2022 NFL Mock Draft | Round 5, picks 144-160
Round 5 kicks off with a bang as one of the more underrated running backs gets called.
144) Carolina Panthers: Cole Strange, G, UT-Chattanooga
Call me critical, but I don’t think Pat Elflein and John Miller are striking fear into too many defensive tackles nowadays. Cole Strange, on the other hand, does just that with his ferocious type of play. Strange can play either guard spot and would be an upgrade.
145) Denver Broncos: Tre Williams, EDGE, Arkansas
Securing their second EDGE of this draft, the Broncos grab Arkansas’ Tre Williams. The big man off the edge spent four seasons at Missouri before exploding onto the scene in 2021. He’s experienced, talented, and more than capable of plugging in all across the defensive line.
146) New York Jets: Tyler Badie, RB, Missouri
The draft’s best-kept secret is Tyler Badie. He’s tailor-made for today’s NFL as the special RB can catch it out of the backfield, run between the tackles, and possesses more than enough patience to allow his blocking to develop. His tape at Missouri is great, but his performance at the Senior Bowl — where he blew past the nation’s top linebackers on his routes — was something special.
147) New York Giants: Shaun Jolly, CB, Appalachian State
The Giants are fast at cornerback, but they lack depth in terms of pure coverage players. Shaun Jolly fixes that right away as the former App State corner can play the ball as well as he can play the man.
148) Chicago Bears: Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
In need of some help in the secondary, the Bears turn to the draft yet again. After selecting Thomas Graham Jr. in the sixth round a year ago, they grab Cam Taylor-Britt in Round 5 here. Taylor-Britt is great in coverage and has a knack for finding the football on underneath throws.
149) Carolina Panthers: Tyler Goodson, RB, Iowa
The Panthers have an intriguing decision to make with the returning Christian McCaffrey. Considering former Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Chuba Hubbard is also in the mix, you might wonder why they’d draft Tyler Goodson here. But then you throw on Goodson’s tape.
As I’ve said multiple times, the shelf life of a running back is as short as it’s ever been, and McCaffrey is no different. Goodson is as shifty and patient as they come in this class.
150) Chicago Bears: Markquese Bell, S, Florida A&M
A large man with a larger presence on the field, Markquese Bell makes it two straight secondary players selected by the Bears. Bell is great in coverage, and though he’s not ready to start right away, presents a valuable depth piece with potential starting ability in the years to come.
151) Atlanta Falcons: Kaleb Eleby, QB, Western Michigan
One way or another, Matt Ryan won’t be the Falcons’ signal-caller forever. As such, they need to figure out an exit strategy or replacement plan sooner than later. Kaleb Eleby offers plus arm strength and accuracy as he’s not just a project at the position. Eleby can hit all areas of the field but excels on short and intermediate throws. He has great accuracy, and learning behind a future Hall of Famer isn’t a bad thing.
152) Denver Broncos: Cade Mays, G, Tennessee
Denver secured their right tackle of the future in this draft and their next swing guard as they figure out their offensive line rotation. Cade Mays is an exciting prospect on the interior after spending the past two seasons at right tackle in Tennessee. Prior to that, he had experience at just about every position while at Georgia and can largely play anywhere Denver needs him.
153) Seattle Seahawks: Andrew Stueber, OL, Michigan
One of the biggest risers from the Senior Bowl, Andrew Stueber showcased a versatility that may pay big dividends in terms of seeing the field early. Stueber lined up at tackle and guard, routinely winning from the inside. Either way, the Seahawks have a lot of questions on the offensive line, and Stueber answers a few of them.
154) Philadelphia Eagles: Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
Max Mitchell proved he can take on NFL-caliber defensive ends at the Senior Bowl. Still, doing it every day in practice and every Sunday in the NFL will likely be different. Entering the Eagles lineup, however, Mitchell can play behind Lane Johnson for a year until his contract is up and Mitchell shifts into a starting role.
155) Cleveland Browns: Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
Proving he’s got what it takes at the Senior Bowl, Troy Andersen is a talented linebacker with enough skills to hack it in the NFL. He can play nearly every position at the second level and rushes the passer extremely well when given the chance. Andersen may need seasoning on his coverage, but he can pick that up in time.
156) Minnesota Vikings: Bailey Zappe, QB, Western Kentucky
Is Kirk Cousins the future of the Vikings franchise? No. No way. Bailey Zappe provides an insurance policy behind Cousins as he also presses former Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond for the backup job. One thing is for certain: If the Vikings can’t get out from Cousins’ contract this season, they will likely need Mond or Zappe to clean up the mess at the helm of the franchise next year.
157) Jacksonville Jaguars: Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
I completely expect the Jaguars to sign a cornerback during free agency, but grabbing Zyon McCollum would be worthwhile here. McCollum is likely to test off the charts during the Combine/pro day circuit as he flashed some incredible athleticism at the Senior Bowl. He’ll need some time to get up to par with NFL receivers, but his athletic profile is too enticing to pass up.
158) Miami Dolphins: Chasen Hines, G, LSU
Improving their depth but also their starting lineup on the offensive line will be crucial this offseason. Chasen Hines allows the Dolphins a positional versatility on the interior as the former LSU guard played on both sides for the Tigers. Hines is sound in both run and pass games and would make a valuable depth option at either position in the short term.
159) Indianapolis Colts: Smoke Monday, S, Auburn
There’s a need for the Colts to grab depth at a few positions, and safety is certainly one of them this offseason. Smoke Monday can play just about anywhere from box safety to free safety and any one of the cornerback alignments. He’ll play his best in the box as he’s a large individual, but his coverage ability is terrific.
160) Los Angeles Chargers: Joshua Williams, DB, Fayetteville State
The Chargers need depth in the secondary, and they find that and more with Joshua Williams. With Williams, not only do they secure depth, but they also find a potential future starter as he adjusts to the NFL. Williams is quick and agile while possessing a knack for finding the ball in coverage.
Round 5 | Picks 161-178
Round 5 continues in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Who should you know about as your team gets ready to pick?
161) New Orleans Saints: Matt Henningsen, DT, Wisconsin
New Orleans’ defensive rebuild continues with Matt Henningsen’s arrival. Henningsen can rush the passer from a variety of alignments but does his best work clogging rushing lanes.
162) Philadelphia Eagles: JoJo Domann, LB, Nebraska
A bit undersized and with a unique physique for the role, JoJo Domann is essentially a cornerback playing linebacker. The Eagles can roll him out in sub packages and in obvious passing downs for an advantage as he fills a need regardless.
163) New York Jets: Justin Shaffer, G, Georgia
The Jets continue building around Wilson with another offensive selection, this time on the offensive line. Justin Shaffer is a mauler in the run game but has great true pass sets that he displayed this past season. A young, energetic offensive line improves tenfold with his presence.
164) Las Vegas Raiders: Myron Cunningham, OT, Arkansas
As part of their back-to-back picks here, the Raiders select a potential swing tackle in Myron Cunningham. He can improve his pad level and strength, but Cunningham has the size to mold into either tackle position in the future.
165) Las Vegas Raiders: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
A pass catcher in his true form, Greg Dulcich also showed he can get nasty when run-blocking at the Senior Bowl. He may not have the best separation, but Dulcich can outrun linebackers with his sneaky long speed.
166) Philadelphia Eagles: Sincere McCormick, RB, UTSA
The RB position is not quite as important as it once was. Yet, Sincere McCormick is a game-changer at the position. He’s got great speed and better elusiveness. But what makes McCormick special is the fact that he’d likely run over you all the same.
167) Dallas Cowboys: Bamidele Olaseni, OT, Utah
Unfortunately, the clock is ticking on Tyron Smith’s elite level of play. On the other hand, the clock has just begun on Bamidele Olaseni. The London native with Ghanan roots, Olaseni only started playing the game at 18 years old. If his Shrine Bowl performance was any indicator, he’s so far ahead of being a “project” that some deemed him as. He’s NFL-ready now.
168) Buffalo Bills: Jesse Luketa, EDGE, Penn State
Jesse Luketa can play off the ball as a linebacker or as a hand-in-the-dirt pass rusher. He has underrated strength and a terrific skill set off the edge.
169) Tennessee Titans: Xavier Newman-Johnson, G/C, Baylor
Tennessee needs a center but could also stand to get younger on the interior. Xavier Newman-Johnson has strength and power but was also able to showcase he can anchor and balance through contact at the Shrine Bowl. He also has positional versatility and can play inside at either three positions.
170) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Maryland
The Bucs will eventually need to find a replacement for Rob Gronkowski, even with O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate in the mix. Chigoziem Okonkwo proved he can run routes, catch the ball softly, and chip in on the ground at Maryland and the Shrine Bowl.
171) Green Bay Packers: Emeka Emezie, WR, NC State
The Packers need more than one weapon, and they hit the receiver well again with Emeka Emezie. With a great week at the Shrine Bowl, Emezie put on a display with his quick feet and ability to get open in a phone booth against DBs.
172) San Francisco 49ers: Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota State
Similar to their situation at center, the 49ers will need replacement plans for their aging veterans. They have the luxury of grabbing Matt Waletzko, who needs some seasoning, to play behind an all-time great in Trent Williams before eventually taking the reigns.
173) New York Giants: Cole Turner, TE, Nevada
There may not be a better red-zone threat in this tight end class than Cole Turner. The big man from Nevada has a great skill set at the catch point and terrific body control to bring his body down inbounds along the perimeter. Oh, and Turner can block as well.
174) Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Cross, S, Maryland
Jessie Bates III is a star, and Vonn Bell proved to be capable of a big play or two. Still, Bell is getting long in the tooth, and the Bengals will need to pair someone opposite Bates. Nick Cross is a track star with coverage ability. He can cover the slot and transition to either safety position nicely.
175) New England Patriots: Dontario Drummond, WR, Ole Miss
Another weapon for Jones, Dontario Drummond joins Dotson as new receivers brought in by the Patriots. Drummond has the skills to separate from slower defenders and should be looked at as a vital slot receiver.
176) Dallas Cowboys: Tyquan Thornton, WR, Baylor
No team ever has enough receivers in today’s NFL. Tyquan Thornton has a swift set of routes he can run and create separation with. He’ll be a vital asset as a third or fourth receiver and in red-zone situations.
177) Detroit Lions: Quentin Lake, S, UCLA
The Lions need to add at least one playmaker to their secondary in this draft, and Quentin Lake marks the second addition. Lake has a great ability to separate ball from receiver in coverage and comes downhill well against the run.
178) Indianapolis Colts: Micheal Clemons, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Colts grab their second edge defender in Micheal Clemons. A pure pass rusher, Clemons is best suited to rush the passer in sub packages as he gains his NFL feet. He’s a big man with the ability to kick inside.