With one week left in the 2021 regular season, the 2022 draft order is close to official. It could be interesting if any potential surprises this weekend drastically change picks towards the top. After the regular season, it will be fun to see which prospects in the class will see their stock go up. Let’s get into this mock draft.
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1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Thibodeaux is the best player in the class and would help the Jaguars improve on defense. Jacksonville desperately needs an elite talent like Thibodeaux. He provides all the traits that one could ask for in an edge pass rusher. As a prospect, he is young and still has the potential to continue to get even better. This selection for the Jaguars is a no-brainer.
2. Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Hutchinson had a special season this fall, and is a top player in the upcoming draft. With this selection, he would improve a need the Lions have. Hutchinson is a fairly complete player, with great size and athletic ability. Defensively, the Lions have some solid young talent but need a true game-changer. Hutchinson would provide just that.
3. Houston Texans – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
With Davis Mills’ recent success, drafting a quarterback seems unlikely for the Texans. Neal is arguably the best player on the board and plays an impact position. He would improve the Texans’ offensive line, a group that could use some help. Neal can provide some position flexibility at either tackle spot or potentially even guard if needed. This would be a wise move by the Texans.
4. New York Jets – George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Three of the first four selections here are edge defenders. Karlaftis is a talented prospect who would improve a position of need for the Jets. He possesses size and strength, but also some good athleticism on the edge. Pairing him up with a healthy Carl Lawson and having Bryce Huff would give the Jets a good pass rush on the outside. Karlaftis is one of the better players in the class.
5. New York Giants – Ikem Ekwonu, OL, NC State
Ekwonu is exactly what the Giants offensive line needs. He is a big, physical mauler in the running game. He provides good athletic ability, especially for his size. As a pass blocker, he has proven good things. The Giants’ offensive line has been bad for years now. Ekwonu would help provide a unique presence and hopefully improve the group. He should be one of the more intriguing players to watch throughout the process.
6. Carolina Panthers – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Cross has had an incredible fall for Mississippi State. He is still a relatively young and raw prospect with room to grow. Cross has proven consistency this year as a pass blocker. The Panthers have struggled up front with their offensive line for some time now, and adding Cross would be a good start for them to improve. The value here would add up.
7. New York Jets – Jameson Williams, WR, New York Jets
Williams would be an exciting addition for the Jets, who will likely be looking to add a wide receiver. Williams has been arguably the best wide receiver in all of college football this year. He has special speed and is a big-play threat. He also provides a solid frame, reliable hands, and can win in numerous ways aside from his speed. Pairing Williams up with Elijah Moore for Zach Wilson would give the Jets a fun, young offense. Karlaftis and Williams would be a great haul early on for the Jets.
8. New York Giants – David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Ojabo is an intriguing prospect who would help the Giants improve at a position of need. They are likely to lose Lorenzo Carter in free agency due to their tight salary cap situation. Adding a tremendous athlete in Ojabo opposite of Azeez Ojulari would give them a young duo with potential. Ojabo just wrapped up a successful year for Michigan. Adding Ekwonu and Ojabo would improve play in the trenches for the Giants where they need it.
9. Washington Football Team – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The first quarterback to go off the board. Pickett played incredible football this season and has earned the top quarterback spot. There is a strong chance his stock will continue to rise. Washington has a solid roster across the board. Adding an exciting quarterback prospect in Pickett could help them eventually take the next step. Joining a respectable roster from a talent standpoint would be great for him.
10. Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Hamilton is one of the best prospects in the upcoming class. From a value standpoint, this would be tremendous for the Falcons. Defensively, they could use some talent to hopefully be a playoff team next season. Hamilton is a complete player with his size, range, and physicality. Adding Hamilton with Richie Grant would give the Falcons their safety duo for years to come.
11. Denver Broncos – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Despite a recent injury, Corral should still be valued in the draft early on. The Broncos have a roster more than ready to compete and simply need a winning signal-caller. Corral played great football this season. He is an exceptional runner. He possesses accuracy and the ability to throw the football down the field. The situation would be as ideal as it gets for a rookie quarterback to join. Corral is an exciting talent.
12. Minnesota Vikings – Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
The best cornerback in the 2022 draft. Defensively, the Vikings have had too many struggles over the last few seasons. Stingley is a complete cornerback with his size, speed as a man-to-man cover corner. His athleticism is as good as it gets. The freshman year Stingley had at LSU was special. The Vikings would have to be thrilled to get anything even close to that level of play. Stingley will be selected early in the draft.
13. Cleveland Browns – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Wilson is a gifted wide receiver prospect who would give the Browns a spark in the passing game. He would work well alongside other young wide receivers, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz. Wilson has proven he can make some incredible catches. He has great body control. With the football in his hands, he is very dynamic and elusive in space. He would be a fantastic addition to the Browns.
14. Philadelphia Eagles – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Eagles add one of the more exciting talents in the draft. Gardner is a gifted cornerback prospect. His size is imposing. He can play physical in coverage, at the line of scrimmage, and will make tough tackles. The speed Gardner possesses will be good enough for him in the NFL. Over his three years at Cincinnati, he has been consistently productive. Adding Gardner with Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox would give the Eagles a top-level cornerback trio.
15. New Orleans Saints – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
There may not be an NFL team in need of a wide receiver than the Saints. Olave would provide them with a great skillset. He has been productive throughout his career at Ohio State. Olave possesses speed, reliable hands, good routes, and the ability to track the deep ball. He can be utilized on the outside or inside, bringing an immediate boost to the Saints passing offense.
16. Baltimore Ravens – Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
The Ravens will likely not be able to retain their great center in Bradley Bozeman. Selecting Linderbaum would be a great way to replace him. Linderbaum is a tremendous run blocker and athlete. He is still relatively new to football which gives him more upside to grow into something great. This season has been a dominant one for him at Iowa. The value here is ideal for the Ravens.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The Steelers will probably be looking for their new quarterback this offseason. Having Howell available to them here would make this a logical selection. Despite some inconsistent play from Howell this year, he proved some great things throughout his college career. Howell possesses mobility and accuracy. The Steelers have some terrific skill position players who would help Howell as a young player.
18. Las Vegas Raiders – Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
Green is one of the safest prospects in this draft class. He brings top-tier positional flexibility across the offensive line. Athletically, Green is gifted. He also possesses a strong frame and can win as a blocker with power. Green would improve the Raiders’ offensive line from the jump, and projects to line up on the right side at guard or potentially tackle. Either way, this would be great value for the Raiders.
19. Philadelphia Eagles – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Burks would match perfectly with the style of play the Eagles have. He is a physical player with his size. Burks can win with ease at the catch point. After the catch, Burks can be successful using his strength against defenders. Adding Burks with DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert would give the Eagles an exciting group of pass-catchers. Burks could have his draft stock go up throughout this process.
20. Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
The Chargers need all the help that they can get on defense. Getting a special run defender at nose tackle would be a great start. Davis had a dominant year at Georgia, helping lead their outstanding defensive unit. Considering his massive size, Davis can move well and make plays in space. As a prospect, he is near the top of this class and would bring a boost to the Los Angeles.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
To complete the early haul of three first-round selections for the Eagles they go with the exciting linebacker prospect. Lloyd had an awesome season for Utah, and is the complete package with his size, speed, and playmaking ability. The Eagles defense could use some help on the second level to take the next step as a unit. Lloyd is the top linebacker of this group; Philadelphia would have to be thrilled with Gardner, Burks, and Lloyd.
22. Miami Dolphins – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Dolphins have to bolster their offensive line arguably more than any team. Penning is an enticing prospect with great traits. He just had a successful season for Northern Iowa. With his imposing size, Penning can win with pure strength as a blocker. He also possesses good athletic ability on the edge. He would help the Dolphins out at either tackle spot.
23. New England Patriots – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Dean had a tremendous 2021 season as a catalyst to Georgia’s special defense. He makes plays all over the field. He has sideline-to-sideline speed, can make plays in the backfield, and in coverage as well. In Georgia’s semifinal victory, Dean made his impact felt greatly. He also provides a lot intangibly with his leadership qualities. The fit with the Patriots here makes sense for Dean.
24. Arizona Cardinals – Demarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Over the last two drafts, the Cardinals have spent premium draft capital on versatile defensive players to add to their front seven. Adding Leal would bring a different element to their line. He will likely play inside more times than not but has the ability to win across the defensive front. Leal is a talented prospect and ranks as one of the better ones in this entire group.
25. Buffalo Bills – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
It could be tough for the Bills to retain one of the starting outside cornerbacks this offseason, Levi Wallace. Addressing the interior of the offensive line is tough here. Adding Elam alongside Tre’Davious White and Taron Johnson would give the Bills an outstanding trio of cornerbacks. Elam possesses great length which will help him. Along with his height, he can move effectively. He has been successful in college, and would be a good fit for Buffalo to bolster their already elite defense.
26. Cincinnati Bengals – Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
Booth is a fascinating prospect with some upside to be a great cornerback. Cincinnati’s defense has taken some significant strides throughout this season. One need for them to address this offseason would be at outside cornerback, opposite of Chidobe Awuzie. Booth has some good length and athleticism. He is a physical corner in coverage as well. This would be a solid addition for the Bengals.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
It is likely the Cowboys will lose Michael Gallup in free agency. They will need to find a new player to bring a speed element to their passing attack. Adding Dotson would be a smart move for the Dallas. He has had a productive college career and played his best this season. He has proven he can make big plays down the field. Dotson would be eased in perfectly with Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
The Buccaneers have had a ton of players fill-in at cornerback this season and will probably need to replace Carlton Davis in the offseason. McCreary did some great things this season. Over the last two years, McCreary has been very productive making plays on the football in coverage. He meets the length threshold to be efficient on the outside. The Buccaneers would have to be happy with the value here.
29. Kansas City Chiefs – Drake London, WR, USC
The Chiefs are going to have to add a wide receiver to their offense. London is an exciting prospect who just had a great season before a tough injury. He provides versatility which the Chiefs would use well. From a talent perspective, London has a big frame with his height and weight. He moves well with speed and his athletic ability. He would make the Chiefs offense even more fun to watch.
30. Detroit Lions – Daxton Hill, SAF, Michigan
The Lions add two of Michigan’s top defensive players in this mock draft. Hill is a promising talent coming off a strong season, helping lead the Wolverines to a successful year. He can provide great versatility to the Lions’ defensive backfield. Hill can play slot corner or either safety position in the secondary. Hutchinson and Hill would be quite a first-round for the Lions.
31. Tennessee Titans – Jaquan Brisker, SAF, Penn State
Addressing the offensive line does not make sense given what is available for the Titans here. Defensively, they have a ton of talent and would address their secondary with tremendous value at this point in Brisker. The Pittsburgh, PA native had a productive season this year. He has good size that he will use to his advantage, and has also proven the ability to make plays on the football.
32. Green Bay Packers – Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
The Packers will be making a ton of changes to their roster this offseason. They could potentially be losing both Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith due to salary cap constraints. Adding Johnson to fill their roles would be wise of the Packers. He is a tall edge defender with good size. This season, he was incredibly productive for Florida State. As a result, he has seen his stock go up a ton. This would be a great addition for Green Bay.
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