2022 1st-Round NFL Mock Draft by Xavier Cromartie (CFM) v 2.0
In 2015, College Football Metrics joined forces with preeminent draft analyst Xavier Cromartie to produce mock drafts and top 100 prospect boards for entry into The Huddle Report’s exclusive, experts-only NFL Draft scoring. Xavier starts to post mock drafts and top 100 boards in January and continues up to the draft in April.
Xavier's five-year average score in the The Huddle Report's top 100 board rankings is #2 in the world (see rankings here: top 100 boards). His five-year average score in first-round mock draft scoring is #7 in the world (see rankings here: first-round mocks).
Pick TEAM PLAYER (chg) Last Mock Pick#
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh) 1
** Projected trade to Carolina Panthers **
Top needs (CAR): QB, ED, OT, CB, LB, S, TE, G, C
The pick: The Jags should be desperate to trade out of this spot, and the Panthers are likely one of the few teams interested in moving up.
2. Detroit Lions: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan) 2
Top needs: QB, WR, CB, LB, DL, S
The pick: Considering the state of their defense, the Lions will likely go with one of the edge rushers.
3. Houston Texans: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)* 3
Top needs: QB, ED, WR, CB, LB, DL, S, RB, TE, C
The pick: Thibodeaux offers the highest upside in a class lacking elite players.
4. New York Jets: CB Trent McDuffie (Washington)* (+) 23
Top needs: WR, CB, LB, TE
The pick: This pick seems radical now, but McDuffie should emerge as the top CB post-Combine.
5. New York Giants: OT Evan Neal (Alabama)* 5
Top needs: ED, OT, LB, G, C
The pick: The Giants need four offensive linemen.
6. Carolina Panthers: OT Ikem Ekwonu (North Carolina State)* 6
** Projected trade to Jacksonville Jaguars **
Top needs (JAX): OT, WR, CB, LB, G
The pick: The Jaguars need to trade down and build an offensive line.
7. New York Giants (via CHI): EDGE David Ojabo (Michigan)* (+) 12
Top needs: ED, OT, LB, G, C
The pick: If the Giants continue to use more of a 3-4 style defense, then Ojabo seems like a better fit than Karlaftis.
8. Atlanta Falcons: S Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)* (-) 7
Top needs: ED, WR, CB, LB, S, RB
The pick: Whether at S or LB, the Falcons need someone to make an impact on defense.
9. Denver Broncos: OT Tyler Smith (Tulsa)* (+) NR
Top needs: QB, ED, OT, CB, LB, DL, S, C
The pick: If the Broncos continue to play tough defense and mauling offense, then Smith fits best.
10. New York Jets (via SEA): WR Drake London (Southern California)* (+) 16
Top needs: WR, CB, LB, TE
The pick: More receiving options can help Zach Wilson get on track.
11. Washington: QB Sam Howell (North Carolina)* (+) 20
Top needs: QB, WR, S, G
The pick: Ideally Washington would acquire a QB some other way so they don't have to reach here.
12. Minnesota Vikings: CB Derek Stingley (Louisiana State)* (-) 4
Top needs: ED, CB, LB, G
The pick: What happened to all those CBs the Vikings drafted?
13. Cleveland Browns: WR Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)* 13
Top needs: ED, WR, LB, DL
The pick: Baker Mayfield needs someone he can throw to 150+ times.
14. Baltimore Ravens: LB Damone Clark (Louisiana State) (-) 10
Top needs: WR, CB, LB, DL, S
The pick: The Ravens had many problems with injuries on defense, but their LBs have no excuse for their poor play.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): C Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa)* 15
Top needs: ED, WR, CB, LB, S
The pick: The Eagles always have depth on the lines.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND): CB Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati)* (+) 17
Top needs: ED, WR, CB, LB, S
The pick: Gardner gives the Eagles a CB with size.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: EDGE George Karlaftis (Purdue)* (-) 8
Top needs: ED, OT, WR, CB, LB, DL, G
The pick: The Chargers need more than just Joey Bosa on the d-line.
18. New Orleans Saints: OT Charles Cross (Mississippi State)* (-) 9
Top needs: OT, WR, DL, S, TE
The pick: The Saints probably can't afford Terron Armstead, and so they'll need a new OT.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Jameson Williams (Alabama)* (+) NR
Top needs: ED, WR, CB, LB, S
The pick: The Eagles continue to put the Alabama offense back together.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Malik Willis (Liberty) (+) NR
Top needs: QB, OT, WR, CB, LB, S, G
The pick: The Steelers realistically cannot pick anything other than a QB.
21. New England Patriots: ED Travon Walker (Georgia)* (-) 19
Top needs: ED, OT, WR, CB, LB, S
The pick: Belichick's defense got smoked in the playoffs.
22. Las Vegas Raiders: DL Jordan Davis (Georgia) (-) 14
Top needs: OT, WR, CB, DL, G
The pick: Value meets need since the Raiders have nothing on the defensive interior.
23. Arizona Cardinals: OT Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa) (-) 22
Top needs: OT, WR, CB, DL, RB, TE, G
The pick: It's seriously time to get Kyler some blockers.
24. Dallas Cowboys: DE Jermaine Johnson (Florida State) (+) NR
Top needs: ED, WR, LB, DL, S, TE
The pick: The Cowboys have a weak d-line aside from Demarcus Lawrence.
25. Buffalo Bills: G Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)* 25
Top needs: ED, CB, DL, G, C
The pick: More protection for Josh Allen can help put the Bills over the top.
26. Tennessee Titans: OT Nicholas Petit-Frere (Ohio State)* (+) 29
Top needs: ED, OT, DL, TE, C
The pick: The Titans likely need at least one OT and possibly two.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)* (-) 11
Top needs: WR, CB, DL, RB, TE, G, C
The pick: Suddenly Mike Evans is the Bucs' only receiving option.
28. Green Bay Packers: LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia)* 28
Top needs: WR, CB, LB
The pick: The Packers would be in serious trouble if Ty Summers ever had to play real snaps.
29. Miami Dolphins (via SF): LB Devin Lloyd (Utah) (-) 24
Top needs: ED, OT, WR, CB, LB, RB, TE, C
The pick: After getting a much-needed LB, the Dolphins should focus on the offensive side.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Chris Olave (Ohio State) 30
Top needs: ED, OT, WR, CB, DL, S, RB
The pick: There is not much to this offense beyond Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: G Zion Johnson (Boston College) (+) NR
Top needs: OT, CB, DL, S, TE, G, C
The pick: Has a team ever been in more desperate need of a guard?
32. Detroit Lions (via LAR): CB Kaiir Elam (Florida)* 32
Top needs: QB, WR, CB, LB, DL, S
The pick: The Lions can't rely on "potential" at CB any longer.
Archived mock drafts:
2021: 52
2020: 43
2019: 37
2018: 40
2017: 37
2016: 37
2015: 48
5-Year Average = 41.8
