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    Cam Mellor’s 2022 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Sam Howell anchors five first-round quarterbacks

    This 2022 NFL Mock Draft goes seven rounds full of picks and analysis for every pick from No. 1 to No. 262.

    2022 NFL Mock Draft | Round 3, picks 65-83

    We’re getting after it in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Here we go on to Round 3 with analysis of every pick as if I was the GM of each team.

    65) Jacksonville Jaguars: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama

    The Jaguars take the bet on John Metchie III returning to form after his knee injury. The Jaguars grab a weapon for Lawrence to get the ball to from a variety of positions on offense.

    66) Detroit Lions: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

    I mentioned it not once but twice, the Lions should absolutely be looking for a QB in this draft. As the chips fell, they couldn’t pull the trigger on one in Rounds 1 or 2. However, at the top of Round 3, Desmond Ridder‘s availability is too good to pass up. He left college football after four seasons tied as the second-winningest quarterback in the sport’s history. His accuracy issues aside, there is a lot to like in Ridder’s game.

    67) New York Giants: George Pickens, WR, Georgia

    Back to the offensive well, the Giants get Daniel Jones a new top target on the outside. George Pickens, when healthy, is a rare blend of power and speed, body control, and footwork all wrapped into a near-perfect receiver. The key phrase, however, is when healthy.

    68) Houston Texans: Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada

    Again, the Texans have holes nearly everywhere. Grabbing a talented receiver for Davis Mills is up there. Romeo Doubs has a great, well-round skill set but will likely need to be a second-read type receiver as he takes a bit to separate from defensive backs.

    69) New York Jets: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama

    The Jets once again hit the defensive side of the ball with Christian Harris from Alabama. Harris is a potential three-down linebacker with great instincts. He’ll need to improve in coverage, but he has more than enough skill to be utilized as a run stuffer or situational pass rusher in Year 1.

    70) Jacksonville Jaguars: Lecitus Smith, G, Virginia Tech

    Building around Lawrence also includes protecting him from all angles of pressure. Guard leaps up the list of holes to fill as Andrew Norwell departs. Lecitus Smith can play either spot for Jacksonville as early as 2022.

    71) Chicago Bears: Erik Ezukanma, WR, Texas Tech

    Allen Robinson can’t do it all himself, and as good as Darnell Mooney is, he’s no Erik Ezukanma. Don’t rule out Ezukanma looking a lot like Cordarrelle Patterson did for the Bears, carrying the ball out of the backfield, returning kicks, and dominating at the catch point.

    72) Seattle Seahawks: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State

    The Seahawks need some help at nearly every position on defense it seems, but cornerback is a big one. Martin Emerson is a long, lengthy corner with three years of solid experience at the highest level in the SEC. Don’t let the lack of interceptions frighten you, Emerson can lock down receivers.

    73) Washington Commanders: Ed Ingram, G, LSU

    Sense a theme for the Commanders? Yeah, they need to get better on offense. They grab their future franchise QB in Pickett and then select two offensive linemen to keep him safe. Ed Ingram is terrific in the run game while honing his improving craft in pass protection.

    74) Atlanta Falcons: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M

    The second RB selected is Isaiah Spiller to the running back-needy Falcons. Spiller presents a mismatch for linebackers he’s too fast for and defensive backs he’s bigger than. Spiller accelerates through his breaks and has great top-end speed.

    75) Denver Broncos: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia

    A great, versatile linebacker heads to the Broncos as Quay Walker can do it all. No matter his alignment, Walker rushes the passer, stops the run, and drops back exceptionally in coverage.

    76) Baltimore Ravens: Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky

    As shifty as they come, Wan’Dale Robinson presents a problem for linebackers or strong safeties out of the slot. And yet, Robinson is a complete receiver who can also win outside. Combine that with the fact that he may add value on special teams, and you’ve got a special player.

    77) Minnesota Vikings: Verone McKinley III, S, Oregon

    The Vikings, like so many teams, will need to replace a variety of players departing during free agency. With Xavier Woods an unrestricted free agent, Verone McKinley III could start from Day 1 as the team’s newest free safety. McKinley is as experienced as they come and makes highlight-reel plays on the ball look routine.

    78) Cleveland Browns: Matthew Butler, DT, Tennessee

    A highly-productive interior pass rusher, Matthew Butler improves the Browns’ front four with ease. Butler has great balance through contact and even better hand usage, something he works hard to perfect. Butler could develop into a three-down lineman as he understands the value of changing the point of attack in the run game.

    79) Los Angeles Chargers: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M

    The tight end class in the 2022 NFL Draft is terrific, and Jalen Wydermyer needs to be considered near the top of the class. He heads to the Chargers who will absolutely be looking to get younger and faster at the position this offseason.

    80) Houston Texans: Leon O’Neal Jr., S, Texas A&M

    Back-to-back Aggies are off the board as the Texans shore up another position group with Leon O’Neal Jr., instantly improving their secondary. O’Neal is talented in run defense but will make his money in coverage. He’s a missile to the football and even better at the catch point.

    81) New York Giants: Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State

    A shifty receiver with terrific moves, Khalil Shakir loses no speed through his route breaks. He sinks his hips and rotates around defensive backs, losing them with ease both on in- and out-breaking routes. The Giants add insurance for their Pickens pick with another solid receiver.

    82) Indianapolis Colts: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan

    The Colts will have to answer their Eric Fisher dilemma this year or next. Bernhard Raimann gives them the flexibility of handling it at their leisure. Even if they bring back Fisher, Raimann can play behind the former No. 1 pick for a season before taking the reigns in 2023.

    83) Philadelphia Eagles: Jake Ferguson, TE, Wisconsin

    Another tight end is gone as the Eagles select Jake Ferguson who has a terrific catch radius. Ferguson also does the dirty work well, blocking a slew of defenders with ease during his time at Wisconsin.

    Round 3 | Picks 84-104

    Round 3 continues as some big names are still available in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

    84) Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa

    The Steelers weren’t getting out of the first three rounds without one offensive lineman as they grab Tyler Smith from Tulsa. Smith is fundamentally sound, but he can work on his balance and hand usage.

    85) New England Patriots: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State

    The Patriots need few things on offense, but answering the call for a bell cow with a third-round pick is likely too much to pass up. Sure, Rhamondre Stevenson was good in Year 1, and Damien Harris is in the building, but Kenneth Walker III is a future star and a potential candidate to lead the NFL in rushing yards.

    86) Las Vegas Raiders: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati

    It’s safe to say the Raiders will be in the market for a cornerback in this draft, and grabbing the Jim Thorpe Award winner in Round 3 is awesome value. Coby Bryant has great skills at the catch point and oily hips during his backpedal.

    87) Arizona Cardinals: Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU

    With contact balance for days, Tyler Allgeier is NFL-ready from the get-go. The Cardinals need a three-down RB, and that’s what Allgeier is. He can also catch the ball well out of the backfield, run between the tackles, and possesses a sneaky top-end speed when he’s out in the open field.

    88) Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State

    Allowing Parsons to rush the passer is never going to be a bad thing. Selecting Brandon Smith to pair with his former college teammate will allow that to happen more often. Smith is terrific in coverage for a man his size and should be able to slide into coverage packages right away.

    89) Buffalo Bills: Cordell Volson, OT, North Dakota State

    A big man with positional versatility, Cordell Volson could play either tackle or guard spots on the Bills’ offensive line. He was terrific off the line in his tape and during the Shrine Bowl week, constantly winning 1-on-1 battles with pancakes.

    90) Tennessee Titans: Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia

    Another linebacker for Tennessee, Channing Tindall is yet another insurance policy for their ever-changing linebacking corps this offseason and next. Tindall is still scratching the surface of his abilities and should make an impact as a rookie. His traits are near-elite, however, and with coaching, he could be a starter on all downs.

    91) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alec Lindstrom, OL, Boston College

    Needing to answer their quarterback issues aside, Tampa grabs Alec Lindstrom from Boston College with their third pick. Lindstrom can play either guard spot or center for the Bucs as he worked at both during his collegiate career and at the Shrine Bowl.

    92) Green Bay Packers: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State

    The Packers grab Arnold Ebiketie, who could start right away off the edge. Ebiketie is elite getting off the ball and has solid hands in the pass-rushing game. He may not present the same value against the run, but utilized correctly, he’ll provide great value.

    93) San Francisco 49ers: Mario Goodrich, CB, Clemson

    With an aging secondary, the 49ers grab a sticky cornerback in Mario Goodrich. His ball skills aren’t quite up to par with his former teammate Booth, but Goodrich was more than capable of locking down receivers in coverage during his time with the Tigers. He’s rangy and can play outside or kick in as a nickel.

    94) Kansas City Chiefs: Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois

    If it wasn’t clear after this season, the playoff loss indicated just how much the Chiefs need to attack the secondary. Kerby Joseph is a potential stud in coverage as he’s shown flashes of great ball skills. He’ll stuff the run and is a few ticks away from being a complete safety.

    95) Cincinnati Bengals: Cameron Jurgens, C, Nebraska

    The trench overhaul continues for Cincinnati as they grab a future starter at center. Cameron Jurgens is a hard-nosed, physical player who gets after it in the run game extremely well. Improving pass sets will be key, but he’s got future starter written all over him.

    96) Denver Broncos: Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State

    It could be said that Javonte Williams is the star of the Broncos’ backfield. Yet, the NFL today has changed, and two backs are needed. Rachaad White has a suddenness about his game that is unmatched. He accelerates like a track star and hauls in the ball in the receiving game out of the backfield extremely well.

    97) Detroit Lions: Brian Asamoah, LB, Oklahoma

    The NFL today is fast and relentless. Brian Asamoah is the same. He gets after it in run defense with great instincts but really puts on a show in coverage. Asamoah can lock onto any type of receiver from his middle LB position and offers a great depth piece to a linebacking corps that was decimated in 2021.

    98) Cleveland Browns: Sterling Weatherford, LB/S, Miami (OH)

    Sticking on the defensive side of the ball, the Browns nab Sterling Weatherford to play a role many thought Jabrill Peppers could have played many years ago. Weatherford will be a converted safety at linebacker after working there almost exclusively at the Senior Bowl. He may have to add some bulk, but no one will ever knock Weatherford’s coverage ability as he is solid there.

    99) Baltimore Ravens: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati

    This Ravens’ edge-rushing group isn’t getting any younger, so an influx of youth is necessary. Myjai Sanders is a big man with a bigger presence off the edge. Pairing him on one side with Odafe Oweh on the other is a scary thing for opposing offensive coordinators.

    100) New Orleans Saints: Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame

    A new era in the Bayou continues as the Saints grab their third new offensive skill player. Kyren Williams joins Willis and Watson as the three W’s form a fearsome new Big Three in New Orleans. Williams is a dynamic player with the ball in his hands and does most of his damage in space. With Alvin Kamara suspended, Williams could even see action as the team’s every-down back starting in Week 1.

    101) Miami Dolphins: Damone Clark, LB, LSU

    So far, the Dolphins have the top center and top RB in this haul. With their third-round selection, they grab who could ultimately be one of the better linebackers in the class in Damone Clark. Clark projects to weakside LB as he can rush the passer with ease but also excels in dropping back in coverage.

    102) San Francisco 49ers: Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis

    Call him the cushion-eater because that’s what Calvin Austin III does. If you think you’re giving him enough space, you’re wrong. He’ll make his own space with his quick feet and faster moves on route breaks. Austin is a mismatch from the slot for any linebacker or safety to cover.

    103) Kansas City Chiefs: Mykael Wright, CB, Oregon

    As mentioned, the Chiefs need help in the secondary. Mykael Wright is a gifted cornerback who, at one point, had first-round hype. He can stick with receivers across their route breaks and could develop into a starting cornerback on the outside.

    104) Los Angeles Rams: Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma

    As the last team to make their first pick, the Los Angeles Rams make a splash by grabbing EDGE Nik Bonitto. Bonitto excelled when rushing past slower offensive tackles, utilizing a terrific first step to get past them. He’ll have to bulk up to beat those faster tackles, but as of right now, there are few that can stop him when he gets after the passer.

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