2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
More help for Justin Herbert, a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger, and an utterly predictable pick for Bill Belichick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
A year after taking Rashawn Slater to protect Justin Herbert’s blindside, the Chargers task Trevor Penning with locking down his strong side. Penning has a mean streak that should suit him well at right tackle.
18) Philadelphia Eagles (from NO): Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The Eagles further improve a defense that already added Haason Reddick this offseason. Derek Stingley Jr. has prototypical size (6-0, 190) and excellent speed but must play to his potential, which was an issue at LSU.
19) New Orleans Saints (from PHI): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Terron Armstead proved too expensive for the Saints to keep. As a result, Armstead is now in Miami, and his replacement is Charles Cross, who played just two collegiate seasons.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi
The Steelers find Ben Roethlisberger’s successor. Or at least they hope they have. Matt Corral — 67.3%, 9.1 yards/attempt, 57 TDs, and 23 INTs in his college career — is a bit of a gamble, but all of the QBs in this year’s draft are.
21) New England Patriots: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
It’s hard to say which is the most obvious pick in the second half of the first round in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft — this one or the next one. Devin Lloyd, the big, rangy, versatile linebacker out of Utah, totally fits the Belichick template.
22) Green Bay Packers (from LV): Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
This is the Davante Adams pick. The Packers find Adams’ replacement in Jameson Williams, the mending Alabama wide receiver who expects to be available for training camp.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Cardinals cannot believe their fortune. They luck into a cheaper, younger, and potentially better option than Christian Kirk in Chris Olave — and they didn’t even have to move up to get him.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
It’s hard to believe that proud Arkansas alum Jerry Jones has drafted just one Razorback since buying the team in 1989 (Felix Jones, 2008). He makes Treylon Burks the second to round out a darn good WR room.
25) Buffalo Bills: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Here comes the analytics crew poo-pooing a first-round running back. But Breece Hall is the missing piece to a Bills roster poised to win it all.
26) Tennessee Titans: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Wide receiver probably would have been the pick here if not for the Robert Woods deal. Instead, the Titans defense gets a Butkus Award winner in Nakobe Dean.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
The Buccaneers formally move on from Jason Pierre-Paul, an unsigned free agent who had just 2.5 sacks in 12 games last year, by adding Boye Mafe.
28) Green Bay Packers: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
The Packers have far more pressing needs, but the board doesn’t line up great for them here in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Barring a trade back, they make the value pick in Andrew Booth Jr.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA): Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The Chiefs liked the Packers’ approach so well that they copied it. Kansas City used Miami’s Tyreek Hill first-rounder on another smallish, dynamic receiver in Jahan Dotson.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
The book officially closes on Tyrann Mathieu with the selection of Daxton Hill, who is one of the best cover safeties in the draft.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The Bengals’ offensive line overhaul is complete. Tyler Linderbaum is the Bengals’ fourth upgrade in two months, joining Alex Cappa, La’el Collins, and Ted Karras.
32) Detroit Lions (from LAR): Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Sam Howell would likely be there when the Lions pick again at 34. But by taking him now in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, they guarantee Howell’s right for five seasons.