2022 NFL Mock Draft (Picks 1–16)
The draft is an event that team’s and their fans salivate over for the whole month of April. It marks the start of a new season in the NFL and solidifies a team as a rebuilder or a contender. Here is what I think will happen in Vegas on the 28th of the month.
- Jacksonville Jaguars : Travon Walker, DL, Georgia
The Jaguars are one of the many teams in the draft who can afford to wait for talent to develop, and they are getting the definition of talent with Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker who has a special run-stopping ability and can push opposing tackles out of the way with ease. Walker, standing 6'5" and weighing 272 pounds, ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at the combine which shot him up draft boards. He brings an intriguing amount of untapped potential at the number one pick and the Jaguars take him off the board early in this mock.
2. Detroit Lions : Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Lions coach Dan Campbell likes coachable, hard-working players on his defense. Hutchinson notched 14 sacks last year at Michigan and brings a pro-ready, day one starter into the motor city’s defense. He will be good from day one, but how high is his ceiling? That is the question the Jags will ask themselves before taking him over Walker. Hutchinson has the highest floor out of any defensive player in this class, which is why Detroit will select him at №2 overall.
3. Houston Texans : Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Neal is the most polished OT in this class. He produces at a high level in pass and run blocking. He can move over to RT with Tunsil on the left side and will make this Houston O-Line one that the league fears to go up against for many years to come.
4. New York Jets : Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
If it wasn’t for Thibideaux’s lackadaisical habits, he might be going number one in this draft. With that said, Jets head coach, Robert Saleh, loves his pass rushers and proved he can turn them into stars (Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw) in San Fran. He jumps all over KT at 4 and Jets fans should be extremely happy with this selection.
5. New York Giants : Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Giants need a tackle, I know, but with two still left on the board and picking 2 picks later at seven, they are guaranteed to get one. That and Gardner is a day 1 lockdown man corner who did not let up ONE touchdown in his college days with Cincinnati. He brings a game changing play-style to this up and coming Giants defense.
6. Carolina Panthers : Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
By no means is Pickett a top 10 talent in this class, but with Rhule on the hot seat and GM Scott Fiterers obvious want to win now rather than build for the future, this pick just makes too much sense. Pickett can start day one with numerous options at his disposable in Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, and Robbie Anderson. He also will put fans in seats at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, which was a big issue for the Panthers last season. Pickett brings a dual threat ability that keeps defenses on their toes and can help win football games sooner rather than later in Carolina. Not to mention, Rhule recruited him while at Temple.
7. New York Giants : Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Ekwonu will have to move to RT in New York, but his sheer athleticism and mind boggling run blocking ability will not let him get past the Giants here at 7. He is raw, but with the right coaching and direction, he can help Giants QB, Daniel Jones, breakout this year in what looks like could be his final chance at being the Giants long-term signal caller. He will also definitely help get Saquon Barkley’s career back on track, with his mean run blocking mentality.
8. Atlanta Falcons : Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
I would have the Falcons going with Drake London here, who is my number one wide receiver, but him and Kyle Pitts play too similar of a role in an NFL offense. Atlanta has a glaring need at many positions, but with the suspension of star WR Calvin Ridley, the wideout position becomes the most important. Re-Signing swiss army knife RB/WR Cordarelle Patterson is nice start for this offense, but they need weapons for new QB, Marcus Mariota, and Wilson is a shiny new tool for the new-look Falcons offense.
9. Seattle Seahawks : Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
The Seminole went from a fringe first rounder to a top-10 pick in a month after his unbelievable combine. He brings a raw potential that Pete Carroll can work with to try to keep this Seahawks defense chasing Quarterbacks, which could include Russel Wilson with his recent departure to Denver. Johnson can help this defense for a long time and has the ability to come out as the best value pick of the night for Seattle. This is a slam-dunk pick for this front office who refuses to admit that they are in rebuild mode now, after a long reign atop the NFL’s standings.
10. New York Jets : Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi
The Jets will be surprised that Cross made it this far, but ultimately end his slide here at ten. He brings a special pass blocking ability and can start week 1 for the Jets. This will be a huge addition to a Jets offense that is starting to look good after years of disappointment. His job will be to protect Zach Wilson and I think he will do a great job at it.
The next 6 picks will be listed below
Washington (1.11) — Drake London, WR, USC
Minnesota (1.12) — Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU
Houston (1.13) — Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Baltimore (1.14) — Trent McDuffie, CB/S, Washington
Philadelphia (1.15) — Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
New Orleans (1.16) —Jamieson Williams, WR, Alabama
Written by Hayden Shapiro
