Mock Draft 2.0 — Post-Free Agency
1. Jacksonville Jaguars — Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
After an offseason of overspending on players they could get for a fraction of the cost in this year’s draft, the Jaguars still do not have a left tackle to protect Trevor Lawrence, and Evan Neal is still that guy.
2. Detroit Lions — Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
Unlike the Jags, the Lions took the smart approach of not overspending on players this offseason while their rebuild is nowhere near complete, and got rid of players that were being overpaid. With Hutchinson, the Lions add a cornerstone piece to their defense and a player who can match head coach Dan Campbell’s energy.
3. Houston Texans — Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
I massively undervalued Thibodeaux due to certain past comments in my previous mock, but I think the Texans can’t pass up on an athletic freak like Thibodeaux who was pretty much unblockable in college.
4. New York Jets — Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame
Hamilton is still by far and away the most talented and complete player in this year’s draft, but likely won’t be a top 3 pick because he plays safety. I expect Hamilton to be a top 5 safety in year one as a pro.
5. New York Giants — Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The Giants improved their horrid offensive line this offseason by adding Mike Glowinski but still have a long way to go before they are in the top half of offensive lines. Ekwonu should be able to step in immediately at either tackle spot and make an impact.
6. Carolina Panthers — Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Since David Tepper bought the Panthers in 2018, they have gotten increasingly worse every year, and they now have to pay Sam Darnold an $18 million dollar fifth-year option just to play at a mediocre level in 2022. However, if they want to turn the franchise around, they need to take a flyer on a project quarterback who will likely struggle in year one but has Josh Allen level potential.
7. New York Giants (via Chicago) — Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
The Giants had a horrible secondary in 2021 and need a guy with Stingley’s ball skills and ability to play elite press coverage to make up for it in 2022. The Giants have made it clear that they are not looking to make the playoffs in 2022, and should be looking to rebuild their defense for the time being.
8. Atlanta Falcons — Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
After an insane combine, Jordan Davis seems to be a lock to be a top 10 pick, and no team is a better candidate than his hometown Atlanta Falcons. Regardless of how bad his pass rush moves may be, a man of that size, strength, and speed will disrupt a lot of offense in 2022.
9. Seattle Seahawks (via Denver) — Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
With Bobby Wagner gone, the Seahawks have an enormous hole to fill in their defense. Dean has a similar play style to Wagner and was talked about by Kirby Smart as one of the best leaders he had ever seen, making him a great potential replacement.
10. New York Jets (via Seattle) — Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
With no clear WR1, the Jets need a go-to target for second-year QB Zach Wilson, and who is better than Wilson? Wilson ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and caught more 50/50 balls than any other receiver in college.
11. Washington Commanders — Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner’s size, toughness, and ball skills make him a great CB1 candidate in today’s NFL. His competitiveness and confidence remind me of a faster Richard Sherman.
12. Minnesota Vikings — Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
Travon Walker is one of the most underrated players in this draft because of how good Georgia’s defense was in 2021, but he is also a very raw talent with a lot of athleticism. In order for his talent to transition to the NFL, he will have to become a better tackler.
13. Houston Texans (via Cleveland)— Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Texans should be all in on their offense in 2022 and need to give second-year QB to give Davis Mills the weapons to compete. Burks may not be the fastest player, but his size and strength made him one of the best all-around threats in the SEC, and he lead the SEC in YAC and was second in yards per catch in 2021.
14. Baltimore Ravens — Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
Kenyon Green is the most versatile lineman in this draft (he played 4 positions on the line in 2021) and is also the best interior lineman in this draft, which the Ravens desperately need since they lost center Bradley Bozeman to free agency.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami) — Jermaine Johnson, Edge, Florida State
Johnson’s long arms and exceptional upper body strength allowed the Georgia transfer to get 12 sacks in his first year at Florida State. Additionally, his bull rush move was among the best in the SEC last year and he used that move to effectively stop the run as well.
16. New Orleans Saints (via Indianapolis and Philidelphia) — Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
After losing their pro-bowl LT Terron Armstead to free agency, the Saints will need Penning to help fill the void on their offensive line. Since he didn’t face much tough competition in college, it will take some time for Penning to adjust, but his size and strength make him a great candidate to replace Armstead.
17. LA Chargers — Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Dotson is one of the fastest receivers in this draft class, and his speed and hands should make him one of the most productive deep-ball receivers once he enters the league, especially with Justin Herbert as his QB.
18. Philidelphia Eagles (via New Orleans )— George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
Karlaftis has incredible awareness and great speed, however, he will likely fall in the draft because of his small arms and because he is more of a run stopper than a pass rusher. His playstyle is very similar to another Purdue alum who is now a Philadelphia Eagle, Ryan Kerrigan.
19. New Orleans Saints (via Philidelphia)— Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
The best value in this year’s draft is during the middle of the first round, and Quay Walker has as much potential as any linebacker in the draft. At 6'4, 240 pounds, Walker still ran a 4.52 40-yard dash and stops the run better than anyone in football. Even in situations where he struggled in college, he is always giving the most effort of anyone on the field and his work ethic should transition to the NFL.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers — Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Steelers already got better at offensive line during free agency by adding James Daniels and Mason Cole, but they still need a left tackle to anchor the offensive line. Cross proved he could handle any twist or stunt and has great awareness, making him a solid, NFL-ready tackle.
21. New England Patriots — Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Patriots need a cornerback after losing Pro Bowler JC Jackson to the Chargers in free agency, and McDuffie is exactly the type of player that Bill Belichick should be looking for. He is an exceptional tackler who plays tough football while still avoiding any costly PI calls, and although he is a little undersized, he is one of the most reliable players in the draft.
22. Green Bay Packers (via Las Vegas)—Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
As a consequence of signing a contract that pays over $50 million AAV, the Packers were forced to trade Davante Adams and have to draft a receiver. Olave is nowhere near as good as Adams, however, he is quicker than Adams and is still a solid deep threat who got great separation against the best corners in the Big 10.
23. Arizona Cardinals—Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
If my mock draft is correct, Wyatt will be the fifth player on Georgia’s defense picked in the first round, and deservingly so. Like his teammate Jordan Davis, he is very agile for a defensive tackle and could change direction against the run with ease, and showed some potential pass rushing. His stats in 2021 weren’t great, but that was because he was a member of one of the best defenses in college history with multiple top 15 picks on its d-line, including the likely number one pick next year, Will Anderson.
24. Dallas Cowboys — Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The Cowboys get a steal in Jameson Williams who will fall because he tore his ACL in January, but he will make a great replacement for Amari Cooper. He is an exceptional route runner with great speed and is a great example of why teams shouldn’t pay number 2 receivers big money when they can easily get a guy like Williams in the late first or early second round for cheaper.
25. Buffalo Bills—Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
Andrew Booth will fit perfectly in the Bills' defense as a CB2. There won’t be a ton of pressure on him since they already have a pro bowl CB, and all he has to do is continue to be a secure tackler against the run and not get burned in big games the way Levi Wallace did against the Chiefs.
26. Tennessee Titans — Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
With Saffold gone, the Titans need a solid interior lineman to replace him who is also a leader. Coaches at Iowa have raved about Linderbaum’s leadership and he has shown that he can play like a modern NFL lineman. He is agile and can quickly get to the second level when run blocking.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
The Bucs are another team in need of an interior lineman after losing guards Alex Cappa and Ali Marpet to free agency and retirement. He is less explosive than some of the other interior linemen in the draft, but he plays sound football with good technique, making him a reliable NFL starter.
28. Green Bay Packers — Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota
Boye Mafe’s stock has risen a ton over the last year as his pass rush skills ascended to the next level. He is still a pretty raw prospect, but has double digit sack potential in the NFL.
29. KC Chiefs (via San Francisco and Miami)—Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
A few months ago, I projected Moore to be a day 3 pick, but thanks to a great Senior Bowl and great combine, he may very well go to the Chiefs at the end of the first round, who need a Tyreek Hill replacement. Moore has great hands and was consistently elite at Western Michigan, the only thing holding him back is the lack of NFL-level competition and his small size.
30. Kansas City Chiefs — Arnold Ekebiete, Edge, Penn State
Every year the Chiefs put way too much faith into Frank Clark and every single year he under delivers. If the Chiefs move Chris Jones back inside and can replace him with Ekebiete, a guy who actually produced in 2021 with 9.5 sacks.
31. Cincinnati Bengals — Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Lloyd has great ball skills for a linebacker and will be able to cover nearly any tight end in the NFL. He also has great range and agility and is a solid tackler in the run game.
32. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles) — Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
The Lions get a lineman who can pretty much play anywhere on the line and has a ton of potential, considering he just learned to play left tackle and was a stud in college.
