2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
As we enter the back half of our mock draft, what are the biggest needs for each team? Who could be the option to fill that need when the draft begins in April?
17) Cleveland Browns: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
The Browns might try to jump above the Eagles and Raiders if they have a preference over which DT they want. Jordan Davis is rising up draft boards seemingly every week and could enter the draft in consideration as a top-10 selection.
The Browns have needs at DT, pass rush, linebacker, safety, and wide receiver — they will have their pick of several talented options if the board falls this way.
18) Pittsburgh Steelers: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
Our fourth quarterback of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft is perhaps my personal favorite in Carson Strong. A knee injury is expected to prevent his ceiling in terms of where he could be selected. However, if his medicals check out, he has the feeling of a perfect succession plan to Ben Roethlisberger.
The other options here include keeping Kenny Pickett in Pittsburgh, addressing the Steelers’ offensive line concerns, or grabbing a cornerback. What we see from Roethlisberger in the next few weeks will determine that direction.
19) New Orleans Saints: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Saints have major needs to address on their offense at both QB and WR. The injury to Jameis Winston has thrown the future of the franchise up in the air somewhat, but there are thoughts that he could return.
Therefore, the Saints’ focus needs to be on getting him a big weapon, as it seems more and more likely that Michael Thomas’ future is not in New Orleans. Treylon Burks is an extremely intriguing player in terms of his potential, and he made some eye-catching plays for Arkansas this past week against Alabama.
20) Minnesota Vikings: Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati
The Vikings’ focus in this draft needs to be on their defense. The main question is whether that focus is upfront or at cornerback. The future of Danielle Hunter is somewhat uncertain after his injury this year, while Everson Griffen is set to be a free agent. However, three of their top corners are also scheduled to hit the open market.
It will be a tough decision for the Vikings, but their philosophy on defense has seemingly been to build out their pass rush and then figure out the back end. Therefore, Myjai Sanders could be a perfect target for this defensive front, with Andrew Booth Jr. an intriguing CB option if they go down that route.
21) Buffalo Bills: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
It is tough to pinpoint what the Bills might do this offseason, making this 2022 NFL Mock Draft selection equally difficult. They have four veteran pass rushers set to become free agents. Nonetheless, they have invested heavily in the position in recent drafts. That might shift the focus to either offensive line or cornerback.
The value here is at cornerback with Andrew Booth Jr., who some have viewed as a top-10 pick in April. The Bills would have a fantastic trio if Booth could start opposite Tre’Davious White and Taron Johnson stays in the slot.
22) Cincinnati Bengals: Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA
The Bengals have a number of defensive options set to become free agents this offseason. However, they must not overlook continuing to protect their franchise QB in Joe Burrow.
Sean Rhyan is an intriguing talent who could rise further up boards. He would be an ideal bookend partner for Jonah Williams as a replacement for Riley Reiff.
23) Los Angeles Chargers: Ikem Ekwonu, IOL, NC State
A lot of people feel that the Chargers’ needs are on defense. Kingsley Enagbare would be an intriguing pass-rush option for their scheme, but the offense feels like the place they have to focus as they build around Justin Herbert.
If they let Mike Williams walk, WR could be the target here. However, the glaring hole looks to be at right guard. Ikem Ekwonu would fill that need nicely, and he also has the ability to play out at tackle if the Chargers needed him to in an emergency.
24) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
There could be a lot of holes on the Buccaneers’ roster this offseason if they cannot retain key free agents. But even aside from those potential free agents, the glaring hole is at cornerback.
Jamel Dean has been fantastic, but he needs a consistent partner opposite him. Ahmad Gardner is one of the options in consideration as the fourth cornerback off the board. Still, this CB group has become very bunched up with a number of options in play for the Buccaneers.
25) New England Patriots: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
There is a possibility that 2021 will be the final season we see Devin McCourty in a New England jersey. That would leave a huge hole that they need to plug this offseason. Additionally, Dont’a Hightower and Ja’Whaun Bentley could leave at linebacker.
Jordan Battle would provide another useful, Swiss Army knife-type piece for this defense. He can line up at linebacker and help in the box or drop out and cover in the slot. We know that Bill Belichick loves to turn to his friend in Nick Saban for college prospects, and Battle could be the same story.
26) Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
The Chiefs are another roster that could have several holes to fill depending on how their offseason goes. Cornerback will always be a priority, but three of their four safety options are set to be free agents in 2022.
Therefore, a player like Daxton Hill could be perfect in their scheme, especially if Tyrann Mathieu and Daniel Sorensen both leave. Putting Hill into the middle of a defense with Juan Thornhill, Nick Bolton, and Willie Gay is exciting.
27) Detroit Lions (from Rams): Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The Lions look set to have two picks close together at the back end of the first and the top of the second round. They need to address both the LB and the QB position with those two selections if the 2022 NFL Draft plays out similar to this mock.
From a financial point of view, taking the QB in the first round to lock in a fifth-year option is crucial. Who those QB options are is a different matter, but Kenny Pickett is receiving first-round buzz right now.
28) Dallas Cowboys: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
The Cowboys are starting to fall apart a little, in no small part to the absence of Tyron Smith at left tackle. Smith has now missed 17 games in the last two seasons and has not played a full campaign since 2015. The Cowboys need a high-level backup who can eventually replace him as the starter, which is exactly what Nicholas Petit-Frere would be for them.
There are other areas of concern at guard, linebacker, EDGE, and safety. This roster could have a lot of holes needing to be filled in the upcoming offseason.
29) Baltimore Ravens: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Ever since the departure of Orlando Brown Jr., right tackle has been the glaring need for the Ravens. Charles Cross is an almost perfect replacement given what his athleticism would bring to the offense.
Other needs exist on the defense, especially at CB, DT, and safety. However, getting that offensive line set as the rock of the offense is crucial, especially as they look to sign Lamar Jackson to an extension.
30) Green Bay Packers: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Packers desperately need a wide receiver, whether it be for Aaron Rodgers or Jordan Love. Nonetheless, that most likely means not drafting a wide receiver in the first round (at least that has been the pattern).
The Packers’ focus in the first round tends to be on defense, and they have a huge need to address at linebacker. They will hopefully bring De’Vondre Campbell back, and Devin Lloyd would be a fantastic partner for him in the middle of the defense.
31) Tennessee Titans: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
The two areas of obvious need for the Titans are at linebacker and tight end. Neither of those needs has a perfect fit here, so trading back should be an option, especially if someone has eyes on a QB at the back end of the first round.
If they do hold here, Christian Harris or Nakobe Dean could be in play at linebacker. However, this offense has looked its best when it has a game-breaking tight end, and that is exactly what Jalen Wydermyer can be at the next level.
32) Arizona Cardinals: Drake London, WR, USC
The two areas of need for the Cardinals are pass rush and wide receiver. They might negate one of those needs by re-signing either Christian Kirk or A.J. Green. As it stands currently, both of them would be leaving, and we know Kliff Kingsbury loves his offensive personnel.
Additionally, there is not really a pass rusher that fits right here. Therefore, a wide receiver might be the way to go. Whether that will be Drake London or not partly depends on how the USC WR returns from his injury over the coming months. He might end up sliding into Day 2, but the Cardinals are also candidates to trade back in April.