2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
While just one quarterback was selected in the first 16 picks, we know a few more will go. How many more will be drafted in the back half of Round 1?
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
The Los Angeles Chargers abide by the ‘draft the best player available’ mantra here. The selection of Tyler Linderbaum helps immediately transform the interior of their offensive line still. He’s got raw power, a steady base, and fluid fundamentals in each facet. Yet, his wrestling background serves his best attribute: balance.
Linderbaum has balance through contact, with his hands and legs, and on the move. His wrestling background allows him to toss defenders aside or plant them in the ground all the same. Even with Corey Linsley in the fold as well as playing at a high level, Linderbaum could slide to either guard position and dramatically increase LA’s line productivity.
He’s so good he could even play on the defensive line. I joke, kind of.
18) New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Yes, another Ohio State wide receiver to the New Orleans Saints. And yes, the Saints have to figure out their quarterback situation first. If they do, however, Chris Olave offers up one of the most productive players in recent draft classes. Don’t ask me — just ask David Boston, who Olave topped to become Ohio State’s career touchdown reception leader this past season.
19) Arizona Cardinals (From PHI): David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
Trade: Arizona sends pick Nos. 23 and 87 to Philadelphia in exchange for pick No. 19.
The slide for David Ojabo ends here as the Arizona Cardinals move up to select the talented edge rusher from Michigan. In all likelihood, it’d be a miracle to land Ojabo here. But if he was available, expect more than the Cardinals to come calling.
Ojabo is a talented rusher who wins with speed and power. He slides through the opposition’s hands like a warm knife through butter and pushes past smaller lineman like toothpicks. He’s a rare blend of speed with power and could be a Pro Bowler in Year 1.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The answer to their woes is here at pick No. 20. The Pittsburgh Steelers select their future franchise quarterback in Sam Howell after he entered the year penciled in as one of the favorites to be the first overall pick. Howell has more than enough arm strength and athleticism to see success in the NFL but has to account for some accuracy issues on a consistent basis.
If Howell can return to the form that saw him dominate the action in 2020 with a star-studded cast, he can absolutely turn the Steelers around. They’ll need some offensive line help, but they need a quarterback first, and Howell is that guy.
21) New England Patriots: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The New England Patriots need help in the secondary after their showing in the playoffs this past year. They grab a talented cornerback in Kaiir Elam, who flashed all sorts of elite-level play with the Gators the past three years. Elam will pass off receivers in his coverage to make plays on the ball and has sticky hands at the catch point. He also has a knack for finding the football, routinely coming down in run defense for TFLs or stops.
22) Las Vegas Raiders: Drake London, WR, USC
Drake London may have fractured his ankle after the halfway point of the 2021 season, but he’s every bit of an elite receiver still. His ankle injury notwithstanding, London possesses all the skills and traits needed to be a WR1 on any team in the NFL.
London’s basketball background paves the way for highlight-reel receptions over defenders. But his route running is where he really turned the corner this past season when healthy. London would be in the conversation for top receiver drafted without his injury.
23) Philadelphia Eagles (From ARZ): Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Trade: The Eagles received Arizona’s pick Nos. 23 and 87 in exchange for Philadelphia’s Pick 19.
With their third pick of the first round, the Eagles grab their man at safety in Daxton Hill. After trading back, Philadelphia selects Hill to anchor a passing defense that needs more than just their fair share of revitalizing. While Hill helps that aspect, his best feature is his range and ability to shut down rushing angles and passing angles all the same. He’s a ferocious hitter and a ballhawk when the ball is in the air.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
While the Ezekiel Elliott era has run its course with the Dallas Cowboys, no running back should be selected here. Instead, the Cowboys would be wise to protect their franchise quarterback and revamp their offensive line that has lost luster over the past couple of seasons. Trevor Penning does just that as he enters with a strength that is unmatched.
Penning has balance, strength, and athleticism wrapped up in an imposing frame that should immediately make a difference in 2022.
25) Buffalo Bills: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
If one thing was apparent during their AFC Divisional Round playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the Buffalo Bills need help in the secondary. Jaquan Brisker enters the fold as he can play either safety position or as a nickel defender lined up in the box. Brisker presents an option to replace one of Jordan Poyer or Micah Hyde after their contracts expire following the 2022 season. He has great upside in the passing game and can cover a bevy of receivers with his coverage ability.
26) Tennessee Titans: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
The Tennessee Titans will need to address a few positions in free agency and the draft. As April rolls around, expect them to give a long hard look at both linebacker prospects who should go in Round 1. With Lloyd gone, Nakobe Dean is the next man up. He’s as strong as an ox and has unmatched football intelligence at the position in this class.
Dean routinely was seen barking out calls with presnap reads that put the national champions’ defense in the right place to make plays. He’s a coach’s player, and Mike Vrabel will love having him on his defense.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
The back half of this draft winds down just as it began, with a run on edge defenders. Travon Walker heads to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the Bucs watched their tackles get destroyed by the Los Angeles Rams’ pass-rushing attack in the NFC Divisional Round. There are few holes on the Bucs roster as long as Tom Brady is their quarterback, but edge defender and depth along the entire defensive line is one of them. Walker presents a talented pass rusher and a player with positional versatility to move all around the defense.
28) Green Bay Packers: Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
The West Coast’s Aidan Hutchinson, Cameron Thomas heads north to the Green Bay Packers in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Like the Bucs before them, they’ll have to figure out their quarterback for the future, not just for the 2022 season. But if they do have that squared away, expect them to attack the edge. Thomas also presents versatility to move around the defensive line for Green Bay as he’s much more than a situational pass rusher and rather a three-down wreaker of havoc.
29) Cincinnati Bengals: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Making full use of the transfer portal, Jermaine Johnson II put his name on the map more than a handful of times in his first season at Florida State. Johnson’s motor is his best asset, yet he still gets home with pressure more often than not. He’s durable and reliable in the pass-rush game while also presenting a challenge with his run fits. Johnson adds another talented player on that Bengals defense that needs a few pieces to become elite.
30) Miami Dolphins (From SF): Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The Miami Dolphins tried a bevy of rotations to figure out their offensive line woes this past season. That included kicking tackles to guards and guards to tackles. Insert Ikem Ekwonu (if he lasts this long), who can be that tackle-to-guard or guard-to-tackle player for them in the future. It’d be wise to pencil him in at just one spot, but that isn’t the way the NFL works.
Instead, Ekwonu gives the Dolphins the flexibility of maneuvering their pieces around to find the best rotation rather than pigeonholing players here or there. Ekwonu is powerful in both facets and more than held his own in pass protection against a handful of talented pass rushers this past season.
31) Detroit Lions (From LAR): Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The future is here for the Detroit Lions as Kenny Pickett‘s slide stops at 31. Pickett will have to answer the inevitable “small hands” questions throughout the draft circuit, but one thing is certain about the former Pitt Panther: he’s a gamer. Pickett gives his team the best chance to win the game by protecting the football and slinging it into places only a few can.
He will throw his receivers open, buy time in the pocket with his athleticism, and find receivers downfield with accuracy to every level. He’ll need some help from his weapons, but Pickett is no stranger to elevating his cast around him.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Like the Bills, who they beat in the AFC Divisional Round, the Kansas City Chiefs need help in the secondary. Their pass defense will need to be upgraded if they want to continue to compete in the playoffs, and Lewis Cine gives them that upgrade. He also provides them a fierce hitter in the run game who has no problem coming downhill on a mission. Cine is a big man and a bigger player in both facets.