2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
The back half of the 2022 NFL Draft is full of interesting positional battles that will only shake out once the picks are officially made.
17) Pittsburgh Steelers: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
The first linebacker selected heads to the Pittsburgh Steelers as Nakobe Dean joins the Steel Curtain. Dean is a strong man with a compact frame and terrific speed. He’ll patrol sideline-to-sideline with incredible instincts. And he can cover a variety of pass catchers over the middle. Dean is a prototypical three-down linebacker for today’s NFL.
18) Las Vegas Raiders: Drake London, WR, USC
Somehow, Drake London led the Pac-12 in receiving yards despite missing a decent portion of the season following a fractured ankle. London wins with his incredible contested-catch ability and sheer athleticism. The Las Vegas Raiders will be in the hunt for a receiver replacement who can win all over the field. That’s London in a nutshell.
19) Philadelphia Eagles: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Eagles again hit the defensive side of the ball with their second pick of the first round. This time, they go to the second level of the defense with linebacker Devin Lloyd.
The Utah product is a true walloper in the run game and presents incredible coverage skills. He may have even better instincts as he reads and reacts to plays faster than most. Lloyd and Dean will be interchangeable here, and teams in need of a linebacker will have to move quickly to nab either of them.
20) Los Angeles Chargers: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
The Los Angeles Chargers will need some help on their offensive line as the offseason approaches. Despite attacking the line in years past, it seems to be their only weakness on offense with Justin Herbert surging near the top of NFL QB rankings.
Kenyon Green gives the Chargers just what they need. He’s a versatile lineman with great experience at playing all across the Aggies’ offensive line during his days in College Station. His experience and adaptability combined with his run-blocking and pass-protection prowess will pay dividends immediately.
21) Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis): Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Perhaps the top senior offensive tackle, Trevor Penning becomes the Eagles’ first offensive pick among their three top-21 selections. Penning is a solid pass protector but even better blocking for the run. He’ll quickly form a terrific tackle duo alongside Jordan Mailata.
22) Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco): Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The Miami Dolphins made a terrific late surge towards the playoffs, but they fell just short. Still, they are one of a few teams that have youth at specific positions to build off for future runs. That is, of course, if they’re sold on Tua Tagovailoa.
Whoever quarterbacks the Dolphins in 2022 will be behind one of the top center prospects of this generation, as Tyler Linderbaum does everything in an elite manner. Linderbaum becomes the Dolphins’ opening day starter at center and likely stays there for the next decade-plus.
23) New England Patriots: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
A closer of space and an excellent defender in coverage, Daxton Hill fits right into a New England Patriots secondary that needs an injection of youth at safety. Hill has great instincts and makes even better plays on the ball. He’ll thump backs in the run game and make coverage plays as a free-roaming, rangy safety.
24) Arizona Cardinals: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Some may pencil him in as a guard, but Ikem Ekwonu showed this past season that he can more than hold his own at tackle. Regardless of where he plays, a landing spot with the Arizona Cardinals would be a dream fit for both sides. The Cardinals potentially need help at a few spots on the line, so Ekwonu can play wherever they need him immediately. That’s a win-win.
25) Buffalo Bills: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
With the draft class’ best nickname, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner heads north to Buffalo, joining the Bills as the fourth cornerback drafted in Round 1. Gardner completely locked down one side of the field for Cincinnati this past season. His coverage skills were so good that quarterbacks didn’t even target him.
As such, his teammate and fellow cornerback Coby Bryant was targeted far more often even though he also posted terrific coverage. Bryant won the Jim Thorpe Award, while Gardner’s prowess as a lockdown corner was on full display.
26) Cincinnati Bengals: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Jaquan Brisker is in the mold of an old-school, hard-hitting safety. Yet, he possesses more than enough coverage prowess to be able to hold up in today’s NFL. He’ll hit hard as a downhill run stuffer but also ranges in coverage with ease. Penn State didn’t quite make as much noise as they wanted to in 2021, but their coverage unit never lacked. That was mainly because of Brisker.
27) Dallas Cowboys: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Yes, another Washington defensive back in the NFL. Trent McDuffie won’t be the only Huskie to hear his name called, but he’s the first in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. He’s got a great set of ball skills and plays sticky, handsy coverage at times. Under the tutelage of former head coach Jimmy Lake, McDuffie will be NFL-ready.
28) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Utilizing the transfer portal to its full extent, Jermaine Johnson II left Georgia for greener pastures in Tallahassee. All he did after that was win ACC Defensive Player of the Year and vault himself firmly into the first-round discussion.
Johnson has an incredibly high motor and never gives up on plays. Couple that with the fact that he has tremendous pass-rush skills and an even better ability coming down the line of scrimmage in run defense, and you’ve got a tailormade edge defender for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
The Kansas City Chiefs may certainly need some assistance on the defensive line with a potential out coming up in the beleaguered Frank Clark’s contract. The selection of Kingsley Enagbare gives them even more options, as the South Carolina product is a talented pass rusher off the edge with high upside. Enagbare is capable of moving his big 6’4″, 260-pound frame around bigger tackles or using strength to bowl over smaller linemen.
30) Detroit Lions (from LA Rams): Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The Detroit Lions using the Los Angeles Rams’ first-round pick to replace Jared Goff has some form of poetic justice written all over it. That’s what they do here by grabbing Malik Willis from Liberty.
He may have some growing pains to acclimate himself to the NFL, but Willis is much more than a dual-threat quarterback. He’s a pass-first thrower who buys time in the pocket with incredible athleticism. Willis maintains eyesight downfield and delivers strike after strike with great accuracy and power. He developed as a passer in 2021 and could take off with an incredibly high ceiling as an NFL quarterback.
31) Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The writeup for Treylon Burks will read the same no matter where he goes: It’s almost unfair to mock Treylon Burks to Team X. As such, it’s almost unfair to send Burks to the Tennessee Titans and pair him with A.J. Brown.
Burks runs the best go route in the class — and perhaps of any class in recent memory. He has the best ball skills for a man his size and even better speed. As he hones his route-running ability, Burks will win more than his fair share of 50/50 balls downfield against overmatched cornerbacks.
32) Green Bay Packers: Travon Walker, DT, Georgia
The final selection of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft is none other than the versatile Travon Walker. Sure, you’ll see him in coverage in the Georgia defense, but Walker is a massive man who excels on the defensive line. He’ll disrupt passing lanes with his pass rushing or his long arms just the same as he’ll come downhill in the run game to stop backs. Walker is a surefire stud if utilized properly in the right scheme.
The following teams didn’t have a first-round pick. Here are their first selections of the 2022 NFL Draft in this mock:
Chicago Bears (Pick No. 39): David Bell, WR, Purdue
Indianapolis Colts (Pick No. 52): Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky
San Francisco 49ers (Pick No. 66): Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
Seattle Seahawks (Pick No. 67): Henry To’o To’o, LB, Alabama
Los Angeles Rams (Pick No. 100): Damone Clark, LB, LSU