Sam Teets 2022 NFL Mock Draft 6.0

Two QBs crack the top ten

It’s been almost a month since my last mock draft, which means we’ve got a new draft order, some first-time first-round prospects, and a whole new perspective on this year’s football landscape. We’re months away from fully grasping each prospect’s potential and what each NFL team needs, but we’ve already begun walking down the path to the 2022 draft.

Please remember the rankings and draft order are fluid and change week-to-week at this point in the year. You might see some things you don’t like, but this is all part of feeling out which prospects marry well with each team. Let’s be patient and continue enjoying an exciting football season.

This draft order isn’t constructed using the current standings. I’ve created my own order based on how I believe the season could play out for every team. Feel free to yell at me on Twitter @Sam_Teets33 if you disagree with where your team ended up.

All height, weight, and sack data come from ESPN.

1. Detroit Lions- Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE Oregon

The Lions need a new starting quarterback. Jared Goff is under contract through the 2024 season, but he’s looked lost outside of Sean McVay’s system. In fairness, Detroit hasn’t surrounded the former first overall pick with many weapons, but that alone doesn’t explain his troubles. Unfortunately, there isn’t a quarterback in this class worth a top-five pick.

Thibodeaux has performed at a high level since recording nine sacks as a freshman. The 6'5", 258 lb. defensive end wins with a combination of agility and burst, and he’s starting to work on a pass rushing repertoire. Thibodeaux has the sturdiness and agility to make plays in the running game, but he needs to become more involved in that area.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars- Evan Neal, OT Alabama

The Jaguars and Urban Meyer have one job this offseason: protect Trevor Lawrence. The rookie quarterback hasn’t taken many sacks this season, but he’s facing waves of pressure. Cam Robinson and Jawaan Taylor are the worst offenders. Combined, they’re allowing three pressures per game. Robinson is a 2022 free agent, and Taylor has one year left on his deal.

Even in the SEC, Neal is a mammoth. He’s 6'7" and weighs 350 lbs. Neal doesn’t fall in the same class as Penei Sewell athletically, but he’s comfortably this class’ top tackle. The Alabama product thrives in the running game, easily driving defenders off the line of scrimmage. His continued improvement in pass protection justifies this selection.

3. Houston Texans- Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE Michigan

Houston has too many problems to solve in one offseason. It’s quicker to count the positions they have long-term starters at than the roles they need to fill. Head coach David Culley and general manager Nick Caserio might panic and take a quarterback, but they should just focus on adding blue-chip players as this massive rebuild starts.

Hutchinson is proving all the hype he received in 2019 was warranted. The 6'6", 265 lb. senior is on a tear this year. He was even pushing Thibodeaux for the top edge spot until a few weeks ago. Hutchinson wins with power and a high motor that often leads to plays in pursuit. He has 39 pressures and six sacks this season on 200 pass rushing snaps. 

4. New York Jets- Derek Stingley Jr., CB LSU

Robert Saleh’s team has its franchise quarterback, so it can focus on adding as many elite prospects as possible. Bryce Hall looks like a legitimate starter, and rookie Michael Carter II is performing above expectations in the slot. However, the Jets still need another outside corner. Expectations for Stingley are as high as any cornerback in recent history.

Stingley never matched his freshman year, but he has all the physical traits to track the league’s best receivers. He projects best as a press-man cover corner where he can use his aggressiveness, recovery speed, fluid hips, and initial punch to their full potential. Stingley only allowed 53 receptions on 129 targets in his collegiate career.

5. New York Giants- DeMarvin Leal, DL Texas A&M

New York never found a replacement for Jason Pierre-Paul. Leonard Williams is the team’s most consistent pass rusher, but the defense would benefit from having another sturdy presence making quarterbacks feel uncomfortable. Williams had 11.5 sacks last year and has 5.5 in 2021. He only recorded over five sacks once in his four and a half seasons with the Jets.

At 6'4", 290 lbs., Leal is a physical tweener between a base end and an undersized interior lineman. He spent most of his first two seasons at Texas A&M as an edge rusher before shifting inside more. Leal’s versatility gives the Giants a defensive chess piece they can play along the line, especially if they change coaching staffs and schemes this offseason.

6. Washington Football Team- Malik Willis, QB Liberty

Washington swings for the fences by taking the first quarterback. Taylor Heinicke is a good backup, but he shouldn’t be a starter. Washington’s offense is too limited and prone to turning the ball over with Heinicke at the helm. If Ron Rivera gets his defense right, the Football Team could bounce back in 2022.

There’s a good chance Willis isn’t even worth a top-12 pick, but Washington is desperate for a win-now situation at quarterback. Willis is an Auburn transfer and the ultimate dual-threat quarterback for this class. He has 1,628 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns over the past two years. 

Willis hasn’t faced many elite defenses while playing at Liberty, which raises questions about his ceiling. He was dominant against Syracuse earlier this year, but his six interceptions this season came in two three-interception games against Middle Tennessee and UL Monroe. Liberty lost the UL Monroe game. If you can’t play well in that matchup, good luck in the NFL.

7. New York Giants (Via Bears)- Kenyon Green, IOL/OT Texas A&M

Despite throwing numerous high-level assets at the position group, the Giants haven’t fixed their offensive line in years. Injuries have decimated the unit this season, exaggerating the line’s already problematic performance. Andrew Thomas showed some promise earlier this year, but New York lacks other long-term solutions. 

Green is the ultimate offensive chess piece, which makes him a difficult player to evaluate. The Aggies move him all over the line. He has 80 or more snaps at every position but center this season. The 6'4", 325 lb. junior deserves a chance to play tackle in the NFL. After all, he played left tackle against Alabama and didn’t allow a single pressure.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame

Atlanta has needs at cornerback, edge, interior offensive line, safety, and wide receiver. They could pair another first-round pick with standout second-year corner A.J. Terrell. However, there’s one blue-chip defensive back remaining, and he’s arguably the most unique prospect in the whole class.

Hamilton is up there with Thibodeaux for the top overall prospect in the 2022 draft. He’s a 6'4", 220 lb. safety with sideline-to-sideline range and tremendous coverage skills. Quarterbacks have only completed 47.6% of their passes when targeting Hamilton during the safety’s college career. The junior has eight career interceptions and has only allowed one touchdown in coverage.

9. Philadelphia Eagles- George Karlaftis, EDGE Purdue

Brandon Graham suffered a season-ending Achilles injury earlier this year. The 33-year-old and former 14th overall pick Derek Barnett are free agents after this season. Veteran Ryan Kerrigan also heads out in the spring. Philadelphia is committed to Josh Sweat at one defensive end spot, but they’ll need a new starter unless they trust rookie Tarron Jackson that much.

Karlaftis is the best power rusher for 2022. He knocks offensive tackles on their rear ends when he’s not unleashing a surprisingly developed swim move. At 6'4", 275 lbs., Karlaftis lacks the same burst as Hutchinson and Thibodeaux. However, he’s still amassed 40 pressures and 2.5 sacks this season in 199 pass rush snaps.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (Via Dolphins)- Matt Corral, QB Ole Miss

The Eagles have two top-ten picks, and three top-15 picks in this mock draft, meaning they can afford one risky selection. Corral is arguably the best quarterback in the 2022 class. Even if he’s not a superstar, he’s at least better than Jalen Hurts and gives head coach Nick Sirianni hope for the future. Hurts hasn’t played well enough to secure the starting job moving forward.

Corral had several multi-interception games in 2020, including a five-pick loss to LSU and a six-pick performance against Arkansas. He’s completely avoided those issues this season, throwing only two interceptions in eight games. Corral’s also flashing his accuracy and skill as a runner. He’s not an elite dual-threat quarterback, but defenses can’t leave him alone in space either.

11. Miami Dolphins (Via 49ers)- Ikem Ekwonu, OT/IOL N.C. St.

Miami has several half-answers along the offensive line. However, 2020 first-round tackle Austin Jackson isn’t even a half-answer. He’s struggled beyond belief to the point that he’s arguably the worst starter for Miami. Ekwonu isn’t a sure bet, but he offers more potential than Jackson ever did as a prospect.

Many analysts view Ekwonu as a guard at the NFL level, but he’s only surrendered one sack and eight pressures this season. The 6'4", 320 lb. North Carolina native thrives in the running game and should meet Miami’s desired physical measurements.

12. Denver Broncos- Drake London, WR USC

Unfortunately, London suffered a fractured ankle recently that ended his breakout campaign. In his eight appearances, the 6'5", 210 lb. junior amassed 88 receptions, 1,084 yards, and seven touchdowns. London was barely on the radar at the year’s start, but I’m teetering on listing him as the best receiver in the 2022 class.

London to Denver makes sense if the Broncos fail to re-sign free agent Courtland Sutton, who wins with a similar combination of size and power. 

13. New York Jets (Via Seahawks)- Chris Olave, WR Ohio St.

Olave is a senior known for his smooth route running and ability to create separation. We’ve seen over 800 snaps from him in college, so we know his potential and limits. Olave offers less upside than London or Garrett Wilson, but he’s a more consistent factor that gives Zach Wilson a true top option.

New York spent several high-level assets upgrading the wide receiver room last year, but there’s still work to do.

14. Carolina Panthers- Charles Cross, OT Mississippi St.

The Panthers haven’t had a consistent presence at left tackle since Jordan Gross retired after 2013. Carolina has tons of receiving options but little time and firepower to utilize them. Cross has over 1,000 snaps in pass protection over the past two seasons because of Mississippi State’s air raid offense. He’s only allowed ten pressures and a sack in 497 pass blocking snaps this year.

Cross is a one-year wonder, and he gains a slight advantage in pass protection because of the air raid’s principles. However, the 6'5", 310 lb. left tackle should go in the first-round.

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

Elam is a 6'2", 196 lb. shutdown cornerback. Usually, I’d mock him higher than 15th, but this class features so many talented corners that I could see organizations prioritizing other positions in the top 14 picks. That gifts the Eagles a steal as they get the draft’s second-best cornerback with their third selection.

Teams are avoiding Elam this year. He’s only allowed seven receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns on 151 coverage snaps. The junior has posted two clean sheets in five appearances.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers- Andrew Booth Jr., CB Clemson

As a Steelers fan, I couldn’t be happier to embrace Booth, Elam, or Ahmad Gardner at this spot. Joe Haden is a free agent in 2022, and an extension for the 32-year-old seems unlikely. Pittsburgh hasn’t successfully drafted a cornerback in years. Justin Layne is a career deep backup, Cameron Sutton is better suited for the slot, and Tre Norwood can’t play outside.

Booth is extremely physical, consistently making thunderous tackles on wide receiver screens and against running backs. He’s allowed more yards and a higher completion percentage than other top college corners, but the junior is only in his first season as a full-time starter. He’ll continue developing by leaps and bounds in the pros.

There isn’t a successor to Ben Roethlisberger worth taking at this spot.

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

Some analysts view Wilson as the draft’s top receiver. He only has two 100-yard games this season, but his combination of route running, ball skills, and twitch surpass his production. The 6'0", 188 lb. junior offers New England a top receiving option. Mac Jones is performing well with his current pass catchers, but the Patriots never landed a true No. 1 despite spending so much money in free agency.

18. Kansas City Chiefs- Ahmad Gardner, CB Cincinnati

Kansas City needs help anywhere and everywhere on defense. You’re replaceable if your name isn’t Chris Jones or Tyrann Mathieu. L'Jarius Sneed is also likely safe as Kansas City’s top cover corner, but he hasn’t risen to the challenge this year, allowing 408 yards in eight games. Gardner is rough around the edges, but he’s a starting-caliber cornerback.

At 6'3", 200 lbs., Gardner is one of the most physical corners in the 2022 draft. He’s only faced 20 targets on 267 pass coverage snaps this year, allowing 73 yards and no touchdowns.

19. Minnesota Vikings- Jaquan Brisker, S Penn St.

Minnesota recently signed Harrison Smith to an extension, but the Vikings don’t have a plan at the other safety position once Xavier Woods becomes a free agent. Brisker could take over for Woods and then some. He’s one of college football’s most exciting players.

At 6'1", 200 lbs., Brisker is excellent in coverage, possesses the umph to lay down the law against running backs, and is constantly making clutch plays in big moments.

20. New Orleans Saints- Trent McDuffie, CB Washington

Michael Thomas is done for the year, and the state of his relationship with the Saints is unknown. New Orleans could target a receiver here, but the three best pass catchers are already long gone. That leaves cornerback, where Sean Payton’s team could save over ten million dollars by cutting Bradley Roby this offseason.

McDuffie’s 5'11", 195 lb. frame could cause some teams to hesitate, but he’s only allowed 64 yards and no touchdowns in 190 coverage snaps this season.

21. Los Angeles Chargers- Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE South Carolina

Enagbare flew under the radar early this year before finally moving up boards in recent weeks. He has 34 pressures this season and records a pressure about 19.9% of the time he rushes the passer. That’s elite production. The 6'4", 265 lb. senior should find a home alongside Joey Bosa and replace the Pro Bowler’s mutually beneficial relationship with Melvin Ingram.

22. Las Vegas Raiders- Jameson Williams, WR Alabama

Las Vegas recently cut Henry Ruggs III as he faces charges for a DUI resulting in one individual’s death in a two-car crash. That leaves a glaring hole in the wide receiver corps that only a dynamic speedster can fill. Las Vegas has a history of reaching for ultra-athletic players from premier programs. They keep with the pattern for this pick.

Williams is an Ohio St. transfer lighting things up in his first season with the Crimson Tide. The 6'2", 189 lb. junior is a burner, not a contested catch receiver, who can take the top off defenses. He has 35 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns in eight games.

23. Cleveland Browns- Drake Jackson, EDGE USC

Jackson is a bendy, explosive defensive end that should pair well with Myles Garrett when Jadeveon Clowney leaves in free agency. The Browns have a top defense in terms of talent, but the production isn’t there yet. Jackson is still a work in progress, but he has the physical potential to become one of this class’ best sack artists.

24. Cincinnati Bengals- Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT Ohio St.

Bengals right tackle Riley Reiff is a free agent in 2022, meaning Cincinnati needs a new partner for Jonah Williams. Joe Burrow ranks toward the NFL’s top in sacks taken even though the Bengals are performing well this season. Reiff is responsible for four of Burrow’s 20 sacks. Fixing the interior offensive line will help with that, but right tackle takes priority.

Outside of last week when Petit-Frere allowed five pressures against Penn St., the junior hasn’t allowed more than two pressures in a game this season. He hasn’t surrendered a sack since 2018.

25. Tennessee Titans- Nakobe Dean, LB Georgia

The Bulldogs list Dean at 6'0", 225 lbs., meaning he’s likely under 6'0". That’ll cause a problem for some teams and drop the Georgia standout down draft boards. However, his sideline-to-sideline movement skills and ability to stick with running backs in coverage are top notch. He’s allowed under five yards per reception this season.

Teams should focus less on Dean’s height and more on what he does well. He has Devin White’s skills as a pass rusher and should perform better in coverage than the Tampa Bay All-Pro.

26. Dallas Cowboys- Devin Lloyd, LB Utah

The Cowboys boast one of the NFL’s deepest collections of linebackers for 2021. However, parting ways with Jaylon Smith and potentially losing Keanu Neal and Leighton Vander Esch in 2022 free agency could gut that position group. Micah Parsons splitting time between linebacker and defensive end only further muddies the water.

Unlike Dean, Lloyd doesn’t face questions about his size. He’s 6'3", weighs 235 lbs., and fills the stat sheet. He has five sacks and two interceptions this season and has allowed 109 yards and one touchdown on 15 receptions.

27. Arizona Cardinals- Roger McCreary, CB Auburn

Arizona’s secondary has outperformed expectations this season, but they can’t count on that happening next year. McCreary is a 6'0", 190 lb. senior with over 1,100 career collegiate snaps in coverage. He’ll have over 2,000 total snaps by year’s end, making him one of this draft’s most experienced defensive backs.

McCreary has allowed 21 receptions on 47 targets for 243 yards and one touchdown this season. He has eight passes defensed, two interceptions, and a defensive touchdown.

28. Green Bay Packers- Nik Bonitto, EDGE Oklahoma

The Packers have a plethora of productive edge rushers, including Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, and Za'Darius Smith. However, Green Bay could save over ten million dollars by releasing Preston this offseason. Releasing Za'Darius, who is currently on injured reserve, would save over $15 million. Those moves give Green Bay cap flexibility and a need at edge.

Bonitto is one of college football’s most productive pass rushers. He has 39 pressures in nine games despite only being 6'3" and weighing 240 lbs.

29. Baltimore Ravens- Adam Anderson, EDGE Georgia

The Ravens specialize in producing or recruiting effective pass rushers. Odafe Oweh looks like a hit early in his career, but Baltimore needs someone to pair with the Penn St. product long-term. Justin Houston and Pernell McPhee are free agents in 2022, and Jaylon Ferguson hasn’t developed into a viable starter. That’s where Anderson enters the picture as a rush linebacker.

Anderson has impressive pass rushing prowess for a 6'5", 230 lb. edge rusher. His slight frame could scare teams away in the first-round.

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Martin Emerson, CB Mississippi St.

Emerson began rising up draft boards about two weeks ago, which oddly followed a game where he allowed over 100 yards against Alabama. His sudden rise aside, it’s easy to see why analysts love Emerson. He’s 6'2", 200 lbs., and uses the large frame exceptionally well as a tackler. Without the Alabama game, Emerson has only allowed 187 yards and one touchdown in seven appearances.

31. Buffalo Bills- Jahan Dotson, WR Penn St.

I blame The Draft Network’s resident Bills fan Joe Marino for getting this pairing stuck in my mind. Dotson has the speed and fluidity to stretch the field and become a YAC monster on some shorter routes. At 5'11", 184 lbs., the senior won’t break many tackles or go for contested catches. However, he can replace 2022 free agent Emmanuel Sanders.

32. Detroit Lions (Via Rams)- Sam Howell, QB North Carolina

Late first-round picks are difficult to evaluate from a value perspective. Pick 32 is so close to being a second-round selection, which is much more expendable. The Lions should try to trade back if they find themselves here in the spring, but taking Howell isn’t a bad option either. That’s an appropriate spot to take the UNC quarterback while minimizing risk.

Howell has the arm strength and production to warrant a first-round selection, but he’s struggled this season without the plethora of Tar Heels that entered the 2021 draft. He’s already tied his career-high with seven interceptions but has more than tripled his rushing production from 2019 and 2020.

Goff isn’t the future in Detroit. The Lions must pursue other options, even if Goff is under contract until 2025.

Best Available

Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh

Spencer Rattler, QB Oklahoma

Desmond Ridder, QB Cincinnati

Carson Strong, QB Nevada

Treylon Burks, WR Arkansas

Kenneth Walker III, RB Michigan St.

Darian Kinnard, OT Kentucky

Jaxson Kirkland, OT Washington

Tyler Linderbaum, IOL Iowa

Jordan Davis, IDL Georgia

Zach Harrison, EDGE Ohio St.

Myjai Sanders, EDGE Cincinnati

Christian Harris, LB Alabama

Jordan Battle, S Alabama