2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
Five defensive linemen filled the first half of the draft, but how many go in the last 16 picks?
17) New England Patriots: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Patriots may have invested heavily in their wide receiver position this past offseason, but they still lack star power. Assuming Mac Jones will take over the offense next year, he will need more receiving options. Chris Olave was a comfort blanket for Justin Fields and could be the go-to option for Jones.
18) Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Joseph, S, Northwestern
It is make or break for Terrell Edmunds in Pittsburgh in 2021. If he succeeds, expect the Steelers’ attention to shift to finding a franchise cornerback of the future with this selection. Still, assuming Edmunds cannot secure a long-term future in Pittsburgh, Brandon Joseph could be a potential partner for Minkah Fitzpatrick.
19) Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
The Eagles added a top-tier linebacker with their first selection in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, and now they focus on the secondary. Steven Nelson has been brought in for the 2021 season, but they need a long-term option. Andrew Booth would be an excellent partner for Darius Slay. He could also step up in that CB1 role when Slay’s contract ends following the 2023 season.
20) New Orleans Saints: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
New Orleans has failed to find a consistent second wide receiver threat opposite Michael Thomas. The presence of Drew Brees has allowed them to get away with it more or less, but now he is gone, and they need to give their QB more talent around him. Treylon Burks fits that bill perfectly in our 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
21) Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
The Dallas Cowboys have an excellent offense. Unfortunately, they do not have a difference-maker at tight end. Jalen Wydermyer is an extremely talented option at the position, who could have a Kyle Pitts-like rise with a strong 2021 season. Imagine the absolutely terrifying offense of Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Wydermyer, and Ezekiel Elliott.
22) Tennessee Titans: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Ben Jones is set to be a free agent next offseason, and the Titans have several needs to address. If they decide to move on from Jones, an option like Tyler Linderbaum could be an immediate replacement in the middle of the offensive line. However, moving to a rookie center could be a risky move for a franchise that has put itself in a “win-now” mode.
23) New York Jets: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Marcus Maye is disgruntled after getting the franchise tag for 2021. Behind him, the cupboard is rather empty. If Maye does leave next offseason, the Jets need to find a long-term option at safety if they want to improve their secondary. Jordan Battle could be that do-it-all type of safety to come in and be a valuable contributor from Year 1.
24) Indianapolis Colts: Zion Nelson, OT, Miami FL
The Colts have a glaring need at left tackle entering the 2021 season. Even if Eric Fisher returns at a high level from his injury, he is nearing the end of his career. Putting Zion Nelson on an extremely strong line could make this a top-five unit for the next 3-4 years.
25) Cleveland Browns (from Dolphins): Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati
The Browns give up a fourth-round selection to jump up one pick and keep Myjai Sanders in Ohio. The Browns are relying on Jadeveon Clowney to provide a pass rush opposite Myles Garrett in 2021. Nevertheless, assuming that is a one-year fix, a talented player like Sanders could really take this Browns defense to a new level of dangerous.
26) Miami Dolphins (from Browns): Kingsley Enagbare, DE, South Carolina
The Dolphins slide one selection in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft and still get a valuable contributor to their pass rush in Kingsley Enagbare. The Dolphins need to keep adding playmakers for their defensive-minded head coach. Enagbare had 6 sacks as a junior at South Carolina in 2020. He has improved year on year and could cement his spot as a first-round selection with a strong final campaign.
27) Buffalo Bills: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Bills do not have many holes on their roster, but Levi Wallace is set to be a free agent in 2022. Even if the Bills did bring Wallace back, you can never have too many talented options at the cornerback position. In an ideal world for the Bills, Wallace plays so well in 2021 that they are priced out, only to replace him with a potential CB1 in Ahmad Gardner.
28) Detroit Lions: Drake London, WR, USC
If the Lions can come out of next year with a new QB and another wide receiver to add to their arsenal, they will be rebuilding effectively. Combining Drake London with his former teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown is also an intriguing storyline given their familiarity complementing each other.
29) Baltimore Ravens: Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State
The departure of Orlando Brown cannot be ignored. They have a stop-gap option in Andrew Villanueva for 2021, but he is not the long-term solution. Rasheed Walker could very easily be that long-term option and would offer the Ravens two strong tackles at either end of their line.
30) Green Bay Packers: Ikem Ekwonu, G, Green Bay Packers
Imagine the scene next offseason: Aaron Rodgers leaves the franchise after playing essentially under protest that the team has not supported him with offensive talent in the first round of past drafts. Then, just a matter of weeks later, the Packers draft an offensive lineman in the first round of the draft.
There is uncertainty around how the interior of this offensive line will shape up in 2021. Nonetheless, a combination of Elgton Jenkins, Josh Myers, and Ikem Ekwonu would be a talented group. If Royce Newman develops, this could be an exciting offensive line with David Bakhtiari at left tackle.
31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
The Buccaneers could very well be willing to overpay to secure a key piece on a Super Bowl run. Tom Brady’s final Super Bowl in New England came thanks to a strong run game from a first-round selection in Sony Michel. With the contracts of Leonard Fournette, Ronald Jones, and Giovani Bernard running out after this year, drafting Isaiah Spiller in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft could give them that reliable option in the backfield.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
The value at the back end of this first round is somewhat mixed for the Chiefs. They could address wide receiver, cornerback, EDGE, or the interior of their defensive line. Adding Perrion Winfrey would allow them to use Chris Jones creatively, knowing they have a big difference-maker on the interior when they need to shift him outside.
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