2022 NFL Mock Draft | 17-32
Which players get selected in the back half of this Round 1 2022 NFL Mock Draft?
17) Cincinnati Bengals: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
One of the more scrutinized moves this past spring surrounded the Cincinnati Bengals passing on Penei Sewell for Ja’Marr Chase at No. 5 overall. So far, however, it’s proven to be the right call.
In 2022, the Bengals can turn around and add to their offensive line to protect Joe Burrow with Mississippi States’ Charles Cross. He’s a young tackle but ultimately has an opportunity to protect Burrow for years to come.
18) New Orleans Saints: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
It’s a new era in New Orleans following Drew Brees’ retirement. Jameis Winston is playing well taking over, but Michael Thomas’ absence has been felt.
For Winston to succeed, he’ll need more weapons. There are few better options in 2022 than Arkansas’ Treylon Burks. At 6’3″ and 225 pounds, he’s a monster out wide. He might rise up boards depending on how he tests this winter, but as Hodgkinson analyzes, he’ll need to work to improve on drop issues to get there.
19) Tennessee Titans: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
This might be a position for the Tennessee Titans to go best player available. Obviously, it’s contingent on where exactly they pick in 2022, but in this mock draft, they add another threat on the offensive side of the ball for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Jalen Wydermyer was the catalyst for getting things going early in the Aggies’ big win over Alabama last weekend. He’s arguably the only tight end in 2022 worthy of a first-round selection. Like most tight ends, it may take a year or two to get acclimated to the NFL level, but the potential is most certainly there.
20) Denver Broncos: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The Denver Broncos have been in quarterback purgatory since Peyton Manning retired. For Broncos fans, it hurts even more to see the position struggling because they know what a great quarterback can mean in terms of a Super Bowl run.
Going into 2021, Sam Howell was one of the top quarterbacks available in 2022. Not much has changed, but the North Carolina prospect hasn’t looked as explosive as last year. With weapons like Jerry Jeudy and Noah Fant, though, he provides more upside moving forward than both Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock.
21) Carolina Panthers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Do the Panthers have their future quarterback in Sam Darnold? He’s been on the receiving end of getting great defensive help. But to prove his worth in Carolina, he’ll need it on the offensive side as well.
PFN Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline recently said some scouts view Northern Iowa tackle Trevor Penning as the best offensive tackle in the 2022 class — even over Neal, Petit-Frere, and Cross.
Of course, that’s against Division II competition, but we’re witnessing Penning’s former teammate in Spencer Brown thrive at right tackle on the Buffalo Bills’ line. Penning could follow in his footsteps.
22) New York Giants (from Chicago): Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Games are won in the trenches. The Giants addressed the offensive side earlier in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, and now they get themselves an edge rusher they desperately need.
Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson has a lean frame but is one of the freakiest athletes you’ll see. The 6’6″ senior came onto the scene as a sophomore with 10 sacks and has 6 through six games this season. General manager Dave Gettleman likes his defensive linemen, so it’ll be hard for him to watch Hutchinson slip through the cracks here.
23) Cleveland Browns: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
How about those Cleveland Browns? Expectations were high coming into the season, and they’ve finally lived up to them.
One of the better surprises has been on defense. They could potentially lose both Malik Jackson and Andrew Billings, so the position will need to be addressed. Georgia’s Jordan Davis is one of the biggest hole fillers the 2022 NFL Draft has to offer. At 6’6″ and 340 pounds, there’s no doubt he’d be an asset in Cleveland on Day 1.
24) Detroit Lions (from LA Rams): Drake London, WR, USC
After addressing the defense with the first overall pick, the Lions shift gears and go offense with their second first-round pick. By the time April rolls around, we’ll have a better idea of quarterback Jared Goff’s future in the Motor City. But for now, we’ll give him some help.
Help is exactly what Goff needs. While he’s played fine thus far in Detroit, he needs help before you can make a case to move on. At 6’5″ and 210 pounds, Drake London is going to be a name to watch throughout the draft process and how he’ll test. Being drafted in Detroit would be a great compliment and reunion with fellow wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
25) Las Vegas Raiders: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Las Vegas Raiders have had a rough couple of weeks. After starting on a 3-0 high, they’re now coming off two straight losses. More importantly, their head coach Jon Gruden resigned this week after emails were released, showcasing derogatory terms used towards individuals in the NFL, past, and present.
There will obviously be a changing of schemes in Vegas, but one thing remains definite — they need cornerback help. Ahmad Gardner is among one of the top cornerbacks, and Pauline recently stated Gardner has had contact with agents in regards to entering the 2022 NFL Draft.
26) Buffalo Bills: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
Buffalo had a rocky start in Week 1 but has looked like the top team in the AFC since. Their defense is the definition of elite. Meanwhile, Josh Allen and the offense have scored at will.
There aren’t a lot of glaring holes for Sean McDermott’s team, but one spot that needs an upgrade is running back. Devin Singletary and Zack Moss have combined for 468 yards on the ground, but neither can be relied upon if the passing game isn’t clicking. Isaiah Spiller is arguably the top running back in the 2022 NFL Draft class. With not many pressing needs, the Bills can pull the trigger on the Aggie.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Tampa Bay came into 2021 returning all their starters from the Super Bowl in February. One bright spot was the secondary, but injuries have shown they lack depth at the position.
Without many needs across the roster, the Buccaneers can afford to take a cornerback like Trent McDuffie at the tail end of Round 1 in 2022.
PFN NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings says:
“He’s (McDuffie) fluid flipping his hips upfield, and he has the long speed to stick to receivers’ hip pockets. Additionally, McDuffie channels his athletic traits very well. He transfers his weight with ease, stacking feet motions effortlessly.”
28) Green Bay Packers: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Is Aaron Rodgers the starting Packers quarterback in 2022? Who knows. If he’s not, however, pending free agent Davante Adams is likely to look elsewhere too when he cashes in next spring.
It’d be fitting for Green Bay to draft Garrett Wilson if Rodgers is gone. It would be a slap in the face after refusing to address the position in the first round throughout his career. Regardless, the Packers would need help out wide if Adams is gone. Wilson isn’t a big receiver, but he and Buckeye teammate Olave are top-tier route runners with tons of athleticism to boot.
29) Los Angeles Chargers: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
Have the Chargers finally got the right staff and roster in place? Justin Herbert is performing like one of the top quarterbacks in the league and has the offense ticking. Defensively, they’re middle-of-the-road statistically but could be one or two pieces away from winning games themselves.
We know the talent of Joey Bosa. Now, we pair him up with Kingsley Enagbare, one of the most athletically gifted edge rushers available. He’s recorded over 21 sacks throughout his time at South Carolina and would be a perfect complement to ease the load off Bosa each week.
30) Dallas Cowboys: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
The Cowboys’ defense was atrocious in 2020. In 2021, they’re not much better, currently ranking 31st in yards allowed per game through the air. Trevon Diggs is the lone bright spot, intercepting 5 passes through the first five games.
One spot to immediately shore up is safety. Lewis Cine can play all over the field, which is exactly what Dallas needs from the position. He’d start on Day 1.
31) Baltimore Ravens: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
The Baltimore Ravens have put together one of the more surprising starts to the season. Injuries decimated the roster before the season started, and free agency might do the same in 2022.
Baltimore could be looking to replace Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams, amongst others, on the defensive line.
Cummings describes Perrion Winfrey out of Oklahoma as having “good grip strength with his length.” At 6’3″ and 290 pounds, he’s not the biggest DT you’ll find in the draft but has the length and power to make up for it.
32) Arizona Cardinals: Adam Anderson, EDGE, Georgia
Adam Anderson rounds out a Round 1 that sees six edge rushers taken off the board. Anderson comes from a Georgia defense that’s proven to be one of the top units across the nation.
It’s well known that current Cardinals edge rusher Chandler Jones could be on his way out of Arizona after the two sides have failed to come to terms on a new contract. Anderson would step into that role immediately and help build what looks to be a solid all-around team in Arizona.