2022 NFL Mock Draft | 17-32
Which prospects could be steals in the latter half of the first round?
17) New England Patriots: Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
This pick is more an ode to the relationship Nick Saban and Bill Belichick have. Jordan Battle is a well-built, versatile safety. Battle hasn’t produced much yet in the 2021 season, but he has the upside to be the Crimson Tide’s defensive difference-maker.
The Patriots are one of the few teams that love to invest heavily in their secondary. Coincidentally, they’ve won six Super Bowls since Belichick came to town. Devin McCourty isn’t getting any younger; Adrian Phillips is in the final year of his deal.
18) Los Angeles Chargers: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I’ll believe in Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner for as long as humanly possible. Once things get more serious in the draft cycle, I’ll revisit making him such a high selection.
But man, the Chargers absolutely need a cornerback before they enter 2022. Chris Harris Jr. is 32 years old, Michael Davis isn’t a CB1, and Asante Samuel Jr. is probably best in the slot.
19) Philadelphia Eagles: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
Christian Harris is the best linebacker in an underwhelming class. His athleticism is perfect as a modern sideline-to-sideline linebacker. That’s obviously important to his draft stock, but this draft selection has more to do with the linebackers the Eagles currently roster.
It’s one of the most underwhelming positional groups in the NFL, which is why they will pick Harris in every 2022 NFL Mock Draft he’s still available (and the range makes sense). The pairing of defensive prospects should be a welcome sight for Eagles fans.
20) Indianapolis Colts: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Garrett Wilson might be the best receiver in the class, but he’s the second receiver drafted from his college team in this mock draft. Wilson’s vertical explosion is unbelievable. T.Y. Hilton is aging and struggling with health, and Parris Campbell has also struggled with health during his time in Indy.
Wilson is a quarterback-independent receiver because he can make plays in contested situations and create separation as a route runner. There is a reason he and Olave accounted for 93 of the team’s 158 receptions in 2020. Things haven’t changed much yet in 2021, except Jaxon Smith-Njigba seems to be emerging as the next outstanding Buckeyes receiver.
21) Dallas Cowboys: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
I’m not sure I’ve watched somebody play at the speed Daxton Hill plays at. The throwing windows he deletes don’t make sense. He can play in the slot in man coverage or play as a traditional free safety.
The Cowboys could use a cornerback, but the value there is less enticing, and Hill has the physical tools to dominate the league on the back end.
22) New Orleans Saints: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
This isn’t the only time we’ll see the Saints address their pass-catching group. Despite their big night against the Green Bay Packers, the talent in the receiver room isn’t up to snuff. The Saints’ relationship with star receiver Michael Thomas feels like a Hollywood marriage bound for divorce, so they try to give Jameis Winston some help with Treylon Burks.
23) Tennessee Titans: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
I’m not going to overreact to Taylor Lewan’s disappointing performance, but the Titans’ entire group looked bad in Week 1. For instance, their unofficial depth chart lists three different names as the starter at right tackle. Tell me that doesn’t sound like confidence in the group.
Nicholas Petit-Frere has everything you’d expect in a Buckeyes prospect. He has great size and athleticism as a former consensus five-star recruit. In fact, he was a top-15 recruit on Rivals, 247 Sports, and ESPN. Now, he goes 23rd overall in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
24) New York Jets: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
The Jets could have easily doubled down on cornerback with this pick, but their pass-rush group leaves a lot to be desired as well. Aside from Carl Lawson, who ruptured his Achilles in late August, there isn’t much to write home about with the Jets’ pass rush.
Myjai Sanders‘ length is the first thing that pops on tape. Length is never a bad thing as a footballer, but it’s even more imperative as a pass rusher. He’s also explosive and agile for a 260-pound player, although he could stand to grow as a technician. Sanders hasn’t been productive through two games in 2021, but he has a lot of season left to prove himself.
25) Cleveland Browns: Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
It feels terrific to have Justyn Ross back on the football field after taking a year off with a neck injury that threatened his career aspirations. It would have been an absolute blast to see him with Trevor Lawrence last year, but we at least get this gift.
The Browns could use a gift at wide receiver. Anthony Schwartz’s NFL has started strong, but Odell Beckham Jr. is still wounded, and Jarvis Landry is… Jarvis Landry. Here, the Browns hopefully get a steal due to health, and Ross ends up being the WR1 we all thought he could be after his freshman season.
26) Detroit Lions: Drake London, WR, USC
They didn’t take a receiver with the second overall pick, but they pick one up here late in Round 1. Drake London is the type of big-bodied wide receiver that might remind Lions fans of Kenny Golladay. The London Bridge is a colossal structure, and its receiver counterpart is likewise, standing 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds.
Unfortunately, London alone cannot stop the suffering in the Lions’ receiver room. Amon-Ra St. Brown could develop into a good receiver, but it’ll really just be those two — unless the Lions can sneak another receiving talent on their draft cards.
27) Miami Dolphins: Ikem Ekwonu, G, North Carolina State
Talk about a terrifying human being. Ikem Ekwonu‘s tape is a bit reminiscent of Will Hernandez when he was at UTEP, except he’s doing his work in the ACC and not Conference USA. Miami’s offense looks stout on paper, but they could use an upgrade on the offensive line, even with a healthy Austin Jackson.
Ekwonu has his flaws, just as Hernandez did. But the NC State product is playing left tackle for the Wolfpack, which isn’t his best fit at the next level. His explosiveness and tenacity are much better suited on the interior, where he doesn’t have to rely on length to win as consistently.
28) Baltimore Ravens: Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State
Maxx Crosby is a good pass rusher bordering on greatness, but Alejandro Villanueva made him look like Lawrence Taylor on Monday Night Football. The Ravens should take a time machine back and address their tackle woes better in the 2021 offseason, but unfortunately, I don’t think we have that ability yet.
So, their consolation prize is addressing the position in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. He’s a great fit for the Ravens’ run-first style because his massive frame mauls defensive linemen and linebackers with consistency. If Rasheed Walker learns more patience as a blocker, he could be one of the best offensive tackles from the 2022 NFL Draft class.
29) Green Bay Packers: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
Aaron Rodgers won’t be around in 2022. The Packers won’t survive offensively with just Davante Adams split out wide. No, the Packers need more than Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard out there. Amari Rodgers can play in the slot, but with Jordan Love under center, the Packers will need to provide him with an environment conducive to success.
John Metchie III isn’t the same caliber receiver as his former teammates, but they were all top-15 talents according to their draft status. Metchie is a well-rounded receiver who is solid in nearly every phase of playing the position but may not be elite at any. That’s okay — we didn’t think Justin Jefferson did, either.
30) Buffalo Bills: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Bills need to invest in a long-term complement to Tre’Davious White. They could get that with Trent McDuffie, who plays in the secondary for the Huskies.
What that means is that he’s about as pro-ready as they come. Washington has long done a great job developing less-than-elite athletes into outstanding football players. The best part? It feels like they’re all similar. Washington doesn’t seem to get the 6-foot-1, 205 pound freaks the SEC schools find. What they do is create professional football players out of what they do get.
However, McDuffie was a highly ranked recruit, and he did test well athletically as a high schooler. That means Washington’s staff finally had an outstanding canvas to paint.
31) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
As the gaming world would say, “chalk it.” The team with no holes now has an elite running back talent heading their way in Isaiah Spiller, possibly after a second straight Super Bowl championship with ageless wonder Tom Brady.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
Frank Clark isn’t the same player he once was, and there is no such thing as too many good pass rushers, either. Chris Jones is one of the most dominant forces on the planet, but he alone is not enough to anchor the Chiefs’ pass rush.
Kingsley Enagbare has gained about 30 pounds during his time with the Gamecocks, and he’s improved his production profile in each season with South Carolina. But the biggest winner here is Enagbare, who gets away from the underwhelming vinegar-based BBQ of the Carolinas, landing in one of the greatest cities in the world for it.
My man could be 280 pounds by 2023.