2022 NFL Mock Draft | 17-32
While defense dominated the action in the first half, how did the second half of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft shake out?
17) Denver Broncos: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Kenny Pickett falls from one likely landing spot to another. While the Steelers pass on Pickett, the Broncos do not. Denver makes Pickett their QB of the future, officially moving on from the Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater eras.
Pickett is as hard-nosed as they come and has enough arm strength to hit every level of the field. His fifth year with Pittsburgh was unlike any season from an ACC quarterback in the past. Pickett’s rapid ascension is not without good cause. He truly has all the makings of a future franchise QB.
18) Las Vegas Raiders: DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M
The Las Vegas Raiders will be a dramatically different team in 2022 than they were in 2021. They’ll have a new head coach and could even see more turnover in their front office if the season ends on a sour note. They’re a franchise of questionable decisions in the past.
Their selection of DeMarvin Leal wouldn’t be in question, however. The big man from Texas A&M is a dominant three-down defender and would immediately upgrade the Raiders’ defensive line.
19) Washington Football Team: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner heads to the Washington Football Team as the fourth cornerback selected. Sauce is a pure coverage corner with enough skills at the catch point to make up for any other inefficiencies in his game.
Gardner is so good at the collegiate level, he has essentially been avoided by opposing offenses in 2021. With Cincinnati eyeing the College Football Playoff, his prowess on one side of the field has done wonders for the Bearcats defense this season.
20) Los Angeles Chargers: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
An ox of a man, Nakobe Dean is as strong as he is fierce on the field. He routinely makes bigger men victim to his strength but has enough speed to run around blockers in space. Dean has terrific instincts to boot and is arguably one of the more complete players in this draft class. The Los Angeles Chargers defense becomes even more formidable with yet another defensive chess piece in place.
21) Miami Dolphins: Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State
The Miami Dolphins grab yet another versatile offensive lineman with tremendous potential in Rasheed Walker. A big man with nimble feet, Walker possesses the raw power you’d expect from someone of his size. He also has great speed in his extremities, utilizing them well in both facets.
22) Buffalo Bills: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
A monster of a man, the Buffalo Bills grab all 6’6″, 340 pounds of Jordan Davis from Athens. The dichotomy of Buffalo’s defensive line is that of aging stars and youthful exuberance. Davis injects into the interior as Star Lotulelei gets longer in the tooth. With Ed Oliver on one side and Davis commanding double-teams, this is a formidable interior duo that could rival for NFL’s best.
23) Detroit Lions: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The third quarterback is taken as the Detroit Lions nab UNC’s Sam Howell. Once penciled in as a potential No. 1 overall pick, Howell’s failure to elevate the talent around him in 2021 has seen his stock fall. Still, Howell possesses elite arm talent from all platforms and is a terrific athlete. He has a ways to go as a passer but has all the tools both in his arm and between the shoulder pads.
24) Cincinnati Bengals: Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA
The Bengals made the right call a year ago drafting Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell with their first selection. However, they now need another serviceable offensive tackle to help protect the face of their franchise, Joe Burrow.
Sean Rhyan heads to the Queen City as the big man from UCLA improves an offensive line struggling to find an identity. Rhyan is a big man with a bigger presence. Cincinnati immediately upgrades their offensive line with Rhyan’s influence.
25) Dallas Cowboys: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
The Dallas Cowboys have needed some help along the edge for some time. Myjai Sanders has a chance to improve his draft stock even more since he’s been invited to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. If he does that, expect pick 25 to be his draft floor. With a loaded defensive end class, Sanders is nearing the upper echelon with his ability to wreak havoc off the edge. He’s got great hands, quick feet, and strength for days.
26) Kansas City Chiefs: Drake London, WR, USC
A season-ending injury shut down one of the better receiving performances of the 2021 season when Drake London fractured his ankle. Pre-draft testing will be key to indicate London’s draft status, but if all goes to plan and his ankle is healthy enough, he would absolutely be a steal for Kansas City.
London has incredible athleticism and leaping ability, just the same as he is the class’ best at the catch point. In fact, 50-50 balls are essentially 75-25 balls in his favor.
27) Tennessee Titans: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
There are a few positions of need for the Tennessee Titans at No. 27. Jordan Battle is the man as he projects to more of a strong safety with Tennessee. Battle fits that mold brilliantly in today’s NFL with terrific instincts and coverage prowess.
He can match up against tight ends and bigger receivers and possesses enough quickness to patrol the middle of the field against slot receivers and running backs. Battle’s influence would allow Kevin Byard more freedom at free safety, a place where the veteran excels.
28) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
Drafting a running back in Round 1 will certainly receive its fair share of scrutiny for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nevertheless, Isaiah Spiller is a dynamic back with great hands in the receiving game.
The best part of Spiller’s game is his durability and ability to continue accelerating through his breaks. A rare feat in and of itself, Spiller seemingly accelerates when changing direction. He’s a rare blend of speed, shiftiness, and athleticism, a much-needed influence of all three in Tampa Bay’s backfield.
29) New England Patriots: Brandon Joseph, S, Northwestern
Brandon Joseph didn’t quite put up the kind of performance in 2021 that some would have hoped. But that’s all directly related to his positional switch and defensive philosophy change at Northwestern compared to the 2020 season.
Joseph has great ball skills and a knack for understanding route concepts in coverage. He’ll also thump ball carriers in space. A youngster on an aging defense helps the New England Patriots continue to ascend the NFL Power Rankings.
30) Green Bay Packers: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
Coming off his worst performance to date, Nicholas Petit-Frere still has massive upside in the NFL. He may have just gotten beat at times by the No. 5 overall pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, but NPF has more than held his own all season long for the Buckeyes.
Petit-Frere is a big man with a quick first step. He’ll knock rushers back with power but has more than enough athleticism to stick with speed rushers as well. The Packers grab an NFL-ready left tackle at the tail-end of Round 1 — who says no?
31) Baltimore Ravens: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Charles Cross‘ slide comes to a close as the Baltimore Ravens grab the Mississippi State OT at No. 31. Cross has elite-level athleticism with terrific footwork for a big man. The best part about him is the fact that he’s still learning the game of football. He’ll continue to improve and could become a centerpiece of the Ravens’ offensive attack for years to come.
32) Arizona Cardinals: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
The Arizona Cardinals close out a defensive-oriented 2022 NFL Mock Draft with yet another defensive player. Kingsley Enagbare is a versatile athlete who could very easily play down on the defensive line or as a stand-up outside linebacker.
Enagbare excels when rushing the passer while also possessing more than enough strength and speed to work down the line in the run game. He has no trouble dropping into coverage, and he’d add the proverbial movable chess piece to the Cardinals’ defense.
2022 NFL Mock Draft | Teams without a Day 1 pick
Several teams do not have a first-round pick. As such, here’s who the PFN Mock Draft Simulator selected for each of those teams’ first picks of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears: Zion Nelson, OT, Miami (FL)
Indianapolis Colts: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
Los Angeles Rams: Zonovan Knight, RB, NC State
San Francisco 49ers: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa