2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
Two quarterbacks are selected in the first half, leaving a ton of value with the back-half selections for the remaining teams. Here’s how the MDS sees it playing out.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Ikem Ekwonu proved he could hold his own at tackle, yet there are still questions about his size in the NFL. The Mock Draft Simulator takes the plunge here with Ekwonu heading to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Rashawn Slater has proven he’s more than ready to be a star at left tackle, so Ekwonu likely filters into one of the guard spots or takes over at right tackle after an adjustment period.
18) New Orleans Saints: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
The New Orleans Saints have a few holes on their roster as they look to regain their footing in the NFC South. A new regime in the Bayou also signals new priorities in the offseason.
Jordan Davis is a massive man and fills a large need on their defense. Davis can eat up double-teams on the interior, freeing up the Saints’ edge defenders for favorable matchups. He also is a tough ask to block himself in all facets. At 6’6″, 340 pounds, Davis is a mammoth of a man who moves much faster than you’d expect.
19) Philadelphia Eagles: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
An incredibly gifted athlete, David Ojabo is the rare speed rusher who stands 6’5″, 250 pounds. His go-to moves are among the best we’ve seen from an edge rusher in some time.
Ojabo can false step, bend the edge, or spin around opposing tackles all the same. His hands are elite, his feet are better, and perhaps the best attribute Ojabo possesses is his get-off. He immediately becomes one of the better pass rushers in the league.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Drake London, WR, USC
Elite athletes are hard to come by, and the Pittsburgh Steelers secure perhaps this mock draft’s best athlete. Drake London, a two-sport star, can leap over any NFL defender past or present. He also presents a challenge to cover given his size and speed. Making matters even better, London can win from any alignment and requires at least two defensive backs to bring him down in the open field.
21) New England Patriots: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The New England Patriots exercised Isaiah Wynn’s fifth-year option on his rookie deal, but they could lose free agent Trent Brown from the other side. If Wynn and the team can’t figure out a long-term deal, Charles Cross slides directly into that spot.
Until then, Cross can fill the void left by Brown at right tackle. Sure, there may be an adjustment period while he flips sides, but Cross presents an incredible set of fundamentals to bank on moving forward.
22) Las Vegas Raiders: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
The best motor in this terrific edge class belongs to Jermaine Johnson II, the former Georgia transfer who won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in his lone season at Florida State. Johnson was terrific at the Senior Bowl, winning nearly every battle against a variety of pass protectors. He’s durable, quick, and has great balance through contact.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
A big need for the Arizona Cardinals will be to address their cornerback position this offseason. Seeing Kaiir Elam fall into their laps would be a welcome sign for head coach Kliff Kingsbury and Co. Elam has great ball skills and even better football awareness. He understands route concepts and passes off receivers to make plays on the ball all over the field. He’s a legacy player who is ready to forge his own future in the NFL.
24) Dallas Cowboys: DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M
DeMarvin Leal is a big man with a bigger attitude. He presents a challenge in the run game with his ability to move up and down the line of scrimmage. Leal also is a threat to break contain and get after the quarterback on every pass-rushing rep. He has great balance and better hand usage at the point of contact.
25) Buffalo Bills: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Straight-line speed and the ability to win downfield is the name of the game for Treylon Burks. He wins at the catch point with a ridiculous ability to leap and high-point the football.
Burks is also incredibly fast with some remarkable speeds clocked on the field. Combining him with Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis gives the Buffalo Bills one of, if not the best WR trio in the NFL.
26) Tennessee Titans: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Nakobe Dean is as strong as an ox and presents a challenge due to his football IQ. Routinely seen calling the play before it happened, Dean not only adjusted himself to pre-snap reads but also got the Georgia defense in line on every snap. Combine that with his terrific athleticism and instincts, and you’ve got one incredibly talented linebacker for the Tennessee Titans.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
There are some specific needs for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. Given Ali Marpet’s surprise retirement, a guard becomes a big need for them, and a quarterback was already on the list, as well. However, Jaquan Brisker is too good to pass up.
Brisker presents an ability to close in coverage and separate ball from receiver better than most. He also has an underrated athleticism that should allow him to jump into the lineup and upgrade the Bucs’ coverage unit, as well as their run defense, alongside his former Big Ten rival Antoine Winfield Jr.
28) Green Bay Packers: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
The Green Bay Packers certainly need a playmaker or two on offense, but they also need an injection of versatility and an upgrade to the middle of their defense. Lewis Cine is a playmaker on defense and brings power with every hit. He’s great in coverage, allowing the Packers to deploy him from a variety of alignments. Cine is also a valuable run defender, patrolling the field sideline to sideline like a linebacker.
29) Miami Dolphins (from SF): Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
It’s Christmas in April for the Miami Dolphins as a solution for arguably their biggest need falls in their lap — proverbial “generational talent” Tyler Linderbaum. A mauler by trade, Linderbaum’s biggest strength is his ability to shift his weight and use contact balance in both run and pass games.
Linderbaum’s a former wrestler who understands leverage and the ability to get under the pad level both from a stationary stance or on the move. Linderbaum is a future All-Pro at center if his trajectory continues.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
The Kansas City Chiefs have to address a few needs ahead of the 2022 season if they want to return to the Super Bowl. Travon Walker not only fills Kansas City’s need on the edge, but he gives them the flexibility to deploy him from a number of pre-snap alignments, all with the same likely impact.
Walker can drop back in coverage, but his bread and butter is getting after the passer. His size and speed combination should have the Chiefs rushing to make this pick.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
It was apparent in the Super Bowl that the Cincinnati Bengals need an influx of talent on their offensive line. Jonah Williams withstanding, the Bengals could serve to redo their entire front five.
Nicholas Petit-Frere is the best OT prospect remaining and has experience at both tackle positions. So shifting over to right tackle full-time is certainly the play here. Petit-Frere offers that versatility as well as a great base and solid anchor in pass protection for Joe Burrow and Co.
32) Detroit Lions (from LAR): Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The last of the three quarterbacks in this 1-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Kenny Pickett becomes the future in the Motor City. Pickett heads to the Detroit Lions to take over for Jared Goff and gives the team a new identity.
A gritty, gifted quarterback, Pickett had a dramatically improved 2021 season that showcased all his abilities as a quarterback. Forget the hand size — Pickett made every throw at the Senior Bowl and proved he has more than what it takes to become the face of a franchise in the NFL.