Entering Week 6, the Cowboys and Chiefs are in two different places defensively. Dallas is second in the NFL with 12 takeaways, six of which are Trevon Diggs interceptions. That unit is sixth in Football Outsiders defensive DVOA. Kansas City has forced just four turnovers and is last in Football Outsiders defensive DVOA.
In this mock, both clubs go defense. The Cowboys get another natural playmaker for their secondary, the Chiefs add some juice to their outside pass rush.
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Note: The draft order is based on SportsLine's current Super Bowl odds.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Oregon
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 258 lbs
Thibodeaux has some roughness around the edges of his game, but his size, length, athleticism, and natural power are all of elite caliber.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Malik Willis
QB
Liberty
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 219 lbs
Willis is the ultimate project in a weak quarterback class. The Lions jump at the opportunity to draft him, keep him on the shelf for a season, then allow him to take over in 2023.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
LSU
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 190 lbs
The Texans would be in a prime trade-down position at No. 3, but they land the consensus top corner in the class in the long and athletic Stingley.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Notre Dame
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 220 lbs
The Giants need more playmaking from their safety spot, and Hamilton will aid the linebacker group too. He's a special prospect.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 268 lbs
Hutchinson is the complete edge rusher the Falcons have needed for a very long time. Like, since John Abraham retired.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 7
Clemson
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 194 lbs
The Eagles have one lockdown corner in Darius Slay, who's been a downright stud this season, but he's getting up there in age. Booth has similar, wide-ranging ball skills.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Iowa
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 305 lbs
A center in the top 10! Love it! Linderbaum is the best player on the No. 2 team in the country, and would be such a natural replacement for Jason Kelce in the middle of Philadelphia's offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Kenyon Green
OL
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 323 lbs
Whether they view him as a tackle or guard, it doesn't matter. The Bengals should go with Green if he he falls into their lap in Round 1.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 10
Ikem Ekwonu
OT
NC State
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 320 lbs
With Green getting snagged right in front of them, the Giants stay in the trenches and pick Ekwonu, a bulldozing tackle prospect.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Kaiir Elam
CB
Florida
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 191 lbs
Elam has No. 1, press man cornerback abilities, and would bring more high-end talent to Washington's defensive backfield that needs it.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Nevada
• 6'4"
/ 215 lbs
Another easy one. Strong's in-the-pocket style will make for a seamless transition off Ben Roethlisberger in the coming years in Pittsburgh.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Alabama
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 226 lbs
Instead of going receiver -- he likes to pick those later -- Belichick goes with a second-level defender from Alabama to add some youth to that group.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Washington
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 193 lbs
The Raiders have to acquire stingier outside corners, and McDuffie has the athletic chops to thrive in man or zone.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 15
South Carolina
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 258 lbs
The Eagles have to get younger along their defensive line, and Enagbare is a freaky, high-motor rusher with his best football in front of him.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Washington
• Fr
• 6'7"
/ 328 lbs
Kirkland is one of the most agile pass protectors in the 2022 class, and the Panthers have to find the future of their franchise at that position.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 17
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 190 lbs
The Jets have to add more talent to their cornerback room, even if they hit on Day 3 pick Michael Carter. Kendrick has a serious pedigree having excelled at Clemson and now Georgia.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Jake Haener
QB
Fresno State
• Soph
• 6'1"
/ 200 lbs
Haener is flying up draft boards after a blisteringly hot start in 2021, and the Broncos could be in the market for a future franchise quarterback.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 192 lbs
More weapons for Kirk Cousins. Wilson is a sudden, big-play waiting to happen and will formulate a tremendous duo in Minnesota with Justin Jefferson for years to come.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 20
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 315 lbs
Petit-Frere was a monster recruit at Ohio State and has played like it the past two seasons. Miami's offensive line reconstruction continues.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Drake London
WR
USC
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 213 lbs
London feels like the big slot Sean Payton would love to have in his offense -- remember Marques Colston was featured there for years during Drew Brees' prime.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Cincinnati
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 200 lbs
The Titans need more man-coverage specialists in their secondary, and Gardner certainly thrives in that area.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Jordan Davis
DL
Georgia
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 336 lbs
Davis is the logical eventual replacement for Linval Joseph in the trenches for the Chargers.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Arkansas
• Sr
• 5'10"
/ 202 lbs
Catalon is extraordinarily dynamic and has been a huge-play creator at Arkansas. The Cowboys secondary has been considerably better this season than last, but it's a unit that could use more safety talent.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Arkansas
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 225 lbs
The Browns have to make adding youth and top-tier talent to the receiver group a priority this offseason. Burks is a towering specimen who plays to every inch of his frame down the field and is a deceptively fast after the catch.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Purdue
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 263 lbs
Karlaftis is the oversized defensive lineman the Ravens love. He can win up and down the line on three downs.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Georgia
• Sr
• 6'5"
/ 230 lbs
Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt have been quite the tandem in 2021, but they're not exactly in the prime of their careers. Anderson needs to get stronger and add weight but has All-Pro upside.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Texas A&M
• Fr
• 6'5"
/ 265 lbs
The Packers get Aaron Rodgers a serious receiving weapon at the tight end position with Wydermyer.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 29
Cincinnati
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 248 lbs
The Lions got their quarterback of the future at No. 2, and pick an edge rusher with massive potential in a long-limbed Sanders.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Florida State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 262 lbs
The Chiefs have plenty of needs in their defensive backfield and along their defensive line. Here, they decide on the springy, bendy rusher.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Hill is a phenomenal athlete who can play safety or cornerback and will be a serious playmaker in Buffalo's defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Logan Hall
DL
Houston
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 283 lbs
Hall is yet another defensive lineman with the length, size, and surprising twitch to be a menace at every position up front.
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