Sam Teets 2022 NFL Mock Draft 4.0

Introducing new bi-weekly mock drafts

This is my least favorite of the mocks I’ve written over the past few weeks. The draft order is much better than in past additions, and I feel more confident in several prospect placements. However, too many talented football players fell lower than they should’ve because of positional needs. DeMarvin Leal is the perfect example. Let’s see where he landed.

I’ve decided that doing a mock draft each week just isn’t sustainable. Moving forward, Sports Talk with Sam Teets will feature bi-weekly mock drafts with big boards and positional rankings filling the open Wednesday slots. Keep an eye out for some pure prospect analysis next week.  

1. New York Jets- Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE Oregon

There are too many directions the Jets could go with the first overall pick. In a year with no clear generational talent, Robert Saleh’s team could trade back and accumulate more assets. I didn’t include projected trades in this mock, so New York stays put and takes Thibodeaux. The Jets open 2022 with Carl Lawson, Thibodeaux, and Quinnen Williams on the defensive line.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars- Derek Stingley Jr., CB LSU

The Jaguars recently traded C.J. Henderson to Carolina, abandoning the former ninth overall pick ten games into his career. With Henderson gone, Jacksonville needs more youth they can count on developing in the secondary. Drafting Stingley pairs the former All-American with Shaquill Griffin and 2021 second-round pick Tyson Campbell.

Stingley was phenomenal as a freshman, but his status as 2022’s top cornerback recently came into question. He’ll maintain his position until someone clearly takes it from him.

3. New York Giants- Evan Neal, OT Alabama

New York’s offensive line is a mess. Andrew Thomas is trending in the right direction after only allowing five pressures in his last three games, but the former fourth overall pick’s long-term viability remains in question. Hopefully, Thomas performs well enough to stay at left tackle, and the Giants can slide Neal to right tackle, where he decimated opponents in 2020.

In this scenario, Daniel Jones remains New York’s quarterback. He’s performed well this year, but his future might come down to whether or not Joe Judge and David Gettleman return in 2022.

4. Atlanta Falcons- Malik Willis, QB Liberty

Atlanta’s offensive line is also a mess, but Matt Ryan hasn’t helped things. He’s experienced decline over the past few seasons, but losing Julio Jones might’ve been the final push. The Falcons could cut Ryan next spring at the cost of $40.525 million in dead cap, or they could keep him for as many as two more years. Either way, Atlanta should invest in its future leader.

Willis offers a dual-threat style that heavily contrasts with Ryan’s capabilities. He’s physically impressive, but the Auburn transfer hasn’t faced much NFL competition at Liberty compared to other top quarterback prospects.

5. Houston Texans- Spencer Rattler, QB Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s offense is designed to produce NFL quarterbacks. Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray went first overall in back-to-back years coming out of that system. Even Jalen Hurts, who struggled significantly during his first two seasons at Alabama, turned into a Heisman candidate and top-55 selection after playing under Lincoln Riley.

Given all we know about the Sooners and Riley, it’s extremely concerning that someone as supposedly talented as Rattler hasn’t improved from 2020 to 2021. He looks like the same player, attempting ill-advised throws into double coverage and making silly mistakes. His leadership skills and questionable character offer more red flags for potential employers.

Rattler still goes in the top five because teams like the Texans desperately need quarterbacks. David Culley might be fighting for his job by this time next year.

6. New York Giants (Via Bears)- Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE Michigan

Hutchinson ripped Jaxson Kirkland, one of the best tackles in the 2022 class, to shreds on national television. He’s an imposing 6' 6", 265 lb. defensive end with incredible power. Michigan even drops him into coverage several times per game. The Giants can’t resist drafting Hutchinson. They’ve finally found the next defensive end in the line ranging from Michael Strahan to JPP.

7. Detroit Lions- Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame

Hamilton is the most physically unique and skilled player in this draft. Unfortunately, he plays a low-value position that has almost half a dozen Pro Bowlers hitting free agency in 2022. The Lions decide to capitalize on Hamilton falling and scoop him, forgoing the chance to draft a top cornerback. Detroit should simply focus on adding as much talent as possible next year.

Hamilton’s 6' 4", 220 lb. frame makes him a unicorn at his position. The junior already has three interceptions this season.

8. Philadelphia Eagles- George Karlaftis, EDGE Purdue

Brandon Graham went down with a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 2. The 33-year-old Pro Bowler is one of the best players in Eagles franchise history, but he’s entering free agency in 2022 along with former 14th overall pick Derek Barnett. It’s time for the Eagles to start replacing some members of their old guard.

At 6' 4", 275 lbs., Karlaftis overwhelms opponents with powerful strikes and has a growing toolbox of pass rushing moves. He could easily jump Hutchinson for EDGE2.

9. Philadelphia Eagles (Via Colts)- Kaiir Elam, CB Florida

Philadelphia lucks into back-to-back selections, which they use to address their aging defense. Darius Slay hasn’t played up to his contract since joining the Eagles, and Avonte Maddox and Steven Nelson are free agents in the spring. In a league growing increasingly reliant on passing, the Eagles don’t have a strong enough secondary.

Elam is the latest in a long line of Florida cornerbacks, most of which haven’t worked out in the NFL. But hey, scout the player, not the helmet. Elam has the fluidity to stick with pass catchers in coverage and attack the catch point.

10. Washington Football Team- Matt Corral, QB Ole Miss

Ryan Fitzpatrick is a free agent next offseason, and Taylor Heinicke is too limited as a quarterback to replace the veteran. While he occasionally has standout performances, Heinicke’s volatile nature always catches up to Washington eventually. The Football Team should start planning for a successor.

Corral showed steady growth from the time he first stepped on Ole Miss’ campus until now. The undersized quarterback hasn’t thrown an interception this season, displaying vastly improved ball security.

11. Cincinnati Bengals- Ahmad Gardner, CB Cincinnati

Cincinnati’s defense is trending in the right direction, but the Bengals could use a few upgrades at corner. Chidobe Awuzie and Trae Waynes are solid players, but Gardner is an imposing 6' 3", 200 lb. corner known for roughing up receivers. Most college teams are too terrified even to try Gardner. He’s only faced ten targets this season.

Some scouts worry that Gardner is too physical with receivers and will draw too many penalties at the next level. However, it’s easier to rein in an aggressive player than to excite a timid one.

12. New England Patriots- Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio St.

Wilson stepped up his game over the past two weeks while Chris Olave faded. The junior has 23 receptions for 391 yards and three touchdowns this year. New England would gladly welcome Wilson with open arms. The franchise spent a small fortune on pass catchers for Mac Jones this offseason, but Jakobi Meyers is the only Patriot averaging over 50 receiving yards per game.

The Patriots have struggled drafting wide receivers in recent years. They should take the easy option this spring.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers- Sam Howell, QB North Carolina

Ben Roethlisberger is on his last legs in Pittsburgh. The future Hall of Famer is struggling to complete passes downfield and is terrified of taking more beatings behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines.

Howell has looked great outside of a terrible season opener this year. He’s performed admirably with a depleted offense.

The Steelers could decide to wait on taking a quarterback and settle for one of the draft’s best offensive linemen here, but the franchise won’t know how to handle a bridge year. They haven’t dealt with that situation in almost two decades.

14. Miami Dolphins (Via 49ers)- Darian Kinnard, OT Kentucky

Kinnard is a senior with roughly 1,800 offensive snaps at right tackle. He thrives as a run blocker in Kentucky’s scheme, but the 6' 5", 345 lb. tackle is excelling in pass protection this year. He’s only allowed one pressure, and it didn’t come against a talented South Carolina squad last week. The Dolphins should love Kinnard’s size and ability to impose his will in the ground game.

Some analysts view Kinnard as a guard, but his recent displays suggest he could survive at tackle.

Despite taking several costly shots in free agency and the draft, Miami hasn’t assembled a good offensive line. Adding Kinnard to the mix should at least give the team another solid lineman alongside Robert Hunt.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (Via Dolphins)- Ikem Ekwonu, OT/IOL N.C. St.

The 6' 4", 320 lb. Ekwonu is another college tackle facing questions about his viability at the pro level. He’s only allowed three pressures this year, two of which came against Clemson last week. That’s a significant improvement over the past two seasons when Ekwonu allowed over 20 pressures per year. He has experience at left tackle and left guard.

Philadelphia’s defense isn’t the only unit getting old. The offensive line is reaching that point too. Obviously left tackle Jordan Mailata is locked in for the long haul. Lane Johnson is 31 years old, hasn’t played a 16-game season since 2015, and is signed through 2025. However, guard Brandon Brooks could emerge as a cut candidate this coming offseason.

16. Dallas Cowboys- DeMarvin Leal, DL Texas A&M

Leal is worth a top-ten pick, but every team that needed help along the interior defensive line had more significant needs. Dallas already began fixing its defensive interior by adding Osa Odighizuwa in the third-round this year. Drafting Leal completes the rebuild and gives the Cowboys a prospect capable of playing anywhere along the line.

Leal could go in the top 16 picks even if he entered the draft classified as a defensive end.

17. Minnesota Vikings- Andrew Booth Jr., CB Clemson

The Vikings need cornerback help. Mackensie Alexander, Bashaud Breeland, and Patrick Peterson are getting cooked every week. Booth hasn’t had the best start to 2021, but the junior possesses ideal size and fluidity for a cornerback. He’s one of the best tackling corners in this class and has a reputation for making jaw-dropping plays.

It’s time Minnesota begins retooling its aging defense.

18. Tennessee Titans- Jaxson Kirkland, OT Washington

Hutchinson put a beating on Kirkland that most scouts won’t forget. The 6' 7", 310 lb. tackle is extremely talented, but he needs to continue adding functional strength to his frame. Reworking his body structure could be essential for Kirkland surviving against stronger, denser NFL talent.

Tennessee swung and missed on Isaiah Wilson two years ago. They’re still looking for a long-term answer at right tackle. Kirkland could also serve as the successor to Taylor Lewan, who’s struggled with injuries in recent years.

19. Carolina Panthers- Kenyon Green, IOL/OT Texas A&M

Green and Kirkland are two of the most controversial offensive linemen in a class filled with them. The Aggies keep moving Green around this year, playing him at multiple positions in the same game. The 6' 4", 325 lb. lineman got worked by Arkansas, surrendering four pressures this past weekend. For reference, Green only allowed ten pressures in all of 2020.

Carolina needs as many talented offensive linemen as possible to flank Taylor Moton. After this year, Green has experience at both guard and tackle spots. He’ll likely stay inside at the NFL level.

20. New Orleans Saints- Chris Olave, WR Ohio St.

The Saints don’t have any premier pass catchers outside of Michael Thomas, and their relationship with the former All-Pro isn’t the best right now. New Orleans could trade Thomas before his cap hit more than doubles (rising from $10.1 to $24.7 million) if things don’t improve. Ideally, the Saints keep Thomas and add another terrific receiver for Jameis Winston.

Olave opened 2021 looking like the better Ohio St. receiver, but he’s vanished over the past two weeks. The senior’s elite route running should translate well to the NFL.

21. Baltimore Ravens- Trent McDuffie, CB Washington

Marcus Peters is out for the year with a torn ACL, and he might never play for the Ravens again. Cutting the All-Pro cornerback could save Baltimore roughly $10.5 million next year while only costing $5.5 million in dead cap. The transaction gets John Harbaugh’s team off the hook for most of Peters’ $15.5 million cap hit.

Baltimore could easily opt to keep Peters. After all, he’s only 28 years old and works well with Marlon Humphrey. However, Jimmy Smith is a free agent in 2022, meaning the Ravens could draft a corner anyway. They might not like McDuffie’s 5' 11", 195 lb. frame, but Harbaugh’s team shouldn’t turn down a top cornerback prospect.

22. New York Jets (Via Seahawks)- Drake London, WR USC

London is the latest USC wide receiver set to make an impact in the NFL. The junior is 6' 5" and weighs 210 lbs., but he’s fast enough to give defenses headaches. He has at least one play of 30 or more yards in all four of his games this season, and the California native is using his height to win about 60.0% of his contested catch opportunities.

New York invested a lot of money and picks in wide receivers over the past several years. However, Denzel Mims hasn’t been involved in the offense this season, and Braxton Berrios is the only Jets receiver with 150 yards through three weeks. Adding London gives Saleh’s team a strong receiver corps moving forward.

All of the top cornerbacks are gone by this point.

23. Denver Broncos- Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE South Carolina

The Broncos have a good thing going with Von Miller, who already has four sacks this year. However, the 32-year-old is a free agent this coming offseason, and his partner in crime, Bradley Chubb, has a lengthy injury history. The 25-year-old is on track to miss six to eight weeks this season with an ankle injury.

At the very least, Denver needs some depth along the edge. Enagbare is 6' 4" and weighs 265 lbs., making him larger than Miller but smaller than Chubb. The outstanding South Carolina product is on pace for a career year with the Gamecocks.

24. Las Vegas Raiders- Jaquan Brisker, S Penn St.

The Raiders have an unorthodox drafting style, but they’ve quickly moved on from failed projects in the past. Johnathan Abram looks like one of those failures so far. The former 27th overall pick is a hard hitter in the running game, but he routinely struggles in coverage. Las Vegas also recently drafted college strong safeties Divine Deablo and Tyree Gillespie.

Trevon Moehrig could turn into a great free safety for Las Vegas, but the team must find him a suitable partner. Brisker is on the smaller side, but he’s a stud playmaker for the Nittany Lions that always shows up in clutch moments. The Pittsburgh native is also above average in coverage.

25. Arizona Cardinals- Adam Anderson, EDGE Georgia

Anderson’s size could send him tumbling into the second-round. The senior is 6' 5" but only weighs 230 lbs. For context, that’s only nine pounds heavier than Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and three pounds heavier than Nick Chubb. Despite his weight, Anderson is on a tear. He recorded a sack in each of his first three appearances this year.

The Cardinals find themselves in an uncomfortable position entering next offseason. Chandler Jones is a free agent and could ask for over $20 million per year. Arizona opts to draft its next star pass rusher instead of paying the All-Pro or sliding Zaven Collins into his role.

Kliff Kingsbury’s team played themselves out of contention for the top cornerbacks.

26. Los Angeles Chargers- Drake Jackson, EDGE USC

Jackson to Los Angeles is one of my favorite fits from early in the college football season. He’s the perfect partner for Joey Bosa. While he slides to the back third of this mock, some analysts view Jackson as a top-ten selection. His athleticism and proficiency in all facets of the game have plenty of scouts drooling over their film.

Jackson is 6' 4" and weighs 250 lbs., meaning he has the size to thrive in Brandon Staley’s scheme. The junior gives Los Angeles a shot at replacing, or even potentially upgrading over, Melvin Ingram.

27. Green Bay Packers- Nik Bonitto, EDGE Oklahoma

Bonitto has a ten-pound advantage on Adam Anderson, standing 6' 3", 240 lbs. However, his playing weight is also an issue for analysts and scouts. Even the NFL’s best outside linebackers, like Von Miller and T.J. Watt, weigh at least 250 lbs. Bonitto must add more functional strength to his frame, but the junior’s weight shouldn’t completely distract from his incredible production as a pass rusher.

28. Cleveland Browns- Zach Harrison, EDGE Ohio St.

Jadeveon Clowney hits the open market next spring, and the Browns won’t be able to afford him. Clowney’s hot start to the year highlights how a secondary rusher can thrive alongside a superstar like Myles Garrett. Similar to a young Clowney, Harrison has all of the physical tools to make an impact, but he hasn’t developed the consistency.

29. Kansas City Chiefs- Jahan Dotson, WR Penn St.

Kansas City’s offense craves speed, but the organization hasn’t found many dynamic wide receivers outside of Tyreek Hill. Mecole Hardman doesn’t have the route running chops to cut it as a No. 2 in the league, and that’s where Dotson comes in. The Penn St. star has more than just track speed. He’s already carved up defenses on two AP top 25 teams this season.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jordan Davis, IDL Georgia

Ndamukong Suh is a free agent after this season, and the 34-year-old might opt for retirement. Suh isn’t the most important name along Tampa Bay’s defensive line, but his presence gives Vita Vea plenty of wiggle room and scares teams away from running between the tackles. At 6' 6", 340 lbs., Davis provides the Buccaneers with another stout interior lineman.

Davis and Vea would instantly become the best run-stuffing duo in the NFL.

31. Buffalo Bills- Roger McCreary, CB Auburn

There are two positions so essential to football that teams should constantly take shots at upgrading them in the draft. Cornerback is one of those spots. Taron Johnson and Levi Wallace performed well through the first three weeks, but McCreary could surpass those two quickly.

The Bills are picking in an awkward spot in this mock. Almost any selection they make represents a reach, and Treylon Burks doesn’t make sense because he primarily plays in the slot. Perhaps drafting Jordan Poyer’s eventual replacement in Jordan Battle or adding an offensive tackle would make sense here.

32. Detroit Lions (Via Rams)- Treylon Burks, WR Arkansas

Detroit’s leading receivers this season are T.J. Hockenson and D'Andre Swift. No other Lion is averaging at least 50 receiving yards per game. Whether it’s Jared Goff or a rookie in the future, Dan Campbell’s team needs a legitimate receiving threat to make the offense flow.

Burks is a 6' 3", 225 lb. behemoth who just gashed No. 7 Texas A&M for six receptions, 167 yards, and a touchdown. He possesses the height, weight, speed combination NFL teams crave.

Best Available

Desmond Ridder, QB Cincinnati

Carson Strong, QB Nevada

John Metchie III, WR Alabama

Thayer Munford, OT/IOL Ohio St.

Zion Nelson, OT Miami

Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT Ohio St.

Tyler Linderbaum, IOL Iowa

Myjai Sanders, EDGE Cincinnati

Nakobe Dean, LB Georgia

Christian Harris, LB Alabama

Noah Daniels, CB TCU

Josh Jobe, CB Alabama

Derion Kendrick, CB Georgia

Jordan Battle, S Alabama