Ready for a 2022 NFL Mock Draft?
The main thing about trying to get a consensus on the many 2022 NFL mock drafts out there is there is no consensus. Anyone who labors to put together a mock tries to think for 32 different teams but there can be wildly different opinions of draft needs and strategies.
After posting my first 2022 NFL Mock Draft of the season and an update from Mark, I reached out to some of the biggest names and sites and accumulated all the picks to see what other analysts were thinking. After gathering all the info, the results did not disappoint and were quite contrary to my mock draft 1.0.
Thanks to all the other analysts who participated and contributed to this mock. Be sure to support their work and show appreciation for this updated 2022 NFL mock draft industry version.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
(Matt Schauf @ DraftSharks)
Aiden Hutchinson (DE) Going with the odds-on favorite. You could argue that Travon Walker and/or Kayvon Thibodeaux carry more upside, but Hutchinson doesn’t lack there: 63rd-percentile speed score and 1.2 tackles for loss per game last year.
2. Detroit Lions
(BidDaddyDrisk @ FootballAbsurdity)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE) The Lions need a true difference-maker on the edge, and Kayvon Thibodeaux is that player. Athletic, bendy, and productive, the Oregon product fits perfectly into Aaron Glenn’s defense.
3. Houston Texans
(Jody Smith- FullTime Fantasy)
Travon Walker (DE) The Texans have needs at every position and can address tackle at 13. In Walker, Houston grabs an ascending talent in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft who blew away scouts and the Combine. Walker is an impact pass rusher and presence that will give the franchise the kind of defensive player they’ve lacked since J.J. Watt left town.
4. New York Jets
(Nick Mimikos– StackAttackFantasy)
Jermaine Johnson (DE) New York ideally wanted Thibodeaux here and lose out. Sauce Gardner would be the pick if trade-ups were an option but here the Jets take Johnson who they look to pair with Carl Lawson.
5. New York Giants
(Jay Felicio– FrontYardFantasy)
Evan Neal (OT) It was hard to choose between Ickey Ekwonu and Neal, but the versatility of Neal being able to start at multiple positions along the OL made the difference for me. Neal is ready to be a starter from day 1. Big, physical, and quick for his size, Neal is a great start to rebuilding an offensive line that has been in need of it for a very long time.
6. Carolina Panthers
(Amr Gabr– Rotoviz)
Charles Cross (OT) Ideally, the Panthers would love to trade back here with no second or third-round pick and lots of holes on the team. But for this exercise, I’m going with Charles Cross, even though Ickey is the better prospect, Cross can play tackle from the get-go. Shore up your offensive line.
7. New York Giants
(Jay Felicio– FrontYardFantasy)
Ahmad Gardner (CB) As tempting as it was to double-dip OL and go Ekwonu, Gardner is the easy pick here. A perfect fit for new DC Wink Martindale’s defense, Gardner replaces the most-likely cap casualty, James Bradberry.
8. Atlanta Falcons
(Tim Talmadge 4for4)
Kyle Hamilton (S) The Falcons have a ton of needs and the popular pick for them has been WR. However, this regime has preached going best player available and the best player here is Hamilton.
9. Seattle Seahawks
(Cody Carpenter– PlayerProfiler)
Malik Wilis (QB) No trade needed, the Seahawks stay at pick no.9 and get what they hope to be the heir apparent to Russell Wilson. Arguably the worst quarterback class since 2013, and at the top of the pedestal is Malik Willis.
10. New York Jets
(Nick Mimikos- StackAttackFantasy)
Garrett Wilson (WR) If the draft were to fall this way in reality, Joe Douglas would be taking Ikem Ekonwu here. He’s been aggressive for a WR1 and takes his WR here. This is the positional pick Jets fans want to see at 10.
11. Washington Commanders
(Matthew Freeman– FantasyPros)
Ikem Ekwonu (OT) The Commanders don’t have a massive need at tackle, but Ekwonu can start at guard right away and then eventually move to the outside. He simply represents too much value to pass on outside the top 10.
12. Minnesota Vikings
(Kevin Tompkins– FantasyAlarm)
Derek Stingley Jr. (CB) Stingley is the pick for the cornerback-needy Vikings, who will get Patrick Peterson – a former LSU alum – as a mentor. Stingley has injury concerns (missed 13 games in the past two seasons) but has the speed, ball skills, and is battle-tested against SEC.
13. Houston Texans
(Jody Smith- FullTimeFantasy)
Trevor Penning (OT) Expectations are that the Texans want to rebuild from the trenches. Although they just missed out on a crucial need at cornerback, here they nab a solid offensive tackle in Trevor Penning. If Nick Caserio is able to insert instant impact starters in two key positions, it will be a good start for the Texans.
14. Baltimore Ravens
(Jase Abbey– IDPGuys)
Trent McDuffie (CB) The Ravens were decimated at CB with injuries last year and couldn’t stop the pass. Peters is in the final year of his contract, and a quality third corner is a requirement, not a luxury, in today’s pass-centric league. What McDuffie lacks in size, he makes up for in aggressiveness. He is an excellent cover cornerback, one of the best players remaining, and he fills a need.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
(Brandon Hamer– GridironExperts)
Drake London (WR) How do you help a Quarterback who struggles with accuracy issues? You get him a massive 6’5 220 receiver who thrives on contested catches and compares his game to Mike Evans. Pairing him with the Slim Reaper and Dallas Goedert gives Jalen Hurts a dynamic trio to work with in 2022. What’s not to like about that?
16. New Orleans Saints
(@RenshawFantasy– DynastyDads Pod)
Chris Olave (WR) The Saints moved up to grab…Olave?! Olave is the best receiver on some boards and it’s no secret the Saints want to add some offensive weaponry to their team. Olave fits the bill, to a tee. Olave can stretch the field and open up the underneath for fellow Buckeye Michael Thomas.
17. Los Angles Chargers
(Josh Larky– FTN Fantasy)
Jameson Williams (WR) An already scary Chargers offense has everything but speed and Jameson is a perfect fit alongside Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. He’ll be getting the ball from Justin Herbert, who has the arm strength, the willingness, and the ball placement to properly utilize a weapon like Jameson.
18. Philadelphia Eagles
(Brandon Hamer- GridironExperts)
Devin Lloyd (LB) The Eagles haven’t had a relevant Linebacker for years. It’s always been a position of need and they have failed to address it. This pick changes that and gives them a much-needed field general to roam and wreak havoc on opposing defenses, no matter the situation. Lloyd is a beast who can do it all and will quickly become a household name for Eagles fans.
19. New Orleans Saints
(@RenshawFantasy- DynastyDads Pod)
Matt Corral (QB) Now the Saints add their QB of the future. With Winston in place, the Saints can take a guy who has a high ceiling and can sit a year and learn. He’s got the big arm, can be used in the run game and his personality will fit well with the Saints.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
(Bradley Stalder– FantasyData)
Desmond Ridder (QB) Mitchell Trubisky is already paid back-up QB money. The Steelers don’t feel pressure to start Ridder right away. With his mobility and efficiency, the Steelers will trust their coaching staff to develop Ridder into an Alex Smith-level QB.
21. New England Patriots
(Faith Enes– Women of Fantasy Football)
Nakobe Dean (LB) I wouldn’t be surprised if NE makes moves to trade back (it’s a very BB thing to do), but I can also see the Patriots taking Dean here at 21. He is not your typical “big guy” — 5’11” and 229 lbs — but he is speedy. Belichick will likely be looking to strengthen the LB corps, and Dean has the strength and ability to be the same type of leader that we had in both Jerod Mayo and Dont’a Hightower. As both a UGA fan and a Patriots fan, I would LOVE this pick, for multiple reasons.
Who will the Green Bay Packers select in the 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Industry Version?
22. Green Bay Packers
(Billy Muzio– FullTimeFantasy)
George Pickens (WR) As much as I wanted to mock a QB to Green Bay at 22 and watch Twitter burn, It wouldn’t have been accurate. After losing Devante Adams to the Raiders, Green Bay is in dire need of a WR, and they are going to do everything in their power to keep their franchise QB happy. For the first time in 20 years, Green Bay selects a WR in round 1. George Pickens has the tools necessary to make an immediate impact in Green Bay; he can run a full route tree, makes quick stops and turns on a dime, can create separation and throwing windows with his footwork, and has an excellent catch radius.
23. Arizona Cardinals
(Jared Smola– DraftSharks)
Treylon Burks (WR) Even after re-signing A.J. Green, the Cardinals would be wise to upgrade at WR (and earn some points with Kyler Murray in the process). Kliff Kingsbury could have some fun with Burks on gadget plays. But I also think he has the ability to win as a traditional outside WR.
24. Dallas Cowboys
(Cristian Crespo– TriplePlay Fantasy)
Zion Johnson (OG) The Cowboys’ O-line has undergone a lot of changes this off-season. The loss of Connor Williams to Miami, and the release of La’El Collins, have opened up an opportunity for Johnson to come in and be a day 1 starter. The question marks surrounding Tyron Smith’s injury history also present the opportunity for Zion to be the long-term answer for Dallas at LT.
25. Buffalo Bills
(Jamie Calandro– Fantasy Team Advice)
Andrew Booth Jr. (CB) Even though the Bills are one of the most complete teams in the NFL, CB is an area of need with TreDavious White rehabbing and Levi Wallace departing for PIT. Booth can be a week one starter out of the gate.
26. Tennessee Titans
(Cody Woodman– Off The Schneid Pod)
Kenyon Green (OG) There are more needs on this team than might appear at first glance, opening about 6 different doors for this selection. Personally, I’m concerned about Dillon Radunz at RT and have him penciled in at LG, leaving a MASSIVE hole at RT, which has been there since Jack Conklin left. If T Trevor Penning and WR Treylon Burks are not available here, I’m trading down for 2-3 picks in the 2nd/3rd rounds. WR is a need. EDGE Rusher is a need. Cornerback is a need. But what would help this team right now to keep them in Super Bowl contention? The Titans’ identity is running the football, which relies on a steady O-Line. Regardless of position, if the Titans stay at 26, that is the pick to make. You have to give Radunz the opportunity to fail. So, without reaching for a Tackle that may not work out, I add G Kenyon Green from Texas A&M. Green started at every OL position for the Aggies in 2021, including Right Tackle, apart from Center. This pick creates an open competition for the 2 holes on the offensive line. Let the best men win.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(Aaron Schill– FF FaceOff)
Perrion Winfrey (DT) A couple of the biggest question marks that remain with this Buccaneers team and their current free agents include Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh. Neither of these two has re-signed yet and both are at the age where most of us wouldn’t be shocked if one or both of them just retired. Winfrey is athletic and has the length to succeed and is also very explosive. He is versatile and has played all over the defensive line, which would give Todd Bowles and whoever the Buccaneers end up going with as the defensive coordinator, room to get him involved in different ways. This defensive line has been one of, if not the best in the NFL over the past few seasons, and Winfrey would be a nice way to get some youth and keep this unit strong.
28. Green Bay Packers
(Billy Muzio- FullTimeFantasy)
Tyler Smith (OT) The packers are in serious trouble up front. Green Bay finished as the 14th best O line in PFFs O line rankings, but have recently lost Billy Turner and Lucas Patrick in free agency. With much-needed help, they add Tulsa OT Tyler Smith to remedy the situation.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
(Shane Manila– Dynasty League Football)
Boye Mafe (EDGE) Kansas City ranked 4th worst in sacks last season and Mafe will help them improve. Explosive off the edge, Mafe is all good against the run and will fill a desperate need.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
(Shane Manila– Dynasty Trades HQ Pod)
Christian Watson (WR) Rather than going with another small receiver to “replace” Tyreek Hill the Chiefs get the absurdly fast and absurdly big Watson to bludgeon defenses with. Speed/size freaks like Watson are rare, and his small school pedigree does give some pause, but he still dominated and his upside is immense.
31. Cincinnati Bengals
(Dwight Peebles– Daily Draft Report)
Roger McCreary (CB) Man, passing on Jordan Davis is tough but not a need at all. Even though he’s got T-Rex arms, McCreary is sticky and tough – things Eli Apple ain’t. Gimme the Auburn product for a secondary upgrade!
32. Detroit Lions
(BidDaddyDrisk- FootballAbsurdity)
Lewis Cine (S) Cine is an athletic center fielder with outstanding range. He can also lower the boom when in run support. Cine would be the perfect complement to Tracy Walker and DeShon Elliott.
There it is. We hope you enjoyed the 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Industry Version 1.0.
Jump into a starter Dynasty league today for just $75 per season. Our Adoption Lobby is also up. Grab an already built team!
Visit DynastyKing.com for more details.
(High-stakes options also available at $150, $500, and $1,000 per season, including our annual Dynasty Football World Championship ($299/season) with a $10,000 Grand Prize!
