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Nia’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Matt Corral 2022 NFL Mock Draft
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The collegiate all-star games have wrapped up and the National Football Association season is almost finished leaving many eyes looking toward the draft. Multiple players could be selected first overall, and there is little consensus opinion this year. Let’s look at a potential selection (or multiple) for each team.

Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Draft Scouting Reports.

1) Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Neal – OL, Alabama

Neal is one of the top prospects in this year’s draft and could significantly impact the Jaguars. He has a massive frame at 6’7” and 350 lbs but is exceptionally mobile. Neal could instantly jump in as a starter on the offensive line and make an impact.

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For more on Neal, check out our scouting report on him.

2) Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson – EDGE, Michigan

Hutchinson and Thibodeaux could both be the pick here, but Hutchinson’s senior year success may give him the edge. Hutchinson is a disruptive pass rusher with an excellent variety of moves. He has good speed but just average bend, which could hurt him slightly. Hutchinson could help the Lions turn a need into a strength on the defensive line.

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For more on Hutchinson, check out our scouting report on him.

3) Houston Texans – Kayvon Thibodeaux – EDGE, Oregon

Thibodeaux is the second edge rusher taken off the board in this mock, but the Texans could be getting an elite player. He has elite size, length, and athleticism, giving him terrific upside. However, Thibodeaux can rely on his athleticism and sometimes lose balance. Regardless, adding him to the Texans’ defense could improve their defensive line quickly.

For more on Thibodeaux, check out our scouting report on him.

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4) New York Jets – Ikem Ekwonu – OT, North Carolina State

Ekwonu is being thrown around in mock drafts as high as the first pick, but he is taken at four in this one. With the Jets selecting multiple times in the first round, they have the chance to address numerous needs or significantly improve one. Here they improve their offensive line. Ekwonu is a violent blocker and can play guard or tackle, providing more versatility to the Jets’ line.

For more on Ekwonu, check out our scouting report on him.

5) New York Giants – Charles Cross – OT, Mississippi State

Cross is another tackle that could be taken highly in this year’s draft. He is an excellent run blocker with excellent hand technique, which allows him to succeed in pass blocking. Cross’ footwork can use work, but multiple scouts expect him to be an above-average starter. Current left tackle, Andrew Thomas, improved in his second year, and adding Cross could give the Giants the proper protection they have needed for years.

6) Carolina Panthers – Matt Corral – QB, Ole Miss

In a weak quarterback class, the Panthers may opt to go a different direction with this pick, but Corral’s upside may be too much to pass on. He is an athletic quarterback who has flashed the ability to make off-balance throws. His height is a concern, but since the quarterback position is a significant need, Corral could be the Panthers’ pick.

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7) New York Giants (via Chicago) – George Karlaftis – EDGE, Purdue

With two top 10 picks, the Giants have the chance to make significant changes. With the top two edge rushers off the board, they could go with Karlaftis. He is a powerful rusher with great hands and passes rush moves. He lacks in length but makes up for it with agility and his first step.

8) Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Hamilton – S, Notre Dame

Hamilton is regarded by some scouts as a generational talent at the safety position but may be taken somewhat late because of the lack of positional need for safety in the top seven. He is an athletic safety with great length who can track the ball well. A little overaggressive at times, but the Notre Dame product has the tools to succeed at the next level. Hamilton would join a young secondary with Richie Grant in Atlanta.

For more on Hamilton, check out our scouting report on him.

9) Denver Broncos – Malik Willis – QB, Liberty

Another team desperate for a quarterback is the Broncos. While the draft may not be the best way to address this issue, it is possible. Willis was a standout at the Senior Bowl and has climbed up draft boards in recent weeks. He is a mobile quarterback with good arm strength. There are question marks regarding his timing and anticipation (among others), but the Broncos could attempt to fix their biggest weakness with this pick.

10) New York Jets (via Seattle) – Tyler Linderbaum – C, Iowa

Linderbaum seems like a safe pick, but he may be taken later since he is a center. He only allowed two sacks during his college career and could be a starting center for many years at the next level. In the top ten, the Jets’ two offensive linemen would be an aggressive move to improve their offensive line and protect young quarterback Zach Wilson.

For more on Linderbaum, check out our scouting report on him.

11) Washington Commanders – Kenny Pickett – QB, Pitt

Another team needy of a quarterback are the newly named, Commanders. Pickett is a good athlete with solid arm strength and accuracy around the field. There are concerns with his hand size and timing, but the Commanders may select him to fill a positional need.

12) Minnesota Vikings – Derek Stingley – CB, LSU

The cornerback position in this year’s draft is filled with talent. Multiple cornerbacks could be selected highly, and the order in which they are is not clear. In this mock, Stingley goes first. With veterans at the position potentially out of the door, the Vikings could look for youth with Stingley at cornerback.

For more on Stingley, check out our scouting report on him.

13) Cleveland Browns – Treylon Burks – WR, Arkansas

The Browns had a disappointing season and missed the playoffs. They let go of Odell Beckham, who has shined in Hollywood and may look to add a wide receiver in the offseason. Burks could be their guy. He is a physical receiver capable of making difficult contested catches. Burks sometimes struggles to create separation, but his talented hands and physicality make up for it. The Browns have a few holes to fill, and adding a dynamic receiver like Burks could help fill one.

For more on Burks, check out or scouting report on him.

14) Baltimore Ravens – David Ojabo – EDGE, Michigan

Last year, the Ravens took Odafe Oweh, who was outstanding in his rookie year. This year, they could look to pair him up with Ojabo. At Michigan, Hutchinson and Ojabo terrorized opposing offenses, and in the NFL, Ojabo could have the chance to do so with Oweh if the Ravens select him.

For more on Ojabo, check out our scouting report on him.

15) Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami) – Ahmad Gardner – CB, Cincinnati

Gardner was unbelievably good in college for the Bearcats and could be taken highly in the draft. He is an outside cornerback with quick feet and good length that could help improve the Eagles’ defense across from Darius Slay.

For more on Gardner, check out our scouting report on him.

16) Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis) – Jermaine Johnson – EDGE, Florida State

Johnson is another player whose draft stock has been skyrocketing in recent weeks after his success at the Senior Bowl. He is a good run defender with potential as a pass rusher. Taking back-to-back defensive players would be bold for the Eagles with a need at wide receiver, but finding a good edge rusher, later on, is more complicated than an adequate wide receiver.

For more on Johnson, check out our scouting report on him.

17) Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Davis – DL, Georgia

The Chargers do not have many glaring needs, but their defensive line can be improved. Davis is an exciting prospect because of his colossal 6’6,” 340 lb frame and unbelievable strength. However, he comes with many risks because while he can be overwhelming as a run blocker, he played on less than 50 percent of Georgia’s defensive snaps last season. Regardless, the Chargers’ run defense was poor in 2021, and Davis could help next season if they draft him.

For more on Davis, check out our scouting report on him.

18) New Orleans Saints – Sam Howell – QB, North Carolina

Another team needing a quarterback in a not-so-good quarterback class is the Saints. Howell could be their best bet with the 18th pick. He is a quarterback who thrives with a clean pocket flashing next-level talent throughout college with his legs and a strong arm. There are questions about Howell’s ability to read through progressions, but he has a lot of talent if he pans out.

For more on Howell, check out our scouting report on him.

19) Philadelphia Eagles – Jameson Williams – WR, Alabama

Since the Eagles have three first-round picks, they can address many needs. Focusing on defense with the first two in this mock draft, they could improve on offense with the last one. DeVonta Smith looks like he can be a starter for multiple seasons in Philadelphia, but the rest of the receiving room is a question mark. Adding Williams could help fix it. He is a speedy receiver with tremendous acceleration capable of making a big play out of little. Pairing him up with Smith could form a dangerous former-Alabama duo in Philadelphia.

20) Pittsburgh Steelers – Nakobe Dean – LB, Georgia

With many of the teams earlier having more extensive needs at linebacker, the Steelers can choose any linebacker here in this mock draft. Dean is a fast and physical linebacker who is highly versatile. His biggest knock is his size, but his competitive speed and versatility make up for it. Adding him to replace Devin Bush could be the move for Pittsburgh with the 20th pick.

For more on Dean, check out our scouting report on him.

21) New England Patriots – Andrew Booth – CB, Clemson

Although the Patriots have needs on both sides of the ball, they could address defense first with multiple cornerbacks projected to be selected in the first round. If J.C. Jackson is lost in free agency, he will need to be replaced, and Booth could do so. He is a fluid athlete with good length that positions himself well to make plays. Although cornerbacks are not always successful early on, replacing Jackson may be a priority in the draft for New England.

For more on Booth, check out our scouting report on him.

22) Las Vegas Raiders – Roger McCreary – CB, Auburn

Another cornerback taken in the first round could be McCreary. He is a fluid athlete with good ball skills that projects to fit in most NFL schemes. The Raiders could add McCreary as their cornerback play was not great last season.

For more on McCreary, check out our scouting report on him.

23) Arizona Cardinals – Trent McDuffie – CB, Washington

McDuffie is another name fans could be hearing called in the early part of this year’s draft. He is a versatile cornerback with good tackling skills. Adding McDuffie to sure up an average cornerback room could be the move for Arizona.

24) Dallas Cowboys – Travon Walker – DL, Georgia

Micah Parsons was outstanding in his rookie season, whether he was coming off the edge or playing as a pure linebacker. Adding him, along with Trevon Diggs‘ breakout, turned a bottom-half defensive unit into a good one last season. Adding Walker could bring more depth to a strong squad. He is a powerful lineman who is good against the run. By drafting Walker, Dallas could turn a good defense into a great one if he plays well early.

For more on Walker check out our scouting report on him.

25) Buffalo Bills – Kaiir Elam – CB, Florida

The Bills do not have many weaknesses, but their secondary played poorly during their playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Elam is a physical and patient cornerback who could improve the Bills secondary.

For more on Elam, check out our scouting report on him.

26) Tennessee Titans – Devin Lloyd – LB, Utah

Any team this late in the first round would be pretty fortunate to have the opportunity to draft Lloyd this late in the draft. The Titans linebackers are not bad, but Lloyd could improve the group. He has good speed and sees the field well, allowing him to be consistent. Drafting Lloyd would strengthen an excellent defensive unit.

For more on Lloyd, check out our scouting report on him.

27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kenyon Green – OL, Texas A&M

Green is a fairly popular pick in mocks for the Buccaneers. They severely lack offensive line depth and will need to improve this offseason. Green can do so because of his versatility in playing multiple positions on the offensive line. Next season, Kyle Trask may be the starter, and Green could help protect him.

For more on Green, check out our scouting report on him.

28) Green Bay Packers – Drake London – WR, USC

Although the Packers have not taken a wide receiver in the first round in recent years, this draft is the one where the trend could change. London is a physically imposing pass catcher that could pair well with the other Packers receivers. Adding him could also attract Aaron Rodgers to stay another year in Green Bay.

For more on London, check out our scouting report on him.

29) Miami Dolphins (via San Fransisco) – Chris Olave – WR, Ohio State

Olave was mocked in the top 15-20 in early mock drafts this year but has since fallen slightly. The Ohio State product is an elite route runner with good hands. The Dolphins found success drafting Jaylen Waddle in the first round last year and could pair Olave with him to improve the group.

30) Kansas City Chiefs – Daxton Hill – S, Michigan

Aside from Hamilton, no other safties are almost guaranteed to be first-round picks, but a few could sneak in. One of them being Hill. He may be appealing to the Chiefs because he is a versatile player. Hill can play anywhere as a defensive back and add depth to Kansas City’s defense.

For more on Hill, check out our scouting report on him.

31) Cincinnati Bengals – Trevor Penning – OT, Northern Iowa

Penning had an excellent senior bowl and is starting to receive first-round projections. With multiple other tackles already taken, Penning could be their pick. The Bengals received heavy criticism for taking Ja’Marr Chase over an offensive lineman during last year’s draft, and while their offensive line has not been great, they are playing in the Super Bowl. If the Bengals take him, Penning could improve an already potent offense in the coming years.

32) Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams) – Garrett Wilson – WR, Ohio State

The Lions are another team with multiple first-round picks and can improve various areas. While Amon Ra St. Brown stood out last year, adding another wide receiver to the room could improve it more. Wilson has a high ceiling as he is athletic and can make defenders miss after the catch and could be dangerous alongside St. Brown.

For more on Wilson, check out our scouting report on him.


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Follow Kamran Nia on Twitter @kamran_nia

Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images 

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Check us out on our socials:   
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk 
Instagram: @primetimesportstalk

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