2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jaguars bolster O-Line with No.1 pick, Panthers select new QB
Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire
With the 2021 season finale at Super Bowl LVI almost upon us, it’s time to start looking ahead to the NFL Draft.
NFL Draft season is finally here. For the next couple of months, get ready to be filled with an enormity of rumours, speculation and hype, as well as analysis from the upcoming NFL Combine, as we build up to draft day on April 28.
For many fans, the NFL draft is the highlight in their calendar year, waiting patiently to see who their team will select.
In offGrid’s first 2022 mock draft, we’ve split the first round into three sections and have not included any potential trades between teams. This edition has purely based selections on the current team order.
Here’s our selections for the top ten:
Round 1, 1st Overall: Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The Jaguars select number one overall for the second consecutive year. But unlike 2021, there is far from a consensus as to who they will select.
We’ve gone with Evan Neal, Alabama’s solid lineman who will immediately step in as a starter from day one. In Neal, the Jags will get much needed protection for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who struggled at times during his rookie year.
North Carolina’s Iken Ekwonu and Mississippi State’s Charles Cross are other viable prospects, both of whom could easily fit the bill as the first selection. But Neal’s insane size (he’s over 350 pounds) and power should give him the edge and he’ll undoubtedly go on to become a dominant blocking force in the NFL.
rOUND 1, 2ND OVERALL: DETRoit lions – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson had an incredible 2021 and he’s currently projected as the favourite to be selected first overall by many bookmakers. He has all the hallmarks to go all the way and become one of the best defensive players at the next level.
The Lions need elite playmakers on their team and the Heisman Trophy finalist will provide premier pass-rushing ability. Given his roots in Michigan, landing Hutchinson would feel like a match made in heaven for Detroit and I’m sure head coach Dan Campbell would love for his team to be in a position to make this pick.
rOUND 1, 3rd OVERALL: houston texans – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Kayvon Thibodeaux has been falling in recent mock drafts, but it’s hard to fully buy these projections. The Oregon man was once regarded as the best prospect in the draft and despite being unable to stay completely healthy for the whole of 2021, he was still extremely dominant when he featured. His future ceiling is as high as anyone player in the upcoming draft.
Thibodeaux is off the charts in every aspect athletically and aesthetically, and he will bring such explosive power and talent that can really rejuvenate the Texans franchise. If he’s available at number three, Houston should have no hesitations about this selection.
rOUND 1, 4TH OVERALL: NEW YORK JETS – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu is one of the best offensive line prospects in 2021 and is a player who could fit in and play right tackle, left tackle or even as a guard.
It would be appealing to add another playmaker on defense but the Jets need to more protection for Zach Wilson. Morgan Moses’ contract is up and the future of Mekhi Becton seems uncertain, so given his versatility, the addition of Ekwonu would go a long way to helping shore up New York’s offensive line.
rOUND 1, 5TH OVERALL: nEW yORK gIANTS – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The appointment of Brian Daboll as the new head coach of the New York Giants is an exciting move which, given how the former Buffalo OC was able to utilize Josh Allen for the Bills, could really work wonders for Daniel Jones. Making sure Jones, picked sixth overall in 2019, is properly protected will go a long way to aiding his development under this new regime.
Charles Cross is another player who has seen his projection rocket over the past couple of months, with PFF even suggesting that the Mississippi State Bulldog could go first overall in a recent mock draft. He’s an immediate starter and could form a formidable tackle partnership with Andrew Thomas for years to come if selected by the Giants.
rOUND 1, 6TH OVERALL: CAROLINA PANTHERS – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The 2021 NFL season was such a rocky campaign for Carolina, given how it started with so much promise. Sam Darnold was not the answer at quarterback and Cam Newton’s return ended in misery. The Panthers really need to address the position properly in this year’s draft.
Kenny Pickett is probably the most NFL-ready quarterback in a fairly QB depleted selection of players, and the Panthers will want someone to step in from day one. Given his history working with Matt Rhule at Temple, Pickett would be a wise choice for the sixth overall selection.
rOUND 1, 7TH OVERALL: new york giants -Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The Giants could target a pass rusher here, but the temptation to pick one of the best safety prospects ever may be too much to pass on.
Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton is perhaps the number one prospect in this year’s draft, but it’s hard to see a safety taken any higher. That said, if the Giants were to taken him, they’d be getting a smart and incredibly physical athlete, who’d be an intimidating force on their defense for many years to come.
rOUND 1, 8TH OVERALL: ATLANTA FALCONS – David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
The Falcons could go a number of ways with their selection at number eight overall, but their defensive front needs some serious attention. David Ojabo has seen his stock shoot over the course of the last year and while he was overshadowed by Aidan Hutchinson at Michigan, there is no doubt that he’s one of the better talents in the draft.
Ojabo is an explosive rusher with elite athleticism and speed. Expect him to continue to rise before draft day, he could well go even higher.
rOUND 1, 9TH OVERALL: dENVER BRONCOS – MALIK WILLIS, QB, LIBERTY
The Broncos continue to be heavily linked with a move for MVP Aaron Rodgers from Green Bay and the underlying fact is that Denver really needs to get the quarterback position sorted this offseason. After years of little progress under the likes of Case Keenum, Trevor Siemian and more recently Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater, they should be looking to nail their long-term future at the position.
Given the uncertainty about Rodgers’ future in the league, Liberty’s Malik Willis could be sensible alternative. He recently impressed at the Senior Bowl and reportedly met with representatives from the Broncos during the event. With a hugely dynamic skill set, Willis could be a star in the NFL for years to come and could help to transform the fortunes of what is still a very talented roster in Denver.
rOUND 1, 10TH OVERALL: NEW YORK JETS – DRAKE LONDON, WR, USC
The Jets are reported to be open to trading the No.10 pick, but should they select here, expect them to continue building around Zach Wilson.
USC’s Drake London is a safe receiver option, and we’ve given him the honour of being the first receiver selected on this draft board. It’s difficult to pin who the top wide out in the upcoming draft, with Trevon Burks, Garrett Wilson and Jameson Williams also very attractive options.
But with London, the Jets would get one of the best after catch receiver seen in college football for years, with the 20-year-old breaking a ridiculous 22 tackles in just eight games during 2021. He would be an ideal target for Zach Wilson to aim at in New York.
