Analysis
4/27/22
7 min read
2022 NFL Mock Draft: What We Think Will Happen Thursday Night
Anything can happen during the draft, but for our last and final 2022 NFL Mock Draft, we're keeping our ear to the ground and looking at the latest news and rumors to see not what we would do as The 33rd Team in each situation, but what we believe each team will do.
Pick 1 — Jacksonville Jaguars — Travon Walker (EDGE Georgia)
The hype has continuously been building for Travon Walker to become the No. 1 overall pick. He's perhaps the most explosive athlete in the draft and has untapped potential to become a force on the edge.
Pick 2 — Detroit Lions — Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE Michigan)
Hutchinson is a no brainer for the Lions if he gets past No. 1. He is a perfect fit for the culture Dan Campbell is trying to build in Detroit.
Pick 3 — Houston Texans — Evan Neal (OT Alabama)
Neal gives the Texans the chance to have strong and athletic book end tackles.
Pick 4 — New York Jets — Ahmad Gardner (CB Cincinnati)
Gardner is the best cover corner in the draft, who can play in off and man coverage. The Jets need to solidify their backend and get a high end talent
Pick 5 — New York Giants — Ikem Ekwonu (OT NC State)
The Giants need to continue to fortify their offensive line and do so here by taking the best run blocker in the class. The 21-year-old checks all the boxes from a physical standpoint and has Pro Bowl potential.
READ MORE: The 33rd Team's Three-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft
Pick 6 — Carolina Panthers — Malik Willis (QB Liberty)
The Panthers get who they hope will be the QB of the future in Malik Willis. The Liberty QB has the biggest arm and highest ceiling of any QB in this year's class.
Pick 7 — New York Giants — Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE Oregon)
Thibodeaux fell to seven due to pre-draft reports, but has the potential to be the most productive and talented defensive player in the draft. Oregon used him in all over the field and he has a high ceiling due to his pass rush ability.
Pick 8 — Atlanta Falcons — Kyle Hamilton (S Notre Dame)
Hamilton is a versatile option that completely changes the outlook of a defense as a versatile option in Dean Pees defense. Keanu Neal 2.0
Pick 9 — Seattle Seahawks – Derek Stingley Jr. (CB LSU)
While offensive tackle may be a bigger need here, Seattle takes the best player available in Derek Stingley Jr., who has the potential to be an immediate lock down.
Pick 10 — New York Jets — Garrett Wilson (WR Ohio State)
Jets need to surround Zach Wilson with weapons and the Ohio State WR is one of the most well rounded in this class.
Pick 11 — Washington Commanders — Drake London (WR USC)
Drake London is a big physical receiver who comps well to Michael Thomas. The Commanders will have a legitimate 1-2 punch with McLaurin and London who have complimentary skill sets.
Pick 12 — Minnesota Vikings — Jermaine Johnson (EDGE Florida State)
The Vikings could use a high upside pass rusher opposite of Hunter. He is strong in the run game with speed to power rush.
Pick 13 — Houston Texans — Jameson Williams (WR Alabama)
With a wide array of needs, Houston continues to add to their offense with elite talent from Alabama. While Williams is on the mend after an ACL tear, the Texans should be patient in building their roster.
Pick 14 — Baltimore Ravens — Tyler Linderbaum (iOL Iowa)
Call me crazy, but Linderbaum is the best center in this draft class by a long shot and the Ravens fill a need along the interior OL.
Pick 15 — Philadelphia Eagles — Devonte Wyatt (DL Georgia)
The Eagles infuse youth into their defensive line with Wyatt who is a versatile and athletic defensive tackle.
Pick 16 — New Orleans Saints — Charles Cross (OT Mississippi State)
Losing Terron Armstead, and being a pass heavy offense, getting an athletic pass setting OT is a need
Pick 17 — Los Angeles Chargers — Devin Lloyd (LB Utah)
Brandon Staley adds a chess piece and potential team captain to the middle of his defense. Lloyd has the height, weight, speed, instincts and versatility to be a game-changer as the Chargers try to stop the explosive offenses in the AFC West.
Pick 18 — Philadelphia Eagles — Andrew Booth Jr (CB Clemson)
Booth is a better zone corner than anyone currently on the Eagles roster, and a better zone corner is a big need for a defense that is already ahead of schedule.
Pick 19 — New Orleans Saints — Kenny Pickett (QB Pittsburgh)
The Saints traded a lot of draft capital in the hopes their guy would be in the first round. Pickett is the most pro ready QB in the draft who can come in and challenge Winston from day 1.
Pick 20 — Pittsburgh Steelers — Zion Johnson (iOL Boston College)
Steelers have an issue on their OL. Their offense is built around Najee Harris and the short passing game. Johnson is a versatile option at G and C
Pick 21 — New England Patriots — George Karlaftis (EDGE Purdue)
New England has a need for a pass rusher opposite Matthew Judon and find good value here in George Karlaftis.
Pick 22 — Green Bay Packers — Jahan Dotson (WR Penn State)
Rodgers FINALLY gets a 1st round receiver.
Pick 23 — Arizona Cardinals — Trevor Penning (OT Northern Iowa)
Penning is the best tackle on the board and with DJ Humphries on the last year of his contract the Cardinals add a complete tackle with strength, athleticism, and character.
Pick 24 — Dallas Cowboys — Nakobe Dean (LB Georgia)
With a need at pass rush, they can use Micah more at the LOS and pick up the best player available. Dan Quinn would have too much fun being able to use Dean as a chess piece on a defense full of chess pieces. Learn more about Dean and his path to the NFL, here.Â
Pick 25 — Buffalo Bills — Trent McDuffie (CB Washington)
Buffalo is in need of a starting outside cornerback and a high-end talent at the position falls to them here.
Pick 26 — Tennessee Titans — Jordan Davis (DL Georgia)
Tennessee has a need at NT, and the 340-pounder from UGA would fill that hole nicely.
Pick 27 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Chris Olave (WR Ohio State)
Olave's fall in out 2022 NFL Mock Draft stops in Tampa Bay, where the Buccaneers give Tom Brady another reason to stay with the best vertical threat in the draft.
Pick 28 — Green Bay Packers — Arnold Ebiketie (EDGE Penn State)
The Packers need pass rush, after taking a WR with their first pick, they take a high upside EDGE with strong upside. Read our write up of Ebiketie's rising draft status, here.Â
Pick 29 — Kansas City Chiefs — Treylon Burks (WR Arkansas)
Burks is an excellent fit with a creative offensive coordinator such as Andy Reid, who will find a plethora of ways to get the ball in Burks' hands.
Pick 30 — Kansas City Chiefs —David Ojabo (EDGE Michigan)
Ojabo's achilles tear will push him down the board, but if he returns to form after the injury he will be at steal at 30. Learn more about how Ojabo's injury affects he draft status, here.Â
Pick 31 — Cincinnati Bengals — Boye Mafe (EDGE Minnesota)
Mafe is one of the most physically gifted and explosive players in the draft. The Bengals will use his athleticism in passing situations where he can shine like he did while winning MVP of the Senior Bowl
Pick 32 — Detroit Lions — Desmond Ridder (QB Cincinnati)
5th year option at QB for a great leader with strong intangibles. He fits the bill as a QB who has played a lot of meaningful snaps in college. Watch our interview with Desmond Ridder, here.Â
