2022 NFL Mock Draft | 17-32
The first half of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft featured elite talent, but the second half isn’t lacking in that department.
17. Oakland Raiders: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
There’s not a better way to go out of college than with your best season yet. Devin Lloyd produced his best statistical campaign in 2021 but also wowed scouts and analysts on film, too.
The Utes’ star accumulated 107 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 6 passes defended, 4 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns this year. So yeah, the team that drafts him should be excited.
18. Baltimore Ravens: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
I like this fit a ton. Ikem Ekwonu brings the Baltimore attitude to the field every single rep, and he’ll be a great addition for the Ravens. Allowing Lamar Jackson to go to work is basically the assignment for any Baltimore offensive lineman. Ekwonu should have no problem exceeding expectations.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Philadelphia’s three picks in the second half of the draft scream “trade up” right now, but they stay put in this mock draft. They’re still able to address their needs in the secondary by taking Daxton Hill, a player who’s worked his way into the first round with some great play in 2021. His performance against Georgia in the College Football Playoff could help his stock immensely as well.
20. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami): Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Speaking of Georgia, the Eagles add Hill’s opponent in the Playoff in Nakobe Dean. Georgia’s defense — minus one game — has been largely dominant all season. Thanks largely to Dean’s leadership and playmaking ability, the Bulldogs have suffocated nearly everyone. Their star linebacker has evolved his game this year by improving his ability to cover pass catchers downfield.
21. Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco): Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
Adding Kingsley Enagbare to a line featuring Raekwon Davis and Christian Wilkins would be fun to watch. Miami leads the NFL in sacks this year, and adding another weapon to their defensive line would make it even more menacing. Enagbare’s play went relatively unnoticed this year at South Carolina, but his talent won’t do the same now that teams have his film.
22. New England Patriots: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Jaquan Brisker recently announced he’d skip the Outback Bowl against Arkansas, turning his focus to the NFL Draft. Coming into the season, some believed he had first-round potential. He produced more believers with his play, and it’s quickly becoming a reality. If Patriots fans liked what they got from former safety Patrick Chung, they’ll love what Brisker can do for their defense.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis): Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Philly adds their third defensive and College Football Playoff player with Ahmad Gardner. Even if the Eagles sit back and don’t move up, this 2022 NFL Mock Draft is proof they can still get everything they want. Gardner is the definition of a shutdown corner, and I would be stunned to see him fall this far.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Drake London, WR, USC
Unless the Cardinals bring back a couple of their free-agent pass catchers, drafting a receiver becomes a necessity. Christian Kirk, A.J. Green, and Zach Ertz all become free agents in the offseason, leaving just DeAndre Hopkins and Rondale Moore as the only consistent contributors.
Drake London didn’t have much support at USC. In fact, he played his last game at the end of October and still led the team in catches (by 34) and yards (by 482). Imagine what he could do in an offense where he’s not the only reliable option.
25. Buffalo Bills: DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M
Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Ed Oliver, Star Lotulelei, Jerry Hughes, and DeMarvin Leal on the same team? The potential alone is thrilling to entertain. Leal gives the Bills’ defensive line some scheme versatility to boot. He showed that he can play at DT but could also slide out and play DE in a three or four-man front.
26. Cincinnati Bengals: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Trevor Penning quickly jumped onto scouts’ radars this season, and the film tells you why. A knack for planting his man on their back, Penning would make Bengals fans extremely happy. Cincinnati’s been able to keep Joe Burrow upright a lot this season, but it never hurts to add another pass protector.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
One of the lone bright spots for the Seminoles this season. Jermaine Johnson II went from a rotational player on a loaded Georgia team to the man on Florida State. He bet on himself, and the move paid off. Adding a youthful edge player would be helpful for Tampa Bay.
Ndamukong Suh (34), William Gholston (30), and Jason Pierre-Paul (32) won’t be around forever. Pairing Johnson with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is something fans would love, and the havoc potential with those two is reason enough to select him in Round 1.
28. Atlanta Falcons (from Detroit): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
There’s just something with the Falcons and drafting explosive skill position players. Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Kyle Pitts were all A+ picks, and they could hit another home run in Treylon Burks. Burks gives the Falcons’ passing attack another big body, but he’s capable of running past defensive backs too.
29. Tennessee Titans: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Arguably the steal of the draft, Garrett Wilson going this late doesn’t seem right to me. Luckily for the Titans, he falls to them at 29. Wilson brings an athletic frame to the Titans’ offense, and he can make any quarterback look good with the acrobatic catches he’s capable of making on a regular basis.
30. Dallas Cowboys: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
Perrion Winfrey‘s an absolute bowling ball up the middle and can create plenty of power in a short amount of time. He’d replace another former Sooner in Neville Gallimore eventually but could learn quite a bit until then.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
With the offense in a great place, Kansas City can turn its attention to the defense this year. Trent McDuffie didn’t get a ton of first-round love early this year, but he quickly changed people’s perception of him. The Huskies struggled mightily in 2021, but teams still avoided McDuffie’s side as much as possible.
32. Green Bay Packers: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
To conclude this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Packers add someone that can block for Aaron Rodgers (assuming he’s still around). Injury concerns reminded the Packers’ coaching staff that offensive line must be addressed this offseason. Nicholas Petit-Frere helps in that regard and gives Rodgers peace of mind with the direction of the franchise.