2022 NFL Mock Draft | 17-32
Back-to-back edge defenders kick off the second half of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
17. New England Patriots: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
The Patriots paid Matt Judon, and they have a lot of pass rushers already in house, so this selection from the simulator takes a bit of imagination. Drafting another pass rusher in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft allows the Patriots’ defense to move guys around. Myjai Sanders is already a good player, and he still has room to improve. However, this pick could have been used elsewhere, like the Patriots’ struggling receiving corps.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
Zach Harrison here is another head-scratcher. The Steelers are flush with exterior pass rushers, but they aren’t bankrupt, either. They must begin to rebuild the offensive line heading into 2022 and look to secure their QB of the future if they don’t go offensive line here. Still, picking 18th overall could make it difficult for Pittsburgh to accomplish that goal.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
Isaiah Spiller is an outstanding talent, but this 2022 NFL Mock Draft selection makes absolutely no sense. The Eagles have Miles Sanders in town for another two seasons, and they just got great value in the draft with Kenneth Gainwell. Spending mid-first capital with two talents already in house would be a huge waste. The MDS got this one wrong.
20. New Orleans Saints: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Saints need a complement to Michael Thomas like a man needs a beer after a long day of yardwork. There’s no getting around it; It must happen. The Saints cannot head into 2022 without spending resources on a Robin to Thomas’ Batman. Treylon Burks has “traditional” WR size at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. He also wears specially made gloves that are 5XL.
21. Chicago Bears: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
If it were up to me, a cornerback with the nickname “Sauce” would be the first player off the board. Fortunately for the teams up there, the simulator made this selection. The Bears make the right move in drafting Ahmad Gardner to be their cover corner.
22. Tennessee Titans: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
Jalen Wydermyer was a professional tight end the minute he stepped foot on a college field. He possesses the size and athletic ability to be a traditional in-line tight end. Although the Titans didn’t necessarily feature the position in the passing attack, they’re not in a great spot at the position.
23. New York Jets: DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
C.J. Mosley has only played two games since the end of the 2018 season, and Jarrad Davis is not the future for New York. Thus, they address their future in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, and they get a raw linebacker with experience at safety. DeMarvion Overshown played on the back end in his first two years at Texas before transitioning to linebacker in 2020. If he continues to improve the mental side, he could be a steal late in Round 1.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Zion Nelson, OT, Miami
The Colts signed Sam Tevi and Eric Fisher for 2021, but the future is a mystery, making this selection from the simulator a great one. The Colts secured right tackle Braden Smith to a long-term deal, but they need their future at left tackle. Enter Zion Nelson, who would ironically line up beside Quenton Nelson, one of the best guards in the NFL.
25. Miami Dolphins: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
The Dolphins have some talent at pass rusher after the selection of Jaelan Phillips, but they could use another freak on the exterior rushing opposing QBs. They arrive there by picking Kingsley Enagbare, who is a 270-pound monster that could play in a wide alignment or head-up on offensive tackles.
26. Cleveland Browns: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
John Metchie III is just another in what’s becoming a line long enough to be a console pre-sale outside of a Best Buy. Four Alabama receivers have gone in Round 1 of the NFL Draft IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. They’ve had quite a run of talent, and Metchie is just the next man up.
27. Buffalo Bills: Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State
The Bills have an outstanding roster, and they also have both offensive tackles locked up until after 2023. Therefore, OT Rasheed Walker seems like an oversight by the MDS on this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
The CB2 spot would be where I looked first, and then probably safety after that. Safety isn’t an immediate need, but both Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer are 30 years old. Running back is always a consideration for the Bills, but the simulator disagreed on this occasion.
28. Detroit Lions: Brandon Joseph, S, Northwestern
Wide receiver. The Detroit Lions need all of the wide receivers. Tracy Walker is quite good on the back end. They could use a second safety, but they’re so dry at receiver that they shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to stock up. Brandon Joseph is a rangy-free safety type, and covering is what Walker does on the back end.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
The Ravens could get out of the Marcus Peters contract after 2021, but I’m not sure they would or should. He still plays at an incredibly high level, and Marlon Humphrey is one of the most versatile cornerbacks in the league.
Tavon Young is one of the better slot cornerbacks in the NFL, but he can’t stay on the field. Andrew Booth Jr. has an unbelievable amount of untapped potential. The Ravens stockpiling secondary members isn’t a bad use of resources.
30. Green Bay Packers: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Packers need linebacker help, so this automated selection makes a ton of sense. There will be many unknowns for the Packers heading into 2022, but their linebacker corps is known, and it’s not good. Something about Pac-12 and Mountain West linebackers always has them excel in coverage. If Devin Lloyd can round that skill out, he could be one of the top linebackers drafted.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Aidan Hutchinson could have declared in 2021, but he stuck around Michigan for another season. He has the size to play as a 5-technique defensive end and the pass-rush prowess to align wide as well. The Bucs drafted Joe Tryon at the end of Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft, but they could still use more bodies rushing the passer.
They don’t have any other pressing needs.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Drake London, WR, USC
It feels weird to say, but the Chiefs could definitely use some help at receiver. Aside from Tyreek Hill, there isn’t a lot to love regarding the Chiefs’ receivers. Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson aren’t bad options, but getting a true WR2 like Drake London could make an outstanding offense even better.