The 2022 NFL Draft is nearly here, and like most fans, the writers at our team communities have strong feelings about their team’s draft needs and the players who could best fill those needs.
This draft is going to be unique for a few reasons. First of all, it’s being held in the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas, Nev. Strip for the first time ever.
Last year, there were several high profile quarterback prospects, and where they were all headed (aside from Trevor Lawrence, who was generally expected to go to the Jaguars with the first overall pick) was a topic of much discussion. This year’s top quarterbacks — Sam Howell, Malik Willis, Desmond Ridder, and Matt Corral, aren’t generating nearly as much excitement, as they seem like they’ll need some development to become NFL-ready starters, but it’s still going to be fascinating to see where they land and how early in the draft teams will be willing to take a chance on them.
And third, because of myriad trades, a whopping eight teams have two picks in the first round this year. That’s certainly shaking things up a bit.
Without further ado, welcome to the 16th annual SB Nation NFL community mock draft.
No. 1: Jaguars select Aiden Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
From Demetrius Harvey at Big Cat Country:
The one need the team didn’t address much in free agency, though, was at edge rusher, which was one of the team’s biggest needs exiting the season. Now, with Hutchinson, the team will finally have a sure-fire edge rusher opposite of former first-round pick Josh Allen.
No. 2: Lions select Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
From Jeremy Reisman at Pride of Detroit:
There may be some concerns about his fit in Detroit now that they’ve said they will be employing more four-down sets, and Thibodeaux is coming from a 3-4 scheme at Oregon. And, yes, he will have to improve as a run defender at the next level.
But what Thibodeaux provides as a pass rusher in this league is rare and extremely coveted. The Lions finished 30th in sacks, 29th in pressure rate, 31st in team pass rush win rate. Thibodeaux will immediately improve the weakest point in Detroit’s defense. Perhaps the best part about him is that his physical tools will make him a Day 1 impact player, and he has a lot of room to improve his technique, meaning his ceiling could even be higher than his college level of production.
No. 3: Texans select Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
From T.D. Durham at Battle Red Blog:
Hamilton spent time lining up in multiple spots on Notre Dame’s defense in his three years at South Bend. In 31 career games, he produced 139 tackles, eight interceptions, and 16 passes defended. He covered slot receivers, lined up as a deep “read and react” safety, came off the edge as a rusher at the line of scrimmage, and showed his hard-hitting demeanor while working out of the box as well.
In Lovie Smith’s base Tampa-2 defense, Hamilton’s versatility means he can start on Day 1. Whether that start happens as one of two “high” safeties responsible for covering half of the field on any given pass play, or as a key piece in the run game who can crash on the ball from the box remains to be seen.
No. 4: Jets select Ikem Ekonwu, T, NC State
From John Butchko at Gang Green Nation:
Looking at the team as currently constructed, you might wonder whether offensive line is worth an additional investment. The line is one of the stronger position groups on the Jets roster.
There are, however, underlying issues that make it a bigger priority than you might think. While Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker have been drafted in the last two years, the other three starters on the line will be 29 or older when the 2022 season begins. Two of the three will be entering the final season of their respective contracts.
George Fant is among these linemen. The soon-to-be 30-year-old Fant enters his contract year coming off his best NFL season. Can he replicate it? Even if he can, how much longer can he play at a high level? Will the Jets be able to re-sign him?
These questions alone make drafting another offensive lineman a viable approach, especially one who was as dominant in the run game as Ekwonu was at NC State. We haven’t even discussed the question marks around Becton who has missed 18 games due to injury across his first two seasons.
No. 5: Giants select Evan Neal, T, Alabama
From Ed Valentine at Big Blue View:
Now comes the 2022 NFL Draft. With picks No. 5 and 7, no matter what else he does or what order he does it in, the league-wide assumption seems to be that Schoen pretty much has to come out of Round 1 with a right tackle to pair with left tackle Andrew Thomas, the team’s 2020 first-round pick.
There are three who enter the discussion — Ikem Ekwonu of NC State, Evan Neal of Alabama, Charles Cross of Mississippi State.
In this mock draft, where we are not considering trade possibilities like Schoen is expected to with one of his two picks, the New York Jets took Ekwonu at No. 4.
That leaves the choice for at No. 5 between Neal and Cross. As much as I love Cross’s smooth pass protection and his potential, the choice of Neal is an easy one to make here. Neal is a plug and play starter at right tackle for the Giants. He has a plethora of experience at both tackles and at guard, positional flexibility Cross doesn’t possess should there come a time when the Giants might want or need to move Neal inside.
No. 6: Panthers select Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
From Walker Clement at Cat Scratch Reader:
With a big arm, big legs, and an already established mentor/mentee relationship with Cam Newton, Willis has been a popular pick by some Panthers fans all offseason. For the team, Willis has all the physical tools you could ask for and a demonstrated ability to create plays out of the structure of the offense—a trait which has been historically useful when playing behind a Panthers offensive line.
The high ceiling that Willis presents is, unsurprisingly, paired with a lower floor than some other quarterbacks in this class. Guys like Kenny Pickett or Matt Corral are considered to be more pro-ready. However, the Panthers are looking for a long-term answer and “2022’s Andy Dalton” isn’t that.
Many of Willis’ struggles in college came from sloppy mechanics that a competent coaching staff might be able to iron out. Since the Panthers seem intent on proving Matt Rhule is just that, Willis is their no-brainer answer.
No. 7: Giants select Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
From Ed Valentine at Big Blue View:
I fully expect the Giants to add a pass rusher in this draft. I am not doing it with this selection, though.
Why?
Defensive coordinator Don ‘Wink’ Martindale.
Look at Martindale’s history as defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. Coverage, especially top-tier press-man cornerbacks, have always been more important to Martindale’s defense than premier pass rushers.
Martindale’s calling card is pressure defense in the front with a lot of press-man coverage in the back, where cornerbacks are left on an island to fend for themselves. He will send extra rushers, often from unique angles, but also will design exotic four-man pressure packages. His history has shown that he needs top-tier cornerbacks more than he needs elite edge rushers. … With that in mind, my choice for the Giants at No. 7 is Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner.
No. 8: Falcons select Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, FSU
From Kevin Knight at The Falcoholic:
I went with Johnson because I believe he’s a really, really good player who will make an immediate impact for the Falcons. He’s the first piece in what is likely a multi-year retooling of the edge group. While Johnson lacks the sky-high pass rushing ceiling of the top players in the class, he’s an elite run defender with a very good floor at the position. I don’t think we’ll ever see Johnson pushing 12-15 sacks in a season, but if he gets 10 reliably and adds a ton of production against the run? That’s still a great player and a worthy eighth overall pick.
Johnson wins with a combination of power, explosiveness, and technique that makes him scheme-versatile and one of the most pro-ready players in the class. He continued to improve every week at FSU, and capped his season with an incredibly dominant Senior Bowl performance. Johnson was legitimately the best player in Mobile, and it wasn’t close.
No. 9: Seahawks select Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
From Mookie Alexander at Field Gulls:
Versatility
Penning has played at both tackle and right guard, which should immediately intrigue the Seahawks front office. Jamarco Jones didn’t really pan out during his time in Seattle but he pretty much secured a roster spot purely because he was depth at tackle and guard. In Penning’s case he’s far better suited to tackle than Jones ever was, so while he’s usually on the left side he could switch to right tackle at the pro level.
Stands out as a run blocker
Again, it’s partially tongue-in-cheek. With Russell Wilson gone, I think it is highly likely that the Seahawks once again become one of the most run-heavy teams in the NFL. Penning’s highlights in the run game stand out a bit more than his pass protection, and no doubt the Seahawks will be looking at any OL who can run block well, and PFF gave Penning a 99.9 run blocking grade for 2021.
Best players remaining:
- Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
- Charles Cross, T, Mississippi State
- Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
- George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
- Drake London, WR, USC