| 1 | Jacksonville | Travon Walker | EDGE | Georgia | With Cam Robinson franchise tagged, and Brandon Scherff signed as a free agent, the team can focus on the defensive side of the ball with this pick. This pick ultimately comes down to Hutchinson and Walker, with Walker getting the edge here based on his elite athleticism and versatility. Walker needs to work on his technique and pass rush moves, but has potential as an inside-outside rusher. With long arms, explosiveness, and power, there have been whispers that he reminds Trent Baalke of Aldon Smith. |
| 2 | Detroit | Aidan Hutchinson | EDGE | Michigan | This would be a dream come true for the Lions, as there is no QB worth taking this high. Detroit’s defense could use an influx of talent on the edge with Romeo Okwara coming off injury. Hutchinson is coming off a dominant season at Michigan, with 14 sacks and 51 QB hurries. With his combination of strength/quickness/hustle, Hutch would be the best defensive player on the team from day 1. |
| 3 | Houston | Ikem Ekwonu | OT | North Carolina St. | Houston would probably love one of the top two edge rushers to fall to them, but in this scenario, they may opt to add what some consider to be the best offensive line prospect in this class. Ekwonu is a mauler who can start at right tackle with Titus Howard sliding inside to guard, beefing up the offensive line in front of Davis Mills. |
| 4 | NY Jets | Kayvon Thibodeaux | EDGE | Oregon | Robert Salah’s 49ers defenses worked best with an elite pass rush led by the front four, and the Jets’ defense needs more talent up front. The Jets have Carl Lawson coming back from injury, but Thibodeaux has the pass rushing potential to be a difference maker. Thibodeaux finished 2021 with 9 sacks and 28 QB hurries in 11 games. |
| 5 | NY Giants | Ahmad Gardner | CB | Cincinnati | James Bradbury has been in the rumor mill all off-season as a possible trade/cut candidate. Gardner has excellent size/length, and is considered by many to be the top corner in this class. He didn’t allow a touchdown in college in over 1,100 coverage snaps during his three years at Cincinnati, and had nine career interceptions. |
| 6 | Carolina | Malik Willis | QB | Liberty | Carolina is desperate for a starter not named Sam Darnold, and they’ve done a ton of work on the quarterback position leading up to the Draft. Willis is as raw as any QB in recent memory, but he showed off his big arm at the combine, and is considered by many to have the highest upside of any QB in this class. |
| From Chi. | 7 | NY Giants | Charles Cross | OT | Mississippi State | The Giants want to give Daniel Jones one last shot to prove he’s the man at QB for Big Blue. They added talent at receiver last off-season, and will look to keep adding to the offensive line in this draft. Cross needs to add strength for the next level, but he is a good pass blocker, and would help solidify the offensive line. |
| 8 | Atlanta | Jermaine Johnson II | EDGE | Florida State | Atlanta is sitting pretty here, as they can take the best player available regardless of position. They can go a number of directions with this pick, but opt to beef up a questionable pass rush by selecting Johnson here. Johnson is a true three down lineman and has been one of the big risers since dominating at the Senior Bowl. Johnson had 14 sacks last season. |
| From Den. | 9 | Seattle | Evan Neal | OT | Alabama | The Seahawks have a bunch of needs, including at QB, but the offensive line has been a need for Seattle seemingly forever, and they currently have Stone Forsythe slated to start at left tackle. Yuck. Neal allowed only 1 sack this season, and is a plug and play left tackle who can also slide inside and play guard if needed. |
| From Sea. | 10 | NY Jets | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State | Gang Green added a stud edge rusher at 4th overall, and can shift its attention to the offensive side of the ball here. Garrett Wilson was one of the best wideouts in college football this past season due to his strong hands and sharp route running. Not the biggest wide out, but Wilson has great body control, is adept at getting yardage after the catch, and would add yet another weapon for Zach Wilson. There’s reports that many teams list Garrett Wilson as the WR1 in this class. |
| 11 | Washington | Kyle Hamilton | S | Notre Dame | The Commanders filled their biggest need when they traded for Carson Wentz. Washington can now address other needs along the offensive line, wide receiver, or defensive back. Washington will look hard at a receiver here, but could opt for an elite piece in their secondary. Hamilton has been a top 5 prospect all season, but might slide because safety isn’t a highly valuable position. |
| 12 | Minnesota | Derek Stingley Jr. | CB | LSU | Minnesota is a prime trade candidate with a team looking to take a quarterback. Since this mock isn’t projecting trades, they stay put and take maybe the top corner in this class. When healthy, Stingley is a playmaker with top notch quickness/athleticism, and is a top 5 prospect, but he hasn’t been healthy since 2019. He showed out at his pro day, and might be moving back up boards. |
| From Cle. | 13 | Houston | Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama | Houston is a bit of a wild card here, but they may decide to keep building it around Mills. Williams was one of the top receivers in the nation in 2021 – he averaged over 20 yards per reception. He suffered a torn ACL in the National Championship, so we’ll have to see how it affects his draft stock. With his elite speed and playmaking ability, Williams could end up the best receiver in this class when it’s all said and done. |
| 14 | Baltimore | Drake London | WR | USC | Baltimore has other needs, but adding another big target to help Lamar Jackson keep growing as a passer might be tempting here. London is a physical, 50/50 jump ball ace, and has gotten some comparisons to Mike Evans. He has had some struggles with separation, but led the nation in contested catches. London was lighting it up before fracturing his ankle in the 8th game of the season, finishing with 88 receptions, 1,084 yards, and 7 touchdowns. |
| From Mia. | 15 | Philadelphia | George Karlaftis | EDGE | Purdue | Philly just gave Derek Barnett a three year deal, but Brandon Graham is 35 years old and coming off a torn Achilles. The Eagles could use some help in the secondary, but Karlaftis is a true 4-3 defensive edge, has a good power to speed game, and would give the Eagles another quality rusher for their rotation. |
| From Phi. | 16 | New Orleans | Trevor Penning | OT | Northern Iowa | There was talk that the Saints traded for another first round pick to move up for a quarterback, but i’m not buying it. They have big needs elsewhere, including at left tackle where James Hurst is currently slated to start. Penning is a powerful blocker, and has prototype physical traits for a left tackle. His level of competition is a question, but he performed well at the Senior Bowl against NFL talent. |
| 17 | LA Chargers | Jordan Davis | DL | Georgia | The Chargers’ run defense was this defense’s achilles heel this past season. They added Khalil Mack and Sebastian Jospeh to help shore up the front line, but need a true run stuffer. Enter Jordan Davis. While he didn’t offer much as a pass rusher in college, he put up elite testing numbers at the combine, and will instantly improve the run defense. |
| From N.O. | 18 | Philadelphia | Devin Lloyd | LB | Utah | The Eagles had one of the worst linebacking groups in the league this past season, and have made moves to fix that – signing Haason Reddick and drafting Lloyd turns a weakness into a strength. Lloyd has been one of the best linebackers in the nation the last two years, and is a solid all-around off ball linebacker. He can get after the quarterback (8 sacks), make plays in coverage (4 interceptions, 2 of which went for touchdowns), and shows up in run support. |
| From Phi. | 19 | New Orleans | Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State | With questions surrounding Michael Thomas, and their wide receiver group lacking otherwise, they may opt to add help for whoever is their starting QB in 2022 – they re-signed Jameis Winston (torn ACL in week 8) and brought in Andy Dalton as a free agent. Chris Olave is one of the top wideouts in this class, due to his reliable hands, burst, and savvy route running. |
| 20 | Pittsburgh | Kenny Pickett | QB | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh added Mitchell Trubisky in free agency, but they have done a ton of homework on this quarterback class. They could address the offensive line or cornerback, or even trade up for the QB they like. There are questions about his hand size and decision making, but Pickett has had a Zach Wilson like rise up draft boards this season, and is in the running to be the first QB off the board after a stellar season. |
| 21 | New England | Andrew Booth Jr. | CB | Clemson | Let’s be honest – New England is probably going to trade out of this spot. This is a “no trades” mock, however, so with them staying put, a player like Booth Jr. could get the nod. The Pats lost J.C. Jackson in free agency, and having Malcolm Butler and Jalen Mills starting outside is kinda gross. Booth Jr. is a fast, physical corner with long arms, but he lacks experience and has injury concerns. He will need some time to develop, but New England has a knack for developing players in the secondary. |
| From LV | 22 | Green Bay | Zion Johnson | OL | Boston College | The obvious pick here is a wide receiver after trading Davante Adams to the Raiders, but the offensive line badly needs reinforcements. Green Bay values offensive linemen who can play multiple positions, and Johnson can play almost anywhere in a pinch. Johnson is very physical, dominated at the Senior Bowl, and allowed only one sack in 2021. |
| 23 | Arizona | Trent McDuffie | CB | Washington | Arizona lost Chandler Jones in free agency and didn’t bring in anyone to replace him, so edge rusher could be in the conversation here. Corner needs help too, though, and adding Jeff Gladney isn’t enough. McDuffie lacks prototype size, but is an excellent prospect who isn’t afraid to come up in run defense. He allowed only 16 receptions on 36 targets this season, and a passer rating of 52. |
| 24 | Dallas | Tyler Smith | T/G | Tulsa | Dallas can go a number of ways here, including receiver, defensive tackle, or edge rusher, but the offensive line needs help at right tackle and at left guard. Smith is a very physical run blocker who needs work in pass protection, but the tools are there. He will help Dallas’ offensive line get back to the level it was at a few years ago, and provide depth at both tackle spots and at guard. |
| 25 | Buffalo | Devonte Wyatt | DL | Georgia | Buffalo is one of the few teams with any glaring holes, and can afford to either trade down or stay put and take the best player left on their draft board. Wyatt was overshadowed on a Georgia defense loaded with NFL talent, but he is a surefire first rounder with plus athleticism inside. Buffalo’s defense is predicated on a strong front four. |
| 26 | Tennessee | Kenyon Green | T/G | Texas A&M | The Titans might be looking at grabbing a quarterback at this spot, since Tannehill is getting older and they can move on after this upcoming season, but the offensive line needs a boost after losing Roger Saffold in free agency. Green is one of the more mobile offensive linemen in this class, despite being 325 lbs. He has experience at every position along the offensive line except center, and would compete at both right tackle and at guard in Tennessee as a rookie. |
| 27 | Tampa Bay | Arnold Ebiketie | EDGE | Penn State | Tampa Bay could stand to add another guard after losing both starters from last season in free agency this off-season, even after acquiring Shaq Mason via trade. They also have needs along the front seven on defense, with a few free agents still unsigned, including JPP and Ndamukong Suh. Ebiketie is lightning quick off the edge, and would be a great third rusher with Shaq Barrett and last year’s first rounder, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. |
| 28 | Green Bay | Treylon Burks | WR | Arkansas | Green Bay never takes wide receivers in the first round when everyone thinks they will, but if a player like Treylon Burks is available, we might finally see A-a-ron get some help at the position early in the Draft. Burks needs work on his route running, but is a beast after the catch, and can take a short pass the distance. Just watch his 60+ yard catch and run touchdown versus Alabama to see what he can do. |
| From Mia. | 29 | Kansas City | Daxton Hill | S/CB | Michigan | The hot rumor is Kansas City trying to trade up for Jameson Williams, so they may not have these next two picks. In a “no trades” mock draft, however, staying put could net them a quality piece for their defense in Daxton Hill. Hill can play as a deep/coverage safety and slide over to cover the slot when needed. He excelled as a slot corner this past season for Michigan, and his versatility boosts his value. |
| 30 | Kansas City | George Pickens | WR | Georgia | There is no guarantee one of these selections will be a wide receiver, as Kansas City can still use help on defense, but another weapon outside for Pat Mahomes is needed sooner than later. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster were nice additions in free agency, but neither profiles as a true WR1; this is where a guy like Pickens would step in. He has the size/speed you look for on the outside, but he missed time with injury this past season and there have been whispers that he interviewed poorly with teams. Those issues might lower his stock. |
| 31 | Cincinnati | Kaiir Elam | CB | Florida | Tyler Linderbaum would be an amazing final piece to their rebuilt offensive line, but it seems like Cincy is content with what they’ve added in front of Joe Burrow thus far this off-season. They may choose to turn their attention elsewhere on day one of the NFL Draft. Elam has the height, athleticism, and length to be a difference maker at corner for the Bengals. He needs to be coached up a bit, but he has all the tools to develop into a starter on the outside. |
| From LAR | 32 | Detroit | Nakobe Dean | LB | Georgia | Nakobe Dean is one of the best coverage linebackers in the nation, and fits the mold of the modern linebacker. Size is his biggest concern, as he can struggle against the run, but he is a leader and Dan Campbell would love having a player like Dean. Dean finished 2nd in tackles and sacks this season, while leading Georgia in tackles for loss, and allowing a passer rating of only 31.3 in coverage. |
