2022 NFL Mock Draft: Lions take rising defensive star No. 2 overall, WFT goes QB with Liberty's Malik Willis
Detroit makes Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson the first defensive player off the board
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1 min read
Aidan Hutchinson has been unblockable two games into his final season at Michigan, and he has the NFL body to be a gigantic riser during the pre-draft process. The Lions are in a full-scale rebuild -- although they put together one heck of a comeback effort in Week 1 -- and very well could be looking for a dominant edge rusher early in the 2022 NFL Draft.
As per usual, the draft order below was determined using SportsLine's Super Bowl odds but in reverse order. These are your team's current odds of winning a Lombardi Trophy.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Strong has had the start needed to be a quarterback from the Mountain West to go extremely early in the draft. The Texans will be looking for a franchise passer in the 2022 draft.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Hutchinson is a box-checker at the edge rusher position. Size, strength, burst, flexibility and hand work of an NFL veteran. The Lions have to build out their defensive front.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
The Jaguars need plenty of roster reworking, and Hamilton is simply the best player available at this point.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
This is assuming the Giants scrap the Daniel Jones experiment after three seasons. Rattler is a bit raw but the talent is outstanding.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
More protection for Joe Burrow and Joe Mixon in Cincinnati. Green has guard/tackle flexibility.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
The Eagles run this pick to the podium. Stingley is a genuinely rare physical specimen with elite instincts and ball skills.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Easy decision for Mike Mayock and Co. Thibodeaux has No. 1 overall pick traits. He just needs to refine the ways he beats blockers in the NFL.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 9
Leal can win as a pass rusher from any position on the defensive line. He'll thrive next to Leonard Williams.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
The next step in the Panthers rebuilding process is securing a franchise left tackle. Ekwonu is a massive blocker with good athletic capabilities.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
The Falcons make their quarterback-of-the-future pick with Howell, a smaller quarterback with a rocket for an arm and a knack for creating on his own.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Washington doesn't hesitate here. Willis has All-Pro upside because of his improvisational talent and arm strength.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
The Vikings have to refurbish the secondary, and the long and physical Elam is a great start.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Jackson represents the future on the edge in Denver.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
The Patriots have a shaky history of drafting receivers in the first round, but Wilson's twitch, separation ease, and YAC skills make him a glorious fit in New England.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 16
Yes, another tight end in Philadelphia. The Eagles get Jalen Hurts the most dynamic pass-catching tight end in the class in the Texas A&M star.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Tennessee makes this pick with the future in mind at the receiver spot. Olave is as pro-ready as they come.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
The Steelers defense is elite, but the future of the cornerback spot is uncertain. Gardner's ultra-aggressive ways fit wonderfully with the man coverage heavy ways in Pittsburgh.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 19
Karlaftis is a grown man with a keen awareness of how to win in a variety of ways. Philadelphia's defensive front is good, but old on the edges.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
The Chargers go with the high-value position in Round 1. Kendrick looks like one of the safer picks at corner in this class.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Burks gives the Cowboys a big body pass catcher to round out the receiver group. Michael Gallup is a likely free-agent departure next March.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
The Cardinals may have an explosive season through the air in 2020, but with A.J. Green on the roster and Christian Kirk in the final year of his rookie deal, Arizona will want to prioritize receiver early.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
 
Jeremy Ruckert
TE
Ohio State
• Sr
• 6'5"
/ 250 lbs
Ruckert has serious three-down ability and will become a favorite target for Jameis Winston in New Orleans.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 24
The Jets add more juice to Robert Saleh's pass-rush unit. A must.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
London has basketball athleticism at 6-foot-5 and around 225 pounds. The Browns have to diversify their offense with more receiving talent.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Sanders feels like a Ravens edge rusher. He's super-tenacious with length and plenty of speed around the corner.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
The future of the safety position in Green Bay is in flux given the unstable play of Darnell Savage. Battle comes with an Alabama pedigree and is equally as good in coverage as he is against the run.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 28
The Dolphins fortify their linebacker spot with the next rangy, hard-hitting second-level defender from Nick Saban's defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
The Bills absolutely have to address the interior of their offensive line next season. Drafting Linderbaum would be the headliner of that project.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 30
Doubs is a sizable vertical threat who'd be a welcomed addition in Detroit for Jared Goff.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
McDuffie is a big-time athlete hailing from a Washington secondary that's recently sent a plethora of quality defensive backs to the NFL.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
The Chiefs edge-rushing group could use a boost. Enagbare is a freaky specimen with massive potential.
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