2022 NFL Mock Draft 3.0 Setup
We are finally in draft week. The 2022 NFL Draft is on Thursday, and we take a shot at predicting the unpredictable. To do the mock, and to maintain some semblance of order, I used nflmockdraftdatabase.com. To see how it’s changed from previous mocks, view Mock Draft 1.0 and Mock Draft 2.0. All RAS cards come courtesy of our friend Kent Lee Platte, and his website ras.football. With that being said, let’s get started with my 2022 NFL Mock Draft 3.0.
Daniel Garrett’s Mock Draft 3.0
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
There seems to be an internal struggle over who the number one pick will be. It could be Aidan Hutchinson, but the coaching staff reportedly wants tackle Ikem Ekwonu and GM Trent Baalke wants Travon Walker. The GM wins out in the draft, and so Walker is the selection.
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
Dan Campbell, meet your new favorite player. Aidan Hutchinson has a very high floor and can come in and be immediately productive. He doesn’t have the upside of Walker or Kayvon Thibodeaux, but his floor will make him an intriguing option for the Lions. I’d expect all three edges to be in play at two depending on who’s available.
3. Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Evan Neal is an absolute freak without a discernable weakness. He can play four different positions along the line and can help give the Texans their best five.
4. New York Jets: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
Both GM Joe Douglas and HC Robert Saleh want to build through the trenches, and Saleh gets his star edge rusher to go opposite Carl Lawson in Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux has the highest upside of any edge rusher in this class.
5. New York Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The Giants absolutely need a tackle opposite Andrew Thomas. Ikem Ekwonu is a good run blocker and has the positional flexibility to play four spots on the line.
TRADE:
The Carolina Panthers have traded the sixth overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for picks 20 and 84 as well as a 2023 1st round selection.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malik Willis
It isn’t a secret that Mike Tomlin loves Malik Willis. The only question is are they willing to trade up for him. In this one, a Panthers team is willing to trade out because of a complete dirth of day two selections.
7. New York Giants: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Giants may be looking for a long-term replacement for James Bradberry, who is reportedly available. Corner is an extremely important position in defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s system.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Jermaine Johnson, Edge, Florida State
The Falcons have so many needs that they should simply go best player available at a high-value position. Jermaine Johnson is an athletic and productive edge rusher, and the Falcons have no one there currently.
9. Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Seahawks currently have no left tackle. Charles Cross is, in my opinion, the second-best offensive tackle in the class, and so they’re getting great value here. They could also go cornerback with Derek Stingley Jr. still on the board.
10. New York Jets: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The Jets already added an edge rusher, and Saleh has a history of getting a lot out of a defense without highly drafted corners, so they don’t necessarily need one here. Instead, they focus on helping Zach Wilson, and with the top three offensive tackles off the board, they give him an explosive deep threat.
11. Washington Commanders: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Commanders have invested in quarterback with the acquisition of Carson Wentz, and now may be looking to add another playmaker for him. Kyle Hamilton will also probably be highly considered.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
This is Derek Stingley’s floor, simply put. The Vikings have a massive need and he’s too good of a player to slide any further. He could very easily go in the top 10.
13. Houston Texans: Kyle Hamilton, Saf, Notre Dame
The Texans have no positions at which they are set, and just select the best player available here. Kyle Hamilton is a good value in terms of skill level, but will fall due to positional value and, oddly enough, athletic concerns.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, iDL, Georgia
The Ravens are in need of defensive line help and Jordan Davis is a freak athlete at nose tackle. He will need to work to maintain his conditioning to be a better contributor on passing downs.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
Howie Roseman loves the trenches, and George Karlaftis will be hard for him to pass on. He has more upside than anyone currently on their roster.
16. New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Saints need an offensive tackle with the loss of Terron Armstead, and Trevor Penning is clearly the top one available. He is a developmental player and has major penalty issues, but has a chance to be a quality starter.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Chargers lose out on a right tackle, but get a playmaker to put next to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Chris Olave gives them a speed element they currently lack.
18. Philadelphia Eagles: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Eagles need a corner badly. Trent McDuffie is a good corner who may fall a bit due to length concerns, but the Eagles have started corners of a similar size in the past who are much less skilled.
19. New Orleans Saints: Drake London, WR, USC
The Saints need a receiver opposite of Michael Thomas. While Drake London is another big-bodied receiver, he can operate down the field as well as be good with the ball in his hand.
20. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The Panthers trade down, add a day two selection as well as a future first-round pick, and still get a quarterback. I believe it is about 50/50 whether or not they select a quarterback or a tackle. If they go quarterback it will more likely than not be Kenny Pickett.
21. New England Patriots: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Patriots have a hole at linebacker and Devin Lloyd is clearly the top linebacker in the class. He has versatility and good athleticism. The number one concern for him is his age at 23 years old.
22. Green Bay Packers: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Green Bay Packers have specific size requirements at receiver that they’ve followed, and that will eliminate a few players who could be available here. Treylon Burks is a massive player who is fantastic with the ball and can be versatile in his alignment.
23. Arizona Cardinals: Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
The Cardinals have had a very public saga with Kyler Murray, and they need to give him all the help they can. Zion Johnson is a quality guard who will be a day one starter.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
The Cowboys have a need at guard and Kenyon Green can be a plug-and-play starter. He has his issues, but he will be an improvement for them. He is less of a risk than the other options at edge rusher or along the offensive line.
25. Buffalo Bills: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
The Bills could use more help at running back. They don’t have a ton of major needs outside cornerback (just additional depth, upgrades, or being a year early). Breece Hall is the best, most explosive back in the class and can add an interesting element to their offense.
26. Tennessee Titans: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
Tyler Smith can play either guard or tackle, and the Titans need help along the offensive line. Smith is a project for sure, but he has pretty sizeable upside.
27. Tampa Bay Bucaneers: Devonte Wyatt, iDL, Georgia
With Ndamukong Suh not under contract, the Bucs could use another defensive tackle and seem to be looking for a penetration-style tackle. Devonte Wyatt fits that to a tee. However, he has previous off-the-field issues and is also very old in terms of the draft.
28. Green Bay Packers: Daxton Hill, Saf, Michigan
Daxton Hill is an extremely versatile player who can play any spot in the secondary. The Packers can mainly use him as a nickel this season, and eventually be the Adrian Amos replacement.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The Chiefs still need a receiver. They have signed a couple of complementary pieces, but lack explosiveness. Jahan Dotson can help provide that.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
Kansas City needs edge rusher help, and David Ojabo is the top edge available. He will miss a majority of the season, but when he comes back he can provide instant pass rushing juice.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The Bengals are starting Eli Apple. Kaiir Elam is available, and Andrew Booth has injury concerns. The Bengals are starting Eli Apple. That will be all.
32. Detroit Lions: Lewis Cine, Saf, Georgia
The Lions need help everywhere except the offensive line. Lewis Cine is a fantastic football player who can help improve this defense and is overall a great value.
That is the last pick of the 2022 NFL Mock Draft 3.0. Please check out our other draft week content, as well as the sites used to make this mock draft possible: nflmockdraftdatabase.com and ras.football.
Around The Block 