Jeff Ratcliffe’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

With just over two weeks until the 2022 NFL Draft, it’s time to unveil my first mock draft of the year. As you read through the picks, keep in mind that my focus isn’t to get each pick correct. 

Rather, I treated this like an academic exercise where I aim to address team needs with players who are most likely to be first-round picks. Also keep in mind that I did not attempt to anticipate any trades in this mock draft.

2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Here is a first-round mock for all 32 picks.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan

It’s a passing league, which means you need top-flight talent along the edge. Hutchinson gives the Jags just that and ideally will become the defense counterpart to Trevor Lawrence as the anchors of the franchise.

2. Detroit Lions – Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia

The momentum is very real. Lions head coach Dan Campbell has said that he wants an instant starter with this pick, and he’ll get just that with Walker. The Georgia product is extremely versatile for his size and comes with a massive ceiling.

3. Houston Texans – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

At this point, there’s very little the Texans don’t need. In Ekwonu, they add some much-needed talent along the offensive line with the top run-blocking tackle in the class.  

4. New York Jets – Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon

Robert Saleh adds some pop to his defense with a top pass-rusher. Thibodeaux is as explosive as they come. He’s also currently the odds-on favorite to go in this spot at +250.

5. New York Giants – Evan Neal, OT Alabama

New Giants general manager Joe Schoen intends to build their roster via the draft, and Neal is about as good of a starting spot as he could hope for at this pick. The enormous tackle is an immovable object against the pass rush.

6. Carolina Panthers – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Panthers owner David Tepper wants a franchise quarterback, so they take a swing at the highest-ceiling option in this year’s class. Willis is far from a sure-thing, but his dual-threat ability and massive arm make him appealing in this spot.

7. New York Giants – Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida State

A fast-riser after a strong performance at the Senior Bowl, Johnson addresses a huge need for the Giants. Schoen anchored his offensive line with his first pick and gets a high-ceiling pass-rusher with his second.

8. Atlanta Falcons – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

With Calvin Ridley suspended, the Falcons have a dire need at wide receiver. In Wilson, they get a big-time athlete with room to grow in the NFL.

9. Seattle Seahawks – Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

While it’s tempting to go quarterback in this spot, the Seahawks have multiple fish to fry in this year’s draft. In Gardner, they get a plug-and-play starter at a position of need. Gardner’s size gives him the look of a Legion of Boom defensive back.

10. New York Jets – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

It’s very close between Gardner and Stingley, so the Jets pounce in this spot. Saleh hits another big need and grabs an impact player who should step right into a starting role in the Jets defense.

11. Washington Commanders – Kyle Hamilton, FS, Notre Dame

Hamilton is a challenging player to mock, because a fair case could be made for him to go as early as No. 2 overall. However, with EDGE and offensive line dominating the top five spots, he slides all the way to Washington. Hamiliton’s size and versatility is a major upgrade over Bobby McCain.

12. Minnesota Vikings – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

A new regime is in place, but the Vikings select a corner just like they have in three of the last six drafts. None of those players have panned out, but McDuffie has the look of a plus-level starter. He’s extremely physical and versatile enough to play outside and in the slot.

13. Houston Texans – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi 

Two picks, and two offensive linemen for Houston. But given the current state of the Texans offensive line, can you blame them? Cross is one of the top pass-blockers in this class and has the look of a long-term starter.

14. Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

John Harbaugh and Eric DeCosta add some girth to their defensive interior with the absolutely massive Davis. He’s a run-stuffer who eats up space with the best of them. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

A true three-down linebacker with NFL size and the ability to hold his own in coverage, Lloyd is a plug-and-play starter who falls into the Eagles’ lap in this spot. 

16. New Orleans Saints – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Oh, hello. With only two skill-position players in the first 15 picks, New Orleans spices things up with the most pro-ready signal-caller in this year’s class. While Pickett lacks the upside of some of the other top quarterbacks in this year’s class, he’s more than capable of taking over for Jameis Winston. While Winston did sign a two-year deal with New Orleans last month, the Saints can get out of the contract after just one year. 

17. Los Angeles Chargers – George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue 

When you have to face Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Derek Carr twice each, it helps to have plenty of depth along the edge. Karlaftis isn’t the biggest player, but he’s all motor.

18. Philadelphia Eagles – Drake London, WR, USC

For the third year in a row, the Eagles go after a wideout in the first round. Jalen Reagor was a miss, especially with Justin Jefferson on the board. But DeVonta Smith has potential. Pairing him up with a big-bodied player like London could create a lot of challenges for opposing secondaries.

19. New Orleans Saints – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

The Saints follow up their selection of Pickett with the best route-runner in this year’s class. Olave is a huge upgrade over anyone not named Michael Thomas on the depth chart.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

With Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Steelers are in the market for their quarterback of the future. Ridder is coming off a big 2021 campaign and would figure to blow right past Mitchell Trubisky on the depth chart.

21. New England Patriots – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

While Mac Jones didn’t actually play with Williams at the college level, the Alabama to New England pipeline would certainly benefit him. Williams has the ability to take the top off a defense, which is something we haven’t seen for the Patriots in some time.

22. Green Bay Packers – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa 

Matt LaFleur and company address a glaring need along the interior of their offensive line with Linderbaum. A prototype Iowa offensive lineman, he’s about as consistent as they come.

23. Arizona Cardinals – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

While this wouldn’t be the best landing spot for Burks’ fantasy value, boy would this one be fun. The versatile Burks brings a Deebo-esque skillset to the table. Of course, there are a lot of mouths to feed in Arizona. However, he would fill a big need.

24. Dallas Cowboys – Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College

This one is fairly straightforward. Dallas likes to run the football, and Johnson is arguably the best run-blocking interior lineman in this year’s class.

25. Buffalo Bills – Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State

It’s no secret that the Bills have wanted to address the position for the past couple seasons. Devin Singletary is undersized, and Zack Moss just hasn’t panned out. In Hall, the Bills get a true three-down back who would make their offense even more dangerous. Sure, it’s a bit of a luxury pick, but Buffalo is in a position to make it.

26. Tennessee Titans – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

Though slightly undersized, Dean is an absolute dynamo from a speed standpoint. He’d fit well on the weak side for the Titans.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia

Pairing up Vita Vea with Wyatt would be downright scary. He’s extremely well-rounded and would provide a big pop as an interior pass-rusher.

28. Green Bay Packers – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

With Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling out of the mix, Green Bay needs to add some weapons for Aaron Rodgers. Dotson is a weapon indeed. His speed and playmaking ability fit well with Rodgers’ game.

29. Kansas City Chiefs – Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State

Instead of getting a similar player to Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs go in a different direction with the height/weight/speed prospect. Watson would give Patrick Mahomes the type of weapon he has not had in the NFL. 

30. Kansas City Chiefs – Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota

While he isn’t quite on the level of the top EDGE players in this year’s class, Mafe showed some big-time ability at the Senior Bowl. He addresses a major need for the Chiefs.

31. Cincinnati Bengals – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

Penning may not have faced the highest level of competition at the college level, but he straight up dominated in the FCS. The Bengals continue to build more protection for Joe Burrow.

32. Detroit Lions – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

One more quarterback sneaks into the tail end of Round 1. While the Lions don’t seem likely to address the position at pick two, a signal-caller is very much in play here. Corral may not be as polished as Kenny Pickett, but he comes with a high ceiling and could easily sit behind Jared Goff for a full season.