2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
Who do the Chiefs and Packers select with their first-round pick pairs in the second half of Round 1?
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Just a few days ago, my colleague Oliver Hodgkinson and I were talking about how Jordan Davis would be a dream fit for the Chargers if he was available. The Ravens’ signing of Pierce opens the door for Davis to head to LA. At the very least, it removes one suitor from the market. For the Chargers, Davis would be a stifling nose tackle. He can occupy blocks and free up 3-techniques to feast. Davis also has the athleticism to be a wrecking ball on his own.
18) New Orleans Saints: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Saints fans, meet your Terron Armstead replacement. It seems as though every NFL Draft class has a “big three” at the tackle position. This year, Charles Cross is a part of that big three. He may be available here at 18th overall, but he’s a borderline top-10 talent with his easy athleticism, recovery capacity, and methodical hands.
19) Philadelphia Eagles: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The Eagles are doing too much homework on QBs not to have at least a little interest in the 2022 NFL Draft class. And with three first-round picks, they can afford to gamble on a signal-caller if one falls to them. Sam Howell is the pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. He has room to grow with his processing, but he has intriguing tools sitting behind Jalen Hurts.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
This feels like a bit of a luxury, but the Steelers will need a strong receiving corps for whoever their long-term quarterback ends up being. Chris Olave isn’t rated quite as highly as his teammate Wilson on my board, but I absolutely see the appeal. Olave is a supremely efficient route runner who’s surgical in using his speed to maximize lanes downfield. He can also track the ball and make tough catches with space.
21) New England Patriots: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
This is a future investment for Bill Belichick. It’s not always talked about just how raw Travon Walker is as a pass rusher. But the physical tools alone are worth a first-round selection. Walker is 6’5″, 272 pounds, with 35 1/2″ arms. At that size, he ran a 4.51 40-yard dash, had a 6.89 three-cone, and jumped 35.5″ in the vertical. Simply put, he’s an alien. Line him up everywhere, and let him play free as he develops his pass-rushing arsenal.
22) Green Bay Packers (from LV): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
It feels right to finally address wide receiver in Round 1 for the Green Bay Packers, especially after they traded away Davante Adams. Treylon Burks fits what the Packers look for in their receivers. He’s long, dense, and an alpha at the catch point. Burks also has great RAC ability and can separate on slants and other short routes.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Both viewed as CB1 candidates at some point this cycle, Derek Stingley Jr. and Andrew Booth Jr. have both slid as of late. Both have struggled with injuries, and Stingley’s 2021 tape wasn’t as strong as his 2019 tape. Nevertheless, Stingley is a phenomenal athlete with rare click-and-close ability, and he offers elite ball skills as well. If he can get back on his game, he’s a potential blue-chip talent.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
After witnessing Perrion Winfrey dominate in Mobile, Alabama, with his menacing combination of length, explosiveness, and relentless energy, everyone left with the same thought in mind: “First-rounder.” Now, there are reasons to have Winfrey graded lower. He still has room to improve his hand usage. But in a 3-technique role with the Cowboys, he could morph into a dominant pass rusher.
25) Buffalo Bills: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Trevor Penning reunites with his college teammate Spencer Brown. The Bills have room to upgrade at a couple of spots on the offensive line. With Penning, they could either add an absolute mauler at tackle or move him inside to guard where his physicality would shine. Either way, Penning is a top-tier athletic talent with unnatural upside.
26) Tennessee Titans: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Yes, the Titans have invested in Ryan Tannehill at this point. But Tannehill regressed sharply in 2021, to the point where at least getting a young QB in the room might not be a bad option. Ideally, Desmond Ridder doesn’t play early. He needs to work on his mechanics. But one or two years down the line, the athletic signal-caller could take the reigns.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Devonte Wyatt will be a 24-year-old rookie, but he should offer relatively quick utility at 3-technique. Thus, he provides some appeal for the Buccaneers. Wyatt is a freakish athlete with a dense, compact frame, and employs violent hand usage as a pass rusher.
28) Green Bay Packers: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
After adding a receiver, the Packers can now turn to the defensive side of the ball. Green Bay has a need at slot cornerback, and they could also use a third safety in their rotation. Daxton Hill can fill both roles. Hill is a supremely explosive and physical chess piece on the back end, with the dynamic ability to be a dangerous threat for opposing offenses.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from MIA via SF): Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs may ultimately package these picks together to trade up and acquire their pick at wide receiver. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, however, they stay put and play the value of the board. Any receiver pick would likely be a reach here, but Andrew Booth Jr. provides optimal value at a position of need. He’s a long, twitchy boundary cornerback with high-level playmaking ability and steely run support — something Steve Spagnuolo values.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Chill out, Chiefs fans. I know you want a receiver or two. Don’t worry, I promise I’ll make up for it in Round 2. But right now, let’s play the value on the board. There aren’t many first-round receivers left, but there is a potential blue-chip edge rusher in David Ojabo. He’ll be recovering from an Achilles injury for the foreseeable future, but his explosiveness, bend, length, and agility stand nearly unmatched. Stash him, and reap the rewards in 2023.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
I’ll admit, the board fell extremely poorly for the Bengals in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. But with Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell both nearing the end of their deals, safety could be a prime addition here. With Lewis Cine, they’d not only have a high-upside succession plan, but they’d be able to play more versatile three-safety sets.
32) Detroit Lions (from LAR): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Devin Lloyd is the first linebacker to come off the board in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. For the Lions, he offers strong processing, along with explosive athleticism and length. In some ways, Lloyd’s profile is reminiscent of another NFC North defender — Green Bay’s De’Vondre Campbell.