2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
With just one quarterback taken off the board in the first half of Round 1, how many will we see selected in the last half of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft?
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
The Los Angeles Chargers’ season was baffling, to say the least. At the midway point, they were tied for the AFC West lead. However, the second half of the season was a mix of a failure to defend the run and execute a logical game plan for four straight quarters.
If head coach Brandon Staley plans to keep rolling the dice in games and put the defense in tough situations, he needs to clog the middle. Georgia’s Jordan Davis, at 6’6″, 340 pounds, is made to do just that.
18) New Orleans Saints: Drake London, WR, USC
At times, it was tough watching the New Orleans Saints on offense this year. Granted, head coach Sean Payton was forced to put four separate quarterbacks under center over the course of the season. But wide receiver was a need prior to the year, and if Michael Thomas isn’t back, they need to address the position.
USC’s Drake London is a big body at 6’5″ and 220 pounds. Jameis Winston would love to have a guy out wide like London, much like what he had in Tampa Bay with Mike Evans.
19) Philadelphia Eagles: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
It’s tough not giving Jalen Hurts, who may or may not be the Eagles’ starting quarterback in 2022, a weapon out wide here. But even DeVonta Smith couldn’t get the ball consistently in the Wild Card game, so it’s back to the defensive side of the ball.
Lewis Cine is a tough safety who makes plays from sideline to sideline each week. At 6’1″ and 200 pounds, Cine was a consistent asset in the Georgia defense week-in and week-out. Adding him — along with Lloyd and Leal — shores up each level of the Eagles’ defense ahead of the 2022 season.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Finally, a second quarterback is off the board with Ole Miss’ Matt Corral. While Ben Roethlisberger has yet to officially retire, the Pittsburgh Steelers will be starting a new quarterback under center for the first time in 18 years.
Corral played in a college-friendly offense, passing for over 3,300 yards, 20 touchdowns, and completing 67.9% of his passes. He can make plays outside the pocket, too, which will be advantageous until Pittsburgh retools their line up front.
21) New England Patriots: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The New England Patriots have no longer the dominant franchise in the NFL. And after moving on from All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore this past season, and J.C. Jackson possibly hitting the free-agent market as well, cornerback is a top need into the offseason.
With that said, Bill Belichick snags the top CB on the board in Kaiir Elam. Elam has been a key cog in the Florida Gators’ secondary for three years, finishing his career with 6 interceptions.
22) Las Vegas Raiders: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Chris Olave is the second former Buckeyes wide receiver to hear his name called in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Thankfully for the Las Vegas Raiders, he’s available at 22. After losing Henry Ruggs less than two years after drafting him in the first round, quarterback Derek Carr needs a new, consistent weapon on the outside that can complement wide receiver Hunter Renfrow on the inside.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
It was an ugly showing from the Arizona Cardinals’ offense against the Los Angeles Rams to close out Super Wild Card Weekend. With both A.J. Green and Christian Kirk being potential free agents, if general manager Steve Keim doesn’t address the WR spot early, he’ll make things harder on quarterback Kyler Murray.
Jameson Williams was a former teammate of the pick prior but flourished with Alabama in 2021. The question surrounding him will be the torn ACL he suffered in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship. If he can come back 100%, he’ll be an immediate weapon in the Cardinals’ offense.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
It wasn’t the ending the Dallas Cowboys wanted. Now they need to retool, specifically in the backend of the secondary, prior to the 2022 NFL season kicking off.
Safeties Damontae Kazee, Jayron Kearse, and Malik Hooker are all potential free agents this offseason. Daxton Hill, the third defensive player from Michigan taken in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, would step in and be an important piece on Day 1 for Dallas’ defense.
25) Cincinnati Bengals: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The 2021 NFL Draft had a lot of drama in the first half of Round 1. Most notably may be the Cincinnati Bengals’ decision to pass on offensive tackle Penei Sewell for wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
Eight months later, it looks like the right choice. Nevertheless, after giving up the third-most sacks (55) this past season, they can’t overlook the position in 2022. Trevor Penning, who played at Northern Iowa with Buffalo Bills’ rookie right tackle Spencer Brown, will play the same spot along the Bengals’ offensive line.
26) Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco): Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The Miami Dolphins need help on the offensive line like a fish needs water. With owner Stephen Ross’ latest remarks that the Dolphins are set to ride the Tua Tagovailoa wave, there should be little doubt in Miami taking a lineman in Round 1.
Tyler Linderbaum is not only the best center but one of the top offensive linemen available in 2022. He’s a leader with an ability to maul defensive linemen in the run game and help command the passing game.
27) Buffalo Bills: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
One of the key components to the Buffalo Bills’ defense is their ability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. However, they’re losing two edge rushers in Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes to free agency.
Adding Jermaine Johnson II to the mix would not only replace the production from both Addison and Hughes but potentially add to it. Johnson could hear his name called earlier after the NFL Draft process plays itself out this spring.
28) Detroit Lions (from LA Rams): Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
The Detroit Lions possibly replaced quarterback Matthew Stafford twice in one trade, the first being current starter Jared Goff, the second by drafting Nevada’s Carson Strong with the first-round pick they acquired in the deal.
Strong has been one of the popular quarterbacks since the 2020 college football season. He went back for his senior campaign in 2021, only helping himself in the process with another great year. He threw for 36 touchdowns, over 4,100 yards, and completed 70% of his passes for a second-consecutive season. As long as his knee checks out, he has the ceiling of the top quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
It’s no secret the Kansas City Chiefs need more pass rush moving forward. While Melvin Ingram was a solid pickup midseason, he’s going to be a free agent this offseason. And Frank Clark isn’t getting any younger.
Travon Walker continues the run of Bulldogs going here in the first round. Walker’s a large man at 6’5″ and 275 pounds, with the versatility to play inside or on the edge after dropping 15 pounds going into his junior season.
30) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
The Buccaneers continue being competitive with Tom Brady under center, and they’ll remain so as long as the legend is there. But with Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones set to hit free agency, and few holes across the roster, they have the luxury of addressing the RB position in Round 1 of this 2022 NFL Draft.
Breece Hall‘s been a top back in college football across the last two seasons. He ran over 3,000 yards and 41 touchdowns in an offense that lacked a consistent passing game. Additionally, Hall caught 82 passes in his career at Iowa State — an ability Brady covets on his offense.
31) Tennessee Titans: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
The Tennessee Titans quietly finished the regular season as the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They’ll need to address the linebacker position this offseason with Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans both set to hit free agency.
Enter Nakobe Dean, the fourth defensive Georgia Bulldog to go off the board in the first round of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. A fantastic down-the-hill linebacker with the ability to toss blockers, Dean can also chase ball carriers sideline to sideline. Like many of the former Bulldogs, he’s a Day 1 starter at the NFL level.
32) Green Bay Packers: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The big question the Green Bay Packers face this offseason is what happens with Aaron Rodgers. The next question surrounds the status of unrestricted free agent wide receiver Davante Adams.
Without Adams, and possibly Rodgers, it’ll be the Jordan Love and Allen Lazard show. Treylon Burks, although a raw route runner, has a big frame with a wide catch radius. Recent reports state Burks has gained weight while training for the NFL Combine, but his overall playmaking ability is hard to deny.