2022 NFL Mock Draft Round 2 | Picks 33-48
Here’s how the second round plays out in this 2-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
33) Jacksonville Jaguars: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
There are reports that Jaguars center Brandon Linder is mulling over retirement. Regardless of his decision, he’s likely in the twilight of his career, so at least getting a succession plan in the 2022 NFL Draft makes sense. The value here for Tyler Linderbaum is too good to pass up.
34) Detroit Lions: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Wide receiver is a common pick here if the Lions don’t go WR in Round 1. But in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Lions push off that position entirely. Ideally, I’d pick a pass catcher in Round 3 if I’m Detroit. But without an edge rusher to this point, it makes sense to put the card in for Minnesota’s Boye Mafe. Mafe has perhaps the highest ceiling in the 2022 NFL Draft.
35) New York Jets: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
D.J. Reed and Bryce Hall make a solid cornerback duo, but the Jets could still use a slot defender. Jalen Pitre can be a dynamic player in that role. He’s more of a projection in man coverage, but he has the explosiveness, tenacity, and high-level football IQ to be a star.
36) New York Giants: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Rumor has it that the Giants could part ways with James Bradberry, thus leaving a void at the cornerback position. Washington’s Trent McDuffie fits the preferred cornerback profile that Joe Schoen brought with him from the Bills. He’s supremely athletic and fluid, with the intelligence to stay in phase and maintain discipline throughout his reps.
37) Houston Texans: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
You want a receiver who’s just solid all-around? John Metchie III is your guy. He’s a little on the smaller side, and he does have a few minor drops on tape. But Metchie is a twitchy route runner with solid instincts and some toughness after the catch. He also has enough speed to stretch seams and pressure defensive backs.
38) New York Jets: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
If no running backs are picked to this point, the Jets can take their pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Breece Hall could be an excellent running mate with Michael Carter. Hall brings the size that Carter lacks, and also has great explosiveness, vision, and creation capacity.
39) Chicago Bears: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
The Colts and Packers have both preferred larger receivers in recent years. Matt Eberflus and Luke Getsy could bring those same preferences to Chicago. In Alec Pierce, they get what they’re looking for — a dense, explosive receiver with legitimate X-receiver ability on the boundary.
40) Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
Needing a replacement for Duane Brown, the Seahawks could invest in a high-upside player like Tulsa’s Tyler Smith. Ideally, Smith doesn’t start right away, but he has the athleticism, raw power, and nastiness to eventually become an impact player.
41) Seattle Seahawks: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
After losing D.J. Reed, the Seahawks are in danger territory at the CB position. They’re in desperate need of more talent. In Round 2, Martin Emerson could be a quality addition. Emerson is a long, physical cornerback who’s improved his technique over the past couple of years. He also has 4.48 speed, a 124″ broad jump, and put up 17 bench reps with 33 1/2″ arms.
42) Indianapolis Colts: Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB, Alabama
Kenny Moore is still a fantastic slot defender, and Isaiah Rodgers could be due for an increased role with Rock Ya-Sin heading to Las Vegas. But the Colts could still use a longer boundary cornerback. Jalyn Armour-Davis is an underrated option in the Day 2 range. He’s 6’0 5/8″, 197 pounds with 4.39 speed, which he uses to carry receivers upfield. He also has great press technique at the line.
43) Atlanta Falcons: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Jahan Dotson measured in a bit lighter than expected at the NFL Combine, but his tape speaks for itself. The former Nittany Lion offers great explosiveness and throttle control and can sneak into open zones downfield. He also has great instincts at the catch point, and his hands are very reliable. He immediately raises the floor in the Falcons’ WR room.
44) Cleveland Browns: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Drake Jackson is 6’2 5/8″, 254 pounds, with 34″ arms. He also has a 36.5″ vertical and a 127″ broad jump, and he’ll only be 21 years old as a rookie. Jackson meets a lot of the Browns’ thresholds for an NFL Draft prospect. With his upside, he could eventually become a dangerous pass rusher on the edge.
45) Baltimore Ravens: Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
The Ravens have enough talent in their secondary to legitimize taking a risk on UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen. Woolen has a lot of room to grow, but he’s a true unicorn at the cornerback position in terms of athletic talent. He’s 6’4″, 205 pounds, with 33 5/8″ arms, and 4.26 speed, along with a 42″ vertical and 12 bench reps. If any team can use and develop Woolen properly, it’s the Ravens.
46) Minnesota Vikings: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
The 2022 NFL Draft’s tight end class is interesting. There isn’t a top-end talent in the group, so we may not see the first one taken until the mid-second round. But that means a team like the Vikings could get their pick of the litter. Trey McBride looks like one of the likelier options to go first in his position group. McBride’s not an elite athlete, but he at least passes the starter threshold and brings great toughness and play strength.
47) Washington Commanders: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
There have been rumblings that Nakobe Dean isn’t viewed as highly by the NFL as he is by the media. I’m part of the media, so I must confess: I am still very high on Dean. I wouldn’t take him in Round 1 if I’m Washington. But if he’s still there in Round 2, you run to the podium and get the dynamic MIKE linebacker you’ve been looking for.
48) Chicago Bears: Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
The Bears are rolling with Justin Fields. That means giving him protection and support at all costs. We checked the support box with Pierce. Now, let’s check the protection box by giving Fields Kenyon Green — a mauling offensive lineman with great natural power and positional versatility.
Round 2 | Picks 49-64
Who fills out the final stretch of this 2-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft?
49) New Orleans Saints: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Christian Watson is very much more of an athlete than a receiver at this point. But the tools are impossible to ignore and likely grant him top 50 draft capital at worst. Watson is 6’4″, 208 pounds with 4.36 speed, a 38.5″ vertical, and a 136″ broad jump. The Saints could be the team to take a gamble on those traits.
50) Kansas City Chiefs: Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis
Chiefs fans, meet the new Tyreek Hill. I’m exaggerating a bit, of course, but you need someone to fill the void left by Hill. Calvin Austin III legitimately has the tools to accomplish this.
Like Hill, Austin’s a smaller receiver, but he’s an elite athlete and a mad scientist as a route runner. With 4.32 speed, elite explosiveness numbers, and a historic 1.44 10-yard split, Austin has the necessary credentials for this job opening.
51) Philadelphia Eagles: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Re-signing Anthony Harris at least gives the Eagles a player to man the free safety spot for another year. But a replacement for Rodney McLeod at strong safety still remains a need. Jaquan Brisker is a great fit at this point in our latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Brisker played in the box quite a bit in college and brings a strong brand of versatility to the NFL.
52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
Cam Taylor-Britt‘s tape is a ton of fun. Not only is Taylor-Britt explosive and an able playmaker at the catch point, but he also comes downhill like a missile in run support. He has a long, sturdy frame and plays with physicality. After running a sub-4.4 40-yard dash, Taylor-Britt has legitimate top-75 upside. Scouts will fall in love with his game.
53) Green Bay Packers: Logan Hall, DT, Houston
Need a 3-technique or a big EDGE? Logan Hall might just give you both in one go. In my opinion, Hall fits best at 3-technique, in the mold of William Gholston. But with his explosiveness and build-up speed, you can move him around a bit. Hall’s violent hands make him easy to like.
54) New England Patriots: Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
Not long ago, the Patriots used a second-round pick on a freak athlete small-school defensive back by the name of Kyle Dugger. This year, they could do the same with Sam Houston State’s Zyon McCollum. McCollum was an absolute ball hawk in college and put up absurd Combine numbers — among them a 4.33 40-yard dash, a 39.5″ vertical, a 132″ broad jump, and a 6.48 three-cone at 6’2″, 199 pounds.
55) Arizona Cardinals: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
Losing Christian Kirk hurts, but the Cardinals can get a much more cost-effective slot option in the 2022 NFL Draft. Skyy Moore played the boundary a lot at Western Michigan, but he has traits that translate wherever he lines up. Moore’s an incredibly twitchy and manipulative route runner, with the explosiveness and tenacity to be a reliable chain-mover in an offense that needs reliability.
56) Dallas Cowboys: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
The Cowboys got DeMarcus Lawrence back, but losing Randy Gregory could prove to be a substantial blow. Luckily, the Cowboys have a deep EDGE class to draw from in 2022. And in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Penn State’s Arnold Ebiketie is still on the board in Round 2. With his combination of explosiveness, twitch, hand usage, and proportional length, he’s easily the pick.
57) Buffalo Bills: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Roger McCreary might be the latest good prospect to fall in the NFL Draft due to a case of arm length-itis. Arm length does matter for prospects, and McCreary’s arms are quantifiably short for the CB position. But McCreary plays larger than his frame, and he’s sticky in coverage. He’ll dull the blow from the Bills’ loss of Levi Wallace.
58) Atlanta Falcons: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
The Falcons weren’t able to come away with their QB of the future in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. But you can bet they’ll be making the job easier for that QB when he does come by doubling up at receiver in Round 2. George Pickens contrasts Dotson’s style well. Pickens is a larger, longer threat with great catching instincts downfield, and he also flashes route-running ability.
59) Green Bay Packers: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
Yosh Nijman took a major step forward for the Packers at right tackle last year. But the Packers may want some security at the tackle spot, nonetheless. Abraham Lucas provides Green Bay with a natural RT who brings athleticism, strong pass protection, and ability as a moving blocker in space. The trenches can always be more secure, and the Packers help secure it with their extra Round 2 pick.
60) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
Let me throw some numbers at you. Jelani Woods is 6’7 1/8″ and 251 pounds, with 34 1/2″ arms. He ran a 4.61 40-yard dash and logged a 37.5″ vertical and 129″ broad jump at his pro day. He also logged 25 bench reps at the NFL Combine.
No matter how you slice it, Woods is an elite physical specimen. Now, he’s not anywhere close to Kyle Pitts — he’s more of a linear threat. But up the seam and in the red zone, he can be a dangerous weapon for the Buccaneers.
61) San Francisco 49ers: Cameron Jurgens, C, Nebraska
The 49ers still need more talent in their secondary. But signings like Charvarius Ward and George Odum have at least given them a bit of flexibility with their first pick at 61 overall. With Alex Mack aging, the 49ers could stash his succession plan at center.
Cameron Jurgens fits perfectly in San Francisco’s zone concepts. He’s an absurd athlete with a gnarly edge to his game.
62) Kansas City Chiefs: Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor
Calvin Austin is freaky fast, like Jimmy John’s. But he’s not the fastest receiver the Chiefs add in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. That title belongs to Tyquan Thornton, who ran a 4.28 at the NFL Combine. Thornton, however, is over 6’2″ with 33 1/4″ arms. He sports a wiry build but plays with physicality and has great twitch and catching instincts down the field.
63) Cincinnati Bengals: Damarri Mathis, CB, Pittsburgh
Look, I’m not going to pile on Eli Apple. He’s a human being, and he actually had some nice plays last year. It was a worthwhile venture for Cincinnati to re-sign him as a strong rotational cornerback. But he may be too inconsistent to be relied on as a starter.
Damarri Mathis can help strengthen the Bengals’ CB room. He’s a rare athlete with great long speed, a 43.5″ vertical, and strong fluidity — and he’s also a natural playmaker with plenty of physicality to offer.
64) Denver Broncos: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
Whatever the Broncos do at offensive tackle, Russell Wilson’s mobility gives them a nice failsafe in pressure situations. But that doesn’t mean Denver should kick the can down the road when it comes to right tackle.
Nicholas Petit-Frere is a player who can play right tackle and may translate better there. He has some technical things to clean up, but he’s already an excellent run defender with upside in pass protection. He’d be a phenomenal strong-side lead blocker or puller for Javonte Williams.