2022 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 | Picks 33-48
With several quarterbacks and other highly rated prospects still available, let’s carry on with Round 2 of the latest 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
33) Jacksonville Jaguars: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Lewis Cine is quietly one of the best defensive backs in the 2022 NFL Draft. At 6’2″, 199 pounds, with 32 1/4″ arms, he has a longer frame, and he’s also incredibly explosive and rangy. Add in his physicality, processing, and effortless movement, and he’s a clear upgrade at free safety.
34) Detroit Lions: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The Lions have an able bridge quarterback in Jared Goff, but they should be looking to play the board at quarterback if they can. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Sam Howell is available in early Round 2. He has enough upside for them to take the swing at a high value.
35) New York Jets: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
As mentioned earlier, Reed and Hall profile as the Jets’ boundary cornerbacks. But New York could still use a player to rotate into the slot. Trent McDuffie could fit that role well. He has slot versatility already, and he’s an explosive, fluid defender with strong tackling ability.
36) New York Giants: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Saquon Barkley’s time is likely running short with the Giants, and it’s clear that New York is exploring other options. They’re reportedly hosting Breece Hall on a visit this cycle. With his speed, explosiveness, frame density, and vision, he’d be an able replacement with three-down ability.
37) Houston Texans: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Few edge rushers in the 2022 NFL Draft have the complete physical profile that Boye Mafe has. Mafe is around 6’4″, 261 pounds, with 4.53 speed, a 38″ vertical, and a 125″ broad. He has elite explosiveness and great bend, and he also has the strength to maximize his hand usage.
38) New York Jets: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
Heading into Year 2, the goal for the Jets should be to make Zach Wilson more comfortable. Skyy Moore makes great progress toward that goal with his ability to win on the boundary or in the slot with his sudden, violent releases and strong hands.
39) Chicago Bears: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
David Ojabo could ultimately go in Round 1 still — the fifth-year option is that valuable for security and extended time for contract negotiations. But there’s also a chance he falls just outside the top 32. The Bears, with a need on the edge after trading Mack, would be wise to stash Ojabo’s talent.
40) Seattle Seahawks: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
The Seahawks’ cornerback room is still relatively bare, but the 2022 NFL Draft provides them the perfect opportunity to change that. In Round 2, Kyler Gordon could be a prime candidate. He brings great closing speed and physicality, and he’s very fluid and twitchy in space.
41) Seattle Seahawks: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
With two second-round picks, the Seattle Seahawks can use one of those selections on a quarterback if a passer drops that far. Carson Strong might have the best chance to do so with his knee injury and reports of poor interviews. But if he’s there, his arm talent is worth a look.
42) Indianapolis Colts: Nick Cross, S, Maryland
Nick Cross is more of a projection than most, as he has room to improve his consistency at the next level. But he brings a lot of versatility and single-high capability to the NFL with his range. With 4.34 speed and elite explosiveness at 6’0″, 212 pounds, he fits what the Colts look for.
43) Atlanta Falcons: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
Can the Falcons get high-end talent, even if they go quarterback at eighth overall? In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the answer is yes. Arnold Ebiketie is my 11th-ranked player. At 6’2″, 251 pounds, with 34″ arms, he’s explosive, twitchy, powerful, and can stack hand moves around the apex.
44) Cleveland Browns: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
On the surface, the release of JC Tretter opens the door for Nick Harris to take the starting center spot for the Browns. But if Tyler Linderbaum drops this far, it’s hard not to consider him. Linderbaum gives the Browns a high-level starter right away with the IQ and athleticism to be a multi-phase player.
45) Baltimore Ravens: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Michael Pierce fills the Ravens’ need for a nose tackle in the short term. But Baltimore could still use more talent at the 3-technique spot opposite him. Devonte Wyatt profiles well there. He’s an explosive, hyper-agile lineman with a compact build and forceful hands.
46) Minnesota Vikings: Sean Rhyan, G, UCLA
If you’re looking for an offensive lineman who translates very well on the interior, UCLA’s Sean Rhyan is an excellent candidate. His arm length may push him inside, but he’s an elite athlete with a physical edge and suffocating strength at the point of attack.
47) Washington Commanders: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
I wouldn’t do this if I were the Commanders, but it seems like they’re interested in adding a running back early. They’re hosting both Hall and Kenneth Walker III on visits. Walker, at the very least, is a much more natural runner than Antonio Gibson. He has the vision and instincts Gibson lacks at times.
48) Chicago Bears: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
When you think about receivers who make the job easier for a quarterback, what qualities come to mind? Separation and strong hands are two of the first, and Jahan Dotson has both of those qualities in tow. If you’re looking to support Justin Fields, this is the way.
2022 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 | Picks 49-64
Here’s who closes out the second half of Round 2, beginning with the New Orleans Saints selecting OT Tyler Smith from Tulsa and the Kansas City Chiefs taking USC’s Drake Jackson off the board.
49) New Orleans Saints: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
There’s some Round 1 buzz out there for Tyler Smith. I like the player a lot, but Round 1 is too rich for me. That said, if the Saints can get him here in Round 2, they need to take that opportunity. He’s an athletic, powerful mauler with high upside.
50) Kansas City Chiefs: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
The hand usage is still an area of concern for Drake Jackson, but he’s a moldable ball of clay for whoever selects him. He measured in at 273 pounds at his pro day and still ran a strong 7.09 three-cone at that size. He also has 34″ arms and tested with a 36.5″ vertical and a 127″ broad at the NFL Combine.
51) Philadelphia Eagles: Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
Zyon McCollum was still being discovered at the start of the offseason. But after an NFL Combine performance that featured a 4.33 40-yard dash, a 6.48 three-cone, a 39.5″ vertical, and a 132″ broad jump at 6’2″, he’s a known talent. And with his athleticism, his FCS production can translate to the NFL.
52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Local Pennsylvania product Jaquan Brisker can be a stellar complement to Minkah Fitzpatrick on the back end for the Steelers. Although Brisker played in the box most often in college, he projects to have lots of versatility with his size, athleticism, and willing physicality.
53) Green Bay Packers: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
I’m incredibly intrigued by how Alec Pierce and Burks can play off one another in Green Bay’s offense. Pierce can be that vertical threat with his size and speed, while Burks can lurk underneath with his RAC ability. The possibilities are fun to explore.
54) New England Patriots: Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
Troy Andersen will need to keep honing his instincts at the next level, but the tools in a Bill Belichick defense are impossible not to be excited about. He’s 6’3 1/2″, 243 pounds, with 4.42 speed, a 36″ vertical, and a 128″ broad jump. That all adds to a RAS of 9.99.
55) Arizona Cardinals: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Many teams have size thresholds when it comes to the cornerback position, but the Cardinals are one of the few who don’t seem as stringent. That could open the door for Roger McCreary to head to Arizona, where his tenacious coverage and matching ability would be valued.
56) Dallas Cowboys: DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M
Dan Quinn is one defensive mind I think could get the most out of DeMarvin Leal. Rotate him between 3-technique in base 3-4 and strongside DE in some 4-3 under looks and let him use his burst, lateral agility, and heavy hands as mismatch creators on the interior.
57) Buffalo Bills: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
The early tape on George Pickens is very exciting. His 2021 season elicits some concern, as he didn’t always display the same burst and twitch as a route runner. But Pickens still has great size and vertical speed, and with his strong hands and instincts, he’d be able to snare deep passes from Josh Allen.
58) Atlanta Falcons: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
When your receiving corps is as empty as the Atlanta Falcons’, the best you can do is aim for reliability in the NFL Draft. John Metchie III feels like one of those receivers who’ll be steady and reliable for a long time. He’s a little smaller, but he’s a nuanced route runner and a decent RAC threat.
59) Green Bay Packers: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Someone is going to gamble on Quay Walker’s physical traits. And alongside De’Vondre Campbell, behind a line that includes Clark, Winfrey, and Rashan Gary, could be where it pays off. Walker is supremely explosive and agile at 6’4″, 241 pounds.
60) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jamaree Salyer, G, Georgia
This may seem a little high for Jamaree Salyer, whose tape at tackle wasn’t always too inspiring. But he showed enough promise with his strength and power capacity, and he projects very well at guard. He’s a dense 6’3″, 321 pounds, with near-34″ arms.
61) San Francisco 49ers: Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
If you were to fill out a superlatives list for the 2022 NFL Draft’s group of edge rushers, Nik Bonitto would undoubtedly take home the title for best bend. He’s super quick off the snap and can dip below tackles with ease while sustaining his acceleration.
62) Kansas City Chiefs: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
An underrated potential need for the Chiefs is right tackle. Lucas Niang has shown his flashes, but he hasn’t always been available due to injury. At the very least, Abraham Lucas can be a solid swing tackle with his traits and smooth pass protection. But he has natural RT ability as well.
63) Cincinnati Bengals: Logan Hall, DT, Houston
The Bengals did bring back B.J. Hill, but the depth of their interior defensive line rotation might not be where it needs to be. Logan Hall can help fix that. He can improve his pad level, but he’s an explosive, powerful 3-technique with violent hands and a working pass-rush arsenal.
64) Denver Broncos: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
If Nakobe Dean drops in the draft because he’s a bit undersized, someone is going to get a very good player. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Broncos are the beneficiaries. Dean can be a phenomenal complement to Baron Browning with his game IQ and proactivity.
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