2022 NFL Mock Draft: Vikings, Panthers move on from Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold; six WRs go in first round
The NFL could add significant size at wide receiver with this draft class
By
Josh Edwards
•
1 min read
It's only November, and the typical teams associated with needing quarterbacks have already grown stale. In today's thought exercise, I explored a few more teams who could be in the market for a young player next spring. Six wide receivers were also included, which I believe is the most in any personal mock draft exercise this cycle, and it pained me to leave off a seventh -- Penn State's Jahan Dotson.
The 2022 NFL Draft order was determined by the current order (via tankathon) relative to win-loss record and strength of schedule.
Without further ado, let's kick this off!
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Rinse and repeat. Detroit drafts Kayvon Thibodeaux to pair with Romeo Okwara in the Motor City. As a rebuilding team, you want to have an identity and identify your strengths. The Lions are moving in that direction with two talented edge rushers and a good offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Full disclosure, most of us anticipate Houston's draft capital to look significantly different come next April. In the current situation, I have them taking Derek Stingley Jr. to upgrade what has been a weakness for this franchise for several years.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 3
It is a matter of taking blue-chip talent, and I believe Kyle Hamilton to be better than those typically projected next. Positionally, few get excited about taking a safety this high, but Hamilton has significant versatility and could thrive making plays in Philadelphia's zone-heavy scheme.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
New York was in position to add Kayvon Thibodeaux not long ago, but George Karlaftis is a nice consolation prize. I like the pieces that have been added on offense in recent years, and the Jets have really gotten good value out of their Day 2 and 3 choices last year, but it is time to invest in a few premier positions.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Ikem Ekwonu can play guard or tackle at the next level. If Jacksonville wants to continue this half-measured approached with Cam Robinson, then Ekwonu can slide in to guard.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Washington could be in a spot for a quarterback, but, in an effort to mix things up, I am giving it Evan Neal. Sam Cosmi has been one of the best rookie tackles in the NFL when healthy this season. With Neal on the left side and Cosmi on the right, the team should feel a lot more confident about whomever it eventually brings in to play quarterback.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Philadelphia is massively upgrading its secondary with Kyle Hamilton and now Andrew Booth Jr. Those two, along with Darius Slay, quickly change the outlook of the defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Azeez Ojulari leads all rookies with 5.5. sacks, but that is not as impressive as it seems. New York still needs to supplement its pass rush and Aidan Hutchinson is one who would fit in well on that Giants defensive line.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 9
Kenyon Green is and always has been a dominant guard prospect. I think his foray to tackle early this season led some to forget that fact. The roller coaster should come back to a peak with Green moving back inside.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 10
Miami invested in Jaelan Phillips last offseason and now continues the defensive line transformation. DeMarvin Leal makes the Dolphins more multiple and quicker up front.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 11
I used Joe Douglas' time in Philadelphia to justify my belief that, under his direction, the Jets would value the offensive line. Two of their last three first-round picks have been Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker. I would not be surprised if Charles Cross was added here to lock down the other side.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Minnesota was reportedly interested in trading up for Justin Fields last year. It is safe to say some level of change is coming to the organization next offseason and that could include the quarterback.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
I do not think Sam Darnold has inspired confidence in the Panthers ownership, so a parting of ways could be in the offing. Malik Willis is a very skilled player who is only scratching the surface of his capabilities.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 14
Ikem Ekwonu and Kenyon Green have been popular projections for Philadelphia but both are off the board. Darian Kinnard has made strides in his pass protection to the point where I would be comfortable if he were taken in the first round as an interior player.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Denver will probably focus its efforts on establishing a sustainable front seven built around Bradley Chubb and this first-round pick. Devin Lloyd is one of my guys and someone I think has great potential.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Cincinnati's secondary was not so much the issue against Cleveland, but there is no doubt that unit needs to be upgraded. Over the years, the Bengals have used first-round picks on Darqueze Dennard, William Jackson III, Dre Kirkpatrick and even Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph going back a little further. None of those players are on the roster, as they are relying on cast-offs from other teams.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Cleveland made news by signing both starting guards to massive contract extensions in recent days. Next season will be the last for J.C. Tretter under his current contract. If Cleveland moves on from him, it would save them roughly $8.25 million in salary cap space. However, based on last year's contracts, they would be giving $5 million to Tyler Linderbaum. It is a net savings of $3.25 million.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
The first wide receiver comes off the board. Kansas City is exploring Odell Beckham Jr. and could add a similar player without the headache in Wilson.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
I have been really impressed with the play of Jameson Williams this season. He is certainly in contention to become one of the first wide receivers selected next spring. Atlanta needs someone to pair with Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
The run on wide receivers continues as New England selects Treylon Burks. I think Burks is a fantastic fit with Mac Jones' style of play. His ability to create yardage after the catch is sensational, and that is what the Patriots offense has relied upon this season.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
New Orleans is in the market for Odell Beckham Jr. because Michael Thomas' future looks murky at best. The Saints bring in another Ohio State product to provide some relief.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Pittsburgh's offensive line needs work. You might get some good days from the unit, but I do not think sustainable success is in that group. Trevor Penning gives them a reliable left tackle like Alejandro Villanueva had been for so many years.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Derek Carr is just going to be throwing jump balls to Drake London and Darren Waller. The ability of those to players to win at the catch point is second to none. DeSean Jackson was added to provide a little speed to that group.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
I was a big fan of Travon Walker when I initially graded him and that has only continued to grow. He is not the run stuffing nose tackle that Dallas needs, but he gives the defense more pop and sizzle up the middle.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
It is fitting for Buffalo, home of the chicken wing, to draft a guy nicknamed "Sauce." Ahmad Gardner gives the Bills a pair of capable boundary cornerbacks.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
It is no secret that Los Angeles has struggled to stop the run this season. The Chargers are allowing 161.6 rushing yards per game, which is actually worse than it seems. The distance between them and the second-worst team (Texans) is almost the same as the distance between the Texans and the No. 20 ranked rushing defense (Panthers).
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Carlton Davis is a free agent after the season, and it is not unrealistic to think Tampa Bay might consider its options anyway given the struggles it has had at the position this season.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 28
George Pickens has been out of sight, out of mind this season with his injury, but he is a ball-winner. He is a big target capable of making plays for his quarterback down the field.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Baltimore scrambled to find solutions at tackle this season in the absence of Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr. Bernhard Raimann and a healthy Stanley can get them back to dominance.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
I have beat this horse ad nauseam and it continues in today's thought exercise: Green Bay is eventually going to move on from one or both of Za'Darius and Preston Smith. They have Rashan Gary, but Drake Jackson would give them another long-term piece.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Tennessee dipped into the cornerback market last year with the selection of Caleb Farley but a need persists. The Titans return to the well for Clemson transfer Derion Kendrick.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Arizona continues building out its offensive line with the addition of Zion Johnson. Johnson has looked much improved this season.
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