2022 NFL Mock Draft by Xavier Cromartie (CFM) 7 Mar 2022 v 3.0
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: ED Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan) (+) 2
Top needs: OT, WR, CB, LB, G
The pick: The Jags may not be able to trade down. Hutchinson's frame looked like a TE, but his combination of production and athleticism makes him the safest pick in a class with no clear-cut #1 pick.
2. Detroit Lions: CB Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati)* (+) 16
Top needs: QB, WR, CB, LB, DL, S
The pick: The Lions have been awful on defense for 3 straight seasons. Gardner is lanky, but he showed he has enough athleticism to maintain his elite play.
3. Houston Texans: OT Evan Neal (Alabama)* (+) 5
Top needs: QB, ED, OT, WR, CB, LB, DL, S, RB, TE, C
The pick: The Texans need everything. Neal didn't run, but he has a massive athletic profile.
4. New York Jets: ED Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)* (-) 3
Top needs: ED, WR, CB, LB, TE
The pick: Thibodeaux could play either DE or OLB successfully. Certain people hate him, because he tells the truth.
5. New York Giants: OT Ikem Ekwonu (North Carolina State)* (+) 6
Top needs: ED, OT, LB, G, C
The pick: Ekwonu is a bit short for an OT, but he checks all the other boxes.
6. Carolina Panthers: QB Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh) (-) 1
Top needs: QB, ED, OT, CB, LB, S, TE, G, C
The pick: The Panthers are desperate for a QB. If they can't make a trade for a veteran, then Pickett becomes their only real hope.
7. New York Giants (via CHI): ED David Ojabo (Michigan)* 7
Top needs: ED, OT, LB, G, C
The pick: Ojabo has the build for OLB in a 3-4 system. He replaces Lorenzo Carter.
8. Atlanta Falcons: ED Travon Walker (Georgia)* (+) 21
Top needs: ED, WR, CB, LB, S, RB
The pick: The Falcons have literally nothing at ED. Walker is a media creation, but he has the size and speed measurables.
9. Denver Broncos: S Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)* (-) 8
Top needs: QB, ED, OT, CB, LB, DL, S, C
The pick: The Broncos seem like a candidate to take a QB in R2. Hamilton is bigger than a typical safety.
10. New York Jets (via SEA): CB Derek Stingley (Louisiana State)* (+) 12
Top needs: ED, WR, CB, LB, TE
The pick: Back-to-back "risky" picks for the Jets. But they have to swing for upside since they were last in points allowed and haven't made the playoffs since 2010.
11. Washington: WR Drake London (Southern California)* (-) 10
Top needs: QB, WR, S, G
The pick: Washington seems likely to get a veteran QB and try to make a serious run at the playoffs. London is a big target.
12. Minnesota Vikings: ED George Karlaftis (Purdue)* (+) 17
Top needs: ED, CB, LB, G
The pick: The Vikings need one ED, maybe two. They came to the right draft, because there are plenty of good ones.
13. Cleveland Browns: WR Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)* 13
Top needs: ED, WR, LB, DL
The pick: Wilson showed up lean but fast. Baker Mayfield would be happy if Wilson stayed in-state.
14. Baltimore Ravens: DL Jordan Davis (Georgia) (+) 22
Top needs: WR, CB, LB, DL, S
The pick: Davis has one of the all-time athletic profiles, but his play has not been quite as elite.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): CB Trent McDuffie (Washington)* (-) 4
Top needs: ED, WR, CB, LB, S
The pick: McDuffie is still a safe CB choice, but his arm length (29.75) is disappointing.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND): C Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa)* (-) 15
Top needs: ED, WR, CB, LB, S
The pick: Linderbaum measured small even for a center, but that has never stopped him from being dominant.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: ED Jermaine Johnson (Florida State) (+) 24
Top needs: ED, OT, WR, CB, LB, DL, G
The pick: The Chargers have to fix their defense. Johnson is physically similar to Thibodeaux.
18. New Orleans Saints: OT Charles Cross (Mississippi State)* 9
Top needs: OT, WR, DL, S, TE
The pick: Ekwonu has received the top-5 hype, but Cross is not far behind him.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia)* (+) 28
Top needs: ED, WR, CB, LB, S
The pick: Dean is shorter than ideal, but Howie Roseman takes draft orders from a 14-year-old now.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Malik Willis (Liberty) 20
Top needs: QB, OT, WR, CB, LB, S, G
The pick: I don't think the Steelers are going to start Mason Rudolph.
21. New England Patriots: OT Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa) (+) 23
Top needs: ED, OT, WR, CB, LB, S
The pick: The Pats are always looking for a big guy [for you]. Penning is a ruthless 325 lb.
22. Las Vegas Raiders: OT Tyler Smith (Tulsa)* (-) 9
Top needs: OT, WR, CB, DL, G
The pick: The Raiders don't have a RT. Smith has pretty good numbers but got overshadowed by even freakier OTs.
23. Arizona Cardinals: CB Kaiir Elam (Florida)* (+) 32
Top needs: OT, WR, CB, DL, RB, TE, G
The pick: Elam is somewhat thin, but he answered speed questions with a 4.39.
24. Dallas Cowboys: LB Damone Clark (Louisiana State) (-) 14
Top needs: ED, WR, LB, DL, S, TE
The pick: Clark and Parsons would be a dangerous duo.
25. Buffalo Bills: G Zion Johnson (Boston College) (+) 31
Top needs: ED, CB, DL, G, C
The pick: The Bills feel close to a championship, and so they should fix their biggest weaknesses. Zion is the clear top guard.
26. Tennessee Titans: DL Devonte Wyatt (Georgia) (+) NR
Top needs: ED, OT, DL, TE, C
The pick: Wyatt's 4.77 at 304 lb would have received a lot more buzz if not for Jordan Davis's numbers.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)* (-) 11
Top needs: WR, CB, DL, RB, TE, G, C
The pick: It's getting difficult to remember a time when the Bucs didn't have a big receiver. 4.55 is good for 225 lb, but less than ideal for the WR position.
28. Green Bay Packers: LB Devin Lloyd (Utah) (+) 29
Top needs: WR, CB, LB
The pick: De'Vondre Campbell may not come back, leaving the Pack with nothing at LB. Lloyd was a bit slower than the other LBs, but not bad.
29. Miami Dolphins (via SF): WR Jameson Williams (Alabama)* (-) 19
Top needs: ED, OT, WR, CB, LB, RB, TE, C
The pick: When Tua was MVP in the national championship game, his receivers were Calvin Ridley, DeVonta Smith, Jerry Jeudy, and Henry Ruggs. So maybe he just needs Alabama WRs.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: S Jaquan Brisker (Penn State) (+) NR
Top needs: ED, OT, WR, CB, DL, S, RB
The pick: Tyrann Mathieu isn't easy to replace. Brisker is reliable.
31. Cincinnati Bengals: G Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)* (-) 25
Top needs: OT, CB, DL, S, TE, G, C
The pick: The Bengals need to draft G, C, then OT. There is a drop-off at guard after the top 2.
32. Detroit Lions (via LAR): WR Chris Olave (Ohio State) (-) 30
Top needs: QB, WR, CB, LB, DL, S
The pick: The Lions need speed at WR. Olave ran 4.39.
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