2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
Which players could be targeted in the second half of the 2022 NFL Draft?
17) Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Kicking off the second round of our 2022 NFL Mock Draft is another wide receiver from Ohio State. Garrett Wilson could easily go above his teammate Olave, but if not, the fit in Atlanta is nice. The Falcons’ offense has not looked quite the same without Julio Jones, and the future of Calvin Ridley is not certain given he is already 26. Adding Wilson would provide Matt Ryan with another superb weapon.
18) Pittsburgh Steelers: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
If not for concerns over a historical knee injury, Carson Strong could easily be the first QB taken in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Nevada QB is doing everything right with a 70.6% completion rate at 8.1 yards per attempt, throwing 20 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions. He would be an ideal replacement for Ben Roethlisberger in the Steelers’ system.
19) Minnesota Vikings: Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati
Uncertainty surrounds the future of Danielle Hunter in Minnesota, putting pass rush atop their needs. A lack of sacks in 2021 is a concern for Myjai Sanders in his senior year, but his ability is obvious. A strong finish to the year would cement him as a first-round selection in 2022.
20) Cleveland Browns: DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
DeMarvin Leal could realistically be selected anywhere in the first round — his skill set would appeal to several teams. Being picked 20th might be a touch low, but if he slides past the Eagles and Jets in the top 10, this might be the next best fit with Malik Jackson set to be a free agent in Cleveland. Through seven games, Leal already has 5.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.
21) New Orleans Saints: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Saints badly need to address the WR position, especially if Michael Thomas leaves. Treylon Burks would give them an instant difference-maker and would provide a big target for Jameis Winston. He is also a good blocker in the run and screen game, and with Alvin Kamara on the team, that added value is a commodity.
22) Buffalo Bills: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Buffalo’s roster is so strong they can go best player available with this selection. They just locked up Taron Johnson alongside Tre’Davious White. However, a team with the luxury of limited glaring needs could add more depth to a position that always needs more with CB Ahmad Gardner. The offensive line is another position that would have made sense for the Bills in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
23) Los Angeles Chargers: Ikem Ekwonu, IOL, NC State
Again, the Chargers have the luxury of not having many glaring needs. The right guard position has been their biggest weakness on offense, and Oday Aboushi is a free agent in 2022. Ikem Ekwonu could immediately come in and start at right guard in what would be an intriguing right side of that line. If Ahmad Gardner is still on the board at No. 23, addressing their cornerback position would also make sense.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
The Cowboys were briefly linked with Kyle Pitts last year and it made for a fascinating suggestion. In Jalen Wydermyer, the Cowboys add a different uber-talented tight end to their offense. With Michael Gallup and Dalton Schultz both free agents in 2022, Wydermyer would be a natural replacement that could help mitigate both losses.
25) Tennessee Titans: Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
The Titans have built their team around a strong offensive line and dominant run game. Ben Jones is set to be a free agent this offseason, and if he departs, Tyler Linderbaum could be a perfect option to step right in. Linderbaum is a talented center who could ensure Tennessee’s offense does not miss a beat in 2022.
26) Cincinnati Bengals: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
The Bengals’ offense is the toast of the town right now, but we must not forget how poor that offensive line has been at times. The jury is still out for Jonah Williams; Riley Reiff is a free agent in 2022. Nicholas Petit-Frere would present a high-floor option for the Bengals as a potential starter on either the right or left side in 2022.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
Could the Buccaneers take a page out of the Patriots’ playbook and add a running back to give Tom Brady’s offense another dimension? When Leonard Fournette has been playing well, the Buccaneers have looked unstoppable. However, Fournette is a free agent in 2022, so Isaiah Spiller would perfectly replace the former LSU running back.
28) Detroit Lions (from Rams): Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The Lions passed up a QB at the top of the first round, but they cannot do so again at the back end of the round. Another fast riser this season has been QB Kenny Pickett, and he could rise even higher in the first round yet. Question marks remain around several elements in Pickett’s game, but he has certainly opened eyes so far with his play in 2021.
29) Las Vegas Raiders: Zach Harrison, DE, Ohio State
There are rumblings out of Las Vegas that the Clelin Ferrell situation has reached its natural end. On top of that, Maxx Crosby, Yannick Ngakoue, and Carl Nassib will be in the final year of their respective deals in 2022. Zach Harrison could come in and spend a year in rotation with those other three pass rushers before taking over as a starter in 2023.
30) Green Bay Packers: Drake London, WR, USC
Regardless of Davante Adams’ contract situation, the Packers need to add another wide receiver. If there is any hope of salvaging the Aaron Rodgers situation in Green Bay, they need to show a willingness to invest in his weapons. Drake London in the bottom of the first round would be exactly that statement. He would also make a fantastic pairing with Adams if they can keep him in Green Bay.
31) Baltimore Ravens: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
There is a whisper that Trevor Penning could be the OT1 in this class. However, right now, he is in a group that sits just behind Evan Neal and Sean Rhyan. The Ravens traded away Orlando Brown last offseason and need a replacement. Penning would make a fantastic bookend to Ronnie Stanley on Baltimore’s offensive line.
32) Arizona Cardinals: Kingsley Enagbare, DE, South Carolina
We round out this 2022 NFL Mock Draft with the Cardinals looking for a pass-rush replacement for Chandler Jones in Kingsley Enagbare. The Cardinals have invested heavily in their defense in recent years — that should continue in 2022. An offensive lineman could be in the cards here as well, depending on how the offseason plays out for Arizona.