by Sawyer Hicks
January 3, 2022
Draft order as of December 31, 2021
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Aidan Hutchinson | Michigan, Edge
I think Thibodeaux is much more of a Jadaveon Clowney rather than a Miles Garrett, but he’s looking like the favorite in the clubhouse to go 1st overall. Instead, the Lions should add depth with the Heisman finalist that helped lead Michigan to the CFP. Certified stud.
2. Detroit Lions
Kayvon Thibodeaux | Oregon, Edge
Thibodeaux was a bit of a disappointing when it comes to production, but he is still an athletic freak that has a huge ceiling to be an All-Pro at the next level.
3. Houston Texans
Evan Neal | Alabama, OT
We have been very high on Neal, even before the season, where he manhandled the SEC. The Texans take the highest graded offensive tackle here to see what they have in Davis Mills.
4. New York Jets
George Karlaftis | Purdue, Edge
The Jets need a talent influx and we all know Robert Saleh wants to help shore up his defense because that is his bread and butter. Karlaftis would be a day 1 starter for the Jets.
5. New York Giants
Derek Stingley Jr. | LSU, CB
Stingley Jr. could end up being the best player in this draft. Although the Giants defense was average this year, it would be very tough to pass up on this playmaking shutdown defensive back, even with the OL woes.
6. Carolina Panthers
Charles Cross | Mississippi State, OT
Even though the Panthers would like to draft a quarterback here, they have to try to improve that offensive line for two major reasons. The first is to at least try to salvage the Darnold situation and secondly to give CMC a little run blocking to open some holes. They must attempt to get their star player back and healthy to be the best running back in the league.
7. New York Jets (from Seattle)
Kyle Hamilton | Notre Dame, S
Marcus Maye is a free agent this offseason and the Jets desperately need reinforcements in pass coverage. Hamilton could have a very special season as a rookie and be a leader for this young team.
8. New York Giants (from Chicago)
Tyler Linderbaum | Iowa, IOL
The Giants have Andrew Thomas on their offensive line and that’s the only guy that they should feel good about heading into next year with. With reports saying the team plans to keep Judge and Danny Dimes next year, Linderbaum could be the missing piece in supporting this offense and launching Jones into his true potential.
9. Washington Football Team
Kenny Pickett | Pittsburgh, QB
The WFT has shown us that they can compete with anyone and are a feisty team built on their run game and defense. It seems like if they could find the right guy at quarterback, then this team could really make some noise. Pickett had an incredible 2021 season and is my top quarterback for this class. He would come in and start at some point next season as a rookie.
10. Atlanta Falcons
Garrett Wilson | Ohio State, WR
With the uncertainty surrounding Calvin Ridley, the Falcons need help at the wide receiver position. Kyle Pitts will be the offense’s “jump up and get it” type of player, so that means that they should be targeting a do-it-all type of receiver. Wilson was the best receiver in football in 2021 and someone that I could see putting up monster numbers as a rookie in the right situation.
11. Denver Broncos
Matt Corral | Ole Miss, QB
I’m not as high on Corral as a prospect as some other guys are, but I could see the Broncos targeting him in the draft because it just makes too much sense. The team is in desperate need of a good quarterback because Bridgewater and Lock are not the answers. Corral could be a starter for this team week 1.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Ahmad Gardner | Cincinnati, CB
With Patrick Peterson set for free agency this offseason, the team has a glaring need at cornerback. All Sauce done his whole career is produce and make Sauce Island a no-fly zone. Guarantee time… he will be very good at the next level.
13. Cleveland Browns
Treylon Burks | Arkansas, WR
The Browns need a lot of help on offense, but a true number 1 receiver would go a long way into hoping that Baker will figure it out. Burks was a stud in college and is one of those true elite “go up and get it” type of guys that every team covets.
14. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami)
David Ojabo | Michigan, Edge
The Eagles are a much deeper team than people give them credit for, so in this scenario they go with Ojabo, who has had a very strong season playing opposite of Hutchinson. In Philadelphia, he would be able to come in and learn from the rest of that tough Eagles D line and continue to improve.
15. New Orleans Saints
Jameson Williams | Alabama, WR
The Saints have a glaring need at receiver and Williams is the best available here. He put up monster stat lines this past season at Alabama after transferring from Ohio State and would quickly become the top guy in this weak Saints’ passing attack.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sam Howell | North Carolina, QB
Howell showed in previous years that he can put up big numbers with some talent around him and this Steelers offense is loaded. Big Ben is obviously washed and Pittsburgh will be looking for a new signal caller this offseason. Howell could go down as the best quarterback from this class.
17. L.A. Chargers
Jordan Davis | Georgia, DT
The Chargers were putrid against the run this year and one of the worst in the league. Davis has been the centerpiece of one of the best college defenses of all time and would come in and electrify this group to the point where run defense would probably become a strength for this team.
18. Las Vegas Raiders
Chris Olave | Ohio State, WR
The Raiders have an obvious need at receiver after the Ruggs debacle and Olave is the best remaining available, due to the run at the position earlier. He would provide Carr and the pass heavy offense a big play machine.
19. Philadelphia Eagles
Roger McCreary | Auburn, CB
The Eagles need cornerback reinforcements and McCreary has shown to be a lockdown guy having a stellar season and was a major riser.
20. Baltimore Ravens
Ikem Ekwonu | NC State, OT
With the Ravens giving Lamar a giant deal soon, it makes too much sense to get one of the top tackles here, who luckily for them slid a bit. Offensive tackle and quarterback are the two most important positions on the offense, so every team should look to find the pillars of the offense where they can. The Ravens have faced many huge injuries, especially on the OL, so a young infusion of talent here would strengthen this team.
21. Miami Dolphins (from SF)
Drake London | USC, WR
Tua has potentially made some strides in his second season, so the Dolphins might as well give him more weapons to work with outside of Waddle and Gesicki.
22. New England Patriots
Jahan Dotson | Penn State, WR
Although the Patriots invested heavily into receiving options last offseason, they take Dotson here to try to break Belichick’s curse of drafting receiving busts. It is obvious the Pats would want to get some younger guys in the organization to let them grow with their franchise player, Mac Jones.
23. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis)
Kaiir Elam | Florida, CB
I don’t think the Eagles keep all of their picks here, but they struggled in pass coverage this past year and their stud cornerback Darius Slay is getting older… Why not double down on the cornerback position in the draft and get another SEC beast in Elam? The NFL is obviously a pass heavy.
24. Arizona Cardinals
Kingsley Enagbare | South Carolina, Edge
It is looking like the Cards and Chandler Jones will be going separate ways this offseason, so the franchise is taking proactive measures to try to replace some edge production. Enagbare had a great season, finishing with a 92.5 PFF grade. He could one day turn into a player similar to Chandler Jones.
25. Buffalo Bills
Breece Hall | Iowa State, RB
The first running back to come off the board is the most talented one…duh. Last year we had a bunch of different mocks that predicted the Bills take one in the first, but that didn’t happen. That decision ultimately hurt the Bills because they have had to rely on Josh Allen being their bell cow rusher and try to ice games himself. This is going to continue wearing down Allen until they get that uber talented running back like Hall.
26. Cincinnati Bengals
Kenyon Green | Texas A&M, IOL
Last year, the Bengals were criticized for not taking an offensive-linemen with the 5th pick, but instead opting for Chase…which obviously worked out for them. This year, they finally address that need to protect Joey Broadway. Green is one of the most talented linemen in the draft and is a plug and play starter.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Andrew Booth Jr. | Clemson, CB
The Bucs have had their secondary riddled with injuries this year and are on the tail-end of contracts for most of their starters, so it’s smart to invest early in the position while their window is still open. Booth is a guy with tons of talent who will help continue making this defensive unit dominant.
28. Tennessee Titans
Malik Willis | Liberty, QB
We have seen how poorly Tannehill has played without his bell cow, King Henry, to rely on and even the fans are realizing that Tannehill is not the answer. Willis is by far the best rushing quarterback in the draft. Imagine that two-headed rushing attack.
29. Detroit Lions (from LA Rams)
Devin Lloyd | Utah, LB
With all of the top receivers off the board, Lloyd falls into the Lions’ lap. The do-it-all linebacker was the best player on a great Utah team and will thrive in the NFL, where he can step right in and become the best player on Dan Campbell’s feisty defense.
30. Dallas Cowboys
Daxton Hill | Michigan, S
With multiple safeties on the roster up for free agency, the Cowboys can’t afford to pay everyone. Hill comes in as an upgrade talent-wise and financially for a loaded Cowboys team.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Trey McBride | Colorado State, TE
The first tight end off the board is the highly athletic McBride. He is a very good receiver and blocker who will come in and give Mahommes an extra option outside of Kelce and Hill. Also, no one wants to acknowledge this, but Kelce is 32 years old…
32. Green Bay Packers
DeMarvin Leal | Texas A&M, DL
The Packers are ecstatic to get the highly talented defensive tackle here to eat up the gaps and help plug up their defensive line.
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