2022 2-Round NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 | Picks 17-32
Below is the second half of the first round, which features the Eagles and Lions picking again and the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs double-dipping on Day 1 talent.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Following the Bryan Bulaga nightmare, the Chargers should be looking for a long-term right tackle to bookend with Rashawn Slater. Charles Cross shouldn’t fall this far, but he could be a special option for LA at No. 17. Cross and Slater would be able to protect Justin Herbert with consistency for the next decade. That’s a rare situation for an ascending QB.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO): Drake London, WR, USC
Again, the board hasn’t fallen the way the Eagles probably would have liked to. But in a mock draft without trades, this exercise’s outcome was probably inevitable. Still, the result for the Eagles is strong, as Drake London is the perfect complement for DeVonta Smith and Quez Watkins.
While some fans will have J.J. Arcega-Whiteside flashbacks, London is a better route runner and technique player than the former second-round pick. London can high-point the ball very well, and he plays up to his size. While the Eagles would probably prefer to avoid using a third consecutive first-round pick on a wideout, owning two Day 1 selections mitigates the risk.
19) New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Saints luck out with Trevor Penning still on the board. The Northern Iowa standout can immediately step in and replace longtime veteran Terron Armstead. The Saints are at a crossroads between contention and rebuilding, and nabbing Penning and Willis in the first round gives them the flexibility for both avenues. Penning, unlike Willis, is ready to rock right away.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
While some will scoff and say that Matt Corral or Sam Howell are better options than Desmond Ridder, the Cincinnati QB has gained a ton of steam within scouting circles over the past three months. Ridder is a proven leader who has shown he can make the talent around him better. He’s a dual-threat passer with the intangibles to make things work in Pittsburgh. Ridder is a strong option to challenge Mitchell Trubisky and replace Ben Roethlisberger.
21) New England Patriots: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Patriots have yet to re-sign Dont’a Hightower, and replacing him with Devin Lloyd would be an impressive move for New England. Lloyd is a do-it-all playmaker with a tweener body type, but he can still lay the groundwork for the front seven. Lloyd’s hype has seemingly gone quiet in recent weeks, which is just how the Patriots like it.
22) Green Bay Packers (from LV): Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The Packers need a downfield weapon in the passing game with Davante Adams now in Las Vegas. Jahan Dotson is a phenomenal tracker of the football at receiver, and he could be a dynamic playmaker for Aaron Rodgers. Dotson should be able to come right in and tandem with Allen Lazard on the outside.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
While Andrew Booth Jr. recently underwent surgery, he should be able to have a worthwhile rookie year. Booth is a long, athletic corner with the ability to make plays on the ball. The Cardinals need help in the secondary. Booth is not only a sound cover man but a ballhawk as well.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
With Michael Gallup on the shelf and Amari Cooper in Cleveland, the Cowboys need some help at wideout opposite CeeDee Lamb. While Treylon Burks didn’t test well athletically, he’s a big body with dynamic ability. In the long run, Burks can form an unreal trio with Gallup and Lamb.
25) Buffalo Bills: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Bills don’t have a lot of needs, but replacing Levi Wallace is the right move this offseason. Trent McDuffie can play all three corner spots and make plays on the ball. He should be able to tandem with Tre’Davious White and make noise in the Buffalo secondary.
26) Tennessee Titans: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
The Titans need to replace a pair of linebackers who signed elsewhere this offseason. Nakobe Dean is an instinctual playmaker who can fill the void in the middle. The Titans’ defense is constantly morphing and improving, and Dean would be the latest in a long line of smart defensive draft picks for GM Jon Robinson.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
The Buccaneers have yet to re-sign DT Ndamukong Suh, so filling his void in the defensive front becomes paramount. Luckily for the Bucs, Perrion Winfrey is an absolute stud on the line who can more than make up for Suh’s absence. Winfrey should be a plug-and-play asset for Tampa Bay.
28) Green Bay Packers: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The Packers re-signed Rasul Douglas in free agency but still need help at cornerback. Kaiir Elam can come in and play right away on the outside. While the Packers might move Elam around in the secondary, his immediate upside is super appealing. Elam can be a longtime playmaker on defense.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA): Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
With back-to-back picks in the first round, the Chiefs find a long-term partner for Justin Reid in the secondary. Daxton Hill should come in and immediately make a grand impact. The Chiefs are smart about selecting the best player available, and Hill belongs in the conversation here.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Again, the Chiefs are very smart with their roster building. David Ojabo is coming off likely season-ending surgery, but Kansas City has the depth and talent to overcome his potential year-long absence. Once Ojabo is healthy, he will become a dynamic edge rusher for the Chiefs, who need that threat in the long run.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
The Bengals improved their offensive line with the signings of Ted Karras and Alex Cappa in free agency. Zion Johnson can slide into the starting spot at left guard to reinforce their depth for the long term. He’s an absolute stud up front, and he should be able to join the pack on the line and make a difference.
32) Detroit Lions (from LAR): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
The Lions decide to take advantage of the Rams’ first-round pick by adding Jared Goff’s potential long-term successor. Matt Corral can be brought along slowly as Goff leads the offense. The Lions can make a move like this because they have another selection in just two picks. Corral is the absolute right move for the end of the first round.