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Football map

Thursday, April 21, 2022

2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

 1st ROUND

1) Jacksonville Jaguars - Evan Neal/LT/Alabama, 6-7, 337, 5.2, Jr. 

While they may trade down to pick up more picks, this is the best and safest option. The Jag's struggled to protect the Chosen One last year. While they did resign Cam Robinson, with this pick he or Neal could move down to LG. They could also go Edge which is another need.

                Other Possibilities: Travon Walker/DE/Georgia, Ikem Ekwonu/OL/NCSt.

2) Detroit Lions - Aidan Hutchinson/DE/Michigan, 6-7, 260, 4.7, Sr.

Most have Aidan as the top overall player on their board. He explodes off the edge, and can play the run. Being a Wolverine seems like a perfect fit for the Lions rebuild. 

               Other Possibilities: Kayvon Thibodeaux/Edge/Oregon

3) Houston Texans - Ikem Ekwonu/OL/NC State, 6-4, 315, 4.9, Soph

The great thing about Ikem is he could play Tackle or Guard, some have compared him to Zack Martin of the Cowboys. Extremely smart player who ran track, and wrestled in HS. Was feared by defenders in the ACC. What better way to go all in on Davis Mills than actually protecting him. They could end up going Safety with the loss of Reid. 

               Other Possibilities: Kyle Hamilton/S/N.Dame, Jordan Davis/DT/Georgia

4) New York Jets - Travon Walker/DE/Georgia, 6-5, 272, 4.7, Jr.

The 1st of many Georgia players to go in this draft. Walker has shot up the draft board with many having him going #1 overall due to his speed with his size. 

               Other Possibilities: Kyle Hamilton/S/ND, Ahmad Gardner/CB/Cinn

5) New York Giants - Ahmad Gardner/CB/Cincinnati, 6-3, 200, 4.5, Sr.

Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner could easily be the best CB taken in this draft. His size, wing span, and loose hips, he reminds many of Richard Sherman. They could also go with Stingley here, but Sauce is too good of a prospect to pass up on. Another option is a quality WR to help Daniel Jones.

              Other Possibilities: Derik Stingley/CB/LSUCharles Cross/OT/Miss St, Garrett Wilson/WR/Ohio St.     

6) Carolina Panthers - Derek Stingley jr/CB/LSU, 6-0, 195, 4.35, Jr.

Though Carolina really needs a QB right now, they may be too scared to take one this high. Thus they may be unable to pass on Stingley jr who could be the true shutdown corner they have been dying to have for years. They may trade down to take the QB they need like Pickett due to the fact that this will probably their HC's last chance to show some improvement as the fan base is growing ever angrier. 

              Other Possibilities:  Kenny Pickett/QB/Pitt, trade down, Charles Cross/OT/MSU     

7) New York Giants - Charles Cross/OT/Mississippi State, 6-5, 310, So.

This pick will finally allow Daniel Jones, who the Giants still believe in to have two bookends to protect him. Cross has faced many quality opponents including not even allowing a single pressure against teams like Alabama. 

             Other Possibilities: Nakobi Dean/LB/Georgia

8) Atlanta Falcons - Garrett Wilson/WR/Ohio State, 5-11, 192, 4.38

This is the perfect fit for a team that lost Calvin Ridley to a full year suspension. Many have compared Wilson to Ridley. He is the smoothest, cleanest route runner in this draft. 

             Other Possibilities: If one of the top 2 CB's fall to them they may decide to take him over Wilson, but it would be a dumb move.   

9) Seattle Seahawks - Kayvon Thibodeaux/Edge/Oregon, 6-4, 254, 4.5

Many think the Seahawks will go QB here, but Thibodeaux or Jermaine Johnson of FSU will be too much of a quality with high need to pass up. Both are very similar though Kayvon is the more polished of the two. Don't surprised if they take Johnson because Kayvon is gone earlier. 

             Other Possibilities:  Jermaine Johnson II/DE/FSU, Malik Willis/QB/Liberty

10) New York Jets - Drake London/WR/USC, 6-4, 219, 4.49

London has a large catch radius, but needs to work on his route running. He will be a great fit for a big need to help Wilson and the Jets in their rebuild. 

             Other Possibilities: Chris Olave/WR/Ohio St/ Kyle Hamilton/S/ND

11) Washington Commanders - Kyle Hamilton/S/Notre Dame, 6-4, 220, 4.59

Washington will love having a chance to get a Unicorn player like Hamilton. He like Isiah Simmons could be a safety, or a linebacker. His speed is the question. He had a terrible pro day which could end up causing a big fall. He is such a unique player that he could go in the top 3 or end up a late 1st round pick. 

             Other Possibilities: Andrew Booth/CB/Clemson 

12) Minnesota Vikings - Andrew Booth/CB/Clemson, 6-0, 195, 4.5

With the Vikings being horrible in the Secondary this is a no-brainer.

            Other Possibilities: Just about anyone at CB/S you can think of, Jermaine Johnson II/DE/FSU

13) Houston Texans - Jameson Williams/WR/Alabama, 6-2, 189, 4.3

Jameson Williams is the toughest pick to pick of all the WR's. Before his knee injury in the playoffs he was the most dynamic WR in all of football. They say his rehab has been going along well enough that he should be able to play at some point. If the Texans can get a healthy Jameson this season, or the next this is a steal. 

            Other Possibilities: JJ/DE/FSU, Chris Olave/WR/OSU

14) Baltimore Ravens - Tyler Linderbaum/C/Iowa, 6-2, 296

Linderbaum is wildly considered the best Center prospect to come out in many years. Some have him as a top 10 overall pick. With a whole at starting center this is a perfect fit

            Other Possibilities: JJ/DE/FSU

15) Philadelphia Eagles - Chris Olave/WR/Ohio State, 6-0, 190, 4.39

Olave is everything the Eagles thought Reager would be when drafted a couple years ago. 

            Other Possibilities: CB,S

16) New Orleans Saints - Bernhard Raimann/OT/Central Michigan, 6-6, 303, 5.0

Came on the position later than most. Learned football as a foreign exchange student, who once was an Australian wrestler. He has tremendous potential, and this is a particular need for the Saints who lost Armstead in the off season. They could also decide to take Penning as well.

            Other Possibilities: Trevor Penning, 

17) Los Angeles Chargers - Trevor Penning/OT/Northern Iowa, 6-7, 321, 4.8

A strong run blocker who is a nasty finisher. He should fill the biggest need for the Chargers RT.

            Other Possibilities:

18) Philadelphia Eagles - Jermaine Johnson II/DE/FSU, 6-4, 254, 4.5

A former JUCO player who went to Georgia and knew he wasn't gonna be able to shine there like he wanted so he transferred to FSU and went off. He is a similar build to Thibodeaux, but not as polished. Should be an excellent edge rusher the Eagles unless they go secondary.  

             Other Possibilities: Daxton Hill/S/Michigan

19) New Orleans Saints - Kenny Pickett/QB/Pittsburgh, 6-3, 217, 4.7

An older QB than the rest known for his strong leadership, and accuracy. He broke all of Marino's records at Pitt, and fills a need for the Saints who are still in cap hell. They may decide to go to Malik Willis with Jamies Winston signed for another year. As many see Willis as an unpolished gem.

             Other Possibilities:   Malik Willis/QB/Liberty/ 

20) Pittsburgh Steelers - Treylon Burks/WR/Arkansas, 6-3, 225, 4.5

Reminds me of Deebo in his ability to catch a short pass and turn it into a long gain. Should fit well in the slot to start. The Steelers lost two WR's in FA, and it's too early for them to go after a future QB.

             Other Possibilities:  Malik Willis/QB/Liberty

21) New England Patriots - Nakobe Dean/LB/Georgia, 5-11, 229, 4.4

Many compare him to a homing missile. Very instinctive, could play in box Safety or linebacker. The perfect do it all weapon for a mind like Belichick. Was the heart of one of the best defenses in college football in many years. 

             Other Possibilities: Christian Harris/LB/Alabama, George Karlaftis/E/Purdue

22) Green Bay Packers - Zion Johnson/OL/Boston College, 6-3, 315, 5.1

Zion is a great fit to protect A-Rod as his OLine is in shambles due to the salary cap. He can play Guard or Tackle, and he's used to playing in the cold. 

             Other Possibilities: Kenyon Green or Defense (To really, irritate Packer fans)

23) Arizona Cardinals George Karlaftis/Edge/Purdue, 6-4, 266, 4.7

As most of the edge rushers are gone and George is the last big one left Arizona may have to take him here. McDuffie is also a possibility as their two biggest needs are Edge, and CB. 

            Other Possibilities: Trent McDuffie,CB,UW

24) Dallas Cowboys- Kenyon Green/OG/Texas A&M, 6-4, 323, 5.1

The perfect puzzle piece to fit at LG. He was a beast at A&M at guard, and tackle. The Cowboys will be immediately better on the OLine than they have in years if he is still there at 24, and Stephen Jones is smart enough to draft him. 

            Other Possibilities:

25) Buffalo Bills - Trent McDuffie/CB/Washington, 5-11, 193, 4.5

With both starting CB's a question mark with Wallace still unsigned, and Tre'Davious White coming off an AC tear this is a no-brainer.

            Other Possibilities: many, all secondary

26) Tennessee Titans - Trey McBride/TE/Colorado State, 6-3, 250, 4.5

A Major reach here, but a major need as well. If they are smart they will trade down and pick him up in the 2nd round. But you can never know if the player you want will still be there later. There will be plenty of team looking to trade late into the 1st round to snag a young QB that will have a team 5th option.

            Other Possibilities: Christian Watson/WR/NDSt. trade down

27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DeVonte Wyatt/DL/Georgia, 6-3, 307, 4.8

Wyatt would be going higher if there weren't question marks with his character. He's a great fit for the holes in the DL created by FA. This is a win now mode choice. 

            Other Possibilities: Christian Watson/WR/NDSt, Johan Dotson/WR/PennSt, George Pickens/WR/Georgia

28) Green Bay Packers - Christian Watson/WR/North Dakota State, 6-4, 210, 4.36

The Packers finally draft a WR to help A-Rod, and make the fans happy. Watson is a great run blocker for a WR, he's tall and fast, and really shot up draft boards after showing he could win one on one at the Senior Bowl along with his fast time at the combine. 

            Other Possibilities: a different WR

 29) Kansas City Chiefs - Jahan Dotson/WR/Penn State, 5-11, 178, 4.4

A similar type WR to the one they lost Tyrek Hill, though not as fast nor as nifty. 

             Other Possibilities:

30) Kansas City Chiefs - Boye Mafe/DE/Minnesota, 6-4, 265, 4.5

They could also add another WR here, but Edge is a big need and Mafe could be a beast in the future.

             Other Possibilities:   WR, or CB

31) Cincinnati Bengals - Kaiir Elam/CB/Florida, 6-2, 191, 4.5

With the Oline fixed during the offseason and a lot of unsigned CB's this is a great move. Elam is the next of the Elam family to enter the NFL. He has the size and speed to dominate. 

             Other Possibilities:  

32) Detroit Lions - Malik Willis/QB/Liberty, 6-1, 219, 4.5

This is the perfect situation for both sides. Willis needs time to be polished, and grow and the Lions need a QB of the future who can sit and learn. As this is a 1st round Pick he will come with a 5th year team option. 

             Other Possibilities: Desmond Ridder/UCinn, Sam Howell/QB/UNC, Matt Carrol/QB/OleMiss