For those who’ve adopted the NFL these days, there’s been quite a bit occurring across the league. Trades have reshaped each 2022 NFL Mock Draft, largely as a result of group wants change with every new transaction. The newest? Deshaun Watson to the Browns, Davante Adams to Las Vegas, and extra. Let’s dive into how these trades have an effect on the 2022 NFL Draft and the way their former groups transfer on from them.
2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 1-16
The primary spherical has modified fairly a bit since my final mock draft. Let’s change issues up a bit with the picks within the high 10. All picks have been made utilizing PFN’s free Mock Draft Simulator.
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
It’s powerful to see the Jags take somebody apart from Evan Neal at this spot. There’s been some speak about Aidan Hutchinson being the primary participant chosen, however it looks like Neal can be higher for them at this level. Defending Trevor Lawrence is a large precedence, and letting Hutchinson manhandle the present tackles wouldn’t clear up a lot.
2) Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
If Jacksonville doesn’t purchase the hype, Aidan Hutchinson shouldn’t be on the board for much longer anyway. The Lions want an impression participant on the sting, and the Wolverines star brings their protection an unbelievable tenacity. Liberty quarterback Malik Willis is seemingly excessive on their board and could possibly be their choice. Nonetheless, passing on Hutchinson can be extraordinarily tough to do.
3) Houston Texans: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Now that the Texans have two first-round picks, they will maintain constructing in direction of the long run. Drafting Kyle Hamilton looks as if an ideal technique to get this 2022 NFL Mock Draft began for them. Hamilton is a do-it-all security who can play everywhere in the discipline. Houston’s secondary wants some work, so this might assist elevate that group’s play.
4) New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
New York addressed the secondary in free company, they usually do want so as to add an excellent EDGE participant. Nevertheless, that place stays extremely deep, and the Jets have one other first-round decide. Including a 6’3″ nook in Ahmad Gardner, who’s been getting in comparison with Richard Sherman, isn’t one thing that will probably be accessible at tenth total.
5) New York Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
No matter how followers really feel about Daniel Jones, the Giants should do a greater job of defending him. They bought that course of began in free company, however they’ll add arguably the nastiest participant within the draft in Ikem Ekwonu. The Wolfpack deal with elevated his draft inventory with a robust Mix efficiency and now finds himself as a top-five decide.
6) Carolina Panthers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
With Watson not waiving his no-trade clause to affix the Panthers, Carolina appears to be like so as to add their quarterback of the long run. Certain, they may wait till subsequent yr, however they only signed star receiver DJ Moore to a brand new contract. Given how the Adams’ state of affairs unfolded, you don’t need to upset your high man. Including Malik Willis would convey pleasure to the place and nonetheless offers him time to be taught from Sam Darnold if he’s not prepared immediately.
7) New York Giants (from CHI): Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
After discovering a participant to guard Jones, the Giants look so as to add somebody who can catch passes from him. If New York provides each Ekwonu and Wilson, there aren’t many extra excuses for Jones. Both he’s the quarterback of the long run, or the Giants will probably be wanting towards subsequent yr’s class. Garret Wilson‘s athleticism, at a minimal, will assist Jones’ accuracy.
8) Atlanta Falcons: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Kayvon Thibodeaux falling this far can be one of many largest surprises of the draft, however it’s not utterly unfathomable. Some analysts say he must be in the best system, however it may be that groups produce other wants than EDGE. Atlanta can be elated to see Thibodeaux drop, they usually’d get a participant who has one of many highest ceilings on this draft class.
9) Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Let’s be trustworthy, Seahawks followers aren’t precisely pumping the Drew Lock inventory. Even when he’s their quarterback for now, they’re nonetheless going to look towards the long run. Matt Corral‘s professional day efficiency may decide how a lot his draft inventory adjustments, however seeing him chosen within the high 10 wouldn’t be shocking.
10) New York Jets (from SEA): Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Like I mentioned, the EDGE place is extraordinarily deep on this draft. On this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, just one participant was taken from that group because the Jets’ first decide. Travon Walker is a bodily nightmare for anybody dealing with him. New York’s including nice versatility within the Bulldogs star, who performed in all places on Kirby Good’s protection.
11) Washington Commanders: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Now that the drama subsided surrounding Kenny Pickett‘s hand measurement, we will get again to the concept he’s going to be taken within the first spherical. Although the Commanders traded for Carson Wentz, they want a quarterback. At greatest, it’s powerful to see Wentz main Washington far. Nevertheless, it additionally looks like his flooring isn’t tremendous low. So ready to take a quarterback subsequent yr appears unlikely, they usually should pounce in 2022.
12) Minnesota Vikings: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
It’s powerful to select a place apart from nook for the Vikings within the draft, however including Jordan Davis helps their protection too. Shoot, he is perhaps athletic sufficient to drop again in protection, so it’s nearly like they’re serving to the secondary not directly. Davis’ athleticism and nice measurement make him a menace up the center. Thus, the Vikings aren’t shedding out a lot by including him to their roster.
13) Houston Texans (from CLE): Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Possibly the Texans are happy with Davis Mills taking part in quarterback. With the state of the group, it wouldn’t be a shock in the event that they’re pondering long run with this draft. Taking a quarterback in Spherical 1 appears pointless to many, and perhaps Houston thinks that means. With the expertise developing subsequent yr, they could as effectively wait. Including Jameson Williams‘ pace would make Mills look quite a bit higher this yr.
14) Baltimore Ravens: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Charles Cross is likely one of the largest risers as of late, which says quite a bit about his sport. Some analysts have him going high 10, which is loopy given Ekwonu and Neal are each on this draft. Baltimore wants to guard Lamar Jackson higher, and including Cross addresses that want.
15) Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA): Andrew Sales space Jr., CB, Clemson
The optimist in me loves that the Eagles have a number of first-round picks. Identical goes for the opposite groups which can be in the identical boat. The pessimist says that they’re going to commerce them away to maneuver. Don’t get me fallacious, that’s not a foul selection. I identical to seeing groups maintain their picks.
The Eagles begin their defensive rebuild by including Andrew Sales space Jr. The Clemson nook was a game-changer for them, and he can do the identical for the Eagles within the NFL.
16) Philadelphia Eagles (from IND): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Sure, it’s powerful to see the Eagles cross on a linebacker that they desperately want. Nevertheless, additionally they want some assist at extensive receiver. The Jalen Reagor experiment seems to be ending, and Chris Olave would give the Eagles one other quick receiver who can stretch the sector. Jalen Hurts’ inventory would additionally enhance, given he’d have Smith, Olave, and Dallas Goedert in 2022.
