Even though it's not a sparkly quarterback class, that position will be a huge storyline in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Which teams are willing to bet their futures on the likes of Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral, and Malik Willis?
Oh we're now featuring trades in our mock drafts! This one features two of them.
For now, keep reading to see how the entire first round unfolds.
One other thing, and this is important: now that we're past the midway point of the season, we're using the 2022 NFL Draft order (via tankathon) to determine selections 1-32 below.
No ad available
For a more extensive draft discussion beyond the mock drafts, check out our weekly show every Tuesday on YouTube!
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 268 lbs
The new coach in Jacksonville isn't going to care much about the fact the Jaguars picked edge rushers in the first round of the 2019 and 2020 draft. Hutchinson is a different animal.
| |||
Mock Trade from
Detroit Lions
Round 1 - Pick 2
Oregon
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 258 lbs
The Giants have two first-round picks, but also have a pair of thirds. The latter helps in this deal, as New York uses one of the third-rounders, along with a second-rounder this year and next to get the chance to pick Thibodeaux.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 3
LSU
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 190 lbs
With the top two prospects off the board, the Texans select Stingley, a marquee prospect in his own right playing a vital position.
| |||
Mock Trade from
New York Giants
Round 1 - Pick 5
Notre Dame
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 220 lbs
After moving down to collect extra picks during their rebuild and still land Hamilton, the dynamic, do-everything safety.
| |||
From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 6
Arkansas
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 225 lbs
Burks is going to be a hot commodity on draft night. He's a bully on the perimeter and scorched the SEC in back-to-back seasons. With rumors swirling about Russell Wilson going to the Giants this offseason, this pick is all about maximizing Wilson's productivity on his new team.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 7
Pittsburgh
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 220 lbs
Even if Matt Rhule doesn't make it to his third season coaching the Panthers -- I think he will -- the Panthers have to prioritize quarterback early, and Pickett has been trending toward being the first passer off the board for a while now.
| |||
From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 8
Clemson
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 194 lbs
The Jets have to get stronger in their secondary, and Booth has the light feet and ball skills to go in the top 10.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 9
Ikem Ekwonu
OT
NC State
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 320 lbs
The Falcons blocking has been subpar for a long time now, and Ekwonu will bring athleticism, balance, and nastiness to Atlanta's front.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 10
Alabama
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 180 lbs
More Alabama alums for the Football Team. Don't be surprised if they look to the veteran quarterback market in March then pick another receiving weapon in April.
| |||
From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 11
Iowa
• Jr
• 6'2"
/ 305 lbs
Linderbaum is going to be the most sought after center prospect in quite some time, and the Eagles are going to have a gaping hole at that position after the season given Jason Kelce's age and free-agent status.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 12
Purdue
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 263 lbs
The Eagles have to get younger up front defensively, and Karlaftis has all the tools to be a perennial Pro Bowl type.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 13
Nakobe Dean
LB
Georgia
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 231 lbs
The Broncos have run through a litany of linebackers this season -- mostly due to injury -- and Dean can be a steadying force at that position because of his athletic traits and football intelligence.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 14
Matt Corral
QB
Ole Miss
• Soph
• 6'2"
/ 205 lbs
Dream scenario for the Saints. They get their quarterback of the future without having to trade up. Corral would be a glorious fit in Sean Payton's offense because of his quick release, mobility, and aggressiveness.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 15
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 192 lbs
Wilson has looked like a first-round pick for years at Ohio State, and the Browns have to get more electric at receiver.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 16
Kenyon Green
OL
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 323 lbs
Green is a masher who can play any position up front. The Raiders have to solidify the interior of their blocking unit.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 17
Mississippi State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 311 lbs
Cross has amazing upside and will greatly benefit the next quarterback for the Steelers.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 18
Cincinnati
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 200 lbs
Gardner can man up on the outside and his tenacious style fits perfectly in Baltimore.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 19
Chris Olave
WR
Ohio State
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 187 lbs
Olave gives Kirk Cousins another weapon opposite Justin Jefferson. Good idea for Minnesota here.
| |||
Mock Trade from
Buffalo Bills
Round 1 - Pick 20
Malik Willis
QB
Liberty
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 219 lbs
Lions GM Brad Holmes was in Los Angeles for years when the Rams were the most aggressive trading team in football, and with Willis dropping, he makes his move to get the raw but uber-talented quarterback.
| |||
From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 21
Central Michigan
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 303 lbs
Rainmann is a former tight end who thrived at left tackle for the Chippewas. With more strength, he can be a high-end blocker.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 22
David Ojabo
LB
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 265 lbs
The Chargers get Joey Bosa a running mate on the edge in the athletic, ascending Ojabo.
| |||
From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 23
Devin Lloyd
LB
Utah
• Jr
• 6'3"
/ 235 lbs
Lloyd is incredibly long and plays with incendiary speed to the football. He's what the Eagles need.
| |||
Mock Trade from
Detroit Lions
Round 1 - Pick 24
Drake London
WR
USC
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 213 lbs
The Bills could look to receiver early in the draft and London would give Buffalo an athletic big body who'd thrive with Josh Allen.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 25
Northern Iowa
• Jr
• 6'7"
/ 325 lbs
The Bengals still need to add more blockers up front. Penning is an athletic small-school blocker who's going to rise up boards during the draft process.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 26
Jahan Dotson
WR
Penn State
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 182 lbs
The Titans get a quick burner to complement A.J. Brown and the ultimate workhorse back, Derrick Henry.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 27
Logan Hall
DL
Houston
• Jr
• 6'6"
/ 283 lbs
The Cardinals like oversized defensive linemen who can rush the quarterback occasionally. Hall fits the mold perfectly.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 28
Florida State
• Jr
• 6'5"
/ 262 lbs
Johnson is a long, powerful edge rusher with a non-stop motor. Tampa has to get younger up front on defense, even after picking Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in April.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 29
Kaiir Elam
CB
Florida
• Jr
• 6'1"
/ 191 lbs
Elam is the type of long, physical press man cornerback Bill Belichick will love.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 30
Penn State
• Soph
• 6'3"
/ 241 lbs
With Micah Parsons staying on the edge, the Cowboys may actually have to go linebacker again early in the draft, and grabbing Parson's old teammate would be logical.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 31
Washington
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 193 lbs
McDuffie can be utilized as a multidimensional secondary member in Steve Spagnuolo's defense.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 32
Texas A&M
• Jr
• 6'4"
/ 290 lbs
Leal is the exact type of oversized edge rusher the Packers love.
|