The NFL offseason has made the 2022 NFL Draft extremely difficult to predict.
Each week brings a new twist to the league landscape. Superstars have been traded and signed massive contracts in new homes. Franchise quarterbacks, once a treasured commodity, are now available for a couple of Day 1 draft picks. Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill ushered in the era of the $30 million wide receiver, gleaning extra first round selections for the perennial contenders that traded them away.
That grind has butted up against a pre-draft process that has produced its share of risers and fallers. Michigan pass rusher David Ojabo looked like a possible top 10 pick before tearing his Achilles in March. Wideouts such as Drake London and Jameson Williams are gaining hype even without working out as scouts review their tape and check in on their injury rehab.
That leads us to our latest draft, where the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pick looks more and more like a sure thing but few other selections do. What will the Lions do with the second overall pick — and could a trade back be in order? How can the Jets harness the momentum of a sneaky-good offseason so far? How many wide receivers will the Packers draft on Day 1, and will any of them make Aaron Rodgers happy?
Welp, let’s make some informed guesses based on everything we’ve learned this spring.
Team needs: EDGE, CB, S, LB, DL, WR, OL
The Jags franchise tagged Cam Robinson and signed Brandon Scherff away from Washington, limiting their need at offensive line. While they could opt for Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton here, pass rusher is the more valuable position — especially for a player set for four low-cost seasons on a rookie contract.
That makes Hutchinson the obvious choice. Michigan’s breakthrough star was wildly productive in 2021, recording 14 sacks — third-most in the FBS — and 16.5 tackles for loss. His performance at the Combine showed he has all the tools to make those skills translate against bigger, more athletic blockers in the NFL.
Athleticism scores for the 2022 EDGE class are set.@UMichFootball's Aidan Hutchinson solidified his draft status by posting an "elite" athleticism score (93), driven by a 6.73-second 3-cone, the fastest time by any DL over 6-foot-5 at the combine since 2003.#NextGenScores pic.twitter.com/eqVFqM7cKX
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 6, 2022
Jacksonville can pair Hutchinson with Josh Allen to provide one of the best young edge rushing duos in the game. That won’t fix all of (gestures broadly at the last three years), but it’s a pretty good start.
Team needs: WR, DE, LB, CB, S, QB
Head coach Dan Campbell would love the chance to motivate a five-star pass rushing prospect like Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux. In my gut, I still think that will be the direction Detroit takes. But if the Lions stay at No. 2 — and a trade down to replenish a needy roster is very possible — Hamilton could be their guy.
The Notre Dame All-American remains a popular choice despite poor workouts at both the Combine and his pro day — his 4.56-second 40 was only 0.03 seconds faster than his time in Indianapolis and some scouts clocked him at even worse. Hamilton’s play is a function of much more than just straight-line speed. Several outlets, including The Ringer, ESPN (per Todd McShay), and The Draft Network have named him 2022’s top prospect.
We went from going nuts over how fast Kyle Hamilton was on this play to overvaluing a flipping 40 time! 🤦🏾♂️
pic.twitter.com/BLyMSL4iCU
— Damian Parson (@DP_NFL) March 30, 2022
Hamilton’s size, agility, and instincts give him the ability to be a difference maker both as a pass deterrent and tackler — two major needs for a team that ranked 29th in defensive DVOA last season and 32nd in 2020. While safety is a generally devalued position in the NFL, Campbell needs playmakers and isn’t afraid to think outside the box to do so. Here, he’d be getting arguably the best one in the 2022 Draft.
Team needs: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, LB, DL, S, CB
Ekwonu had a great career at NC State and backed that up with a great Combine.
.@PackFootball OL Ikem Ekwonu just looks so smooth out there. 👀 @BigIck79
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/uXo78nYlOm
He’s big, athletic, and versatile — he was an All-ACC honoree at multiple positions with the Wolfpack. The Texans are in the midst of a wholesale rebuild right now and can afford to take the best player available. Ekwonu and Laremy Tunsil would give Houston a solid pair of bookends capable of keeping Davis Mills or whichever young quarterback takes the reins in 2022 upright long enough to fulfill his potential.
(AP Photo/Aaron Doster, File)
Team needs: S, CB, EDGE, OL, LB, TE
The Jets could opt to make it back-to-back tackles by selecting Alabama’s Evan Neal here, but I don’t think they’re ready to give up on Mekhi Becton just yet and George Fant has been completely reasonable as a veteran tackle across from him. Head coach Robert Saleh was a defensive quality control coach with the Seahawks during the Legion of Boom era and defensive coordinator for the 49ers when they brought Richard Sherman in as a free agent. He understands the value of a big cornerback who can be trusted on an island.
While LSU star Derek Stingley makes sense here, Gardner’s size (6’3) and reliability gives him the nod. The Jets added the underrated DJ Reed in free agency but still have a glaring need on the opposite sideline. Sauce, who allowed a 33.8 passer rating in coverage in three seasons at Cincinnati, fills that role. is a lockdown corner with extremely sticky tendencies and the fluid hips to turn and run with any route.
Sauce Gardner didn’t allow a single reception over 13 yards in 2021. pic.twitter.com/XTRis0YVWZ
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) March 29, 2022
The Jets ranked 32nd in passing defense DVOA last season. While that could compel the team to draft a pass rusher here and wait until its next selection at No. 10 to find a defensive back, Gardner looks like the kind of player who could thrive in New York from day one.
Team needs: LB, DE, CB, OL, QB
There appears to be a consensus among draft prognosticators when it comes to Neal. If he’s available at No. 5, the Giants would be very, very stupid not to snap him up.
— Duke Manyweather (@BigDuke50) March 30, 2022
Neal would team with 2020 top five pick Andrew Thomas to give New York a young, powerful combination at tackle. The Giants are in the process of giving Daniel Jones one final shot to prove he’s a franchise quarterback, so keeping their stork-legged passer upright is paramount to figuring out whether or not this team will be drafting another top 10 quarterback in 2023 (the answer is probably yes, but Jones deserves one last shot under a seemingly competent regime).
Neal, a former Alabama star, is massive despite being relatively lean for a 340-pound man. He’s a tremendous athlete with experience playing multiple positions on the line against the best pass rushers the SEC had to offer. If Jones doesn’t pan out, New York will have a much easier time luring quarterback help knowing there’s a capable pair of tackles waiting to keep them safe from edge rushers.
Team needs: QB, OL, TE, LB
I’ve been preaching the gospel of Carolina Panther Malik Willis for months. After a stellar pro day showing, I’m not going to stop now.
Another look at that insane @malikwillis dime. 👀🎯
📺: @LibertyFootball Pro Day on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/QvOTzl6AcK
The Panthers need to make a drastic change at quarterback, even after head coach Matt Rhule downplayed the idea of drafting a passer. Rhule’s job is on the line in 2022, and new general manager Scott Fitterer knows he needs to do something to impress Carolina’s relatively new owner David Tepper. What better way to appeal to a guy who literally used to keep a set of brass testicles on his desk than to make a bold move and select this year’s first QB?
Willis would have a soft landing spot in Charlotte. Sam Darnold could start the season and, if it was anything like his 2021, set the bar so low for success that the rookie would look brilliant by comparison. All Rhule would have to do to appeal for his job in 2023 is have his young quarterback show growth in a rebuilding year. The Panthers have to do something here; Willis is the best option in a bad situation.
Team needs: LB, DE, CB, OL, QB
This would be a fairly significant drop for Thibodeaux. He came into the 2021 season as a popular pick to be the top overall selection and then put together a seven-sack, 12-tackle-for-loss season in 10 games for the Ducks. Questions about his motivation have lingered through the pre-draft process, even after he put up great numbers at the Combine.
Those perceived negatives are a positive for the Giants, however. New York generated pressure on just 20.1 percent of opponents’ dropbacks last fall, third-worst in the NFL. Thibodeaux has the speed and power to be a difference maker there — simultaneously reducing the stress on the overworked secondary mentioned earlier.
Team needs: QB, WR, EDGE, OT, CB, S
Oh boy. Okay. Quarterback went from a kinda-sorta need to a loud warning klaxon this month when Matt Ryan was traded to the Colts and replaced by Marcus Mariota, who hasn’t started an NFL game since October 13, 2019.
That makes Kenny Pickett a possibility here, but there’s logic to waiting. The Falcons are in rough shape for the upcoming season. They’ll eat more than $62 million in dead cap space after the Ryan deal. Calvin Ridley is suspended for at least this year and may not want to return to Atlanta once eligible. A depleted offense will be backed by 2021’s 30th-ranked defense.
So instead, let’s defer the Falcons’ quarterback choice to what could be a better class in 2023. And let’s give that theoretical new starter something to work with.
London ranked 28th in the FBS in receiving yards last fall (1,048), which seems run-of-the-mill before you realize he only played eight games (his 135.5 yards per game ranked second behind only Jarreth Sterns of Western Kentucky’s prolific passing offense). He’s a big, 6’5 target with strong hands and the ability to snap off clean routes and make a preternatural connection with his quarterback.
Guys like that have worked well in Atlanta before. London isn’t Julio Jones, but he can be a pretty reasonable replacement in the right setting. Pairing him with Kyle Pitts would give the Falcons one of the league’s most dynamic young pass-catching duos — and help make Atlanta exciting again after what’s likely to be a bottoming-out year in 2022.
Team needs: QB, OL, CB, LB, EDGE
Pickett is once again in play here for a Seattle team whose top quarterback at the moment is Drew Lock. But head coach Pete Carroll is intimately familiar with the struggle of putting a young quarterback behind a deficient offensive line after doing so with Russell Wilson for several years. Instead, the Seahawks beef up their pass protection with a cornerstone left tackle who has risen steadily throughout the pre-draft process.
Miss. St. OT Charles Cross is generating first round buzz and rightfully so. He looked the part against Alabama. Easy athleticism, and football IQ, but it’s his hand timing, and accuracy that are easily his two best traits. pic.twitter.com/Vr6M7SiV8j
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 20, 2021
Cross would slide into the space vacated by free agent Duane Brown — a player Carroll once traded second- and third-round picks to acquire. The Seahawks can opt for Lock in what could be a rebuilding 2022 (wideouts Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf are at least semi-available via trade, despite what general manager John Schneider may say) and reload in 2023.
Cross would be a selling point for anyone taking over in the foreseeable future. He didn’t allow a single quarterback hit last season at Mississippi State despite taking on a litany of future NFL defenders. He’s a nimble lateral athlete whose shoulders and hips work in concert with each other to prevent easy sacks. If he meets his potential, he’ll be a mainstay in the Pacific Northwest for the next decade.
Team needs: S, CB, EDGE, OL, LB, TE
Walker is rapidly rising up draft boards thanks to his upper-echelon athleticism. He’s 6’5 and 275 pounds but still capable of running the 40-yard dash in the low 4.5-second range:
The closest athletic comps for Travon Walker are Myles Garrett and Ezekiel Ansah. That seems like good company to be in. pic.twitter.com/EItc005Zix
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 6, 2022
Walker was occasionally lost in a sea of blue-chip prospects at Georgia, but his six sacks led all defensive linemen for the Bulldogs. He’s big enough to play inside and occupy multiple blockers. He’s fast enough to kick out to the edge and take on offensive tackles one-on-one. That’s an asset for a defensive head coach like Saleh, who could play him at end or tackle in his 4-3 setup.
Walker is a bit of a risk, but the Jets need high-ceiling players. After taking the steady Gardner over Stingley at No. 4, they can afford to swing a little bit harder with their second pick of Day 1.
Team needs: OL, S, LB, QB, WR
Washington could opt to add Stingley here — it would mark the sixth-straight year in which the team has used a first round pick on a defensive player. Instead, we’ll focus on the other side of the ball. Terry McLaurin is headed for free agency in 2023. While the team is likely to either extend him before then or lock him into the same version of franchise tag limbo to which it subjected Kirk Cousins and Brandon Scherff, the Commanders badly need a capable WR2 to run alongside him and, eventually, take over.
Curtis Samuel and Dyami Brown, added last season, failed to pan out. Instead, Washington can turn back to the Buckeyes and land another difference maker. Wilson is a marvel both before and after the catch, capable of creating the kind of separation that turns simple routes into massive gains.
Garrett Wilson: Him University pic.twitter.com/J9EkVQCmQ7
Wilson could be instrumental in helping Carson Wentz recover whatever shreds of his dignity are still hanging around after being utterly dismissed by the Colts. McLaurin-Wilson-Logan Thomas is a strong top three before factoring in whatever Samuel and Brown can bring to the table. Washington’s defense is set to rebound in 2022. A modest step forward from the offense could get the team back to the postseason in a weak NFC.
Team needs: CB, EDGE, DL, OG
Stingley’s slide stops here, though he could push himself into top 10 consideration with a big performance at LSU’s pro day on April 6. Pass rushing help by way of Jermaine Johnson or George Karlaftis will also be in consideration at No. 12. In this case, Stingley’s potential may be too much to pass up.
Derek Stingley Jr. vs Ja’Marr Chase 🔐 pic.twitter.com/7Wx8uvrSqH
Stingley is sticky and instinctive, but injury has prevented him from following up his breakthrough 2019 season. He had six interceptions and 15 passes defensed in 15 games for a national champion Tiger squad but has played just 10 games since. Showcasing the speed, fluidity, and explosiveness that made him an All-Anerican in Baton Rouge in front of scouts would go a long way in securing his first round bonafides.
Stingley could bring relief to a team whose quest to find a first round franchise corner has often been fruitless. He’d be the team’s fifth Day 1 cornerback since 2013. While that list includes All-Pro Xavier Rhodes it also covers Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes, and Jeff Gladney — none of whom are still on the roster. Stingley has the tools to be like Rhodes and a worthy successor to the recently re-signed Patrick Peterson. He has to prove he’s healthy enough to do so.
Team needs: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, LB, DL, S, CB
Houston could select a quarterback with one of the picks it received by trading Deshaun Watson to Cleveland, but a team with this many needs would be better served by sticking to its “best player available” strategy. Will a front office still influenced by Jack Easterby do so? Tough to say!
But Davis provides the upside of a pocket-crumpling interior lineman while being an immovable, 341-pound rock against the run. He’s like Vita Vea if Vea were capable of running faster than any other 300-pound prospect in recorded history:
Jordan Davis has currently tested as the most athletic defensive tackle in the #RAS database, with his 20 split unofficial.
Most nose tackles skip the agility drills, and if he's done, then he's top dog. pic.twitter.com/AF995HJWmk
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 5, 2022
Davis is a risk thanks to limited production in Georgia’s aforementioned stacked defense, but even if he struggles to translate his game to the NFL he should be a reliable run defender who demands the attention of multiple blockers in the middle of the field. Houston gave up more than 4.6 yards per carry last season and plays in a division where they’ll see Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry twice per year. Davis’s services will be appreciated.
Team needs: OL, DT, CB, S
Adding Morgan Moses in free agency reduced Baltimore’s need at offensive tackle. The Ravens still need a center after losing Bradley Bozeman, however, and Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum would be a well-received addition to a run offense that will count on healthy returns from JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards next season.
However, the Ravens’ pass defense clocked in at 30th last fall in DVOA and is in dire need of reinforcements — especially with Marcus Peters approaching his 30s. McDuffie doesn’t have great counting stats (only two interceptions in college) but gave up just 3.1 yards per target last season at Washington. He’s a deterrent for a team that allowed a passer rating of 99.4 last season despite getting four games against Ben Roethlisberger and Baker Mayfield.
Top of the screen. Trent McDuffie is inevitable
Credit to @BlueChipClips #Bills #BillsMafia #GoBills
pic.twitter.com/PRCzs8xFLy
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) March 25, 2022
McDuffie is experienced in press coverage and a dogged pursuer with reliable tackling skills. He’s not huge (5’11), but he’s strong and explosive, allowing him to jam wideouts early and close late. He and Marlon Humphrey would give Baltimore a reliable young cornerback duo for the foreseeable future.
Team needs: EDGE, S, LB, WR, CB
The Eagles only had 29 sacks last season — second-least in the NFL. Signing Haason Reddick and re-signing Derek Barnett helps, but addressing the pass rush will be of utmost importance for a team with three first-round picks this spring.
Enter Johnson, a former Georgia Bulldog who transferred to Florida State and promptly racked up 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in his lone season as a Seminole. He possesses a prototypical blend of speed, size, and strength for an edge rusher at the next level.
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/KqgKcShgXZ
Johnson is able to play on the line with his hand on the turf or as a linebacker attacking from the second level. He should provide an immediate boost to an aging defensive line in Philly.
Team needs: EDGE, S, LB, WR, CB
This pick was Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd last time around, but adding Kyzir White in free agency reduces the need at LB (doesn’t fix, just reduces it). With extra focus being placed on wideouts due to the value of their rookie contracts compared to the mega-deals signed by Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill this offseason, Philadelphia can use this pick to select someone who may not be there by the time the 19th selection comes due.
Olave looks like that guy. The Ohio State stud is fast, precise, and experienced, which will give him the chance to step immediately into the starting lineup as a rookie and reduce the team’s dependence on Jalen Reagor.
Chris Olave catches another deep ball from C.J. Stroud: pic.twitter.com/TO7LVuyG24
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 23, 2022
Olave’s 4.3s straight line speed allows him to be a deep threat. His crisp routes and solid hands give him the chops to play close to the line of scrimmage and let Philly’s other burners like DeVonta Smith and Quez Watkins extra room to operate. It would be the third straight year in which the Eagles select a wideout in the first round, but Olave could pay off that persistence in a big way.
Team needs: DT, OT, CB, EDGE
The Chargers don’t necessarily *need* Lloyd, but he undoubtedly makes this team better. While an offensive lineman like Trevor Penning or Bernhard Raimann would make sense here, Lloyd’s ability to contribute in every phase of defense will help address a glaring flaw from 2021.
Los Angeles addressed its weak run defense by adding Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson in free agency. Now they get a sideline-to-sideline linebacker capable of erasing gains when the linemen up front are blocked out of the equation. Lloyd is one of 2022’s most complete prospects; a guy who had 22 tackles for loss, seven sacks, six passes defensed, and four interceptions as a senior at Utah.
Lloyd can run with tight ends like Travis Kelce and Darren Waller or snuff out the runs of Javonte Williams and Josh Jacobs. He’s versatile enough to fit into whatever defense the Chargers want to run around him. After ranking 26th in defensive DVOA last fall, he’s a soothing balm for a team that got burned out of a playoff spot.
Team needs: QB, WR, OL, DT, TE
Jameis Winston wasn’t the Saints’ first choice — that was Deshaun Watson. But Winston is back in town, coming off the most efficient season of his career (albeit in a small sample size and under former coach Sean Payton), and is only 28 years old. That could be enough to dissuade New Orleans from selecting Kenny Pickett or Desmond Ridder or Matt Corral and give the team another year to figure out its quarterback conundrum.
What Winston will seriously lack in 2022 is viable targets. Michael Thomas has only made five starts the past two seasons and questions about his downfield viability linger after peaking with Drew Brees’ slant-reliant attack. New Orleans could badly use a burner to take advantage of Winston’s arm strength and give Thomas some extra space in the intermediate passing game. Williams, who averaged 19.9 yards per catch last season, fits that bill.
Williams’ 2021 season ended with a torn ACL that could impact his availability early in the year. Despite that, he has as much potential as anyone in his class thanks to a 6’2 frame and cornerback-roasting speed off the line of scrimmage. The Saints proved they can mount a deep passing game by turning guys like Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Deonte Harris, and Marquez Callaway into receivers who averaged more than 15 yards per catch last season (Brees hadn’t had a rotational wideout do that since Tre’Quan Smith in 2018). Imagine how much more impactful that field-stretching offense could be with a five-star prospect like Williams in the lineup.
Team needs: EDGE, S, LB, WR, CB
Passing up a linebacker at No. 16 ensured the Eagles got Olave (who would fit in nicely at No. 18 with New Orleans) but also forced them to miss out on Lloyd. That boils this pick down to Dean, his teammate DT Devonte Wyatt, and cornerbacks like Andrew Booth or Kyler Gordon.
We’ll roll with the uber-productive off-ball linebacker here. Philadelphia showed improvements after promoting TJ Edwards to the starting lineup, but he may not be a long term solution. Dean certainly looks like one. Though he’s a bit undersized at 5’11 and 229 pounds, he’s a powerful tackler with an explosive burst that propels him through running lanes and pass-blocking gaps like a missile.
He’s also a cerebral player able to sniff out plays while the quarterback is under center and the speed to get from sideline to sideline and snuff out runners before they can gain any upfield traction. While covering bigger tight ends could be a problem, he’s tenacious when tracking receivers upfield and serves as the kind of rising tide that lifts an entire defense when he’s on.
Team needs: OL, QB, CB
Pickett isn’t worried about his ability to hold onto the ball despite his below-average hand size. He wasn’t especially fumble-prone playing at Heinz Field. And if he isn’t worried, the Steelers probably won’t be either.
So Pickett, who has languished on wish lists longer than most No. 2 quarterbacks do at the NFL Draft, gets to be a hometown hero with a franchise that appreciates undervalued passers. The Panther star isn’t Ben Roethlisberger, but he’s a talented downfield passer. He has the athleticism to escape the pocket in a very different way than his successor, whose scrambles are best digested if you imagine he’s chasing Fraggles.
Pickett is the most pro-ready of any quarterback in this year’s draft. Fortunately for him, Pittsburgh has a solid infrastructure in place to ease his development thanks to a run-heavy offense and a receiving corps filled with young talent like Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and tight end Pat Freiermuth. With an upgraded offensive line in front of him, there may not be a better landing spot for Pickett than with the Steelers at No. 20.
Team needs: WR, CB, OT, LB
With the top three corners gone, wideout picked over, and Lloyd and Dean both off the board, the most likely outcome here is a trade backward. But, since we’re not including draft day trades (yet!), let’s see if we can’t figure out where Bill Belichick might end up in this situation.
The Patriots already have their starting tackles set between Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown, but Wynn has yet to play a full season as a pro thanks to injury and Brown’s protection slipped in 2021. That leaves room for Penning, an FCS All-American who tested out as one of the top linemen at the 2022 Combine.
Come for @UNIFootball OL Trevor Penning's 4.91u…
Stay for him squatting 625 and doing a windmill dunk. 😳 @TPenning58
📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/nVRDve6fzX
Penning is a towering swarm of bees whose hive is made up of hard work and anger. Not only is that a solid Belichick archetype, but we know the prolific head coach isn’t afraid of smaller school prospects. Kyle Dugger was a 2020 second round hit out of Division II Lenoir-Rhyne. Since 2011, the Pats have drafted prospects from Eastern Illinois, Concordia-St. Paul, Central Arkansas, Youngstown State, Western Carolina, and Vanderbilt.
Penning would be an inexpensive addition at a position where Belichick has been loathe to spend money in the past. Factor in NFL athleticism and talent despite an FCS resume, and you’ve got a pretty solid New England pick.
Team needs: WR, LB, CB, IOL
Davante Adams wasn’t the fastest guy on the field for the Packers; his 40 time at the 2014 Combine was only 4.56 seconds — a hair slower than Burks’ 4.55 last month. Like Adams, Burks does a great job catching the ball away from his body to create extra space and protect passes from hungry defensive backs.
Treylon Burks: good at making catches away from his body pic.twitter.com/cMhhN28ipd
— Christian D'Andrea, Star V defender (@TrainIsland) March 4, 2022
Burks doesn’t have the kind of separation skills that made Adams so dangerous, but he can be the kind of reliable, every-down target Aaron Rodgers will so desperately miss now that his former WR1 is a Raider. Burks averaged 5.6 receptions per game in his final two seasons at Arkansas, providing a safe port against some of college football’s best defenses in the process. More importantly, he’s a big, sturdy target (6’2, 225 pounds) capable of boxing out defenders when it comes to the slants, outs, and drag routes Rodgers and Adams executed so well the last eight seasons.
Team needs: WR, CB, OT, LB
Arizona has several needs to fill, but with five wideouts already off the board could feel an extra impetus to add another arrow to Kyler Murray’s quiver. Kliff Kingsbury’s offense has performed well in fits and starts over the last three seasons, but always run out of gas at the end of the year. This season could be his last chance. A talented wideout like Dotson could provide his best hope of bringing a successful modified Texas Tech-style Air Raid offense to Glendale.
Dotson may not be a perfect fit as another undersized receiver — the team selected 5’7 Rondale Moore in the second round last spring — but he meets Kingsbury’s expectations as a speedy playmaker capable of stretching the field vertically to optimize space for Murray. The 5’11 Dotson served mostly as a deep threat his first three years at Penn State before expanding his route tree and serving as Sean Clifford’s huckleberry.
Dotson can play inside or in the slot and has bonafide NFL athleticism at wideout. He’s a sure-handed target whose speed often forced opposing DBs to play him off the ball but is still capable of shaking press coverage at the line of scrimmage. While a bigger target like George Pickens or Christian Watson might be the call, Dotson could be the safest bet for a team who needs someone of contributing immediately.
Team needs: EDGE, S, OL, DT
On one hand, this could be former Wolverine David Ojabo. DeMarcus Lawrence is sticking around for at least one more season and Dante Fowler arrived as a free agent. That means Dallas can be patient and snag one of the highest-upside pass rushers in the 2022 class.
Ojabo looked like a potential top 10 pick before a torn Achilles suffered at Michigan’s pro day likely put the kibosh on his upcoming season. He’s big (6’5, 250 pounds), fast (4.55s 40 time), and put up 11 sacks as Hutchinson’s cantilever for Michigan last fall. While the Cowboys (and the rest of the league) could wait and see if he drops to Day 2, there’s a chance he lands here as Dallas builds toward the future.
On the other hand, Jerry Jones is not a patient man. There’s a better opportunity to strike now in a weakened NFC than ever before. The Cowboys need someone who can contribute immediately. Karlaftis, a powerful pass rusher who also spent time on Greece’s under-18 national water polo team, can do that.
While offensive line is worth addressing here, Jones can snap up the last remaining upper crust edge rusher of 2022 by landing Karlaftis. He’s quick enough to win with speed around the corner and powerful enough to punch his way inside and shrink pockets through force. He had 14 sacks and 29 tackles for loss in 26 games at Purdue despite being an easy target for opposing offensive coordinators to gameplan around in West Lafayette.
Team needs: OL, CB, DT, EDGE, WR
The Bills are pretty well set at most positions and could afford to take whichever player they think could have the biggest impact in their quest to finally break through to a Super Bowl. That could be interior linemen like Zion Johnson or Kenyon Green. But with Levi Wallace now a Pittsburgh Steeler, there’s a hole to be filled at cornerback and Booth presents a proper value here at No. 25.
Booth had five interceptions and nine passes defensed in 21 games as a starter at Clemson. He’s a plus athlete and physical corner who uses his bulk to establish position and prevent opposing wideouts from coming back to the ball without the grabbing or holding that would automatically draw flags. He’s a sticky tackler who gets upfield quickly to reduce run-after-catch opportunities. He also had more interceptions (three) than touchdowns allowed (two) last fall.
He’s not the most polished defensive back, but he’s got a high ceiling and can provide an extra layer of passing game protection come next winter’s playoffs. That’s a win for the Bills, who may only be a few tweaks away from their first Super Bowl since the Marv Levy days.
Team needs: DL, OL, WR, TE, CB
Adding Robert Woods via trade lessens the team’s need for a wideout — probably a good thing since six have already been selected so far on Day 1. Tennessee could use help up front on both defense and offense. While a tackle like Bernhard Raimann could make sense here the team could still re-sign 2021 starting right tackle David Quessenberry or promote 2021 second-round pick Dillon Radunz to that spot.
Instead, an inside mauler like Johnson could slide in next to Taylor Lewan at left guard and clear space for a hopefully-rejuvenated Derrick Henry. Johnson went from unwanted — he was a non-scholarship player at Davidson his first two years of college — to undeniable at Boston College. He keeps his head on a swivel in pass protection to handle his regular assignments and dissuade blitzers. He’s also a one-man riot when pulling upfield in the run game.
Zion Johnson is a card-carrying member of the Glass Eaters. This guy looks to establish a physical brand of football by plowing every single defender into the ground. pic.twitter.com/HokxpRLbvJ
— Mike (@bengals_sans) March 28, 2022
Johnson’s not a sexy pick, but he’s perfect for Mike Vrabel’s old-school offense. The Titans add another extremely mean blocker to their lineup who’ll give Ryan Tannehill a little extra support in a make-or-break season.
Team needs: OL, TE, EDGE, WR
The returns of Chris Godwin and Tom Brady patched over two of the Bucs biggest needs for 2022. Bringing back Rob Gronkowski would fill another. But Alex Cappa is now a Bengal and Ali Marpet retired. Acquiring Shaq Mason filled one of those holes up front. Drafting Green would take care of the other.
Green played both guard and tackle at Texas A&M, and would add extra versatility to a line that’s allowed Brady to be sacked just 43 times on 1,347 dropbacks as a Buccaneer. He didn’t have a great showing at the Combine, but he’s a dense, long-armed blocker with strong fundamentals and a reliable background. He’s rarely caught lunging or allows his shoulders to topple out of line with his hips. He also won’t turn 22 until after his rookie season is over.
Kenyon Green showcasing one of my favorite Howard Mudd coaching points. You don’t have to dictate what your defender is going to do up front.
Block your assignment on the current path he is on. If he wants to cross your face and take himself out of the play, help him do that pic.twitter.com/vmWPwT2kcX
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) March 23, 2022
Team needs: WR, LB, CB, IOL
Green Bay needs a starting tackle across from David Bakhtiari. While Yosh Nijman did a better job than most could have expected as an injury fill-in last fall, he may not be a long term answer. At No. 28, the Packers get a high-ceiling prospect who could be.
Raimann is a stud who is still growing into his position at tackle. The Austrian went from wideout to tight end to OT at Central Michigan, showcasing elite athleticism and an uncanny ability to learn on the fly along the way.
Bernhard Raimann is a OT prospect in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.86 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 17 out of 1185 OT from 1987 to 2022. https://t.co/llJLsulnOI #RAS pic.twitter.com/2ZMmlfA6bZ
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 28, 2022
Raimann has limited miles on his odometer and, while he still could stand to add mass, could be an eventual successor to the 30-year-old Bakhtiari. With two Day 1 picks, the Packers would get a reliable wideout to top Aaron Rodgers’ receiving wish list and an edge protector to keep him upright. Not a bad haul!
Team needs: S, CB, WR, EDGE, OT
The Chiefs secondary is badly in need of a restock. Tyrann Mathieu remains a free agent. Top cornerback Charvarius Ward is now a 49er. Daniel Sorensen signed with the Saints, though based on his 2021 campaign that may be a net positive.
There’s still plenty of defensive back talent available for Kansas City’s first selection, including Michigan safety Daxton Hill and Washington cornerback Kyler Gordon. Elam a big (6’1), rangy cornerback, may be the best of that bunch. While his aggression leads to too many penalties, he’s fast, fluid, and does a good job identifying the ball in coverage without giving up leverage.
CB Kaiir Elam going through the W drill, showing off his speed turn at the end.
With an official 4.39 40, unofficial 37.5-inch vert and 4.21 pro shuttle, I think he’ll go first round in April. pic.twitter.com/2ZIX3ZCFT7
— Zach Goodall (@zach_goodall) March 28, 2022
Elam could make an immediate impact for a needy secondary. And he gives Andy Reid a little room to get wild with his next selection.
Team needs: S, CB, WR, EDGE, OT
Twist! Watson was viewed as a possible Day 2 selection, then showcased true NFL WR1 traits in Indianapolis to stand out amidst a stacked class of receivers.
40 — 4.28 seconds (No. 3 WRs) Vertical — 38.50″ (No. 6) Broad Jump — 11’4″ (No. 1)
40 — 4.39 seconds (No. 12 WRs) Bench — 20 reps (No. 1 out of 3) Vertical — 40.00″ (No. 2) Broad Jump — 11’3″ (No. 2t)
— Sam Herder (@SamHerderFCS) March 4, 2022
That 40 time was adjusted up to 4.36 seconds officially but still — damn! Watson is an explosive athlete with a 6’4 frame who averaged more than 20 yards per catch his final two seasons in Fargo and moonlights as an all-conference kick/punt returner. Nearly one-third of all his touches at North Dakota State ended in gains of 20+ yards.
Watson’s explosive upside makes him the call here while wideouts like George Pickens, Skyy Moore, and Jalen Tolbert remain on the board. Every receiver left has a certain level of risk associated with his selection this late in the first round. By drafting Watson, the Chiefs are opting for the biggest possible reward.
Team needs: DT, OL, CB, S
The Bengals revamped their woeful offensive line in free agency, adding Cappa, Ted Karras, and La’el Collins. That’s great, because in this mock draft all the clear top 50 blockers have been snapped up before the 31st pick.
Wyatt hasn’t, however. His slide is Cincinnati’s gain. The Bengals need an interior lineman to take over Larry Ogunjobi’s role next to DJ Reader. With the Georgia star they’ll get a player who could be drafted among the first 20 picks at the tail end of Day 1.
Holy closing speed, Devonte Wyatt (and I don't think it's an overreaction to say UGA might have 2 of the best defensive players in CFB next year in Nolan Smith & Jalen Carter) pic.twitter.com/Smji5iWWxb
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) March 28, 2022
Wyatt is amazingly quick for a 304-pound defensive tackle and uses swims, stunts, and spins to shrink pockets. While he only had five sacks in four seasons in Athens, he looks very much the part of a disruptor at the Combine and Senior Bowl. He’d add extra firepower to a front four that already features Reader and Trey Hendrickson.
Team needs: WR, DE, LB, CB, S, QB
The Lions can complete the circle by using a draft pick traded in exchange for their former quarterback of the future, Matthew Stafford, to select their next quarterback of the future. Corral would be a welcome alternative to Jared Goff’s low-impact, checkdown-heavy passing game in Detroit.
Matt Corral back out there dropping dimes during @OleMissFB's Pro Day 🎯 @corral_matt pic.twitter.com/1wQDcCDPYo
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 23, 2022
Corral was both accurate and efficient at Ole Miss, averaging more than nine yards per pass attempt. His size would have been an issue in past drafts, but at 6’2 he’s taller than nine other quarterbacks who started at least eight games the last two seasons. He showed off an increased capacity to protect the ball in 2021. While he’s coming off an ankle injury suffered last winter he’s still an exciting runner from the pocket capable of extending plays and creating magic.
He also has a tendency to save his best stuff for big moments: 10 of his 11 games with 300+ passing yards the past two seasons came against Power 5 opponents.
Team needs: EDGE, CB, S, LB, DL, WR, OL
Pickens would be the biggest wideout on the roster and while he’s not the true vertical threat Jacksonville would like (Watson would have been great here), he’s got great ball skills and could be a boon for Trevor Lawrence.
Team needs: WR, DE, LB, CB, S, QB
Ojabo’s slide following a torn Achilles at Michigan’s pro day ends here. The Lions can afford to be patient for a top 15 talent.
Team needs: S, CB, EDGE, OL, LB, TE
Hill’s stock is rising after a solid Combine. The Jets are pretty good at finding safety talent — Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye — just not keeping it.
Team needs: LB, DE, CB, OL, QB
Gordon’s stock is slipping after a rough Combine, but he was great in coverage as a Husky and should start right away in New York.
Team needs: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, LB, DL, S, CB
Another Texans pick is another opportunity to take the best player available. Ebiketie is a versatile edge rusher who can hone his craft — and improve his run defense — in a low-stress environment in 2022.
Team needs: S, CB, EDGE, OL, LB, TE
A Mekhi Becton-George Fant combination at tackle should be decent in 2022, but head coach Robert Saleh was critical of Becton last season and Fant is a free agent in 2023. Faalele is a massive (6’8, 375 pounds) project who could use that gap year to develop into a proper contingency plan for either player.
Team needs: WR, EDGE, DT, OL, CB
The rebuilding Bears are in a “best player available” situation. Smith gives them a flexible interior blocker who can also kick outside in hopes of giving Justin Fields time to throw.
Team needs: QB, OL, CB, LB, EDGE
This may be a bit high for Muma, who plays football like a series of barely controlled explosions. He can cover the whole field in a hurry, which is a great for a Seattle team with needs across its defense.
Team needs: QB, OL, CB, LB, EDGE
Pete Carroll made it work with an overlooked dual threat quarterback who was wildly successful in college before. Now he gets the chance to do it again (and ensure Drew Lock isn’t his unquestioned QB1).
Team needs: WR, OL, CB, EDGE, QB
The Colts could use a deep ball burner with TY Hilton a free agent (and about to be 33 years old). Moore looks more like a slot guy at this point, but has room to grow and, more importantly, 4.41 40 speed.
Team needs: QB, WR, EDGE, OT, CB, S
Hall’s presence allows Cordarrelle Patterson to be a more effective change of pace runner than primary back. The Falcons need weapons, especially if they’re counting on Marcus Mariota to lead them through a rebuilding year.
Team needs: WR, EDGE, DT, LB
Hall isn’t a badly-needed wideout, but he is an interesting defensive lineman who at 6’6 and 260 pounds can fill a vacancy inside or kick outside to give Myles Garrett support at the other edge rushing spot.
Team needs: OL, DT, CB, S, EDGE
Mafe is a high-ceiling, athletic, and moldable defender from a Power 5 program. The Ravens like those.
Team needs: CB, EDGE, DL, OG
Irv Smith hasn’t worked out like Minnesota hoped. Even if he does, a Smith-McBride 1-2 punch at the position would be an asset for Kirk Cousins.
Team needs: OL, S, LB, QB, WR
Re-signing Bobby McCain was a boost for the Washington secondary. Adding Cine, one of the best tacklers in college football, only strengthens the Commanders’ last line of defense.
Team needs: WR, EDGE, DT, OL, CB
Chicago’s “be nice to Justin Fields” haul continues with Tolbert. He was a big-play machine at South Alabama, albeit against underwhelming competition.
Team needs: QB, WR, OL, DT, TE
The Saints play in a division with Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey, and now per this mock draft Breece Hall. Adding a run-stuffer like Jones up front makes sense.
Team needs: S, CB, WR, EDGE, OT
Brisker is one of the best coverage safeties in the draft. After watching Daniel Sorensen get burned repeatedly last fall, he’ll be a welcome addition in western Missouri.
Team needs: EDGE, S, LB, WR, CB
Pro Football Focus ranked McCreary second-best among 887 NCAA cornerbacks last season. Questions about his size and athleticism could limit him on Sundays, but he’s a safe bet to make an instant impact on a playoff team in need of reinforcements.
Team needs: OL, QB, CB, DT
A big lineman who can generate pressure from the inside of the line or kick outside to sew chaos. Leal is capable of filling any of the three spots in Pittsburgh’s defensive front, though he’ll need some coaching to get there.
Team needs: WR, LB, CB, OL
After securing a possession receiver in Treylon Burks, the Packers get their Marquez Valdes-Scantling replacement (well, kinda!) in former track star Metchie. Questions linger about his size, but he’s a solid route runner who could excel with Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball.
Team needs: WR, CB, OT, LB
Chenal was wildly productive in a system that consistently produces some of the NCAA’s top defenses. A solid showing at the Combine solidified his Day 2 credentials. Bill Belichick’s gonna love him.
Team needs: WR, CB, OT, LB
A hard-hitting, run-stopping linebacker capable of helping out a defense that ranked 26th in yards allowed per carry last fall. His coverage is a concern, however.
Team needs: EDGE, S, OL, DT
Kinnard can play guard or tackle and is one of the best run blockers in his class. That’s a positive for Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.
Team needs: OL, CB, DT, EDGE, WR
The Bills could add to their already stacked edge rotation here. Instead they get Walker, a dependable linebacker capable of mashing opposing runners into paste.
Team needs: QB, WR, EDGE, OT, CB, S
McCollum is a 6’4 corner with 4.33-second 40 speed who dominated the FCS with the 2020 champion Bearkats. No. 58 feels like the right place to take a flier on him.
Team needs: WR, LB, CB, IOL
Green Bay gets a potential Za’Darius Smith replacement in Bonitto, who shined as a pass rusher at Oklahoma. While he may not be a three-down player just yet, he’s athletic enough to be a problem for the NFC North.
Team needs: OL, TE, EDGE, WR
The Bucs get an instant-impact platoon mate for Leonard Fournette and one of the NCAA’s most talented runners at No. 60. Walker can easily fill Ronald Jones’ shoes and could be Tampa’s RB1 by the end of the year.
Team needs: S, CB, EDGE, OL
The Niners’ first pick of 2022 brings a talented pass rusher to the team’s rotation. Jackson showed improvement in 2021 and is a bit of a project, but could still have a major impact for San Francisco.
Team needs: S, CB, WR, EDGE, OT
Enagbare is a consistent, hard-working pass rusher who could make an impact on the outside or bulk up and kick inside to wreck havoc alongside Chris Jones in Kansas City.
Team needs: DT, OL, CB, S
Pitre was a gold mine for Baylor; a linebacker/safety hybrid who held down the “star” position, was valuable in pass coverage, and racked up a ton of tackles for loss. He’d be useful Vonn Bell insurance while being able to slide up to linebacker should coordinator Lou Anarumo need his services there.
Team needs: OL, DT, LB
Andersen is a unicorn; an all-conference quarterback as a freshman and an All-American linebacker as a senior. Sure, that was at FCS Montana State, but he tested out as one of the most athletic defenders in Indianapolis and could be a major bargain for the Broncos.
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