2022 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles dominate middle section of first round
ROUND 1, 11TH OVERALL: WASHINGTON COMMANDERS – MATT CORRAL, QB, OLE MISS
A new name and a new beginning in Washington, it’s now time for the Commanders to get a franchise quarterback to lead them into the future.
Matt Corral is the best quarterback available at this stage and if put in the right situation could become a solid starter in the NFL. He’s got good arm strength and athleticism which come together to give him a genuine dual threat ability.
The Ole Miss standout would take on Taylor Heinicke for the starting QB job from day one if he goes to the capital.
ROUND 1, 12TH OVERALL: MINNESOTA VIKINGS – DEREK STINGLEY JR., CB, LSU
The Vikings could get a steal at 12th overall in LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr., a player who once-upon-a-time was a top five projected selection and viewed as one of the best overall talents in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The 21-year-old saw his stock drop during 2021 after playing just three games in his junior year, and question marks over inconsistency in effort has also been an issue. But we believe Stingley still has the potential go on to become one of the best corners in the league.
Sorting the cornerback position is huge must for the Vikings in 2022, so this would be an ideal selection.
ROUND 1, 13TH OVERALL: CLEVELAND BROWNS – TREYLON BURKS, WR, ARKANSAS
The Browns wide receiver room is looking very bare going into the offseason, after being so underwhelming during 2021. Donovan Peoples-Jones was their leading receiver last season with less than 600 yards and just 34 receptions over 14 games. While questions remain over the future of Baker Mayfield, he needs serious help with some targets to aim at.
Treylon Burks and would fit into the Browns perfectly. At 6’3” and over 220 pounds, Burks would bring much-needed size and physicality to Kevin Stefanski’s side, backing this up with some serious offensive firepower and fluidity on the ball. With his frame, he’s got an incredible ability downfield and would be a nightmare for opposition in one-on-one situations.
A great pick for Cleveland.
ROUND 1, 14TH OVERALL: BALTIMORE RAVENS – JORDAN DAVIS, DT, GEORGIA
The Ravens will be looking to make serious additions to their defensive line this offseason, as they say goodbye to some familiar faces. Nose tackles Brandon Williams and Justin Ellis are set to hit free agency, while the futures of veterans Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe are uncertain.
Georgia’s Jordan Davis, a gargantuan 6’6’, 340+ pound defensive tackle, could make for the perfect selection. He’s already drawn prospect comparisons to Vita Vea and he has all the potential to become a top NFL talent. Even at his size, he has great speed and athleticism that could help him become a dangerous pass-rusher for those in purple.
ROUND 1, 15TH OVERALL: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – GEORGE KARLAFTIS, EDGE, PURDUE
One of the best pass rushers in college football for the past few years, expect a lot of talk about where Greek native George Karlaftis ends up on draft day. In this mock, he’s fallen to the Eagles at No. 15 but the Purdue star could be a match for most teams.
Philadelphia won’t mind taking a steal with this pick as they look to retool on defense, with the likes of Ryan Kerrigan and Derek Barnett heading to free agency. Karlaftis has all the potential and could learn a great deal from playing with Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham for a season or two.
ROUND 1, 16TH OVERALL: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – Tyler Linderbaum, C, IOWA
Whether Jason Kelce will remain in the NFL remains a mystery, so selecting his replacement for the long-term would be a wise move for the Eagles to make. Iowa’s Tyler Linderbaum is seen as the best center prospect in recent years and has the strength and physicality to mould into a great player.
Adding Linderbuam would also give the Eagles one of the best up-and-coming offensive lines in football, with Landon Dickerson, Isaac Seumalo, Jack Driscoll and Jack Anderson all looking promising along the interior.
ROUND 1, 17TH OVERALL: LOS ANGELES CHARGERS – TREVOR PENNING, OT, NORTHERN IOWA
There are a number of ways the Chargers could go here, either defensive line or offensive line seems to be the most probable. We’ve gone with the latter in this mock draft, picking Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning at 17.
The Charges nailed their 2021 first-round pick with Rashawn Slater and adding another top tackle could give Los Angeles one of the best offensive line duos in the league. There are doubts given the level of opposition he played during college, but Penning’s versatility in being able to align either at left or right tackle, and given his large frame, length and range, means he’s an NFL calibre player in the making.
ROUND 1, 18TH OVERALL: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS – SAM HOWELL, QB, NORTH CAROLINA
The first year in the post-Drew Brees area wasn’t great for the Saints, and with head coach Sean Payton no longer at the helm, this could the ideal time to address the quarterback position. Taking a punt in the draft could be the logical option given that Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill haven’t worked out, plus NOLA don’t have a lot of cap space to work with to trade for a veteran.
Sam Howell has a decent upside, and while a subpar senior year has deferred potential suiters, putting the North Carolina man into a side with some decent targets to aim at would do wonders for his development. He would be a starter from day one and could prove to be very solid draft value with this pick.
ROUND 1, 19TH OVERALL: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – AHMAD ‘SAUCE’ GARDNER, CB, CINCINNATI
The Eagles land Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner at 19th overall, a player who is coming off the back of a sensational year with Cincinnati. The corner not only helped his team to a College Football Playoff appearance but didn’t allow a single receiving touchdown for the third year straight in college.
He’s pretty neck-and-neck with LSU’s Derek Stingley in the race to be the first corner selected, but the Eagles would love it should Gardner find himself in Philly. Putting Sauce and Darius Slay together would be a dream scenario for their fans.
ROUND 1, 20TH OVERALL: PITTSBURGH STEELERS – KENYON GREEN, OT, TEXAS A&M
With four quarterbacks already taken, the Steelers decide against replacing Ben Roethlisberger through the draft and take Texas A&M offensive tackle Kenyon Green at No.20. Pittsburgh’s offensive line is in need of a serious rebuild after finishing 26th in PFF’s rankings in 2021, with all five starters achieving below par ratings.
Green looks to be a solid if not flashy lineman with a physical, rugged style of play and can also fill in as a guard. A former 5-star recruit, he possesses the traits to go far in the NFL.
ROUND 1, 21ST OVERALL: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – TRENT MCDUFFIE, CB, WASHINGTON
The Patriots lost former Defensive Player of the Year Stephen Gilmore to the Panthers during the 2021 season and with JC Jackson now looking likely to miss out on a big contract from New England, Bill Belichick’s side are looking a little short at cornerback.
Luckily, the 2022 class is packed with elite defensive backs. Both Derek Stingley Jr and Sauce Gardner could end up a top-ten pick, and Washington’s Trent McDuffie isn’t too far off either. A fearless tackler who should test very well in the upcoming NFL Combine, McDuffie will be a player who can step up to the mantle as a rookie.
If he’s available, he’d be a great selection for New England.
