2022 NFL Mock Draft: Cowboys add to linebacker room, Lions tie up first round with a receiver
ROUND 1, 22ND OVERALL: LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – GARRETT WILSON, WR, OHIO STATE
Despite Hunter Renfrow’s career year, the Raiders need a WR1. They’ve been largely unsuccessful with first-round receiver picks in the past, both Henry Ruggs and Amari Cooper haven’t worked out in recent years.
Garrett Wilson of Ohio State could be a great option to change that trend. He’s coming off another dominant year in college, finishing with 70 catches for 1,058 yards, 12 touchdowns and a second-team All-Big Ten appearance. He’s an effective wide receiver, whose lateral speed and ability to separate has brough plenty of admirers ahead of the draft.
If Wilson, a player who is in the conversation for being the best receiver in the class, is available at 22nd overall, Las Vegas shouldn’t hesitate in selected him.
ROUND 1, 23RD OVERALL: ARIZONA CARDINALS – ZION JOHNSON, OL, BOSTON COLLEGE
ESPN’s Todd McShay spoke incredibly highly of Boston College’s star Zion Johnson at the Senior Bowl earlier this month, claiming the offensive lineman is the best guard in the class and is “as safe as can be as a prospect.”
The Cardinals started nine different offensive line combinations in 2021, albeit largely due to injuries and Covid-19. But that’s very inconsistent. Given that tackles D.J. Humphries and Josh Jones are the only lineman signed beyond next season, they could do with some fresh blood. Johnson would be a good option to give Kyler Murray, sacked 31 times in 14 games last year, some more protection.
ROUND 1, 24TH OVERALL: DALLAS COWBOYS – NAKOBE DEAN, LB, GEORGIA
This should excite Cowboys fans, as Nakobe Dean was an absolute force for Georgia last season. Despite being slightly undersized at 6 foot and 225 pounds, Dean is a born leader and his physicality aligns with every trait you want in an off-ball linebacker in the NFL.
Despite a sensational rookie year from Micah Parsons in 2021, the linebacker room in Dallas is looking very bare, with the injury-stricken Jabril Cox currently the only other contracted player in the position for next season. Given how good of a pass rusher Parsons was last year, adding someone like Dean would free up Parsons to being the prime versatile defender on the edge.
Dean is the possibly the best player available at number 24 and he would be a perfect fit at middle linebacker for the Cowboys.
ROUND 1, 25TH OVERALL: BUFFALO BILLS – DEVONTE WYATT, DT, GEORGIA
The Buffalo Bills were very inconsistent against the run in 2021, particularly towards the end of the season. Despite finishing 13th overall in rushing yards allowed, the Bills gave up 200+ yards in games against the Colts and the Patriots, and a huge 182 yards in the AFC Divisional Game against the Chiefs.
Adding Georgia’s Devonte Wyatt alongside Ed Oliver in the middle of a D-line which has added rushers Greg Rousseau and Boogie Basham in recent years would give the Bills a young and bullish defensive front. Buffalo are set to lose a few veterans in free agency, so adding a prospect who can fill into multiple positions across the line (as he did in Georgia) could do wonders to their statistics against the ground game.
ROUND 1, 26TH OVERALL: TENNESSEE TITANS – DEVIN LLOYD, LB, UTAH
Tennessee fans seem unsure on Ryan Tannehill after a disappointing playoff exit last season, but don’t expect the Titans to address the position here.
They could do with adding another playmaker on defense and Utah’s Devin Lloyd could bring just the impact they need. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 is a beast of an athlete and with Harold Landry set to hit free agency, the Titans need to bring in an effective replacement. They would get that and more in Lloyd, who could even go as a top-10 pick.
ROUND 1, 27TH OVERALL: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – JAMESON WILLIAMS, WR, ALABAMA
Whoever starts at quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next season, one thing is for sure – it won’t be the GOAT, Tom Brady. Blaine Gabbert looks to be the favourite at the moment but regardless, the Bucs need to give their new starter some decent targets to aim at.
With Chris Godwin potentially leaving as a free agent and following Antonio Brown’s infamous exit, their receiver core has started to diminish. Alabama’s Jameson Williams, meanwhile, is a terrific talent and although an ACL injury has probably impacted his draft position, he’d be a great addition for any team.
ROUND 1, 28TH OVERALL: GREEN BAY PACKERS, JERMAINE JOHNSON II, EDGE, FLORIDA STATE
Money-stricken Green Bay are doing all they can to restructure their salary cap as they look to persuade quarterback Aaron Rodgers to stay on for another year. This operation, however, could have a detrimental consequential on their defense.
It is rumoured that the Packers are looking to ditch injury-hit Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, in a move that could save them almost $30 million in 2022. Support on the edge for Rashan Gray could therefore prove a draft must, and general manager Brian Gutekunst should be targeting Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson II in such a scenario.
The Packers may have to trade up to get him but Johnson fits the bill perfectly. He’s a relentless, ball chasing player with a tremendous football IQ, well primed for the transition into the NFL.
ROUND 1, 29TH OVERALL: MIAMI DOLPHINS – CHRIS OLAVE, WR, OHIO STATE
The Dolphins are expected to pick a receiver in the upcoming draft and could do with a little more speed in their receiver core. Miami were spot on with Jaylen Waddle last year and adding someone like Ohio State’s Chris Olave could help bring some much needed explosiveness to their developing offense.
Olave has been consistent throughout his three years in college and he was an incredible runner as a Buckeye. He’d be another sharp route running weapon for Tua Tagovailoa to work with, ideal for RPO reads.
ROUND 1, 30TH OVERALL: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – JAHAN DOTSON, WR, PENN STATE
Kansas City need to invest in their receiver core this offseason. Despite more outstanding play from Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill last year, the Chiefs lack a third, dependable target.
Like Hill, Penn State’s Jahan Dotson isn’t the biggest or the most physical, but he has explosive speed which can be very dangerous to opposition defenses. A brilliant route-runner, Dotson can help to push this Chiefs offense to new heights.
ROUND 1, 31ST OVERALL: CINCINNATI BENGALS – BERNHARD RAIMANN, OT, CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Upgrading the offensive line has to be the number one priority for the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason. Taking a corner like Kaiir Elam or Andrew Booth with this pick could be appealing, but they have to do more to protect quarterback Joe Burrow.
Central Michigan’s Bernhard Raimann has the potential to step up as a pro and has the physicality to become a very good right tackle in the NFL. The Austrian born lineman isn’t the complete product yet, he does lack some size compared to other prospects and struggled against the blitz at times during college. But his speed off a two-point stance and good hand placement should put him in good stead. He would definitely help the Bengals up front next season.
ROUND 1, 32ND OVERALL: DETROIT LIONS – GEORGE PICKENS, WR, GEORGIA
Taking a quarterback in a depleted QB class may be a risk for the Lions in 2022, particularly if it doesn’t present a clear upgrade on Jarrad Goff. We think the Lions should dodge that urge by waiting another year and instead addressing another position of need.
The Lions could go wide receiver with this pick, Georgia’s George Pickens and Purdue’s David Bell are very viable options. We’ve gone for Pickens who, despite missing most of 2021 following an ACL injury, has the ability to go a long way in the NFL. A strong, athletic outside receiver with good hand-eye coordination and at 6’3” and 200+ pounds, has plenty of size. Pickens could have gone a lot earlier if it wasn’t for last year’s injury and could end up being a decent steal for the Lions.
