2022 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 | Picks 17-32
Who comes off the board in the latter half of Round 1 in the latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft? We begin with two offensive players, including what might be a surprise to some as it relates to the Philadelphia Eagles.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Brandon Staley and Justin Herbert are charging up for a playoff run. This offseason, they added cornerback J.C. Jackson, edge rusher Khalil Mack, defensive tackles Austin Johnson and Sebastian Joseph-Day, and tight end Gerald Everett. The Chargers have given themselves flexibility to take the best player available at No. 17. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, that’s Jameson Williams. Williams speed can unlock a new level in Herbert’s game, and he has the tools to be a complete receiver beyond that.
18) Philadelphia Eagles (from NO): Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The Philadelphia Eagles have enough picks in this year’s class and next that they can rationalize taking a quarterback if one falls to them. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Kenny Pickett is still on the board, so the Eagles make him the choice. The Eagles have met with Pickett and have done enough due diligence on the QB class to suggest legitimate interest. If Jalen Hurts levels out, Pickett can take the reins and potentially become an upgrade. He has off-script ability, but he also processes well and uses his eyes to manipulate DBs.
19) New Orleans Saints (from PHI): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Offensive tackle was the next position on the list for the Saints. Unfortunately, the board didn’t fall well at tackle in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. So instead, the Saints opt for the best player available and a player who could improve their flexibility on defense: Jordan Davis. At 6’6 3/8″, 341 pounds, Davis is an elite two-gapper with the athleticism to develop as a pass rusher. Right away, with his ability to occupy blocks, he can make the Saints’ line an impenetrable force, especially on Bear and Tite fronts.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Much like the Eagles and the Saints, the Steelers are in an interesting position when it comes to quarterback. After signing Mitch Trubisky, they don’t have to take a QB in Round 1. But if one falls to them, and if they don’t have to trade up, it makes a lot of sense to pounce. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Matt Corral is the one who falls. Corral is a tough competitor with an elastic arm and great athleticism. He’ll operate well in a timing-based offense. And with time to learn, he could grow into a long-term starter.
21) New England Patriots: Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
We’ve all been asking ourselves why the Patriots traded away Shaq Mason for a fifth-round pick, but the answer is right here in front of us. Clearly, they knew they could upgrade with Zion Johnson. That’s a joke — Mason is a great player and garnered All-Pro consideration last year. Johnson won’t be at that level right away, but he has that kind of upside. Johnson is a terrific athlete with great proportional length and leverage, and he dominates reps with his physicality and strength.
22) Green Bay Packers (from LV): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
If Treylon Burks falls to the Packers, this just feels like a layup for Green Bay. Burks is 6’2″, 225 pounds, has 33.5″ arms, 4.5 speed, and explodes upfield on tape. He checks all the boxes for the Packers, who crave size and athleticism at the wide receiver position. Burks may not be an elite creator right away with his route running, but he can separate on slants, and if you get the ball into his hands, he’s going to be a weapon for your offense. And down the field, his catching instincts allow him to win above the rim.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
Kenyon Green has been slipping recently on account of an NFL Combine performance that was relatively disappointing. However, for most, he’s still the No. 2 offensive guard in the 2022 NFL Draft. If Johnson is off the board, Green is the next man up, and he might still have his fans. The Cardinals hosted Green on a visit ahead of the NFL Draft and could be interested in adding him to the interior. He fits best there with his physicality, strong base, and lateral quickness.
24) Dallas Cowboys: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Cowboys quietly have the best positioning in the 2022 NFL Draft. It’s almost impossible for the board to fall badly for Dallas at this point. It’s likely they could have one of Treylon Burks, Zion Johnson, Kenyon Green, or George Karlaftis available — all of whom fill needs. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Karlaftis is the one on the board. He immediately provides size and power opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. But if he can play up to his maximum explosiveness more often, he’s a potential game-changer for the Cowboys.
25) Buffalo Bills: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
The talk of Andrew Booth Jr. slipping outside Round 1 still doesn’t make much sense. There’s a chance it could happen; nothing is impossible in the NFL Draft. But turning on the tape, Booth’s game screams first-round prospect. He’s an incredibly sudden and twitchy athlete with fast feet at the line, and he’s explosive turning upfield and closing on plays. He brings searing physicality in close quarters, and he flips off the gravity switch when the ball is in the air.
26) Tennessee Titans: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
We always see physical traits elevate someone into the Round 1 conversation. This year, that someone is North Dakota State’s Christian Watson. The former Bison is a freak athlete with 4.36 speed, a 38.5″ vertical, and a 136″ broad jump at 6’4″, 208 pounds. He glides in the open field, and he has the sheer acceleration and speed to take simple end-arounds and screens for big gains. Drops remain a concern for Watson, and he can improve his route running, but his upside makes him a worthy investment.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
Rarely this cycle has a tight end gone in Round 1 of mock drafts. But if any tight end is going to sneak into the first-round conversation, it’s Colorado State’s Trey McBride. McBride has run away with the TE1 mantle with the same speed he mustered at his pro day (a 4.56 40-yard dash). McBride has the necessary athleticism, and he’s also tough and sure-handed amidst contact. He can be a steady threat up the middle of the field on Day 1.
28) Green Bay Packers: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
There are a lot of defensive linemen to like early on in the 2022 NFL Draft. But if you’re looking for an absolute menace at 3-technique, Perrion Winfrey may be the best option. His Senior Bowl week was a microcosm of the potential that he holds in the NFL. No one could hold him back — in practices or games. Winfrey’s high-end explosiveness and twitch, combined with 35 1/4″ levers for arms, grant him rare power capacity. He was built to disrupt, and alongside Kenny Clark, that’s what he can do.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA): Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Kaiir Elam didn’t measure quite as long as expected, so it’ll be interesting to see if some teams rule him out for that. The Chiefs could be one of those teams, but looking at the tape, Elam certainly plays beyond his frame. And there’s enough to like, where a few eighths of an inch shouldn’t matter. Bottom line: KC needs physical cornerbacks. Elam has that physicality along with explosiveness and fluidity, and he’s far from a liability with his length.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
Good luck keeping up with the Joneses now. The Chiefs now have two potential game-wreckers with that surname after selecting Connecticut defensive tackle Travis Jones in Round 1 of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Jones profiles best at nose tackle with his massive 6’4 3/8″, 325-pound frame, but he has the athleticism and violent hands to provide pass-rushing utility and shift around a bit. With Chris Jones at his side, the UConn product could be a handful for blocking units.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
At first glance, the Bengals aren’t in dire need of a linebacker. But outside of Logan Wilson, there is room to upgrade the unit. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the board didn’t fall well at other positions. And if a talent like Devin Lloyd drops, the prospect of pairing him with Wilson is enticing. Lloyd is a long, explosive defender with great coverage ability and pass-rushing utility. His high football IQ enables him to always be in position, and while he can get stronger, physicality isn’t an issue.
32) Detroit Lions (from LAR): Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
The pieces are coming together for Aaron Glenn and the Lions. If Jeffrey Okudah comes back healthy this year, they’ll have two starting boundary cornerbacks and a reliable safety in Tracy Walker. Daxton Hill can be the prospect who completes the puzzle for this young secondary. Hill is labeled as a safety, but he’s so much more than that. He’s fluid and physical enough to play in the slot or on the boundary, and he has the burst and playmaking ability to play in space as well. He’s a true chess piece on the back end.
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