyer, TE Texas A&M
161. New Orleans Saints – Kalon Barnes, CB Baylor
162. Philadelphia Eagles – Hassan Haskins, RB Michigan
163. New York Jets (from PIT) – D’Eriq King, QB Miami (Fla.)
164. Las Vegas Raiders (from NE) – Velus Jones, WR Tennessee
165. Las Vegas Raiders – DeAngelo Malone, EDGE Western Kentucky
166. Philadelphia Eagles (from AZ) – Zerrick Cooper, QB Jacksonville State
167. Dallas Cowboys – D.J. Davidson, DL Arizona State
168. Buffalo Bills – Neil Farrell Jr., DL LSU
169. Tennessee Titans – Dawson Deaton, C Texas Tech
170. New England Patriots (from TB) Sterling Weatherford, S Miami (Oh.)
171. Green Bay Packers – Chris Paul, OG Tulsa
172. San Francisco 49ers – Tay Martin, WR Oklahoma State
173. New York Giants (from KC via BAL) – Jack Coan, QB Notre Dame
174. Cincinnati Bengals – Zach Tom, OT Wake Forest
175. Los Angeles Rams – Cade Otton, TE Washington
176. Dallas Cowboys* – Joshua Jobe, CB Alabama
177. Detroit Lions* – Dontario Drummond, WR Mississippi
178. Dallas Cowboys* – Kennedy Brooks, RB Oklahoma
179. Indianapolis Colts* – Dare Rosenthal, OT Kentucky
Round 6:
180. Jacksonville Jaguars – Luke Goedeke, OG Central Michigan
181. Detroit Lions – Dominique Robinson, EDGE Miami (Oh.)
182. New York Giants – Tyler Goodson, RB Iowa
183. Houston Texans – Michael Clemons, EDGE Texas A&M
184. Minnesota Vikings (from NYJ) – Emeka Ekezie, WR N.C. State
185. Buffalo Bills (from CAR – Conditional) – Slade Bolden, WR Alabama
186. Chicago Bears – Matt Henningsen, DL Wisconsin
187. San Francisco 49ers (from DEN) – Yusef Corker, S Kentucky
188. Jacksonville Jaguars (SEA) – Aqeel Glass, QB Alabama A&M
189. Washington Commanders – Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE Maryland
190. Atlanta Falcons – Kolby Harvell-Peel, S Oklahoma State
191. Minnesota Vikings (from BAL via KC – Conditional) – Abram Smith, RB Baylor
192. Minnesota Vikings – Skylar Thompson, QB Kansas State
193. Dallas Cowboys (from CLE) – Danny Gray, WR SMU
194. New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) – Damone Clark, LB LSU
195. Los Angeles Chargers – Cordell Volson, OG North Dakota State
196. Round 6 Pick 17 – Choice Forfeited (New Orleans)
197. Baltimore Ravens (from MIA) – Jack Sanborn, LB Ohio State
198. Jacksonville Jaguars (from PHI) – Darrian Beavers, LB Cincinnati
199. Jacksonville Jaguars (from PIT) – Joshua Williams, CB Fayetteville State
200. Carolina Panthers (from LV) – Terrel Bernard, LB Baylor
201. New England Patriots – Vincent Gray, CB Michigan
202. Arizona Cardinals – Cole Turner, TE Nevada
203. Cleveland Browns (from DAL) – Micah McFadden, LB Indiana
204. Buffalo Bills – Derion Kendrick, CB Georgia
205. Tennessee Titans – Max Mitchell, OT Louisiana
206. Houston Texans (from GB) – Dylan Parham, OG Memphis
207. Denver Broncos (from TB via NYJ and PHI) – Markquese Bell, S Florida A&M
208. Houston Texans (from SF via NYJ) – Kevin Austin, WR Notre Dame
209. Pittsburgh Steelers (from KC – Conditional) – Quentin Lake, S UCLA
210. Cincinnati Bengals – Sincere McCormick, RB UTSA
211. New England Patriots (from LAR) – Max Borghi, RB Washington State
212. Los Angeles Rams* – Matt Araiza, P San Diego State
213. Los Angeles Rams* – CJ Verdell, RB Oregon
214. Atlanta Falcons* – Jerreth Sterns, WR Western Kentucky
215. Los Angeles Chargers* – Grant Calcaterra, TE SMU
216. Arizona Cardinals* – Reggie Roberson, WR SMU
217. Indianapolis Colts* – Marcus Jones, CB Houston
218. Detroit Lions* – Logan Bruss, OT Wisconsin
219. Los Angeles Rams* – Johnny Johnson II, WR Oregon
220. Tennessee Titans* – Obinna Eze, OT Texas Christian
221. San Francisco 49ers* – Keontay Ingram, RB Texas
222. San Francisco 49ers* – Peyton Hendershot, TE Indiana