2022 NFL Mock Draft | 17-32
Which 2022 NFL Draft prospects make the back-half of Round 1?
17. New England Patriots: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
No receivers have gone off the board to this point. That gives the Patriots a great opportunity to add their first choice at the position. The Patriots might not be keen on selecting a first-round receiver after the N’Keal Harry experience. Nevertheless, with Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson, they can avoid the mistake they made with Harry back in 2019.
Unlike Harry, Wilson can separate, and he can separate well. Wilson is extremely explosive and twitchy, and he’s also smooth and instinctive in open space. Additionally, when he isn’t separated, Wilson has the body control, hand strength, and focus at the catch point to haul in circus catches. He’d quickly become a go-to option for 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kedon Slovis, QB, USC
As a true freshman in 2019, Kedon Slovis completed 71.9% of his passes for 3,502 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. His 2020 season, impacted by both COVID-19 and a throwing shoulder injury, was less prolific. Nevertheless, when he’s fully healthy and fully confident, Slovis has the tools to be a first-round QB. He’s accurate, composed, and has some definite escapability in the pocket.
Slovis, who was a team captain as a true sophomore, presents an intriguing fit for the Pittsburgh offense. The Steelers will have plenty of weapons for Slovis to use, and he has the accuracy and toughness to keep plays alive and deliver to his playmakers. If he can get back to his 2019 level of play, or even exceed it, he can crack the top 32.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Eagles’ signing of Steven Nelson will make their cornerback room respectable for 2021. Yet, Nelson is only on a one-year deal. Opposite him, Darius Slay turns 31 in January. With two first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, this may be the opportunity Philadelphia needs to add fresh talent at one of the most important defensive positions. They solved their QB spot with Rattler, and now, Ahmad Gardner can help them at CB.
With defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, who served as CBs coach with the Colts, the Eagles may run a versatile allotment of coverages. Gardner fits that plan well. The Cincinnati product has the explosiveness, length, and instincts to thrive in zone coverage. But he also has the hip fluidity and competitiveness to give receivers fits in man.
20. New Orleans Saints: Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada
If Romeo Doubs shores up his catching ability and continues to refine his route running, this is how high he can go. Hypothetically, if Carson Strong goes first overall, Doubs will be a major component in his ascension. Doubs accounted for approximately 35% of Nevada’s passing offense last year, and he might be due for even more in 2021.
Diagnostically, Doubs has some of the highest upside in the 2022 receiver class. He sports a long 6’2″, 200-pound frame. Within that frame, he’s extremely explosive and twitchy, and he’s always brimming with potential energy. Doubs has the potential to be a devastating route runner, with the release package and body control to be a superb downfield threat.
21. Dallas Cowboys: DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
The Cowboys drafted eight defensive players in 2021. Let’s be honest; it probably isn’t enough. All jokes aside, the Cowboys allowed the second-most rushing yards in the league last season. They also conceded an opposing passer rating of over 100. The additions made in 2021 should help, especially with the hiring of Dan Quinn. Nevertheless, another strong defensive draft may be needed.
Linebacker may not be the first position that comes to mind, especially after the Cowboys added Micah Parsons. However, the futures of both Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith are somewhat uncertain, and more versatility is never a bad thing. Versatility is exactly what DeMarvion Overshown provides. A former safety convert, the 6’4″ playmaker has exceptional athletic ability and upside at the second level.
22. Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Colts are once again dealing with QB questions, both short-term and long-term. The Jaguars are at the start of a coaching experiment that’s not guaranteed to yield positive results. And the Texans are the football equivalent of the Chicxulub impact crater. The AFC South is the Titans’ division until otherwise specified. They can keep it that way by continuing to add top-end talent.
Giving Treylon Burks to the Titans, who already have Julio Jones and A.J. Brown, seems a bit unfair. But NFL teams don’t care about fairness when they’re winning, and this is a winning combination. With Burks, the average weight of Tennessee’s top three receivers would be over 225 pounds, and they might all run in the 4.4s at worst. Try stopping that on Sundays.
23. New York Jets: Jahleel Billingsley, TE, Alabama
The Jets added their blue-chip defensive player in Stingley. Now, it’s time to return to the other side of the ball and keep adding weapons for franchise quarterback Zach Wilson. The Jets have a surprising amount of firepower at receiver, but tight end remains a question mark. Interestingly enough, Jahleel Billingsley can assist New York in both roles.
Billingsley has the talent and the impending opportunity to potentially be TE1 in the 2022 NFL Draft. At 6’4″, 230 pounds, Billingsley is a bit undersized. Yet, he makes up for that with smooth athleticism, run-after-catch ability, and toughness in contested situations. Billingsley essentially functions as a big wide receiver. He also has the blocking ability to help clear lanes for the team’s new second-round RB (no spoilers).
24. Indianapolis Colts: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Quarterback is very much on the table for the Colts. It was even after the trade for Carson Wentz, and it’s an even greater possibility now. Wentz was a replacement-level QB last year. He needed time and good health to fix the damage done in 2020. His foot injury complicates that, and it also positions the Colts to potentially stay in Round 1, where they can conduct a full reset.
There is a potential out in Wentz’s contract in 2022, with a $20 million dead cap. If the Colts wait to release him in 2023, however, there’s no dead cap. It’s a tough choice to make, but the upside of starting fresh seems much better than tying oneself to a major reclamation project. With his athleticism, arm talent, natural accuracy, and fearlessness as a passer, Matt Corral is worth the risk.
25. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco): Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
The Dolphins locked down Jerome Baker long-term, but their LB group may still need upkeep in 2022. Benardrick McKinney originally had three years left on his deal when the Dolphins traded for him. Yet, After a restructure, McKinney is only on the books for 2021, where he’ll count for $3 million against the cap. Assuming McKinney walks after this year, Miami will need a new playmaker up the middle. Christian Harris qualifies.
Harris has often been mocked as the best linebacker in the 2022 NFL Draft. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, he falls just short of that distinction. Harris has some refinement to undergo. Nevertheless, he has the physical tools to pace his position. He’s well-sized at 6’2″, 230 pounds, and his mix of twitch, burst, and aggressiveness stands out on tape.
26. Cleveland Browns: Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
If you smell coal burning, don’t be alarmed. You’ve simply entered the engine car for the Jalen Tolbert hype train. Tolbert doesn’t play for a Power Five school, but he’s dominated at South Alabama and proven himself to have early-round upside. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Tolbert train stops in Cleveland, where the Browns can benefit from his dynamic skill set.
Tolbert stands at around 6’3″, 195 pounds, but he has the speed and explosiveness of a receiver three inches shorter. Tolbert accounted for a whopping 40% of his team’s receiving production in 2020, and that’s no accident. The Jaguars’ star has a stellar physical profile, as well as the route-running ability and downfield proficiency to be a threat at all three levels.
27. Buffalo Bills: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Now that the Bills have agreed to an extension with QB Josh Allen, they’re set to stay competitive for the next half-decade, at the very least. On defense, however, some maintenance will soon have to occur. Buffalo took care of the EDGE position in 2021, but safety also demands attention. Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are both 30 years old, so it is imperative to add young talent to mold behind them.
Daxton Hill demands attention from the Bills in particular, but also from the other 31 teams. Few safeties in the 2022 class have the sheer upside that Hill possesses. He has good size at 6’0″, 192 pounds, but his athleticism is what truly stands out. Hill has a 4.3 40-yard dash and a 43-inch vertical on record, and those numbers are verified by the tape. He covers ground with alien quickness and has the fluidity to play CB if needed.
28. Detroit Lions: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Dan Campbell might be experiencing a crash from his 80-ounce coffee infusion by this time on draft night, but the chance to add a top-flight receiver prospect should get him excited again. 2021 fourth-round pick Amon-Ra St. Brown could be a gem for the Lions, but the unit needs much more help beyond him. Late in Round 1, Chris Olave makes a lot of sense for a team that needs security at the position.
Olave doesn’t quite have the upside of his teammate Garrett Wilson. Still, he has a very solid profile. Olave has decent size, good speed, strong route-running ability, and excellent focus at the catch point. He’s a well-rounded threat who could be a solid starter for the better part of a decade. His smooth style instantly makes the QB’s life easier.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State
Provided he can come back fully healthy, Ronnie Stanley is under contract at left tackle until 2026. On the contrary, there are questions on the other side for the Ravens. The team did sign Ja’Wuan James to provide future security at right tackle, but he has an Achilles’ injury to rebound from first. There’s also veteran Alejandro Villanueva, but the former Steeler appears to be past his prime.
Baltimore should be in the market for tackle talent next offseason, and in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, they snag one of the best tackles in the draft in Penn State’s Rasheed Walker. At 6’6″, 320 pounds, Walker has excellent size and length. He’s also intelligent, heavy-handed, and well-balanced in moving situations. Walker may have to transition to the right side, but he has the athleticism to pull it off.
30. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Davis, DT, Clemson
Outside of Kenny Clark, the Packers’ interior defensive line doesn’t have much proven talent. Kingsley Keke is an ascending player, and Dean Lowry is decent, but the rotation isn’t very deep aside from those players. Clemson’s Tyler Davis can help change that while also potentially adding game-changing ability at one of the most important positions.
Standing at 6’2″, 300 pounds, Davis fits very well into the 3-technique role he’d be playing with the Packers. Davis has great natural leverage with his frame, and he’s incredibly explosive and twitchy. Even so, the most impressive part of Davis’ profile might be his raw power. With his amalgamation of traits, Davis can bring the Packers’ front up a tier and potentially become a franchise player in his own right.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
Everyone mentions Lavonte David, Devin White, Vita Vea, and Shaq Barrett. However, Ndamukong Suh and William Gholston were quietly extremely productive in 2021 as well. With that being said, both players are aging, and the Buccaneers need to recoup talent at that position in 2022.
Late in Round 1 of our 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Oklahoma’s Perrion Winfrey is a near perfect fit for Tampa Bay. A former JUCO star, Winfrey made the leap to the Big 12 last year and flourished in the process. The 6’3″, 290-pound defensive lineman offers impressive juice and twitch off the line. He’s also strong, long, and well-balanced. In time, he could safely take the torch from Suh.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
The Chiefs have a rotation of Mike Danna, Alex Okafor, Taco Charlton, and Tim Ward opposite Frank Clark, but none of them feel like long-term solutions. The pass-rushing unit should never be neglected, and the Chiefs have a good opportunity here to select one of the most exciting EDGE prospects in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft — Cincinnati’s Myjai Sanders.
At 6’5″, Sanders is a long edge defender with an impressive blend of explosiveness, bend, and hand quickness. His frame is a little light, but the Cincinnati pass rusher can use his length to cultivate artificial power fairly well. His athleticism affords him a great deal of upside, and he has the instincts to time the snap to get a step ahead.