The 2022 NFL regular season has come to an end and more than half of the league has turned its attention to free agency and the draft. Monday's coaching and general manager firings shined some light on how owners view the current state of their respective franchises. We attempt to glean information from those moves while pairing the perfect prospect with each team.
In today's thought exercise, we also explore how the injury Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams suffered in the national championship game could impact his draft outlook.
The 2022 NFL Draft order was determined with the updated strength of schedule and win-loss records, via Tankathon.com.
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
Jacksonville's primary objective this offseason should be to locate protection and pass-catchers for Trevor Lawrence. It is a bit too early to address the latter so the Jaguars take the best available offensive lineman in Neal.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 2
For the second consecutive year, Detroit uses a first-round pick on a highly-touted prospect from Oregon. Paired with Romeo Okwara, Thibodeaux can bring one of the best edge rushing tandems to the NFC North.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 3
Houston has zero cornerbacks under contract next season, so adding starter-caliber players, as well as depth, is a huge priority for the organization. Stingley has been out of sight and out of mind for most of the season due to his injury, but he remains one of the best overall talents.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 4
New York will feel like it is acquiring two dynamic edge rushers once Carl Lawson returns from injury and the team selects Hutchinson. The Jets are developing a strength with Quinnen Williams working between those two players. Offenses will be unable to double team any individual player on that unit.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 5
The Giants have been chasing their white whale, aka a productive edge rusher, for years. Karlaftis is the name often forgotten when discussing the top edge rushers in this class, but he deserves to be in that conversation.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 6
One way or another, Carolina feels like the team most likely to use its first-round pick on a quarterback. It could come in the form of a draft prospect or it could come through a trade. We are dealing with hypotheticals, so the Panthers take an offensive tackle to protect that eventual hand-picked signal caller.
| |||
From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 7
After using its first pick on an edge rusher, New York bolsters the interior offensive line with the selection of Ekwonu. He is a physical blocker who excels in the run game.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 8
Atlanta nabs the first wide receiver. Matt Ryan's contract is difficult to move this year, so it is not a given that the team finds a new quarterback. With Calvin Ridley's situation very much in the air, it would behoove the Falcons to add some insurance. Kyle Pitts would benefit from having another talent capable of drawing the eyes of defenders.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 9
Neither Teddy Bridgewater nor Drew Lock is the answer in Denver. Many have linked Aaron Rodgers to Mile High, but if that does not come to fruition then help must come elsewhere. Corral is a player with a diverse skillset who showed improved decision-making in 2021.
| |||
From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 10
New York using a pick it received in the trade of Jamal Adams on a safety would be hilarious. Hamilton is the best player on the board and an easy plug-and-play starter.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 11
Washington attempted to bring consistency to the quarterback last offseason when it signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, but that did not work out. There are probably mixed opinions on what the team should do with Taylor Heinicke, but I think it should be in the market for an upgrade. Pickett gives them a chance to be that player on a rookie deal.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 12
Minnesota has gone the route of cleaning house by moving on from Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman. There is no indication of who the next regime will be or what it might do in the draft, but it is reasonable to think it may want a fresh start at quarterback as well.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 13
Cleveland has invested heavily in the offensive line and that continues with Linderbaum. JC Tretter has played well enough that the team should not be looking to get rid of him outside of the opportunity to get a great young player on a less expensive deal.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 14
Brandon Williams is going to be a free agent and Calais Campbell is closer to retirement than he is the start of his career. Baltimore struggled up the middle this year, and Davis brings that defense back to the physical nature in which it is accustomed to playing.
| |||
From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 15
Philadelphia bucks the trend of bypassing linebackers early with the selection of Lloyd. The Eagles may not see linebacker as a critical position, but few would scoff at the idea of adding a Fred Warner-like prospect. At the end of the day, if you are picking good players, fans are not going to care.
| |||
From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 16
Wide receiver and cornerback are two positions where Philadelphia could afford to wait based on scheme. The Eagles pride themselves on being strong in the trenches, and I look for them to continue adding depth and dynamic ability. Jackson is a step in the right direction.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 17
Mike Williams is potentially out the door in free agency, so that creates a need at the position opposite Keenan Allen. Olave is a player who will endear himself to Brandon Staley. Many look at Staley as a defensive-minded guy, but they forget he played quarterback at Dayton. He has an opinion on both sides of the ball.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 18
Williams suffered an injury in the national championship game, and it would be naive to think that will have zero impact on his draft stock. As Ryan Wilson pointed out, Jeffery Simmons was regarded as a top-10-caliber player, suffered an injury and fell into the 20s. I could see a similar path being true for Williams.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 19
The Eagles waited, but they did not wait long to bring in a cornerback. Booth is a great scheme fit in Philadelphia. With the addition of Devin Lloyd, Drake Jackson and Booth, the defense should be younger and more active in the City of Brotherly Love.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 20
It was difficult watching Najee Harris run this season. It was like watching someone run into a brick wall over and over again. He found little daylight, and I attribute that to the offensive line struggles. Pittsburgh should be looking to upgrade the quarterback position and offensive line this offseason.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 21
Bill Belichick values a lockdown man coverage corner as well as depth in the secondary. Check and check. Gardner is a physical player who will bring a competitive spirit to the defense and frustrate wide receivers.
| |||
From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 22
Few expected to see Brian Flores on the chopping block, but that is exactly what happened Monday. It is difficult to say which direction Miami will go. It is not crazy to think that Chris Grier, who is a Tua Tagovailoa supporter, might pull a Dave Gettleman and just throw all of the teams resource's on offense to make his handpicked quarterback look better.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 23
Las Vegas has a few great weapons on which it can build: Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow. It would be beneficial to add another player capable of making plays for this team. You'd like more speed to take the top off the defense, but London is the best option available.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 24
Arizona addresses the cornerback position with the selection of McDuffie. A team built for short-term success, it will be interesting to see how the Cardinals approach this offseason.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 25
The NFL team who showed up to the party earlier than expected. Cincinnati has traditionally invested in the cornerback position early and that continues with Elam. The defense has squeezed all it can out of what is on the roster.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 26
The Buffalo interior offensive line has been a bit of an adventure. The selection of Green gives them a dominant interior player with the flexibility to play on the edge in a pinch.
| |||
From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 27
Detroit follows up their selection of Kayvon Thibodeaux with Walker. When you are a team that struggled, you try to develop strengths rather than having a good player here and there. A strong defensive line is going to make it easier on the secondary, whereas adding a player in the secondary might just lead the opposition to attack a different part of the unit.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 28
Michael Gallup is unlikely to return unless the team favors him over Amari Cooper. When considering the structure of Dallas offense and the multiple formations it wants to be able to run, it helps having a speedy outlet like Dotson in the fold.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 29
Chris Jones playing on the edge was a nightmare. By adding Melvin Ingram to the team, they were able to move him back to a more natural role as an interior defender. The selection of Ojabo gives Kansas City a developing player with elite edge rushing traits who will simultaneously allow Jones to remain inside.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 30
Tampa Bay has already parted ways with Antonio Brown, and last season's salary cap gymnastics will not be enough to keep Chris Godwin on the roster. He is likely to command a lucrative long-term extension despite the injury.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 31
Julio Jones is not playing at a level that matches the $14.3 million salary cap hit he brings each of the next two seasons. Tennessee gains little by cutting him this offseason, but it is fair game the following year. Pickens showed the type of plays he is capable of making during the national championship game.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 32
Za'Darius Smith is back for the playoffs, but it is likely one or both of he and Preston Smith are gone in the near future. Green Bay will need to account for those losses. Enagbare is one of the best prospects available regardless of position.
|
