Mock Draft | The Final Mock of 2022

1. Houston Texans

Bryce Young | Alabama, QB

I have bounced back and forth on the QB1 of this class and there is probably a lot of volatility ahead once the rumors start rolling in. The 2021 Heisman winner has the “it factor” necessary to become an elite QB in the NFL.  I don’t hate Davis Mills, but the Texans now have the capital to make a splash on an elite signal caller.

2. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver)

Will Anderson Jr. | Alabama, Edge

Seattle was one of the biggest winners both on the field and off and now find themselves on the cusp of possessing both a playoff bid and top 2 pick. There may be concerns with Will Anderson Jr. regarding his size and build, but he possesses elite NFL traits including as his power and burst.

3. Chicago Bears

Paris Johnson Jr. | Ohio State, OT

Just when everyone was ready to write off Justin Fields, he ripped off an impressive run that has him looking like the future in Chicago. Step 2 is to find an elite lineman to protect your future. This season, Justin Fields has been pressured on 27.4% of his drop backs and has a league high 57 scrambles. The first step to building a stronger passing offense must start at fortifying this offensive line to give Fields a fighting chance in the pocket. Jalen Carter may be the top available prospect on the board, but the Bears must prioritize the development of their emerging star QB NOW!

4. Detroit Lions (from LA Rams)

Jalen Carter | Georgia, IDL

The Lions rebuild has looked promising, but now looks even better due to the Rams pick being inside the top 4. Jalen Carter may be the best prospect in this entire class and would be a do-it-all cog for the Lions young and talented defense.

5. Carolina Panthers (from Philadelphia)

CJ Stroud | Ohio State, QB

If the draft board were to stack up like this with several non-QB needy teams at the top, it would be more likely that someone would move up for a top QB. Carolina has failed to replace Cam Newton by bringing in different veteran QBs in each of the last three seasons, but now they have the capital required to move up. With Young off the board, Carolina moves up for their choice between Levis and Stroud here, and frankly could go either way at this point.

6. Arizona Cardinals

Peter Skoronski | Northwestern, OT

The organization made it clear that Kyler is their guy when they threw the bag at the Call of Duty champion. Since he has become their starter, the team has not drafted an offensive lineman in the top 5 rounds. Peter Skoronski is a high IQ, polished offensive lineman that can help protect Kyler and also provide leadership and a calming presence in their hectic huddle.

7. Indianapolis Colts

Will Levis | Kentucky, QB

The big armed prospect took a major step back on the field this year, but scouts could care less about what the box score says. Levis is a big armed passer with incredible NFL potential and has drawn comparisons to other unproductive college players like Josh Allen and Aaron Rodgers.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers

Joey Porter Jr. | Penn State, CB

Joey Porter Jr. is a true lockdown cornerback that dominated throughout his career at Penn State. By drafting a guy like Porter, the Steelers can keep up in the pass heavy AFC and provide depth to their already talented defensive core. Not to mention, Joey Porter Sr. has a bit of history in Pittsburgh, so this pick is a home run.

9. Houston Texans (from Cleveland)

Jordan Addison | USC, WR

With Brandon Cooks likely gone, the Houston Texans can give their newly drafted QB a solid receiving option to develop alongside. Addison has battled injuries this season, but when healthy he has been one of the most productive players in the country. Addison has been compared to Stefon Diggs due to his elite agility and ability to snap off a route on a dime.

10. Atlanta Falcons

Myles Murphy | Clemson, Edge

The Falcons have been the most “meh” franchise for years now. They never seem to win enough to be a legitimate contender, but also rarely find themselves picking in the top 5. Here they select a top 5 talent with the 10^th overall pick and lockdown the bendy edge rusher from Clemson.

11. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina)

Tyree Wilson | Texas Tech, Edge

You rarely expect the Super Bowl favorite with a top 5 pick, but the Eagles originally held the 5th pick that was a part of the Chris Olave deal. Again, the Super Bowl contenders can afford to move back and secure another depth piece for their defensive line. A large reason why the Eagles have found so much success is their continued investment in the trenches. Tyree Wilson was the most dominant edge rusher in college football and brings a 6’6” 276 lbs frame with high caliber bend and athleticism.

12. Las Vegas Raiders

Cam Smith | South Carolina, CB

The Raiders have had one of the worst stints of draft luck in recent years, but can right their wrongs here. Cam Smith entered the season with high expectations and certainly met every single one of them. Smith is a lean and lanky cornerback that can do it all and slow down the AFC West air raid.

13. Jacksonville Jaguars

O’Cyrus Torrence | Florida, IOL

Man…we talk about “our guys” all the time in the scouting community and O’Cyrus Torrence is certainly one of “my guys” this season. The massive road grater was one of the most productive lineman in the country for three years at Louisiana and a major reason for the success of former teammate RB Elijah Mitchell. Torrence followed Billy Napier to Florida and didn’t skip a beat, as he was a 1^st team All American after another huge year. Torrence will likely play guard in the NFL but is the type of prospect that is going to check every box and also be worlds better than the next guy at his position. We rarely see Guards selected this highly but Torrence certainly fits the mold as a player that a team will fall in love with.

14. Green Bay Packers

Bryan Bresee | Clemson, IDL

Green Bay is tiptoeing the line for a major rebuild, but they have a solid young nucleolus if they elect to roll with Jordan Love. By selecting Bresee here, the Packers add depth to a solid defensive front that could use a bit more power and explosiveness on the inside. Bresee has drawn comparisons to JJ Watt for his versatility, power and athleticism.

15. Detroit Lions

Kelee Ringo | Georgia, CB

The Lions have taken several swings at highly touted cornerbacks, but they continue to lack physicality in their secondary. Ringo, who stands at 6’2” and 200 lbs, is one of the more aggressive bump and run corners in college football and fits Dan Campbell’s scheme perfectly.

16. LA Chargers

 Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Ohio State, WR

JSN has missed most of the season with a nagging hamstring injury, but we’ve seen more than enough tape to warrant a potential 1^st round selection. Many camps believe that Smith-Njigba held himself out to focus on the next level, despite being healthy enough to play. The Chargers have some big-time decisions to make this offseason, but one need they certainly must fulfill is youth in their aging receiving room.

17. Seattle Seahawks

Anthony Richardson | Florida, QB

Geno Smith is HIM, but he also turns 33 next season and is just a year younger than Kirk Cousins and Matthew Stafford. I’d expect the Seahawks to bring back Smith on a short term deal but reach here for his successor and select a QB in the 1^st round for the first time since 1993 when they selected Nick Mirer with the 2^nd overall pick. Richardson has the tools but lacks the experience you’d like to see for a 1st round pick.

18. New York Jets

Broderick Jones | Georgia, OT

The Jets add another offensive lineman in hopes to make up for the Mekhi Becton flop. It’s unsure who enters the season as the starting QB next year, but it is sure that they need to continue to fortify the offensive line.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Isaiah Foskey | Notre Dame, Edge

Despite temporarily having the GOAT at the helm, the key to the Bucs recent success has been a terrifying pass rush. Foskey is great value at 19 and brings youth to an aging group of edge rushing stars.

20. Tennessee Titans

Jaelyn Duncan | Maryland, OT

Taylor Lewan has had a shaky career and struggled to stay healthy, but he has been a salvageable starter for the Titans run offense. Jaelyn Duncan is a freaky mover with tremendous upside here.

21. New England Patriots

BJ Ojulari | LSU, Edge

One area where Bill Belichick seems to always succeed is landing high caliber pass rushers through the draft. Ojulari was a terror for LSU, but often was overshadowed by breakout freshman Harold Perkins Jr. Over the past two seasons, Ojulari has recorded 105 pressures and 17 sacks en route to being one of the most productive defensive players in the country. Despite being a bit undersized, Ojulari has a tremendous wingspan that is packed with power.

22. Washington Commanders

Drew Sanders | Arkansas, LB

The one-time Bama linebacker enjoyed a breakout season this year for the Razorbacks, recording 90 tackles, 39 pressures and 11 sacks. At 6’5” 230 lbs, Sanders spent a majority of the time playing in the box. However, his size, length and pass rushing abilities leave his positional potential up for interpretation.

23. New York Giants

Rashee Rice | SMU, WR

I’m not sure where to start with the Giants, but the 7-5-1 roster is filled with holes throughout. To suggest that the issues start at the QB position would be foolish, as the team has the worst receiving group in the NFL with just one player with over 600 receiving yards through 13 games. The interior offensive line also is one of the worst in the league and is largely the guilty party for their 28.2% of pressures and 41 sacks, but the GMen need to find their future number 1 receiver here. Rashee Rice checks every box as a do-it-all receiver with ideal size, speed and athleticism.  

24. Miami (Forfeited)

25. Denver Broncos (from SF)

Brian Branch | Alabama, DB

One of the largest draft risers this season, the versatile defensive back brings a similar skillset to an ace hybrid like Tyrann Mathieu. The Broncos have built one of the stoutest secondaries in the league, but would add another element to their defense with Branch.

26. Baltimore Ravens

Bijan Robinson | Texas, RB

The Ravens identity revolves around their run game, but they have struggled to find their true alpha (albeit largely due to injury). J.K. Dobbins is a solid depth piece but adding a player like Bijan Robinson this late in the first brings star power at a major discount.

27. Cincinnati Bengals

Christian Gonzalez | Oregon, CB

The Bengals have been a solid roster that has proven to compete, but still have a few glaring weaknesses that frequently are exposed. The Bengals have struggled to find a CB1 for year, but could add a solid candidate here with the Colorado transfer who has been a star for the Ducks this year.

28. Dallas Cowboys

Jared Verse | Florida State, Edge

The Cowboys have one of the most solid defensive fronts in football and the rich just get richer here. Jared Verse enjoyed a breakout season for Florida State and has legitimized his stock as a 1^st round prospect.

29. Kansas City Chiefs

Quentin Johnston | TCU, WR

Johnston has been charted as high as a top 10 prospect, but his stock may be a bit elevated by the media right now due to TCU’s historic run. Johnston finished off his career with top tier production, but often found himself in stretches of being a non-factor. If he falls, his blend of size, speed and athleticism will make it hard for a team like the Chiefs to pass up. He reminds me a lot of D.K. Metcalf as a highly gifted athlete that can play a significant role, but not necessarily a player your would build an offense around.

30. Minnesota Vikings

Tuli Tuipulotu | USC, DL

The 10-3 Vikings have suffered their ups and downs this season and their defense may possibly be holding them back from any legitimate postseason success. Here they land a talented and versatile defensive lineman that brings some much-needed youth to their struggling D.

31. Buffalo Bills

Jalin Hyatt | Tennessee, WR

The AP 1^st team All American enjoyed a massive breakout season along with the Tennessee Vols which included 15 TDs and 1,300 yards. The Bills are always looking for playmakers to stretch the field and could face losing Gabe Davis to free agency after next season.

32. Philadelphia Eagles

Jahmyr Gibbs | Alabama, RB

The Eagles are another team that relies on running the ball, which could make for a tricky offseason. Miles Sanders is having a career season but that also maximizes his value in a solid free agent market. The Eagles could choose to save cap and select the versatile running back out of Alabama, who should be able to plug in and contribute early on.