The Golden Angeleno's 2022 First-Round Mock Draft
By Peyton Schultze
The 2022 NFL Draft is finally here.
After one of the most chaotic offseasons in NFL history, one of the final steps to the spring puzzle comes to fruition once the Jaguars make the first selection to start a three-day flurry of picks, trades and speculation. With so much talent up and down the board in this class on both sides of the ball, this year’s draft figures to have plenty of excitement from the start. Mystery remains in the air for all 32 teams, and the 2022 NFL Draft could be a thrilling event full of drama and mayhem.
With that said, here is our second annual first-round mock draft:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - DE, Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
There are many players that make a strong case as the best overall player in this draft, but few carry the balance of name recognition and equal on-field production like Hutchinson. Like Chase Young out of Ohio State a few years ago, the Michigan end is a relentless defender with a rare blend of size, motor and speed at the position, which makes this an easy choice at the top for the rebuilding Jaguars.
2. Detroit Lions - DE, Travon Walker, Georgia
While we don’t buy the Walker rumors with the first overall pick, there is no doubt he will be an early selection. The Lions could go in different directions - Malik Willis and Derek Stingley Jr. are names to keep an eye on - but the fiery Georgia end will provide an immediate boost to Dan Campbell’s defense and start from Day 1 in the Motor City.
3. Houston Texans - S, Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
Our first major surprise of the draft comes out of Houston, where the Texans may look to just go with the best overall player on their board. At his apex, the Notre Dame safety certainly makes a strong case at the top of the draft, giving the Texans’ defense a presence that they have lacked in recent years with a thinned-out secondary.
4. New York Jets - OT, Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State
The Jets have plenty of options at the top in this year’s draft, but their top selection figures to be one of several promising offensive linemen in this class. Ekwonu seems to offer the most potential near the top of this draft, making the decision to focus on protecting quarterback Zach Wilson that much easier for general manager Joe Douglas.
5. New York Giants - CB, Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, Cincinnati
Here’s where the draft starts to get interesting. Gardner was a superstar last season at Cincinnati, helping lead the way to the school’s first ever appearance in the College Football Playoff and emerging as one of this draft’s most interesting prospects. His blend of size, athleticism and instinctiveness will be too much for the Giants to pass up, especially considering how many holes they have on the defensive side.
6. Carolina Panthers - CB, Derek Stingley Jr., Louisiana State
Stingley Jr. might be the most controversial pick of the first round due to his injury tendencies and lack of physicality, which makes this a huge risk. But the Panthers’ need for secondary help could be too much to ignore if they don’t take a quarterback, especially considering the former LSU star showed signs of greatness when on-the-field for the Tigers in Death Valley.
7. New York Giants - DE, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
New York may find themselves in a tricky position: take arguably the most talented player on the board, or help to fill an immediate need? Based off recent history, we lean toward the former with the Giants, who may see Thibodeaux’s defensive explosiveness as a trait that is too difficult to pass up in a league that increasingly focuses on adding players to get after the passer.
8. Atlanta Falcons - QB, Malik Willis, Liberty
Once the Falcons moved off Matt Ryan, you figured they would have to have some type of plan in place other than Marcus Mariota. Willis could be a great fit in Arthur Smith’s Falcons offense with his unique blend of vision, release and poise amid pressure, and with Mariota in Atlanta on a short-term deal, the Falcons could afford to give Willis some time to develop in a division that lacks young quarterback talent.
9. Seattle Seahawks - OT, Evan Neal, Alabama
Someone is going to fall in this draft due to precise selections ahead of them, and our money would be on Neal. The Alabama tackle will be a stud for a Seahawks’ offense that desperately needs help on the offensive line, and although his steady stock does not jump off the page, he figures to be an immediate starter in Seattle.
10. New York Jets - WR, Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
If Deebo Samuel is going to be moved by the 49ers, this is the destination. But if the Jets hold on and select the 10th overall, there is no doubt they are going to go out and get a playmaker. You can make the case for many wideouts in this draft, but the former Buckeye in Wilson would add some unique traits such as big-play agility and the ability to reel in contested catches to an otherwise-stagnant offense.
Garrett Wilson could be a huge addition on offense for many teams at the top of the draft (via Scarlet and Game).
11. Washington Commanders - WR, Drake London, Southern California
The Commanders have nice options at this point for the first pick of their new era, yet London stands out as the go-to candidate at #11. Paring the physicality and force of London next to a top receiver in Terry McLaurin could mean big things for Carson Wentz in Year 1, making this a seamless fit if Washington decides to upgrade their core on offense.
12. Minnesota Vikings - DE, Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
This feels like a ‘trade-down’ spot for a Minnesota team that has plenty of top talent, but the Vikings could easily hold on and take a big-time pass rusher in Johnson out of Florida State. The versatile defender offers Micah Parsons-like upside with his ability at end and linebacker, and Minnesota could potentially get the steal of the draft with the 12th overall pick.
13. Houston Texans - OT, Charles Cross, Mississippi State
The Texans have so many needs across the board that this selection could also be a matter of best available, which could be Cross at this point in the draft. The Mississippi State product would likely start right away as Davis Mills’ premier protector, giving the Texans a young foundation that sets the table for a promising future.
14. Baltimore Ravens - OT, Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
Can the Ravens ever have enough protection for Lamar Jackson? Their star’s sudden durability concerns should spell plenty of worry heading into a contract year, making the need for O-Line help even more vital. Penning fits in as the best available at this point, which could help to make this Baltimore offense even more dangerous in the future.
15. Philadelphia Eagles - WR, Jameson Williams, Alabama
It feels like the Eagles are always searching for another wide receiver, but with a young cast around quarterback Jalen Hurts, this seems like a likely spot. Williams may be taken earlier if a contender trades up, but Philadelphia would be wise to select one of the most dangerous offensive forces in this speedy class full of world-class talent.
16. New Orleans Saints - WR, Chris Olave, Ohio State
New Orleans is another squad in desperate need of a playmaker on the perimeter next to Michael Thomas, which makes Olave a perfect fit. The former Ohio State stud’s mix of speed and route-running makes this a very easy pick for the Saints, who could be in for a nice season on offense next year with improved talent around Jameis Winston.
17. Los Angeles Chargers - DT, Jordan Davis, Georgia
No team struggled against the run more than the Chargers in 2021, making this an easy pick for a Los Angeles team ready to emerge as a contender. Davis was one of the top players in all of college football last season for the national champion Georgia Bulldogs, and he would be a huge addition to a defense that needs lane cloggers in the deep trenches.
18. Philadelphia Eagles - S Daxton Hill, Michigan
Hill was a star last season for one of the best defenses in the NCCA for the Michigan Wolverines, making him a top prospect in this field. The Eagles have needs in the secondary across the board, and the ranging abilities of Hill would help a Philadelphia defense that often struggled in man-to-man coverage take a step forward this season.
19. New Orleans Saints - DE, George Karlaftis, Purdue
The Purdue pass rusher remains a bit of a mystery product with potential for prowess on this defense, but the Saints would be wise to upgrade their defensive line. Although New Orleans deployed a top defense last season, aging defenders on the line spell some future concern, making Karlaftis a sneaky pick with the chance to play right away.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers - QB, Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
The hometown kid finds himself in a familiar spot in a match made in heaven for both sides. Pickett comes with his fair share of worries on-the-field, but the Steelers offer the young signal caller plenty of comforting stability that will surely set him up for success in the near future under head coach Mike Tomlin in an offense filled with explosive talent.
Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr. figures to be a first-round talent capable of starting on defense from Day 1 (via On3.com).
21. New England Patriots - CB, Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson
The Patriots suddenly look like they need a lot of help in the secondary after the loss of JC Jackson, which is very troubling in a division that is led by Josh Allen and the Bills. Yet Booth Jr. could be a great addition for the Pats, especially since he figures to slot in the starting lineup and possesses steady traits across the board at the cornerback position.
22. Green Bay Packers - OG, Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Many figure that Green Bay is going to add some offensive talent to surround Aaron Rodgers with in the final stage of his career, but they also need some real help on the offensive line to make sure #12 stays healthy. Green could be a very good for for the Green and Gold, and the Packers would be wise to make this selection before adding a wide receiver in such a deep draft.
23. Arizona Cardinals - CB, Trent McDuffie, Washington
Arizona has some real need in the secondary at the cornerback position, which makes the selection of Trent McDuffie a very easy pick. Yet McDuffie is a rare player: a corner who is shorter than average but remains one of the best tackling defensive backs in this class. This is a rare package for a prospect of this magnitude, and could fit nicely in this Arizona defense.
24. Dallas Cowboys - LB, Devin Lloyd, Utah
Could the Cowboys be tempted to draft linebacking talents in back-to-back drafts? Lloyd appears to be much more of a traditional linebacker than their last star selection, but Jerry Jones may feel the need to upgrade his promising defense even more after the success of last year. They could go in many directions here, but look for Dallas to play it safe and take Lloyd at 24th overall.
25. Buffalo Bills - CB, Kaiir Elam, Florida
The Bills do not have very many needs across the board, but defensive back could be a very nice choice here. Elam presents a ton of ability in terms of his aggressiveness and physicality, and he consistently played very well last season in the loaded SEC. Another easy pick, Buffalo looks primed to add a big corner with a lot of talent in this year’s draft.
26. Tennessee Titans - OG, Zion Johnson, Boston College
The Titans need big-time help in the middle of the offensive line, and Johnson looks to be a very steady prospect with solid qualities in all areas of his game. The former Boston College product could slot in as a starter right away for an offense that relies so much on the ground game, and would be a nice pick for the Titans at #26.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - OT, Tyler Smith, Tulsa
A best-case scenario for the Buccaneers, Smith could fall to Tampa Bay in another lucky break for what could be the final year of Tom Brady’s illustrious career. Smith is a massive lineman with some raw potential, yet could develop very quickly in a Tampa group that has shown knack for developing lineman talent in recent years. This is a must for the Buccaneers, and could be a late-round steal.
28. Green Bay Packers - WR, Treylon Burks, Arkansas
With Davante Adams now in Las Vegas, the Packers need to get Aaron Rodgers some kind of offensive help on the outside. Yet wideout Treylon Burks could give the Packers some real production after the catch with his smooth running in the middle of the field, which would give Green Bay a unique player capable of getting more than five touches in every outing.
29. Kansas City Chiefs - WR, Jahan Dotson, Penn State
After trading Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, it seemed like a lock that Kansas City would look to add a wide receiver in this year’s draft. Luckily, Penn State’s Jahan Dotson could be a dynamic addition, especially with his excellent blend of speed, quickness and hands. The Chiefs may trade up for a receiver, but Dotson would be just as good as anyone at this point in the draft.
30. Kansas City Chiefs - CB, Kyler Gordon, Washington
The other end of a very solid cornerback duo for the Washington Huskies, Gordon could fill the void in the secondary for the Chiefs. Although Kansas City could be in a position to move up in this draft, Gordon would be a nice selection at this point in the draft and would add some ball-hawking aggressiveness to a Chiefs’ secondary that will try to get the ball into the hands of Patrick Mahomes as often as possible.
31. Cincinnati Bengals - DT, Travis Jones, Connecticut
It is a surprise to say that the Bengals do not have a ton of needs heading into a draft, but here they are as the reigning AFC champions. Yet Cincinnati could use some help in the trenches against the run, especially considering the talent found throughout the AFC at the running back position. Jones is a great fit here, and would help the Bengals’ defense be even more dangerous in the 2022 season.
32. Detroit Lions - QB, Matt Corral, Ole Miss
The Lions could wait another year to take a quarterback and run it back again with Jared Goff, but something tells us that Corral’s upside may be too tempting for the Lions to pass up. Corral reminds of a Derek Carr-style of player, which could be some very promising news for a Detroit team that needs to come out of this draft with some promise.