2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
With three QBs going off the board in the first half of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, will we see another flurry of QBs come off the board in the next 16 picks? Which other positions might dominate in the back half of Round 1?
17) Pittsburgh Steelers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Big Ben is finished at the end of the season — he confirmed that himself. The Steelers should have drafted a QB last year, in my eyes. Nevertheless, they didn’t, trying out Dwayne Haskins when he was cut from Washington instead. The long-term answer certainly doesn’t lie in Mason Rudolph, and if Haskins can’t beat him out, it’s not going to be him either!
The Steelers take zero risk in locking in the future of the franchise by taking Malik Willis here in the first round. Willis is one of the most exciting prospects in the draft. He can run like the wind, throw a glorious spiral deep down the field, and do everything in between. I believe he’ll test very well at the combine/pro days and shoot up draft boards. He couldn’t be more different from Ben Roethlisberger and injects a new era of excitement into the Steelers, who need it badly.
18) Baltimore Ravens: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
Another Buckeye comes off the board here, and this time it’s versatile tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere. Things have been uncomfortable for the Ravens offensively this season, largely due to injury, but also because of gaps on the offensive line. They allowed Orlando Brown Jr. to seek a trade, and they need to fill that void at RT.
While Petit-Frere played left tackle in 2021, he was on the right side in 2020. He’s a strong outside offensive lineman who possesses all of the traits you would want a franchise tackle to have. Big hands, long arms, great footwork, and just an excellent blocker in every sense of the word.
19) Minnesota Vikings: Andrew Booth Jr, CB, Clemson
Andrew Booth Jr. was also a heavily touted five-star recruit coming out of high school, in a very similar fashion to Stingley. The Vikings have been decimated in the secondary in the last year or two, having released first-round pick Jeff Gladney following a felony charge. Additionally, just this week, Minnesota released Bashaud Breeland after an altercation with teammates and coaches in training.
They need to replace some of those missing parts, and Booth could be a Day 1 starter in the league. He’s a powerful, physical corner who’s athletic enough to track with the best receiver on the field at the college level. He’s an instinctual DB, who goes up and attacks the football, and should transition very well into the pros.
20) Buffalo Bills: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Olave’s college teammate goes just six picks later to Buffalo in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Currently, Buffalo relies too heavily on Stefon Diggs to make a big play, and opposing defenses are able to key on that. Cole Beasley has been outstanding in Buffalo and is always available across the middle. Garrett Wilson would be a superb complement to them both, or eventually the successor to that Beasley role.
Wilson is an elite athlete and has the safest hands in this draft. He’s the guy you want in your offense that can keep a drive alive with a clutch reception. Pairing him with Diggs could be magical. Wilson does a great job creating separation, and that underneath role in Buffalo is the perfect fit for him.
21) Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
There’s something to be said for the Dolphins continuing to draft offensive linemen until they get it right, but I disagree. It’s a young group, and I’d rather take the approach of continuing to let them improve and give them a little more time.
I prefer the move here to add 6’3″ premium athlete Treylon Burks on the outside, to complement Jaylen Waddle and Mike Gesicki. Burks is a big body receiver with the ability to flat out run right by you. He does a brilliant job of high pointing a football and wins at the point of the catch at a high rate. Adding him, as well as an RB in the next couple of rounds, makes Miami a dangerous-looking offense — if the line will hold.
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Another of Georgia’s impressive 2021 defense gets the first-round call here, as star athlete and dynamic defensive edge Travon Walker heads to the Chargers. Brandon Staley and his outfit need to address the defense and stop the leaking of points.
Adding an edge rush of Walker’s talent level to pair with Joey Bosa causes nightmares for an offensive line. Walker has shot up draft boards with his performances this season, showing a first-round talent level of get-off and burst. Walker wins his 1-on-1 battles and spends a lot of time in the backfield. He’s also an excellent run defender.
23) Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis): Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
The Eagles add their third premium defensive talent of the first round. Jaquan Brisker is one of my favorite talents in this class. He’s a do-it-all safety who should absolutely be a Round 1 selection. Brisker has experience at varying positions in the back end, beginning his college career at strong safety before moving over to the free side.
Penn State has used him down in the box, where you’ll find him making tackles at the line of scrimmage. He’s also a sideline-to-sideline single-high cover athlete who can line up in man-to-man coverage as well. I think Brisker will be an excellent NFL talent.
24) Detroit Lions (via LA Rams): Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Back-to-back Nittany Lions go in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Detroit gets a much-needed WR in Jahan Dotson, who is a speed-first wideout with all the tools to be a difference-maker in the NFL.
Dotson has made some spectacular catches in his time. With his elite speed, combined with catch ability and some serious hops, the Lions are getting a good one. Their offense currently lacks that speed and deep-threat ability. Problem solved.
25) Cincinnati Bengals: Darian Kinnard, OL, Kentucky
Darian Kinnard is actually a right tackle, having played there during his time at Kentucky. However, several scouts believe he would be best placed at guard in the NFL.
I love where the Bengals are heading, and with a great QB, great RB, and excellent wideouts, they just need to strengthen the offensive line, which crumbles at times under pressure. Kinnard is a vicious, mean blocker who could be a punishing guard in the NFL.
26) Tennessee Titans: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Devin Lloyd’s availability at pick 26 makes him an easy selection to Tennessee for this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The Titans are in desperate need of talent at the second level, and Lloyd is a Day 1 starter at the position.
You can utilize Lloyd in various alignments. But ultimately, he is going to offer you a box-tackling linebacker who is also a very capable pass rusher. I’d like to see him get some reps similar to that of Micah Parsons this season in Dallas. Lloyd adds versatility and some aggression to a Titans defense in need of exactly that.
27) Arizona Cardinals: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Ahmad Gardner was a three-star high school athlete who arrived at Cincinnati weighing in at barely 150 pounds. He’s developed into a long, powerful cornerback who is just incredibly difficult to get away from.
Gardner improved as a tackler in his final season as a college corner and added the ability to lay a hit to his already extensive arsenal of skills. At 6’2″, 190 pounds, Gardner is an elite press corner who’s dominant on every rep. Excellent in coverage and in man, he’d be a great addition to a budding Arizona cornerback group.
28) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Jameson Williams comes into Tampa as a replacement for Chris Godwin should the Bucs decide not to pay him. Even if they do, we don’t know how much longer Antonio Brown will be around. We saw just this week that when their top guys are not available, things can get ugly for Tampa Bay.
Williams transferred to Alabama from Ohio State and hit the ground running. I like him as a slot receiver in the NFL, who can get open over the middle and use excellent speed and burst from the line to get himself open. As a result, he could become a viable option for Tom Brady on a regular basis.
29) New England Patriots: Drake London, WR, USC
Drake London sustained an injury that cut short his 2021 campaign, but he’d done more than enough to cement his name as a top draft prospect already.
London is a 6’5″ receiver with all the agility of a 5’11” guy. He has an excellent high point and will go up and get a football in jump-ball situations, excelling in the end zone. But he’s also excellent with the ball in his hands, able to make a man miss, and gain additional yardage. London might have the highest ceiling of any receiver in this class, considering his natural frame and athletic ability.
30) Dallas Cowboys: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
In a somewhat controversial move in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Cowboys elect to go for a new franchise LT here over some other potential needs. Charles Cross is a mid-first-round tackle, and when a franchise tackle is still available at No. 30, you should act.
Long-term Cowboys tackle Tyron Smith has struggled to stay on the field the last couple of seasons, and the Cowboys’ O-line is not where it used to be. Cross, not only the best player available at the spot but also a very suitable long-term solution as the position, is simply too good to pass on here.
31) Kansas City Chiefs: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
This is another BPA scenario, which is a luxury you can afford when you’re making deep playoff runs every season. The Chiefs’ defense stood up to be counted on this season and made an immense improvement. Rookie Nick Bolton has been excellent, and I love the Chiefs adding Nakobe Dean to pair with him.
Dean was the Butkus Award winner this year, given to the nation’s best linebacker each season. He’s a very effective blitzer, shooting through gaps up the middle, and coming from multiple alignments. He’s also a very talented run defender, giving the Chiefs another versatile backer, more speed, and continues to improve what’s becoming one of the league’s better defenses.
32) Green Bay Packers: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Rounding out our first-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft is the Packers. Green Bay is lacking a dominant pass rush, and it’s cost their defense this season not having guys up front who can consistently cause pressure. Jermaine Johnson II is coming off of an impeccable season at Florida State after transferring in the offseason from Georgia.
Johnson is going after the quarterback every single play. He plays the game with a high motor and already has a good range of rush moves. His pursuit is brilliant, and he’ll leave offensive tackles having to earn every penny of their contracts dealing with him all day. Johnson is exactly what the Packers need to ensure their defense is coming off the field more regularly.