We are now entering the home stretch of the 2021 NFL season, meaning the draft is near. In this mock, the draft is filled with prospects at wide receiver, offensive line, edge, and cornerback. All of those position groups are looking strong for the 2022 draft. At quarterback, there is still such an unknown with this group and not many were selected here. Let’s get into it.
1. Detroit Lions – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Nothing new here. The Lions have a dire need for elite talent and could use a foundational piece defensively. Thibodeaux is still the top prospect in the class. His ability to get after the quarterback is special. He has length, strength, speed, and bend, with still more room to grow. Thibodeaux is successful against the run, as well. The Lions cannot go wrong with the Oregon standout.
2. Houston Texans – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Hutchinson has been incredible all fall. He was regarded as a late first, early second-round pick around this time last year. This year, he has done everything he can to be in the conversation with Thibodeaux as arguably the draft’s best player. Hutchinson has great athletic ability as a pass rusher. The Texans need to get a dominant player, on defense in particular. Hutchinson would provide just that.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
For the Jaguars, surrounding franchise quarterback, Trevor Lawrence with the best possible supporting cast will be crucial. Neal is and has been regarded as the best tackle prospect in the 2022 class. He is an athletic specimen with unreal height and weight. At times, he has shown his utter dominance at Alabama. Bringing this to the Jaguars would be critical for them. Neal would provide an immediate boost for the Jaguars.
4. New York Jets – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Stingley is an incredibly talented cornerback prospect. His freshman year was a generational type of season. Physically, Stingley has the length and speed to shut down the best. He can match with wide receivers in press coverage. Stingley is as gifted as they come athletically speaking. Adding Stingley alongside Bryce Hall and Michael Carter II would give the Jets an exciting, young cornerback trio for the long term.
5. New York Jets – Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
Expect general manager Joe Douglas to invest one of the Jets’ premium selections early on in the trenches. Adding Linderbaum with Mekhi Becton, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and George Fant would bolster the Jets’ offensive line for Zach Wilson. Athletically speaking, Linderbaum is very gifted. He would mesh perfectly in the zone running scheme coordinated by Mike LaFleur. Adding he and Stingley would be a great haul for the Jets.
6. New York Giants – Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
Expect the Giants to improve their offensive line in the draft. Selecting Green would be a solid start. He is an athletic offensive lineman with a ton of versatility. Green has been utilized all across Texas A&M’s offensive line. He also possesses good size and plays with strength. As a prospect, Green is relatively safe. He would improve a big need for the Giants.
7. New York Giants – George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Giants spend each of their firsts on both sides of the line. Selecting Karlaftis to play opposite Azeez Ojulari would provide a fun duo for the Giants. Karlaftis is a talented edge prospect with size and strength as a pass rusher. He has been dominant at times throughout his career at Purdue. Green and Karlaftis would make for an exciting first-round for the Giants.
8. Philadelphia Eagles – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The Eagles spend the first of their three early selections on one of the best overall players in the draft. Hamilton is a complete safety. He has great size, speed, and physicality. He has proven his range on the backend. Hamilton can make plays on the football in coverage. When deployed in the box, Hamilton is very active. As a safety, Hamilton is a difference-maker who would be a fantastic pick for the Eagles.
9. Philadelphia Eagles – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
A talented defensive back for the Eagles again. Gardner has been a game-changer at times throughout this season. He is gifted physically with his length and athleticism. Gardner has made plays on the football for Cincinnati’s successful defense this year. He has also done an impressive job of making plays in the offensive backfield. Hamilton and Gardner would add to an already talented secondary the Eagles have with Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox.
10. Carolina Panthers – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
The Panthers will be looking for their new franchise signal-caller and have on fall to them here. Corral has had a successful season for Ole Miss. He is a talented dual-threat at quarterback. He is not the biggest but can throw the deep ball well and has attained great success on the ground as a runner. Corral would bring excitement to a Panthers organization that needs it.
11. Atlanta Falcons – David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Ojabo has been one of the biggest risers as of late. He is a special talent on the defensive edge. In his first year as a starter, he has been incredible. Ojabo has the height and weight required. Athletically speaking, Ojabo is as good as they come. He plays with great speed getting after the quarterback. The Falcons will need all the help they can get defensively. An exciting edge defender in Ojabo would be a perfect addition.
12. Minnesota Vikings – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The Vikings will likely look to add a new starting cornerback at some point. Elam is a talented prospect worth selecting here. He possesses the height and speed to make plays on the outside. As a cover corner, Elam has been successful at Florida. He moves well and will play with an aggressive style. Elam would help the Vikings’ defense, one that needs it.
13. New Orleans Saints – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
All year, the Saints have struggled at wide receiver. Wilson is an exciting, big-play threat who would help change things. He moves exceptionally well. Wilson has speed, quickness, and the ability to make defenders miss after the catch. He has shown he can win downfield. His hands are reliable. Wilson has played himself into the top-tier of prospects in the 2022 class.
14. Philadelphia Eagles – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Eagles complete their trio of first-round picks with another prospect added to the back seven defensively. Lloyd has been successful on Utah’s defense all year. As a player, he possesses a massive frame. Along with his great size, Lloyd has shown he has movement ability. As a pass rusher, Lloyd has also been impactful. Lloyd with Hamilton and Gardner would be a thrilling trio for the Eagles to add.
15. Cleveland Browns – Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
One of the best players in college football this year. Davis has been utterly dominant on Georgia’s special defense. As a run defender, Davis would help the Browns greatly. He possesses a massive frame that will pose problems. Davis will eat up space in the trenches. The Browns defense has shown improvement this season. Adding Davis could help them even more.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Steelers will be looking to add to their offensive line. Cross has played well and moved up the board over the last few months. He is still a young prospect with more room to grow. Cross meets the height threshold to play offensive tackle. With time, he should continue to grow even more. Cross is a very good athlete who will play physically. He would bolster the Steelers’ offensive line.
17. Denver Broncos – Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
After moving on from Von Miller after 11 years, the Broncos add an exciting edge talent with positional flexibility. Walker has been an integral piece to Georgia’s dominating defense. He has the versatility to play inside and out on the defensive line with his size. Walker possesses great athletic ability. It has been a stellar season from a production standpoint for Walker. Adding him with Jonathan Cooper and Bradley Chubb would be great for the Broncos.
18. Las Vegas Raiders – Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
McCreary has played very good ball for Auburn this season. The Raiders will likely be looking to add a corner. As a prospect, McCreary has adequate height and weight. He has been extremely productive on the football in coverage this season with 14 pass deflections. Over the last three years, McCreary has gained a ton of experience. He has speed and will play physically. McCreary would be a solid fit for the Raiders here.
19. Washington Football Team – Ikem Ekwonu, IOL, N.C. State
Washington he’s great value here in Ekwonu. He has been one of the more polarizing prospects for some time now. He is an athletic specimen who plays a physical game. Ekwonu has proven his positional flexibility as he has played on the interior and on the edge for N.C. State. A few starters to Washington’s offensive line are slated to be free agents. Selecting Ekwonu would be ideal.
20. Los Angeles Chargers – Demarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
The Chargers’ defense will need a boost in talent this offseason. Leal is a talented player who would bring versatility to the Chargers’ defensive front. Leal has all the athletic traits to be a force along the line. From a height and weight standpoint, Leal can be deployed anywhere upfront in the NFL. Brandon Staley could be very creative having Leal and Joey Bosa on his defensive line.
21. Miami Dolphins – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Dolphins have a clear need at offensive tackle. Penning has had an impressive 2021 season. He possesses a huge frame with his height and weight. Penning plays a physical game with the size he has. He is a talented athlete to go along with the physical tools. Anywhere the Dolphins can upgrade their offensive line would be a good start. Penning has earned being a first-round selection.
22. Buffalo Bills – Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
There is not an offensive lineman worth adding here for the Bills. Booth is a prospect worthy of being taken here. He would be joining an already top-level defense. Although he does not have much production on the football in the air, he has shown encouraging things in coverage. Booth has the length to play on the outside. To add, he possesses the speed and athletic ability to be great. His potential as a cover corner is tremendous. Booth would be a good selection for the Bills.
23. Detroit Lions – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Lions have a big need for wide receivers. Olave is arguably the best at the position in this class. He has reliable hands, great speed, and route-running ability. He tracks the deep ball very well. Olave has been productive for years now at Ohio State. Adding him to the Lions’ offense would provide an immediate boost. Olave along with Thibodeaux would be exciting for the Lions.
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Hopefully, the Bengals are able to retain Jessie Bates and add another playmaker alongside him. Hill has been great for the Michigan defense this season. He has good length to cover ground at free safety. His athletic ability is special. Hill has great range on the back end. Versatility is something Hill possesses as well. He can play down in the box or even cover in the slot. The value adds up here for the Bengals with the skills Hill has.
25. Dallas Cowboys – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Williams is one of the most exciting players in the upcoming class. He has helped himself as much as any prospect this fall. Speed is the obvious trait Williams possesses that differentiates him from the rest; he could be the fastest player in the draft. Williams has made big plays downfield all season, and has also proven he is more than just a deep threat. Williams has some good length and reliable hands. The Cowboys could be losing Michael Gallup in free agency. Adding Williams would be a great move for them.
26. Kansas City Chiefs – Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
The Chiefs need all the edge help they can get. Jackson is the best player at the position available. He has an intriguing upside. Jackson has the height, weight, and speed to be a successful edge defender. As a pass rusher, he can win going from speed to power. The value here makes sense for the Chiefs. Jackson is a talented, young prospect.
27. Tennessee Titans – Jahan Dotson, WR, Tennessee Titans
No offensive lineman available here adds up for the Titans. Dotson is one of the better players available and would provide a needed skill set for the Titans. Dotson has deep threat ability with his speed. He runs good routes and possesses quickness. He would help open things up for the Titans offense with his ability to threaten a defense vertically. Dotson has been one of the better wide receivers all year.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Buccaneers will likely be looking to add a cornerback in the offseason. They have had to shuffle players in and out at the position all year. McDuffie is a good prospect who would help improve the position for the Buccaneers. He is talented from an athletic standpoint. McDuffie is a tough football player. His length is good enough to play on the outside. McDuffie has proven enough to be selected in the first round.
29. New England Patriots – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Dean seems like a perfect Patriot. He possesses the leadership intangibles and has shown he can lead a defense. Dean plays with good speed. As a pass rusher, he has attained success. In coverage, Dean has shown playmaking ability. He is athletic getting from sideline to sideline. The Patriots could be looking for a new leader with Dont’a Hightower slated to be a free agent. Dean would make for an ideal replacement.
30. Green Bay Packers – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Packers have a ton of upcoming free agents and not a lot of cap space. It will be important for them to get their picks right. Burks is a safe yet talented wide receiver prospect. His size is imposing. He has also shown that he can run and make big plays. After the catch, he can be dominant. The Packers face a major unknown with Davante Adams. Selecting Burks would be a smart decision.
31. Baltimore Ravens – Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
Adding Sanders opposite of Odafe Oweh would be great for the Ravens. It would also allow for Tyus Bowser to be utilized in a variety of ways. Sanders is a talented prospect with great production and a ton of college experience. He possesses the length and speed needed to be a successful edge rusher. Sanders is a first-round player. The value would make sense for the Ravens here.
32. Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
Gordon is another talented Washington defensive back. His stock has gone up as of late. He possesses solid length at corner. Gordon is a great athlete with speed. From a production standpoint, he is currently having his best season in terms of interceptions and pass deflections. He has flown under the radar and could continue to move up the board. The Cardinals will probably be looking for a cornerback and Gordon would be a good addition.
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