2022 7-Round NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
Which players close out the first round in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft?
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
The Chargers are Team Nose Tackle as well, but the Ravens swiped Davis out from under them in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Thus, the Chargers will have to look elsewhere with this pick. An equally sensible decision would be to upgrade the linebacking corps.
Los Angeles’ run defense was brutal at times this year. That not only falls on the line, but on the linebackers for not filling gaps. Nakobe Dean can provide a facelift for this unit. Not only is he physical in run defense, but he’s a playmaker on all three downs.
18. New Orleans Saints: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Part of the projective element in mock drafts is acknowledging situations that you might not totally agree with. Desmond Ridder still has questions to answer before I’m comfortable taking him in Round 1. But he’s a high-character player with great positional athleticism and a live arm. He could win over coaches at the Senior Bowl and go much higher than expected. All he has to do is convince them he’s worth the investment. His traits are an easy selling point.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
With three first-round picks in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Eagles managed to find upgrades at all three levels on the defensive side of the ball. Not only is he an explosive, instinctive linebacker with a penchant for production, but Devin Lloyd‘s presence may help 2020 third-round pick Davion Taylor as well. Lloyd can be a glue guy with his versatility, leadership, and length-athleticism combination.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The curtains have finally closed on the career of Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. And now, it’s time for Pittsburgh to transition into a new era.
Personally, I don’t think starting that era with Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins at quarterback is the right way to go about it. Sam Howell has things to clean up, and Pittsburgh’s offensive line has to improve with him. But Howell has the arm strength and competitive toughness worth investing in.
21. New England Patriots: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
I’ve long been a fan of Kaiir Elam‘s skill set. He didn’t take a big step up in 2021, largely due to injuries. But when healthy, he has the tools to be a dynamic talent on the back end.
His fit in New England remains exciting. At 6’2″, 193 pounds, Elam has great length and disruption capacity. Beyond that, he’s a great athlete with exceptional hip fluidity and spryness in short spaces. Mixing that fluidity with proactive physicality, he profiles well as a press-man cornerback.
22. Las Vegas Raiders: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The last few early-round additions at wide receiver haven’t worked out for the Raiders. But that’s no reason to stop swinging — especially in a golden age of WR talent.
Las Vegas needs to stay vigilant and keep investing resources into the position. A player like Chris Olave could help them receive better returns. Olave brings the speed that the Raiders often covet, but he’s also an instinctive receiver with good separation ability and body control.
23. Arizona Cardinals: DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
It feels like the buzz is fading a bit for DeMarvin Leal, but with his physical tools, he should still be in the first-round conversation. You don’t often see 6’4″, 290-pound defenders that can line up on the edge or at 3-technique. That’s why Leal remains an exciting player and profiles as an intriguing fit for the Cardinals.
Arizona could have needs at EDGE and defensive end, and Leal has the traits to fulfill both roles based on the situation. His strength can be a mismatch outside, while his athleticism reigns supreme on the interior.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Why did Dan Quinn ultimately return to the Dallas Cowboys? Is it because he wasn’t able to score a head coaching gig in the 2022 cycle? Or is it because he knows he can add Lewis Cine to his defense in the 2022 NFL Draft? I’m inclined to go with the latter.
The Cowboys’ defense is trending up with its young talent, and Cine can help complete the puzzle on the back end. He plays the position well even on passive reps, but he’s a rangy heat-seeking missile when plays come his way.
25. Buffalo Bills: Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
The Bills’ soul-crushing loss to the Chiefs shouldn’t extinguish any excitement surrounding Buffalo’s future. Josh Allen is a literal demigod, and there’s enough young talent for the Bills to enter 2022 as playoff favorites.
But on offense and defense, there is some maintenance left to perform. Particularly on offense, the blocking unit could be more consistent. Kenyon Green can provide an assist there. With his athleticism, balance, and power, you’re looking at a game-changing talent if you lock him in at guard.
26. Tennessee Titans: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The Titans have shown they’re willing to take gambles on talented prospects with various questions regarding their stock in Round 1. In this case, it’s not character that mars Jameson Williams‘ outlook. The Alabama WR is revered for his work ethic. Rather, it’s his ACL tear.
Teams will weigh it differently, but Williams’ tear was clean, and he should be able to make a full recovery. His pure speed would drastically open up Tennessee’s passing offense.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Like Williams, Derek Stingley Jr. could slide down the board a bit on account of his injury history. His health has been a concern recently. But when healthy, Stingley is a bona fide top-10 talent in the 2022 NFL Draft.
He’s an elite athlete with torrid closing speed, and the fast feet and seamless hip fluidity to match receivers off the line. Like his counterpart Booth, Stingley’s a high-level playmaker at the catch point. The value for the Buccaneers is too good to pass up in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
28. Green Bay Packers: Drake London, WR, USC
If Davante Adams leaves in free agency, the Packers will need a new alpha to anchor their offensive attack. And if Jordan Love is the starter next year, that need is only magnified.
Drake London can be that guy in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The 6’5″, 210-pound pass catcher will never be the kind of separator that Adams is. But he’s an elite contested-catch threat with some nuance and run-after-catch ability to his game.
29. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Part of me wants this to happen because I fear for Joe Burrow if his offensive line doesn’t improve in 2022. An even bigger part of me wants Tyler Linderbaum to be off the board at this point. But the NFL has shown time and time again that it’s willing to pass on high-level center prospects. Rookie All-Pro candidate Creed Humphrey fell to the bottom of Round 2 last year. And seeing that Linderbaum is under 300 pounds, there’s a legitimate chance he could drop.
30. Miami Dolphins (from SF): Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky
Darian Kinnard has been getting some first-round hype in the 2022 cycle. I can see it with his physical traits, but I would’ve liked him to improve his hands more in 2021. The Kentucky OT still lacks precision at times and opens up his torso. He’ll need to correct those flaws if he wants to succeed at the NFL level. Nevertheless, it feels like someone will bank on his upside, with his raw power and explosiveness upfield. The Dolphins, with their offensive line woes, have plenty of reason to take a chance.
31. Detroit Lions (from LAR): Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
The Lions quietly have a lot of pieces in their secondary. First-round pick Jeff Okudah is still a big unknown. But beyond him, there are several playmakers. Amani Oruwariye is a legitimate Pro Bowl talent, and Tracy Walker is an excellent safety blanket on the back end, if he stays.
Daxton Hill could be the final piece for this group. He’s an elite athlete who can line up just about anywhere, and he’s physical and proactive in all phases.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
Someone in this EDGE group is going to come out of Senior Bowl week as a winner. There’s a good chance it could be Arnold Ebiketie.
Ebiketie is a well-rounded edge rusher with great proportional length relative to his 6’3″, 258-pound frame. He has excellent power capacity, to go along with solid burst, ankle flexion, and hand usage. There aren’t many flaws to exploit in Ebiketie’s game, which is why he could ride Senior Bowl one-on-ones to a higher selection in the NFL Draft.