2022 NFL Mock Draft | Round 2
Round 1 is in the books. After the dust settled on the first 32 picks, here’s how Day 2 shakes out with yours truly acting as GM of all 32 teams.
33) Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
An athletic monster, Christian Watson becomes a huge factor in the Jaguars’ passing attack. He can high-point the ball with his leaping ability or sprint past defenders with his speed. A rare blend of size and speed we’ve not seen in some time.
34) Detroit Lions: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Detroit needs some defensive help under head coach Dan Campbell. What they get in Nakobe Dean is a cerebral linebacker who routinely calls out the offensive play call ahead of the snap.
35) New York Jets: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The “Build Around Zach Wilson” effort starts the offensive rebuild in Round 2. Jahan Dotson is a great all-around receiver who stretches the field vertically while also presenting a challenge in the short area of the field.
36) Chicago Bears (mock trade from NYG): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Mock Trade: The Bears send pick No. 39 in 2022 and a 2023 fourth-round selection to the Giants in exchange for pick No. 36 and a 2023 seventh-round pick.
The Chicago Bears move up three spots in the second round to ensure they secure Treylon Burks from Arkansas. Despite lackluster numbers at the Combine and Arkansas Pro Day, Burks has a distinguished football speed that allows him to gain ground on defenders once the ball is in his hands.
37) Houston Texans: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
A do-it-all safety heads to the Texans as Jalen Pitre takes his talents a bit east. Pitre can line up anywhere on defense and goes a long way in improving Houston’s defense following the loss of Justin Reid.
38) New York Jets (from CAR): Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
Back to the defensive well, the Jets splurge a bit on the pick of Tariq Woolen. Banking on his incredible athletic traits, Woolen has improved drastically every year since switching from receiver to cornerback. Given a year or two, Woolen has the size, speed, and physical play to make waves as a starting cornerback.
39) New York Giants (mock trade from CHI): Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
The Giants moved down three picks, secured an additional fourth-rounder in 2023, and still got their guy. Chad Muma is terrific running the alley and better in coverage. He’s a coach’s player who will slide right into the starting lineup as a massive improvement.
40) Seattle Seahawks (from DEN): Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
As athletic as they come, Channing Tindall rarely got the ability to showcase his talent in the Georgia defense. He won’t have that issue with Seattle. He’ll slide in to start opposite Jordyn Brooks, making an incredibly talented duo at linebacker.
41) Seattle Seahawks: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
Securing local talent is one thing, but local talent that could potentially earn All-Rookie status is another. Kyler Gordon could go in the first round but slides to Seattle here. It’s a no-brainer for the Seahawks, who get a potential starter in Year 1 as well as depth at a critical position.
42) Indianapolis Colts (from WAS): Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
Fittingly, the Indianapolis Colts grab their quarterback of the future with the pick they acquired for Carson Wentz. With Matt Ryan penciled in to start the next two seasons, grabbing Carson Strong to sit behind him and eventually take over is an ideal scenario. Strong may need offseason surgery to finally repair an old injury, and the acquisition of Ryan this offseason makes this even more explorable.
43) Tennessee Titans (mock trade from ATL): Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
The Titans traded back and still received a big-time need in Christian Harris. It was getting a bit dicey in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft when Muma and Tindall went off the board, but Harris was still around, thus not forcing Tennessee’s hand at trading up. Harris can go sideline to sideline very well and has an underrated ability when rushing the passer.
44) Cleveland Browns: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
It didn’t go Cleveland’s way this offseason at acquiring a defensive tackle. Thus, a big need in the draft hails from the interior of the defensive line. There may not be any better than Devonte Wyatt, so grabbing him here was an easy pick. Wyatt has an awesome first step that allows his massive frame to get into the backfield quickly.
45) Baltimore Ravens: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
Not only does Baltimore need a potential upgrade at right tackle, but they also need an insurance policy for Ronnie Stanley (who has played less than 10 games over the past two seasons combined). Bernhard Raimann could learn right tackle while also proving to be just that insurance policy. Raimann is strong, physical, and well-rounded in terms of both his pass- and run-blocking skills.
46) Minnesota Vikings: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Another potential first-round talent that slides through the cracks, the Vikings grab Jaquan Brisker to pair with Harrison Smith. Brisker can come downhill well — he’s a solid addition in the box or at free safety in coverage.
47) Washington Commanders (from IND): Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
After grabbing their quarterback of the future in Round 1, the Commanders grab Howell, a future TE1 who has the receiving skills of a true WR1. Isaiah Likely doesn’t add much in the run-blocking game, but his ability receiving is more than enough to make him TE1 in this class.
48) Chicago Bears (from LAC): Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
The stacked EDGE class allows Kingsley Enagbare to slide to the Bears here. Enagbare can move off the edge with grace and power, a rare blend for a guy his size. Yet, he can also rush the passer from the interior or drop back in space to take away shallow passing zones.
49) New Orleans Saints: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
The safety class is loaded after Hamilton, and Lewis Cine is proof of that. Cine heads to the Saints to add a valuable coverage piece in New Orleans’ secondary. He can play either safety position or even a hybrid slot linebacker tasked with covering tight ends or running backs.
50) Kansas City Chiefs (from MIA): Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
The clock is dwindling on the Chiefs’ “dynasty” unless some major improvements are made in key areas. One of those areas is staying up in coverage, and Roger McCreary helps that immediately. McCreary can lock down the top receivers KC sees and cover both outside and inside.
51) Philadelphia Eagles: Verone McKinley III, S, Oregon
It’s a defensive trifecta for the Eagles through their first three picks. Able to line up at either position, Verone McKinley III adds a valuable addition to the safety room and presents a physical upside. His coverage is his best asset, and in an NFL where 5-6 defensive backs are needed on every play, he’ll play several snaps in his first year.
52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
The wait pays off as the Steelers grab their eventual quarterback of the future in Desmond Ridder. A little too inaccurate to be selected in Round 1, but Ridder’s elite-level traits are there. He’s a dominant athlete with a strong arm and faster feet. If the Steelers’ coaching staff can harness his best traits, Ridder will start games — and win some — sooner than later.
53) Green Bay Packers (from LV): Terrel Bernard, LB, Baylor
With their second pick from the Davante Adams trade, the Packers grab Terrel Bernard to fill out their linebacking corps. Bernard can go sideline to sideline well but presents a large presence in blitz packages. Finding him a niche won’t be difficult as he can slide right in on sub-package passing downs to rush the passer.
54) New England Patriots: Erik Ezukanma, WR, Texas Tech
Mac Jones could use a versatile playmaker at receiver given the lack of success from former first-round pick N’Keal Harry. Erik Ezukanma offers that versatility in places where the current slate of Patriots receivers may lapse. Ezukanma is a threat to break tackles in space, create separation off his routes, or simply earn a first down on the ground.
55) Arizona Cardinals: Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB, Alabama
The Cardinals signed former first-round pick Jeff Gladney to help their secondary, but at this rate, he’ll be removed from football for a full season. Jalyn Armour-Davis, on the other hand, is 100% football all the time. The honing of his craft is evident in his near-perfect technique on every rep. His intense film study flashes with his knowledge of the game and his opponents on every snap.
56) Dallas Cowboys: Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State
After passing on some of the top receivers in Round 1 due to Green’s availability, the Cowboys make the move for a receiver here. Khalil Shakir — someone Dallas OC Kellen Moore should be familiar with — is a terrific addition to Big D. He can get open at the line of scrimmage or anywhere else along his route tree. Even with Simi Fehoko factoring into the wide receiving corps this season, the current Cowboys unit lacks someone with Shakir’s separation at the line of scrimmage.
57) Buffalo Bills: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
The Bills’ defensive line has massive potential. This unit gets a big uplift of energy and skill with Perrion Winfrey in the fold. A large man with larger potential, Winfrey dominated at Oklahoma and can get after the passer or eat up double-teams in the run game. He wins with his quick first step, but he’s no slouch in terms of strength or punch with his hands.
58) Atlanta Falcons (mock trade from TEN): Logan Hall, DT, Houston
The Falcons made a big move to get back into Round 1 and receive even more value in Round 2. Logan Hall is a dominant athlete with tremendous upside. His first step and get-off from the line of scrimmage are terrific. Hall also dominated at the Senior Bowl against the uptick in competition.
59) Green Bay Packers: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
With Abraham Lucas available here, the Packers have no choice but to pull the trigger on one of the last top-tier talents at left tackle in this class. Lucas will need to adjust to the NFL game and mix of run and pass concepts. But who better to teach him than David Bakhtiari? He can play swing tackle in the meantime until Bakhtiari hangs ’em up or leaves for warmer climates in his twilight years.
60) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sam Williams, EDGE, Ole Miss
The offseason baggage that comes with Sam Williams may have already removed him from teams’ Day 1 boards. Nevertheless, Williams has first-round talent, and if a team is comfortable with his pre-draft process and character, he could sneak into the first round.
That isn’t the case here as the Bucs grab him at the tail end of Round 2. Tampa is in need of an overhaul on their defensive line to get younger and deeper. Williams adds to Davis to form an incredible start at that overhaul while grabbing two immediate starters in the process.
61) San Francisco 49ers: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
The San Francisco 49ers grab the 2021 Jim Thorpe Award winner for top defensive back with their first pick in this draft. Coby Bryant heads to the Bay Area after dominating action alongside Sauce Gardner in the Queen City. There are a lot of superlatives to assign to Bryant, but he just wins. Whether it’s in coverage or against the run, it doesn’t matter. Bryant is a big corner with a bigger game.
62) Kansas City Chiefs: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
With a stacked EDGE class, the Chiefs wait to secure their future pass rusher but get a good one at the tail end of Round 2. Arnold Ebiketie is a fast, athletic, and skilled pass rusher who somehow maintains great strength from the point of contact through anchor attempts. Ebiketie has great hands and could propel himself into the starting lineup right away in KC.
63) Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Cross, S, Maryland
After being gifted Linderbaum in Round 1, the Bengals get their man at safety to nearly close out Round 2. Nick Cross has track speed and receiver hands. He closes space in coverage well, ranges along the backside of the defense better, and can cover receivers from all types of alignments. He doesn’t factor into the starting lineup just yet, but pairing Cross with Jessie Bates III as Vonn Bell’s eventual replacement is an ideal career trajectory.
64) Denver Broncos (from LAR): Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
The Denver Broncos stand pat and get their man. Daniel Faalele is the top right tackle on my board and in the conversation for one of the best tackles overall in this class. He’s a massive man with a terrific strength and speed combination. At 6’8″ and 384 pounds, Faalele will overwhelm most pass rushers that he gets his hands on. The Broncos now have a pair of bookend tackles for Russell Wilson.