2022 NFL Mock Draft | 17-32
Three offensive linemen land in the second half of our 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
17. New England Patriots: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
Although the New England Patriots flashed the free agency cash on Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, the TE position is constantly in demand in Foxborough. Furthermore, in Jalen Wydermyer, they essentially land a tight end who can double up as a big wide receiver due to his pass-catching ability. As an integral part of the Aggies’ passing game, Wydermyer should establish himself as the best at the position this season.
18. Los Angeles Chargers: Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State
The Los Angeles Chargers’ war room is in disarray after seeing the Patriots snipe their No. 1 target the selection before them. However, adding another Ohio State pass rusher to their roster in the insanely athletic Zach Harrison is no consolation prize. Having Harrison line up across from Joey Bosa would be a terrifying prospect for quarterbacks, offensive linemen, and offensive coordinators across the NFL.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
A first-round wide receiver for the third consecutive season? While some Eagles fans may raise their eyebrows at the selection of Treylon Burks, he gives them an entirely different weapon to add to their offense. Big-bodied and physical, but with the speed and open-field elusiveness to be a dangerous after-the-catch threat, the Arkansas WR can be used anywhere across the offensive formation.
20. Baltimore Ravens (projected trade with the Indianapolis Colts): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The words that every NFL fan loves to hear on draft night — we have a trade! The Baltimore Ravens send picks 28 and 60 in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft — plus a 2023 sixth-round pick — to swap places with the Indianapolis Colts.
The reason for the leap? Mississippi State offensive tackle Charles Cross. After trading Orlando Brown to the Kansas City Chiefs, the need for the position is clear. Cross gives them an athletic tackle whose mean streak in the ground game fits the Ravens’ mentality.
21. Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
The Ravens were potentially looking to get ahead of the Dallas Cowboys, who many consider a landing spot for the top tackles in the 2022 NFL Draft. However, the safety position continues to be a need for a team that allowed the second-highest touchdown percentage per play last season. Alabama’s Jordan Battle gives them an explosive, instinctive, versatile playmaker who can impact the game in multiple ways.
22. Washington Football Team (projected trade with the New Orleans Saints): Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Washington sends picks 44 and 76, plus their 2023 second-round pick, to the New Orleans Saints.
After spurning a quarterback with their first pick in our 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Washington trades back into the first round to secure their long-term solution under center. In the move up, they select Liberty sensation Malik Willis. Strong armed, creative, and elusive out of the pocket, Willis embodies the modern NFL quarterback.
23. Tennessee Titans: Zion Nelson, OT, Miami (FL)
With just days to go until their season opener, the Tennessee Titans still have yet to announce a starting right tackle. Although they selected Dillon Radunz in the last draft, taking an offensive tackle in the first round makes a lot of sense. Zion Nelson has the height, length, and athletic ability to play the game at a high level. Although he lines up at left tackle for the Hurricanes, he could switch sides in the NFL.
24. New York Jets: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
Having added Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton with their initial first-round pick in our 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Jets continue to build a defensive bully with Alabama linebacker Christian Harris. A key area of need for the Jets, Harris gives them an imposing threat as a pass rusher while possessing the coverage ability that you’d expect from a former high school DB.
25. Cleveland Browns: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
Although the Cleveland Browns added Jadeveon Clowney — and Takkarist McKinley has impressed during training camp — the Browns’ most significant needs are projected to be on the defensive line. They need to find some pass-rush production opposite Myles Garrett on the outside. Furthermore, they have interior defensive line needs. Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson could contribute in both departments. Large, long, and strong, Hutchinson can win inside or out, making him a dangerous threat.
26. Detroit Lions: Drake London, WR, USC
An obvious contender for a quarterback prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Lions clearly have more faith in Jared Goff than the national media. Perhaps, their move here is a ringing indictment of the quarterback class. Either way, there’s no escaping the fact that the Detroit wide receiver room is one of the most empty in the NFL. With the selection of Drake London, they add a unique pass-catching prospect. Built like a red-zone threat, but with the after-the-catch ability of a smaller receiver, London is an uncommon prospect.
27. Miami Dolphins: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
However you view the Miami Dolphins’ current roster, they clearly lack a true RB1. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, they secure a budding star at the position in Isaiah Spiller. The Texas A&M running back has the physicality to run between the tackles while having sufficient speed to win around the outside. Spiller is also willing and able as a pass protector, which — given some of the offensive line issues in previous seasons — may be just as valuable.
28. Indianapolis Colts (projected trade with the Baltimore Ravens): Ikem Ekwonu, OG, NC State
The Colts were an intriguing trade partner in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, given similar team needs. With the departure of Anthony Castonzo and the ongoing issues at left tackle, they were a potential landing spot for Mississippi State’s Cross. However, in Ikem Ekwonu, they land a violent and athletic offensive lineman of their own. Although listed as a guard, Ekwonu has experience playing at both tackle and inside.
29. Green Bay Packers: Kingsley Enagbare, DE, South Carolina
Although the Green Bay Packers made moves during the offseason to add depth on their defensive line, it remains to be seen whether those additions will improve a unit that ranked in the bottom-10 for quarterback knockdowns and pressures. If they don’t, South Carolina DE Kingsley Enagbare is an excellent selection. Enagbare possesses a physical profile that allows him to fit in multiple alignments. He plays the game with physicality and a motor that never stops.
30. Buffalo Bills: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
In Tre’Davious White, the Buffalo Bills have one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. However, they lack a true CB2 opposite him. It was one of the most significant needs ahead of the last draft, but they neglected the position early on. As a result, they strike for Cincinnati sensation Ahmad Gardner. The senior cornerback is one of the best in the nation and would make a formidable partnership with White in the Bills’ secondary.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
After bringing back their entire Super Bowl-winning team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are likely to have many holes to fill next offseason. Their running back room (Ke’Shawn Vaughn aside) is out of contract, and it’s unlikely they keep them all if any. The addition of Breece Hall is a likely outcome next spring, regardless of how you value the RB position.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Brenton Cox, DE, Florida
With the final pick of our 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Kansas Chiefs bolster their pass-rush arsenal with Florida’s versatile pass rusher Brenton Cox. Although it doesn’t appear to be a pressing need for the Chiefs, they ranked in the bottom half of the NFL for hurries and sacks last season. Cox brings explosion, excellent lateral agility, and is as strong as they come with a powerful bull rush.