by John Oates
Feature contributor John Oates takes a different approach to Mock Drafts than the other guys at DraftID….just one mock draft a year! His process is just simply different and combines his knowledge for the game with his well connected NFL Network. Last year, John correctly placed 8 first round picks. Outside of his annual mock draft, John has been a big time “inside the ropes” guy at DraftID and jokingly is referred to as the intern because of his “can do” attitude and ability to wear many different hats.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Aidan Hutchinson | Michigan, Edge
The Jaguars make the safe pick at 1. Aidan has the physical abilities and the intangibles to help turn around this team. With Hutchinson and Lawrence, the Jaguars are headed in the right direction.
2. Detroit Lions
Travon Walker | Georgia, Edge
The Lions add a high ceiling, high motor pass rusher to pair alongside the Okwara Brothers to take this defense to the next level.
3. Houston Texans
Kyle Hamilton | Notre Dame, S
The Texans go best available and grab a do-it-all defender. Versatile in his abilities, Hamilton is a day one starter, and immediately improves the pass and run defense.
4. New York Jets
Ikem Ekwonu |NC State, OT
The Jets invest in the best run blocker in the draft. Ekwonu is an investment in former 2 overall pick, Zach “Baby Face” Wilson and Michael Carter.
5. New York Giants
Evan Neal | Alabama, OT
The Giants are salivating at the opportunity to draft one of the soundest prospects in the draft. Once the favorite to go #1 overall, Neal marks an investment in Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Evan Neal and Andrew Thomas help elevate this offensive line from worst to respectable.
6. 🚨TRADE🚨
Seattle Trades 9th pick, 2022 3rd & 5th rounder for Carolina Panthers 6th Overall Pick
Seattle Seahawks (from Carolina)
Malik Willis | Liberty, QB
After parting ways with Russell Wilson in a historic NFL offseason, Seattle wastes little time in addressing their QB situation. Labelled more of a project, Willis has clear upside and time to develop behind bridge QB Drew “Tiny Hands Impossible Whopper” Lock.
7. New York Giants
Kayvon Thibodeaux | Oregon, Edge
Schoen knocks it out of the park with his first two draft selections. KT provides elite athleticism and will pair nicely with second year standout, Azeez Ojulari. Kadarius Toney asks to be traded shortly after this pick as he cannot bear the idea of sharing “KT” nickname with any other teammates.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Garrett Wilson | Ohio State, WR
Falcons add another pass catcher after Calvin Ridley is sidelined for an additional year for putting his paycheck all on red. Wilson will pair well with generational talent, Kyle Pitts.
9. Carolina Panthers
Charles Cross | Mississippi State, OT
Rather than reach on QB and set back the team for another 3 years, the Panthers shore up the OL in attempt to take QB in next year’s class.
10. New York Jets
Derek Stingley, Jr. | LSU, CB
Stingley just looks good in a Jets jersey. After dominating his Pro Day, Stingley is the first CB off the board. If not Stingley, then look for Sauce “Sweet Feet” Gardner to end up in NYC.
11. Washington Commanders
Drake London | USC, WR
The Commanders add a bigger bodied pass catcher to pair with Scary Terry. Washington does their best to provide Wentz with plenty of targets.
12. Minnesota Vikings
Sauce Gardner | Cincinnati, CB
This franchise values elite DBs, and Sauce has all the traits to be one of the best players in this year’s draft. Sauce has the potential to be a household name and his resume of not letting up a TD in college speaks volumes.
13. Houston Texans
Jermaine Johnson II | Florida State, Edge
The Texans add speed to the edge and pick Senior Bowl standout. Johnson and Hamilton add much needed star power to one of the worst defensive rosters in the league.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Jordan Davis | Georgia, DT
The Ravens add one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft. The standout from Mallard Creek High School is one of those talents that has what it takes to be an All Pro for years to come. Something about the Ravens and defensive game-changers… Davis has what it takes to be the best Raven since Ray Lewis.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
Devin Lloyd | Utah, LB
The Eagles take the first LB off the board and secure a stud at the second level. Devin Lloyd has one of the highest ceilings in the draft.
16. New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave | Ohio State, WR
The Saints add another WR from WRU to pair alongside Slant Boi. Olave has top-end speed to stretch the field and pairs it well with excellent route running ability.
17. Los Angeles Chargers
Trevor Penning | Norther Iowa, OT
The Chargers went all in this offseason on adding talent to the defensive side of the ball. They check off another box here by solving the Right Tackle vacancy. Penning has all the physical traits to be a Pro OT for many years in the NFL. Chargers have sneakily built one of the best rosters in the NFL.
18. Philadelphia Eagles
Jameson Williams | Ohio State, WR
Jameson “Built By OSU” Williams is the 4th WR off the board and adds extra fire power to the Eagles young offense.
19. New Orleans Saints
Desmond Ridder | Cincinnati, QB
Ridder, surprisingly, is the second QB off the board and brings all the physical abilities to the position. Ridder has the game experience and arm to play QB and should have some further time to develop behind Jameis.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Kenny Pickett | Pittsburgh, QB
The skid for “fake slide” Pickett ends in Pitt. The hometown kid brings a high floor to the QB room and has time to develop behind Bridge Trubisky.
21. New England Patriots
Nakobe Dean | Georgia, LB
The Patriots land one of the better football players in this draft. Although slightly undersized, Dean has the intangibles to thrive in the Patriots organization. Dean’s knack for finding the ball and his leadership will help propel him forward.
22. Green Bay Packers
Treylon Burks | Arkansas, WR
After losing out on their top two receivers, the Packers add firepower and youth to their WR room. Burks has a rare combo of size and speed and provides a skillset like AJ Brown and Deebo Samuel.
23. Arizona Cardinals
Andrew Booth | Clemson, CB
The Cardinals continue to add talent to their secondary. The former 5 star and former teammate to Cardinals Isaiah Simmons, will be a day one starter and loves to hit in the run game.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Boye Mafe | Minnesota, Edge
After losing Randy Gregory in free agency, Cowboys add a dynamic talent off the edge. The Golden Gopher is a genetic freak and has elite burst and speed.
25. Buffalo Bills
Breece Hall | Iowa State, RB
The Bills are the first to select a running back. Hall is an immediate upgrade for Buffalo and has the potential to be a top 6 fantasy back in 2022. Breece is deserving of his day one draft grade and will add another dimension to an already top offensive unit.
26. Tennessee Titans
George Karlaftis | Purdue, Edge
Titans add another stud to an already elite unit. Karlaftis, although not the fastest edge rusher in his class, has incredible strength and could easily be a perennial pro bowler. Karlaftis paired with Simmons and Landry makes for one of the top defensive lines in the NFL.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kenyon Green | Texas A&M, IOL
Tampa adds reinforcements to their line. Green will compete for the starting LG spot and help TB12 sleep soundly. At 6’4’’ and 323 lbs, Green fortifies an already impressive O Line.
28. Green Bay Packers
Zion Johnson | Boston College, IOL
Packers double down on offense and add a mauler to their interior. Zion provides youth and will help establish the running game.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Jahan Dotson | Penn State, WR
After losing Tyreek, the Chiefs bring in reinforcements and add an elite route runner. Dotson just seemed to make plays when it mattered most. Although he lacks elite size, Dotson is one of those great “football players” in this draft.
30. Kansas City
Daxton Hill | Michigan, S
KC spends their next pick trying to replace the Honey Badger. It will be interesting seeing the Chiefs suit up next year without the Cheetah and the Honey Badger but add two solid starters for a discount in Dotson and Hill.
31. Cincinnati Bengals
Tyler Linderbaum | Iowa, C
The Bengals have addressed their weakness at OL in free agency, but with this pick, turn that line into a strength. Linderbaum is too talented to pass up on and he has all the intelligence and intangibles to play Center. He can kick Karras to left guard and shore up the Center position for years to come
32. Detroit Lions
Christian Watson | North Dakota State, WR
The seventh WR off the board! Instead of reaching on a low ceiling QB, the Lions snatch an FCS stud with elite length and athleticism and hold out on QB for another year.
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