The 2022 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and it’s once against time to take PFN’s free Mock Draft Simulator for a spin. This week, however, we went for three rounds with the updated draft order ahead of the Monday Night Football doubleheader.
With two games scheduled for Tuesday night, we’ve updated the 2022 NFL Draft order following Monday’s two games. Our midweek 2022 NFL Mock Draft will have the full updated order following Tuesday’s matchups. Ahead of the two prime-time games, here’s what the Mock Draft Simulator did for the first three rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft.
2022 NFL Mock Draft | Round 1, Picks 1-16
The New York Jets, New York Giants, and Philadelphia Eagles combined for 42.8% of the first 14 picks in this draft. How’d each team make out?
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
If there is a near-perfect prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft, it’s certainly Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Oregon edge defender is almost bulletproof at this point. He possesses all the requisite tools to dominate off the edge for the next decade-plus.
2) Detroit Lions: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
It should be “rebuild mode” for the Detroit Lions in the 2022 NFL Draft, and who better to start a rebuild around than Kyle Hamilton. Notre Dame’s safety is a free-roamer with incredible range. He’ll dramatically improve the Lions’ coverage and run defense in 2022 and beyond.
3) Houston Texans: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Think you know the top cornerback in the draft? Think again, as Andrew Booth Jr. takes the mantle as the top corner this time around. Booth has great length and athleticism as he’s just started to come into his own. Houston grabs a lockdown cornerback as they look to turn the corner as an organization.
4) New York Jets: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
With their first of two top-eight picks, the Jets select Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson is a raw power rusher with a great set of pass-rush moves to boot. He wins with power against smaller tackles but has enough in his arsenal to bend around the edge against more athletic tackles. Hutchinson will battle it out with Thibodeaux for the top player this April.
5) New York Giants: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
It’s time for the other New York team to pick. With back-to-back selections, the G-Men grab George Karlaftis from Purdue.
A sensational pass rusher when he’s got time to get moving, Karlaftis is scratching the surface of his raw talent. The Giants grab the third edge defender in five picks before making a splash pick next.
6) New York Giants: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
It is very likely that the Giants secure the services of a quarterback in the 2022 offseason. If they don’t grab Russell Wilson, they’ll absolutely look to secure their top quarterback with one of their first-round picks. The selection here is Matt Corral as the Ole Miss quarterback presents all the upside with few questions about his game.
7) Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
As versatile as they come, Kenyon Green can essentially play all five positions on the offensive line. The Carolina Panthers secure his services early as they look to get younger and protect whoever is at quarterback in 2022. Green is dominant in all facets, and that positional versatility will pay dividends in no time.
8) New York Jets: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The Jets grab Derek Stingley Jr. with their second top-eight pick, securing their back end in coverage. Stingley failed to realize his 2019 potential, but the proverbial ceiling may be the highest of the cornerback class.
9) Atlanta Falcons: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The top tackle on the board, Evan Neal should offer blindside protection to Matt Ryan and, eventually, his replacement. With no quarterback on their board, the Atlanta Falcons grab the best player available at a prime position. With how valuable left tackles are nowadays, this pick is a slam dunk.
10) Philadelphia Eagles: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Garrett Wilson has all the traits of an elite wide receiver and pairs well with 2021 first-round pick DeVonta Smith. As NFL-ready as they come, Wilson has those elite traits in spades.
11) Washington Football Team: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The Washington Football Team secure a lockdown cornerback in Kaiir Elam. The Florida cornerback has proven to be a ballhawk and has great sticking ability with receivers. Washington’s defense is young and talent-laden — adding Elam is yet another integral piece to winning the NFC East.
12) Philadelphia Eagles: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Eagles grab talented players with both of their first-round picks, selecting a new WR1 and a potential lockdown CB1. Ahmad Gardner locked down an entire side of the field for Cincinnati in 2021. Each Philadelphia pick fills a need, and each selection is a top player at their respective position.
13) Denver Broncos: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Denver Broncos have a quarterback quandary to figure out this offseason. Yet, they grab Charles Cross with their first-round pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. With likely no quarterback on the board — or with their issue already solved via free agency — Cross enters the fold with much to prove.
He’s got great athleticism and a strong base, but he’ll have to show he can run block consistently to warrant his high draft stock.
14) New Orleans Saints: DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M
The New Orleans Saints need help at a few positions to bolster their team back to where they want to be. While quarterback may be one of those positions, they grab DeMarvin Leal, who offers presents versatility on the defensive line. Leal can line up just about anywhere and win with ease. He’s a rock-solid prospect up front.
15) Cleveland Browns: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The Cleveland Browns can tighten up one of the league’s top offensive lines with their pick in the first round. Grabbing Tyler Linderbaum would do just that. Linderbaum is terrific in pass protection but even better on the ground. He’ll maul defenders bigger than him as well as target and find smaller, faster defenders with no trouble. The end result is usually a pancake breakfast for the defender.
16) Las Vegas Raiders: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
They probably didn’t think they’d need to draft Jameson Williams in the first round, but here we are for the Las Vegas Raiders. In fairness, when Williams transferred to Alabama this past offseason, he likely didn’t think he’d vault up draft boards the way he did. He’s a talented receiver with every skill needed to become a viable WR1 in the NFL. A fifth-straight season of 4,000 passing yards or more for Derek Carr is in the wings with Williams on board.