1. Jacksonville Jaguars – EDGE – Aiden Hutchinson, Michigan
The Travon Walker hype is getting a little carried away in my opinion. I think that despite all the rumblings about the Jags selecting the versatile defender from Georgia, Hutchinson will still end up being their pick here. Hutchinson is a disruptive force and will pair well aside from Josh Allen.
2. Detroit Lions – QB – Malik Willis, Liberty
This pick is where things immediately start to get interesting. I truly believe that the Lions will not risk missing out on Malik Willis with this pick. Sure, they have the 32nd overall pick and could take a risk of seeing if Willis will fall to them, but I think that other teams around the league see the huge upside that Willis provides and will take the QB if he falls to them. This may be surprising to some folks, but I think the Lions select their QB of the future with the second overall pick.
3. Houston Texans – OL – Ikem Ekwonu, NC State
This is a good old “best available” pick. The Texans can use help in every aspect of their team, but I think taking a cornerstone tackle like Ekwonu would be the best use of the 3rd overall pick. That will also allow the Texans some protection for Davis Mills, whom the Texans have already voiced their support for.
4. New York Jets – CB – Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati
Sauce is that dude! His confidence (and his play while at Cincinnati, of course) has launched him into one of the top prospects in this draft class. The Jets are trying to finally get themselves out of a decades-long slump, and some swagger like Sauce’s added to the team can certainly make a difference. He also possesses that “F you” attitude that Robert Saleh loves on defense.
5. New York Giants – OL – Evan Neal, Alabama
Evan Neal has been the guy that the Giants have wanted all along. For a while, he drifted up draft boards and was even being mentioned as a candidate for the first overall pick. That hype has calmed down a little bit, much to the delight of Giants fans everywhere. Taking a lineman from Alabama is about as surefire of a pick as a team can make.
6. Carolina Panthers – OL – Charles Cross, Mississippi State
The Panthers have been very wishy-washy with the quarterback situation this offseason. For a while, they were tied to the QBs in the draft – Pickett and Willis. Then, they were seemingly in on a Baker Mayfield trade. Finally, we have heard that they are comfortable with Sam Darnold for another season. Long story short, I expect the Panthers to stay away from QB and draft their biggest need – offensive linemen. Charles Cross is a very solid pick for them.
7. New York Giants (via CHI) – EDGE – Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
This will be a tricky pick for the Giants. If things go the way that I have them mocked so far, the Giants will have to choose between selecting Thibodeaux or Travon Walker – a player getting a lot of hype recently. Thibodeaux was dominant for his entire career at Oregon and has the track record to prove that he can be a monster. I think his slide will end here.
8. Atlanta Falcons – WR – Jameson Williams, Alabama
The Falcons are genuinely entering a “rebuild” phase of their organization. After trading Matt Ryan to the Colts, it all but guaranteed a rebuild. I could see this as a landing spot for Kenny Pickett, however, I think that the Falcons will look elsewhere in the early parts of this draft. Being that they are not expecting to win this upcoming season, there is no better landing spot for Jameson Williams. Coming off a torn ACL, Williams will need some time to recover and return to form. But, when healthy, Williams is the best receiver in this class.
9. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – CB – Derek Stingley Jr., LSU
Derek Stingley is a bit of an enigma to me. He has the potential to be the best player out of this class, but at the same time, his injury history worries me. He only played about 10 games during his time at LSU but looked like an absolute monster when he was healthy. Seattle could pair Stingley with fellow LSU defensive back Jamal Adams and have a fearsome secondary in a tough NFC West.
10. New York Jets (via SEA) – WR – Drake London, USC
USC wide receivers have had a strong recent track record in the NFL. Drake London is a massive receiver standing 6’4” and 220 pounds. He is exactly the type of receiver that could get the most out of QB Zach Wilson.
11. Washington Commanders – S – Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame
The Commanders have needs all over the field and have an offense that is in complete disarray. After acquiring Carson Wentz, they are clearly in a transition phase offensively… which is exactly why they will control what they can control and add on to their defense. Safety is one of their only weak spots defensively, so adding Kyle Hamilton seems like a no-brainer.
12. Minnesota Vikings – EDGE – Travon Walker, Georgia
The Vikings are going to feel like they are getting a complete steal here. Travon Walker is in the discussion for the first overall pick, but I think if he makes it out of the top 3, he will slide down the draft board to the Vikings.
13. Houston Texans (via CLE) – EDGE – Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
The Texans will likely grab an offensive lineman with their earlier pick, so adding to their defensive line will certainly be welcome with the 13th pick. The Texans have been searching for a replacement for JJ Watt since he left in 2020. Johnson is a disruptive force that will immediately make the Texans’ D-Line better.
14. Baltimore Ravens – DT – Jordan Davis, Georgia
Jordan Davis is one of the most intriguing players in this year’s draft. The man is absolutely massive and is terrifyingly quick for a man of his size and stature. He perfectly fits the gritty hard-nosed defensive mentality of Baltimore and will be a nice addition to make an immediate impact.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) – CB – Trent McDuffie, Washington
McDuffie has one major knock against him, his height. Aside from that, McDuffie possesses everything that the Eagles could possibly want in a corner. He has fantastic ball skills and great footwork and was only thrown at 56 times over his three-year college career. Philly has been searching for help at the corner position and McDuffie is just what they need.
16. New Orleans Saints (via PHI) – WR – Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
It became quickly apparent in 2021 that the Saints’ wide receiver room was hurting without Michael Thomas. With his status still uncertain for the 2022 season, it is evident that the Saints need to add talent out wide. Garrett Wilson showed his value at Ohio State, outperforming the already stunning Chris Olave. Perhaps adding another Ohio State wide receiver will lure Michael Thomas out of hiding too.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – OL – Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa
After selecting Rashawn Slater in 2021, the Chargers’ draft selection paid off as Slater became a Pro Bowler and a 2nd Team All-Pro in his first season. Herbert was still sacked 31 times in 2021, proving that although Slater was a great addition, more needs to be done. Trevor Penning is a massive 6’7” and can help keep Herbert clean moving forward.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO) – WR – Chris Olave, Ohio State
The Eagles will be absolutely thrilled if Olave slides to them at 18. He provides big-play upside and is an excellent complement to what Devonta Smith brings to the offense. I think linebacker is another position in play, but the value on Olave will be too great to pass up with this selection.
19. New Orleans Saints (via PHI) – T – Tyler Smith, Tulsa
The Saints lost Terron Armstead to free agency this offseason, which is a huge loss for their offensive line. They will be looking to fill a newly opened gap on their offensive line, and this far down in the first round, Tyler Smith is an excellent value.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – QB – Kenny Pickett, Pitt
I still feel like Kenny Pickett will wind up being the selection at 20 for the Steelers. They signed Mitch Trubisky in the offseason to be the starter for the next two seasons, which provides Pickett with a fantastic opportunity to learn without being pressured to take the reigns. Selecting Pickett this season will also allow the Steelers a great amount of flexibility in the next few drafts.
21. New England Patriots – LB – Devin Lloyd, Utah
D’Onta Hightower may potentially not return to the New England Patriots. Devin Lloyd is an absolute field general and will immediately help the Patriots’ defense. I could also potentially see the Patriots exploring cornerback at this selection.
22. Green Bay Packers (via LV) – WR – George Pickens, Georgia
George Pickens just feels like the right replacement for Davante Adams. He brings in the size, ball skills, and physicality that made Davante Adams the top dog in Green Bay for so many years. This may seem like a reach given his injury-laden 2021 campaign, but if he can return to his pre-injury form, he will be a steal for the Packers. Many saw Pickens as the best wide receiver in this class before his ACL tear.
23. Arizona Cardinals – C – Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
Arizona will be very pleased to see such a great lineman fall to them at 23. Linderbaum probably has the talent to go much earlier in the draft if he was not in the class that he is currently in. The Cardinals also need to send a statement to Kyler Murray that they care about him and want to protect him, and what better way to do so than drafting the center out of Iowa.
24. Dallas Cowboys – LB – Nakobe Dean, Georgia
Here’s the question… what’s better than one Micah Parsons? How about a second Micah Parsons. Nakobe Dean is an absolute field general, who is all over the film making high IQ plays. He can drop into coverage, he can rush the passer, and he can fill his gap when needed. Dean’s defensive versatility will help elevate this Cowboys’ defense from good to great.
25. Buffalo Bills – CB – Andrew Booth, Clemson
The Bills are in the extremely fortunate position of not having any major positional needs. They are pretty set across the board which has to be a great feeling. The Bills certainly have their eyes on the offense that Miami is building with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Booth will be a great corner to pair with Tre’Davious White.
26. Tennessee Titans – OL – Zion Johnson, Boston College
The Titans’ offense comes and goes with their success running the football. They added Robert Woods this offseason to help aid the passing game, so surely enough a heady player like Zion Johnson will help make the run game even better. Johnson should be able to step into the Titans’ offense on day one and make an immediate impact.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OL – Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
The Buccaneers are another team that are in the fortunate position of having no real positional needs. Ali Marpet retired shortly after Brady announced his retirement, so I believe they will look to plug that hole. Kenyon Green is only the second guard off the board, so the Bucs will be getting great value with their pick.
28. Green Bay Packers – OL – Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State
Petit-Frere will help to solidify the Green Bay offensive line and will be responsible for keeping Aaron Rodgers off the ground. Things will be different in Green Bay this season without Davante Adams, so adding in some more blocking will help Rodgers acclimate to the new-look offense.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via MIA) – EDGE – George Karlaftis, Purdue
The Dolphins could really use some protection for Tua, and if the right guy slides, they no doubt will draft some. However, as I have it mocked out currently, there are no tackles remaining that I give a first round grade to. London, however, is a huge wide receiver with a massive catch radius that would immediately help Tua, especially pushing the ball downfield. The Dolphins could take a page out of the Bengals book with this pick and simply shoot for having too much talent to fail.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – WR – Treylon Burks, Arkansas
The Chiefs also traded away star wide receiver Tyreek Hill this offseason, so they are sure to be searching for a replacement. Treylon Burks offers the perfect combination of size and speed to step right into the Tyreek role. Mahomes would certainly love to have JuJu Smith-Schuster, Travis Kelce, and Treylon Burks as his three targets.
31. Cincinnati Bengals – DL – Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
The Bengals need to continue to bolster their offensive line, but if Kenyon Green, Linderbaum, and Zion Johnson are all off the board, then they will likely look to the best available player. At pick 31, Wyatt provides great upside and will help divert blocking away from Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson.
32. Detroit Lions (via LAR) – CB – Kaiir Elam, Florida
Jeff Okudah hasn’t quite panned out the way that the Lions thought he would when they selected him in 2020. After rupturing his Achilles tendon and ending his 2021 campaign, the Lions are certainly left with a question mark at the cornerback position. Kaiir Elam can immediately step in and help this defense with his size at 6’2”. He will need to work on his discipline and eliminate some penalties from his game, but he can immediately help the Detroit defense.
