2022 NFL Mock Draft | 17-32
Defense dominated the first half. Will the offense make a comeback in the second?
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
This shouldn’t be a surprise. The Chargers need help on the interior of their defense, and passing on Jordan Davis wouldn’t be smart. Fortunately, they don’t in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Davis could be considered a unicorn in some ways. At 6’6″, 350 pounds, he shouldn’t move as well as he does for his size. His basketball background will attract many teams, but it comes down to how much they’re willing to give up to get him before Los Angeles.
18) New Orleans Saints: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
At this point in the NFL Draft, reaching for a quarterback isn’t worth it. The Saints can still get a guy in the second round, and Garrett Wilson falling to them makes this choice easy. They can still get a guy like Carson Strong later and give their offense a quarterback to get the ball to Wilson. The Ohio State star receiver has jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism that will help him make it on highlight reels week in and week out.
19) Philadelphia Eagles: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Travon Walker is still raw as a player, but his traits are too tempting to pass up. Philadelphia already got two solid defenders with their earlier selections, so now they can take a chance on someone who needs some time to develop. For the time being, Walker will rely on his natural abilities, which we’ve seen are terrifying.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Trevor Penning is just what Pittsburgh needs. He’s someone that fans should embrace easily, bringing the attitude the Steelers want on the line. We saw at the Senior Bowl that he’s not on the field to make friends. He’s going to punish you physically if you slip even just a little bit.
21) New England Patriots: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
People are beginning to drop Derek Stingley Jr. because of his injuries and lack of tape from this season, so the Patriots could see him fall to them. It will be tough for any team to pass on him, but Stingley’s film at LSU wasn’t as good as it was back in 2019 when he was considered the top cornerback in college football.
22) Las Vegas Raiders: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Las Vegas needs some speed at wide receiver, and Jameson Williams gives them that. He averaged nearly 20 yards per catch this year for the Tide, and there wasn’t too much anyone could do about it. He bet on himself when he transferred from Ohio State, and the gamble paid off in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft in the form of a first-round selection.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Trent McDuffie‘s stock is trending upward, and it’s easy to see why when you watch the film. There weren’t a ton of highlights for the Huskies this past season, but their star corner did his part. Combine his testing numbers with that film, and Arizona might have to trade up if they really want him in the draft.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
We haven’t seen too many Devonte Wyatt sightings in 2022 NFL mock drafts, but there’s some buzz growing around his game. Most people paid attention to his teammate Jordan Davis, but Wyatt is a monster in his own right. Quick hands and tremendous power could vault him into the first round.
25) Buffalo Bills: Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
Kenyon Green has top-10 potential, but teams that have guard as their top need don’t pick until later in the first round. Therefore, Buffalo landing one of the best prospects in the draft isn’t completely out of the question. Throw in Green’s versatility to play tackle, and Bills fans would be overjoyed to see him fall to them at 25.
26) Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Treylon Burks, Julio Jones, and A.J. Brown seem like a trio you never want to face. Yet, that might be a nightmare that teams must realize in 2022. Burks is 6’3″, 225 pounds, but can run like someone 40 pounds lighter. Throw in massive hands that help him snatch any ball out of the air, and the league better hope this pick doesn’t happen.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Roger McCreary isn’t a consensus first-round pick, but he has the potential to make it here. Tampa Bay needs more youth on their defense, but they also need to get more talent in their secondary given their pending free agents. McCreary has shutdown ability, so it’s easy to see why he’d slide into the first round late.
28) Green Bay Packers: Drake London, WR, USC
Whether it’s Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love throwing the ball, Drake London‘s going to make their life easier. Davante Adams is set to be a free agent, so adding London might become essential. However, if Adams comes back, that’s a duo the NFC North won’t want to see.
29) Miami Dolphins (from SF): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Miami needs to find a way to protect Tua Tagovailoa better, so a lineman will be the pick. It’s just a matter of what position they select. Tyler Linderbaum would also be another potential pick here, but taking a tackle remains more important. Charles Cross is getting the least attention among the first-round tackle prospects, but that allows him to work out of the spotlight.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
David Ojabo is the definition of a raw prospect who just needs to find the right situation. With the proper coaching, he could be a monster in this league. He’s got great athleticism and explosiveness — he just needs to refine his technique and learn the nuances of the position.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The only acceptable selection for the Bengals’ first pick (first round or not) is an offensive lineman. While they did make it to the Super Bowl this year, their biggest weakness cost them — not to mention it was glaringly obvious along the way. Adding a player like Tyler Linderbaum, who can play both guard and center, seems like the correct choice.
32) Detroit Lions (from LAR): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
It was too early to take a wide receiver with the second overall pick (although history says the Lions aren’t against it), so now’s the time. That’s especially true when a guy like Chris Olave falls this far in a 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The Ohio State WR is an efficient route runner, and pairing him with Amon-Ra St. Brown has exciting potential.