2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
There’s still plenty of talent available in the back half of the first round. What prospects come off the board next?
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Is Charles Cross a flashy pick? Probably not. But tackle is absolutely a need for the Bengals, who haven’t figured out how to protect Joe Burrow two years in. Cincinnati is 29th in sack rate (9.8%) and 31st in pass-block win rate through Week 13.
18) Cleveland Browns: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
We now know exactly what Myles Garrett (15 sacks through 13 games) can do when he has help on the other edge. But Jadeveon Clowney is a free agent after this season. After a strong 2021, he could ask for more than the Browns are willing to pay. David Ojabo is a total one-year wonder, but that one year is incredible (11 sacks, 12 tackles for loss).
19) Washington Football Team: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Taylor Heinicke is a fun story, but he’s no one’s idea of a long-term franchise quarterback. Sam Howell has some questions of his own — his size (6’1″, 220 pounds) among them. But at his best, he’s as good as anyone in this year’s draft. Ron Rivera will not go through another year without addressing the team’s biggest issue.
20) Buffalo Bills: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
The Bills’ roster is so talented that they can afford a luxury pick (both Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are under contract in 2022). Daxton Hill is a freakish athlete whose potential is enough for the Bills to triple down on an already loaded position.
21) Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis): Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
The Eagles continue to hit solid doubles by taking the best available player at a premium position. After upgrading at corner and wide receiver, Howie Roseman addresses the NFL’s 30th-ranked pass rush by nabbing Jermaine Johnson II, who led the ACC in sacks (18) and tackles for loss (12).
22) Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco): Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
The Dolphins have no choice to take another swing at offensive line after having arguably the worst unit in football. Ikem Ekwonu, a natural left tackle, becomes the fifth offensive lineman taken by the Dolphins in the first, second, or third rounds the last four years.
23) Los Angeles Chargers: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
In a bygone era, Nakobe Dean would probably have been a safety. He’s a little light in the seat (225 pounds) and could have trouble shedding guards if they get to the second level. But he’s plenty quick and should be a tackling machine if he can work in space.
24) Detroit Lions (from LA Rams): Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The Lions played this perfectly. A quarterback at No. 1 would have been a mistake. A signal-caller at No. 24 — and Kenny Pickett in particular — is a great value. Jared Goff’s time as Detroit’s QB1 is almost over, Lions fans.
25) Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Jordan Davis was as good as advertised in his senior season, winning the Bednarik and Outland as the leader of the nation’s best defense. It’s hard to think of a better replacement for Brandon Williams, who is in the final year of his contract.
26) Seattle Seahawks (from Dallas): Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Seahawks need help at almost every position and could be tempted to take a quarterback, particularly if Wilson gets dealt. But no one could blame them for building through the trenches and selecting Trevor Penning after ranking 31st in sack rate through 14 weeks.
27) Kansas City Chiefs: Drake London, WR, USC
We know, another weapon — just what the Chiefs need, right? Six weeks ago, if this pick were anything but a defensive player, it would have been professional malpractice. But the Chiefs have it rolling on both sides now, and Drake London — who missed the last month of the season with an ankle injury — would be a total Andy Reid pick.
28) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
The offense is loaded, and the Bucs have plenty of linebackers. So this pick was always going to be either pass rusher or cornerback. Myjai Sanders (6’5″, 258 pounds) will get plenty of exercise as a rookie.
29) Tennessee Titans: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
How ’bout that — Bearcats in back-to-back picks. The Titans had barely enough NFL-caliber cornerbacks to dress a full team during stretches of the season, so they go DB in Round 1 in back-to-back years by selecting Cincinnati’s Ahmad Gardner.
30) Green Bay Packers: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Nearly a quarter of Drake Jackson’s tackles in college have gone for loss, and he’s got the exact kind of build and game the Packers crave.
31) New England Patriots: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Bill Belichick hit a home run in Round 1 last year by taking Mac Jones. Can he go back-to-back and add another talented DB — Penn State’s Jaquan Brisker — to a loaded secondary?
32) Arizona Cardinals: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
Chandler Jones’ contract expires after this season, and it’ll cost the Cardinals at least $15 million a year to bring him back. Kingsley Enagbare (15 career sacks in 39 games) would be a much cheaper option.