2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
1. DETROIT LIONS- KAYVON THIBODEAUX | EDGE | OREGON
The Lions are certainly in the market for a QB of the future but they’ll hold off and grab the best defensive player in the draft and arguably the most complete player in the class in Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux is a complete pass rusher and run stopper and his versatility would be perfect for Detroit’s 3-4 defense. Unless one of these QBs takes a big leap, Thibodeaux is the no brainer pick for the Lions.
2. HOUSTON TEXANS- DEREK STINGLEY JR. | CB | LSU
3. NEW YORK JETS- AIDAN HUTCHINSON | EDGE | MICHIGAN
4. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- EVAN NEAL | OT | ALABAMA
5. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (VIA MIA)- KYLE HAMILTON | S | NOTRE DAME
6. NEW YORK GIANTS- GEORGE KARLAFTIS | EDGE | PURDUE
7. NEW YORK JETS (VIA SEA)- CHARLES CROSS | OT | MISSISSIPPI STATE
8. NEW YORK GIANTS (VIA CHI)- IKEM EKWONU | OT | NC STATE
9. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM- MATT CORRAL | QB | OLE MISS
Some fans may think that currently Washington QB Taylor Heinicke may have a future starting in the NFL but the team may that see that just yet and decide to upgrade the position with Ole Miss QB Matt Corral. Let Corral and Heinicke battle it out in training camp and the pre-season and give Washington an even better chance to find their QB for the present and future.
10. MIAMI DOLPHINS (VIA SF)- TYLER LINDERBAUM | C | IOWA
Assuming the Miami Dolphins dont trade this pick for QB DeShaun Watson, they won’t find a better interior offensive lineman in the draft than C Tyler Linderbaum. The Iowa standout may be undersized but he has the toughness and quickness that is needed on the o-line and is the general in the middle of that stout Hawkeyes line. Eagles C Jason Kelce is considered undersized too and has been one of the top C in the NFL for the last few years and I’d imagine Linderbaum could have a similar impact.
11. PHILDELPHIA EAGLES- DEMARVIN LEAL | DL | TEXAS A&M
12. ATLANTA FALCONS- GARRETT WILSON | WR | OHIO STATE
Atlanta QB Matt Ryan is signed through 2023 so no better way to get him more help than by grabbing one of the top WRs in college with Garrett Wilson. The Falcons top weapon, WR Calvin Ridley, stepped away from football for mental health reasons so it only makes sense for Atlanta to get a top tier option in the draft and hope to one day pair Ridley with Garrett and rookie sensation, TE Kyle Pitts.
13. MINNESOTA VIKINGS- KAIIR ELAM | CB | FLORIDA
14. DENVER BRONCOS- MALIK WILLIS | QB | LIBERTY
15. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (VIA IND)- AHMAD GARDNER | CB | CINCINNATI
Philadelphia could look at QB in this spot after securing one of the best DBs (Kyle Hamilton) and a top pass rushing defensive lineman (Demarvin Leal) with their first two picks but they continue to add size and play making ability in the secondary with CB Ahmad Gardner. If they decide to move from on Jalen Hurts, keep an eye out on the Eagles but right now he is showing good signs of being a good QB for Philadelphia and this draft could be a opportunity to build around him for the foreseeable future.
16. CLEVELAND BROWNS- CHRIS OLAVE | WR | OHIO STATE
17. CINCINNATI BENGALS- KENYON GREEN | OG | TEXAS A&M
18. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS- ANDREW BOOTH JR. | CB | CLEMSON
19. CAROLINA PANTHERS- KENNY PICKETT | QB | PITTSBURGH
The Panthers QB group is on slippery ground right now; the potential franchise QB, Sam Darnold, has been lackluster to say the least and is now injured, and the team brought back former MVP Cam Newton who has a legitimate shot at winning the QB job for this season and beyond. HC Matt Rhule and OC Joe Brady need a fresh face for the future and Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett is the hottest name in the draft when it comes to QBs who a team could take a chance on in the back half of the 1st round.
20. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS- JORDAN DAVIS | DL | GEORGIA
21. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- DRAKE LONDON | WR | USC
22. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- KINGSLEY ENAGBARE | EDGE | SOUTH CAROLINA
23. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- NAKOBE DEAN | LB | GEORGIA
24. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- TRENT MCDUFFIE | CB | WASHINGTON
25. PITTSBURGH STEELERS- ADAM ANDERSON | EDGE | GEORGIA
26. BALTIMORE RAVENS- DEVIN LLYOD | LB | UTAH
27. DALLAS COWBOYS- TREVOR PENNING | OT | NORTHERN IOWA
28. BUFFALO BILLS- DAVID BELL | WR | PURDUE
29. DETROIT LIONS (VIA LAR)- JAHAN DOTSON | WR | PENN STATE
Like the Eagles earlier in the draft, the Lions could choose to invest in a QB here to secure the 5th year option, but they also choose to bypass the QB and add a top route running WR in Jahan Dotson. The Lions have a potential sleeper at WR in Amon-Ra St. Brown, but they lack a true go-to weapon on the outside and Dotson can be that guy for Jared Goff or whoever their QB is moving forward.