2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
With just two picks in the bottom half of the draft set in stone, trades aplenty highlight the last 16 picks of the first round. And you know excellent prospects will fall through the cracks to this portion of the draft.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The third Ohio State receiver heads to LA. Chris Olave joins his teammate Garrett Wilson and former teammate Jameson Williams as first-round picks. Olave is a great route runner with terrific body control. His hands are solid, and he knows how to win all over the field. Don’t believe me? Believe the Ohio State career record for receiving touchdowns, which Olave owns.
18) New Orleans Saints: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
The New Orleans Saints need an answer under center, but they take a quarterback along the defensive line with their first-round pick. Jordan Davis is a monster of a man who commands attention from opposing offensive coordinators. He’ll rush the passer with ease and stuff rushing lanes all the same. Davis is talented, and his emergence this year sparked Georgia’s defensive success.
19) Philadelphia Eagles: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The Eagles have the draft capital to take a couple of home run swings. Nothing is more evident of that than the pick of Sam Howell at No. 19. This selection, of course, assumes Philadelphia is the first team eliminated from the playoffs in 2022. Howell has all the traits of an elite NFL starter but failed to elevate a subpar cast of characters with North Carolina in 2021. Still, his arm talent is far better than Jalen Hurts and could give the Eagles a two-QB system to exploit next season.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Pittsburgh Steelers will need an answer at quarterback at some point this offseason. While Kenny Pickett is available here, the Steelers fill arguably their other biggest need — offensive tackle. Honestly, any position on the offensive line should be a priority, but Trevor Penning is the pick. The top senior tackle, Penning’s legend is growing. Considered a better prospect than fellow Northern Iowa alum Spencer Brown (who is now thriving with the Bills), Penning’s draft stock is still rising.
21) New England Patriots: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
The New England Patriots make a no-brainer pick. They grab Michigan safety Daxton Hill with their first-round selection, filling a void in an aging secondary. Hill is a space-closer in the run game and a free-ranger in coverage. He’ll shut down rushing lanes with speed and make snap plays on the ball with instincts. Hill is best in coverage but is no slouch in the run game.
22) Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco): Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
There will be a new head coach in Miami as well as a new man in the middle. The Miami Dolphins make an easy selection of Tyler Linderbaum with their first-round pick. Linderbaum does everything you’d expect the top-ranked center to do, and he’s done it with a seemingly unblemished college track record. He’s a mauler in the run game and gives even the best pass-rushing defensive tackles a run for their money.
23) Las Vegas Raiders: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Las Vegas Raiders are in the playoffs with an interim coach and an unknown identity. Treylon Burks‘ selection gives them a true downfield passing identity with his ability to win deep and at the catch point. Burks has the draft class’ best “go” route and can outjump just about anyone in the NFL. A man his size shouldn’t be able to be as fast as he is — he’s a physical, dominant receiver.
24) Kansas City Chiefs (from Arizona): Drake London, WR, USC
Trade: Kansas City trades pick No. 29 and a 2023 second-round selection to Arizona for pick No. 24.
After the fourth receiver was selected, the Kansas City Chiefs moved up to secure their man. Drake London adds a tremendous three-down receiver for Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. He’s an athletic freak and a two-sport athlete who dominates with his athleticism. Somehow, despite missing a large chunk of the season, London led the Pac-12 in receiving yards in 2021. He’s set to return to top form and should be considered one of the top rookie contenders for the Pro Bowl in this spot with KC.
25) Cincinnati Bengals: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
The Bengals need some help at a few positions after addressing wide receiver and quarterback in their most recent draft hauls. Lewis Cine pairs nicely with Jessie Bates as they tackle all sorts of necessities in Cincinnati’s defensive backfield. Bates will be allowed to be a free-ranging coverage safety while Cine’s all-around ability gets put on display. Cine’s downhill thumping in the run game will awaken AFC North running backs upon first contact.
26) Buffalo Bills: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bearcats became the first Group of Five school to make the College Football Playoff in 2021. They did so because they had the ability to lock down an entire side of the field with just one defender on defense. That defender was Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner.
Sauce truly locked down an entire side of the field for Cincinnati, and he didn’t allow a single touchdown in his three years in the Queen City. Gardner gets plugged into the starting lineup with the Bills and head coach Sean McDermott doesn’t have to do another thing.
27) Detroit Lions (from LA Rams): Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The future is here for the Lions. After selecting Kyle Hamilton to quarterback their defense, they grab Kenny Pickett to quarterback their future on offense. Pickett is a hard-nosed, physical quarterback with plenty of arm strength and accuracy. His hard-nosed, physical, gritty play at quarterback would be perfect for his new head coach Dan Campbell, who coaches the way Pickett plays the game.
28) Dallas Cowboys: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Jermaine Johnson II has the draft class’ best motor. He never gives up on a play — he goes all-out on plays where he isn’t even in contention to make a play. That attitude and work ethic saw him make more plays than most edge defenders in 2021 as he won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Johnson’s place in the Dallas Cowboys’ lineup gives Micah Parsons even more pass-rushing lanes. That’s a recipe for success.
29) Seattle Seahawks: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Trade: Seattle trades pick Nos. 41, 72, and 113 to Arizona for the Cardinals’ newly acquired pick No. 29.
The Seahawks are the second team to trade with the Cardinals in this mock draft, as Arizona picks up more draft capital and Seattle grabs their next great linebacker. After Jordyn Brooks set the franchise record for most single-season tackles, it’s clear the need for more than one playmaker at linebacker exists.
Nakobe Dean is as strong as he is instinctual and has the versatility to do just about anything. He’ll read run pre-snap and make quick judgment calls that are seemingly always correct in coverage. He’s the complete package.
30) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
As Tom Brady’s career continues to function at a high level, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can simply draft for need or take the best player available. It’s completely up to them. Jaquan Brisker allows the Bucs to fill a need and take a pretty solid player overall in the process. Brisker has great coverage ability and even better range. Tampa Bay had minor lapses in coverage after injuries a season ago, but Brisker is as durable as they come.
31) Baltimore Ravens: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Trade: Baltimore trades pick No. 45 and a 2023 second-round selection to Tennessee for pick No. 31.
The Baltimore Ravens couldn’t get out of the first round without an offensive lineman, and they get one after trading back into the first round. The Ravens grab Ikem Ekwonu from NC State to help their offensive line. Ekwonu can shift inside, sure, but he may actually continue to project at tackle given his success this past season. He’s a big man and has great length for his frame. Wherever he plays for Baltimore, he’s an upgrade.
32) Green Bay Packers: David Bell, WR Purdue
The Green Bay Packers drafting at pick No. 32 means one thing — they won the Super Bowl. That means Aaron Rodgers should be one happy dude entering 2022. Whether he’s still happy playing for Green Bay or not is a completely different question.
What isn’t a question is David Bell‘s body control. He’s got that in spades. Bell is also a big man with great elusiveness. He can make defenders miss before the catch thanks to his crisp routes and after the catch with sharp cuts. Bell has great hands, making him a talented, well-round receiver. Rodgers — or Jordan Love, depending on how the situation in Green Bay shakes out — will love having him.