2022 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
In the back half of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, there’s a run on edge defenders to cap a first round dominated by defense.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Los Angeles Chargers were a few plays away from the postseason in 2021. You can bet no one wanted to play them in the playoffs and yet, here they are, selecting 17th. They grab Charles Cross in what could go down as a steal when it’s all said and done. With the success Rashawn Slater showed in his first year, you can expect to see Cross dominate action as well in Year 1. He must switch to right tackle, but his upside and raw talent should allow that transition to bear fruit sooner than later.
18) New Orleans Saints: Drake London, WR, USC
The New Orleans Saints need some help at quarterback. They need to figure out their future at the position and that can be expected to take place in free agency. Still, whoever is quarterbacking the Saints, they’ll need some weapons. That’s quite literally what they get from USC WR Drake London.
Despite a fractured ankle that sidelined him for the last few games in 2021, London still led the Pac-12 in receiving yards. London has incredible athleticism from his days as a dual-sport star. He can jump through the roof and should have no trouble high-pointing the football over any NFL defensive back. Oh, and he’s improving his route tree with every passing day.
19) Philadelphia Eagles: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
A torn ACL in the national championship game aside, Jameson Williams is the draft class’ top deep threat this year. The Philadelphia Eagles likely need to figure out how to feature their passing attack with Jalen Hurts as their quarterback, but it’s clear they need more than the current weapons they have to do so.
Williams joins DeVonta Smith as former Alabama receivers who present a challenge to defend against. He’s a talented route runner with great hands and elite ball-tracking skills.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Like many other teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers will absolutely need to address their quarterback position this offseason. With no quarterback potentially on their board here, we’d expect them to add Ikem Ekwonu with this selection.
Pittsburgh needs help all across the line and Ekwonu has positional versatility to help across the board. He’s got great hands and terrific strength. He even proved to be more than capable of holding down the left tackle spot. This is a no-brainer for Pittsburgh, which needs a lot of help on offense.
21) New England Patriots: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The New England Patriots never really moved the needle with their receiving corps this past season. Yet, rookie QB Mac Jones was fabulous. Imagine securing the draft class’ top deep threat and best pure “go” route runner in Treylon Burks. That’s a pretty awesome addition to an offense that lacks a deep threat. Burks can also hone his skills across the route tree in the process.
22) Las Vegas Raiders: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Daxton Hill heads to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 22, looking to improve a secondary that has promise if healthy. The best thing about Hill’s place with the Raiders is the fact that he can cover as a free safety or plug in as a slot cornerback to defend an array of pass-catchers. Hill has the best closing speed in the class and potentially the best free-safety coverage skills as well. This pick improves the Raiders’ pass defense immediately.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The Arizona Cardinals are in need of a top-notch cover cornerback. They get just that with Kaiir Ela. Elam has great ball skills, sticky coverage ability, and a knack for finding the football. He’ll pass off his receivers to break on passes targeted elsewhere. And he’s no stranger to sticking his nose in against the run. Elam has length, speed, athleticism, and much more in his arsenal.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Despite the fact that they hosted a Wild Card round playoff game, there are a few holes on the Dallas Cowboys roster. After shelling out cash to their quarterback and running back over the past two years, drafting stars like Micah Parsons and getting him on a rookie deal for five years is imperative for a cap-stricken team.
Jordan Davis doesn’t have Parsons’ skills, but he possesses raw power and commands attention all the same. At a massive 6’6″, 340 pounds, Davis moves like a Mack Truck with ferocity and speed. He rushes the passer well and affects the run game even better. Davis is a pure three-down defensive tackle.
25) Cincinnati Bengals: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The top senior tackle prospect, Trevor Penning heads to the Cincinnati Bengals to protect their face of the franchise, Joe Burrow. Penning is a big man with an imposing set of intangibles. He’s a pure pass protector but also has a knack for pancaking defenders in the run game. His versatility and experience will pay dividends, as he’d have to play opposite Jonah Williams at right tackle immediately.
26) Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco): David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
They’ll need more help than this as they still need a head coach, but the Miami Dolphins get a cornerstone edge rusher in the late stages of Round 1. David Ojabo is a feared speed rusher with the best spin move we’ve seen in years. Ojabo can win against any tackle and has power in his arsenal as well. If Miami has Ojabo available this late, you better believe this is a no-brainer whether it’s a need or not.
27) Buffalo Bills: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
The Bills have tried to grab running backs in the middle rounds of recent drafts, but it’s finally time to step up to bat and grab one in the first round. Buffalo selects Kenneth Walker III here to aid their rushing attack. Though he hasn’t quite contributed in the passing game as much as you’d like to see from a first-round running back, Walker can still carry the load for the team.
His selection allows Devin Singletary and Zack Moss to become featured backs in the passing game while Walker handles the ball-carrying duties. That’d be one feared rushing attack and make the Bills a complete team on offense.
28) Houston Texans (from LA Rams via Detroit): Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Trade: Houston sends pick Nos. 37 and 68 to Detroit for pick No. 28.
The run on edge defenders kicks off here and is started by a trade. The Houston Texans move into the first round by sending two picks to the Lions. They subsequently grab Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson II in the process. Johnson won the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award this past season as he presents a challenging player to block off the edge.
Johnson has a high motor and great durability. He hardly missed a snap, and he also has plenty of speed and bend around the edge. Johnson’s emergence this season also allows us to note that he doesn’t have a lot of miles on his tread. He should be menacing AFC South quarterbacks for some time.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Back-to-back edge defenders are selected as the run continues here. The Kansas City Chiefs grab Georgia’s Travon Walker with pick No. 29. Walker has perhaps the best versatility among the edge defenders in this class, as he can play with his hand in the dirt or in space. He can line up across the front or even as a coverage linebacker — he’s that talented. Walkers’ pass-rush game is also incredibly adaptable, as he has an array of moves to work with.
30) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
The third edge defender in a row, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers once again draft their best player available. Cameron Thomas has been compared to Aidan Hutchinson, and for good reason. He got home with double-digit sacks, hits, and hurries this past season and routinely made his presence known in the backfield in every game. Thomas has enough power to push tackles back and the speed to get around them. The Bucs have utilized their edge defenders at a variety of places this season. And Thomas allows them to continue to do so.
31) Tennessee Titans: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The best coverage linebacker in some time heads to the Tennessee Titans. Utah’s illustrious head coach Kyle Whittingham has said Devin Lloyd is the best defensive player he’s ever coached. That’s high praise, but Lloyd more than backs it up.
Lloyd patrols sideline to sideline with ease and has terrific coverage ability at all three levels. He’s a tackling machine and has a great football IQ. Lloyd will sniff out a play pre-snap and can also diagnose on the fly with his athleticism.
32) Green Bay Packers: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Picking here means the Packers won the Super Bowl, and you’d have to expect maybe that could convince Aaron Rodgers to stay. Still, Green Bay’s offseason will be dominated by talk of Rodgers and their needs at multiple positions after free agency. Jaquan Brisker is a hard-hitting safety who can play a range of positions. He’ll excel in coverage from either safety spot and offers a great replacement for Adrian Amos when his contract expires.