Three-Round Sam Teets 2022 NFL Mock Draft 9.0
We're about a month away from the 2022 NFL Draft, so it's time to expand my mock to three rounds
I haven’t posted a full mock draft since Jan. 23. It’s crazy to think we’re about a month away from the 2022 NFL Draft. Months of prep work for analysts, teams, and prospects will culminate in football’s greatest offseason spectacle. I’ve prepared a three-round mock draft to signal how close we are to crossing the finish line of draft season.
If you want to get a better feel for how I stack this year’s prospects without considering scheme tendencies, team needs, etc., check out my latest top 300 big board. Those rankings and player breakdowns provide better insight into this class and how I view prospects than this mock draft.
With free agency and blockbuster trades dying down, I felt it was a safe time to start writing league-wide mock drafts again. Admittedly, this was the most frustrating mock draft I’ve assembled this year. You’ll probably notice several oddities outside of the first-round. Scheme fits and organizational tendencies complicated things quite a bit, so I suggest you refer to my latest big board (linked above) for more accurate positional ratings.
Feel free to yell at me on Twitter @Sam_Teets33 or in the comment section at the bottom of this post if you disagree with the player(s) I gave your team.
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1. Jacksonville Jaguars- Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE Michigan
Jacksonville signaled its intentions with the first overall pick by investing heavily in the offensive line this offseason. The front office handed Brandon Scherff a massive contract and franchise tagged Cam Robinson. With former top-50 picks Walker Little and Jawaan Taylor competing for the right tackle spot, Jacksonville targets the draft’s best player.
2. Detroit Lions- Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE Oregon
It’s rumor season, and NFL teams seem determined to drop Thibodeaux’s draft stock. I don’t buy it. Maybe he isn’t the ideal fit for every team, but the Lions just need to draft good players to fill out their depleted defense. Thibodeaux has all of the desired physical traits of a modern defensive end/edge rusher.
3. Houston Texans- Ikem Ekwonu, OT N.C. St.
Houston’s rebuilding process begins in the trenches. Alabama’s Evan Neal is the best tackle in the draft, but Ekwonu offers the most positional versatility among the top linemen. He’ll begin his career as a guard with Tytus Howard and Laremy Tunsil filling the tackle roles. Ekwonu is good enough to start over Howard at tackle, but this alignment maximizes Houston’s offensive line.
4. New York Jets- Travon Walker, EDGE Georgia
I’m not buying Walker vaulting inside the top three selections, let alone to first overall. The Georgia product had a historic Combine performance and possesses the physical tools (mainly 35 1/2" arms) to become an elite defensive end. However, his pass rush plan is almost nonexistent. Walker projects as a two or three-year developmental prospect who will get by on his athleticism alone as a rookie.
5. New York Giants- Evan Neal, OT Alabama
The Giants began attempting to fix their offensive line five or six years ago. They’ve taken two steps back for every step forward. That changes this year. Evan Neal starts his career at right tackle with third-year pro Andrew Thomas playing on the other side. Offseason additions Jon Feliciano and Mark Glowinski step in as immediate starters on the interior.
6. Carolina Panthers- Malik Willis, QB Liberty
Matt Rhule is desperate for some hope at quarterback. The former Baylor coach floundered during his first two years with the Panthers and signed off on the horrendous trade for Sam Darnold. The only thing that can save Rhule’s job is bringing in a young quarterback capable of showing a spark. Willis is easily this year’s most dynamic quarterback prospect.
7. New York Giants (Via Bears)- Jermaine Johnson, EDGE Florida St.
Johnson had one of the best pre-draft processes among all prospects. He was dominant at Florida State when given some freedom to reach his true potential. Johnson is a polished player with a good combination of pass rushing moves and physical traits.
New General Manager Joe Schoen knows the importance of trench play, and he immediately finds two long-term starters with New York’s first selections.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Ahmad Gardner, CB Cincinnati
Malik Willis going at sixth takes Atlanta out of the quarterback market in the first-round. Atlanta selects Gardner, adding the physically imposing Consensus All-American to a cornerback room already featuring Second-Team All-Pro AJ Terrell. This pick gives the Falcons the best cornerback duo in the NFC South, even topping Tampa Bay’s Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean.
9. Seattle Seahawks (Via Broncos)- Charles Cross, OT Mississippi St.
Seattle passes on picking a quarterback since Malik Willis went to Carolina. Pete Carroll and John Schneider are prepared to stink this season with Drew Lock and target a quarterback next year. To prepare for their next franchise quarterback, Seattle’s decision-makers add Cross to an offensive line that lost Duane Brown and Brandon Shell in free agency.
10. New York Jets (Via Seahawks)- Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame
Hamilton is one of three blue-chip defensive prospects in this class. He didn’t have the best showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, but we’ve seen him display crazy range and agility on tape. Hamilton is the closest thing to a generational prospect in this draft, and he’s the most versatile safety prospect since Derwin James.
No Jets fans, this isn’t a repeat of the Jamal Adams situation.
11. Washington Commanders- Derek Stingley Jr., CB LSU
Washington lucks into potentially the best cornerback in the 2022 NFL Draft. Stingley’s freshman season at LSU was historic, but he only appeared in ten games with average play over the past two years. Taking Stingley is a gamble, but even if he’s 85% of what he was as a freshman, the former Consensus All-American could be Washington’s best corner.
12. Minnesota Vikings- Andrew Booth Jr., CB Clemson
Minnesota has new management, but the Vikings continue investing in cornerbacks. Booth is an ultra-athletic defensive back with terrific ball skills. He joins an organization looking to replace Mackensie Alexander, Bashaud Breeland, and Patrick Peterson, who played over 2,200 combined defensive snaps in 2022.
13. Houston Texans (Via Browns)- Drake London, WR USC
The Texans already have a consistent 1,000-yard receiver in Brandin Cooks and a developmental option in Nico Collins, but London was college football’s best receiver this past year before he suffered a freak ankle injury. London brings his 6'4", 219 lb. frame and massive catch radius to Houston.
London is my top-graded receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft. He gives second-year quarterback Davis Mills room for error on throws.
14. Baltimore Ravens- Devonte Wyatt, IDL Georgia
Wyatt is the best pass rushing interior defensive lineman with a first-round grade. He’s explosive out of his stance and has some twitch for a player his size. The Georgia star steps into Calais Campbell’s shoes along Baltimore’s defensive front. While some analysts might prefer Jordan Davis, the larger former Bulldog doesn’t come close to matching Wyatt’s upside as a pass rusher.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (Via Dolphins)- Trent McDuffie, CB Washington
Philadelphia saw Darius Slay regain his elite form last season. The Eagles currently have Slay holding down one side with Avonte Maddox working in the slot. Their other young corners (Zech McPhearson and Tay Gowan) aren’t ready to start, but McDuffie could immediately add a proven element to Jonathan Gannon’s defense.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (Via Colts)- Jameson Williams, WR Alabama
Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman drafted Jalen Reagor before Justin Jefferson. This is how he makes it up to Eagles fans. DeVonta Smith is a great weapon, and adding Williams gives Philadelphia a burner capable of working outside or in the slot.
Philadelphia should target a top-five wide receiver in this draft, even if it isn’t Williams.
17. Los Angeles Chargers- Trevor Penning, OT Northern Iowa
Penning is a terrific athlete, but his game has plenty of holes that playing against lower levels of competition disguised. The thought of him going in the first ten selections is insane. Instead, he falls to the Chargers, who are still looking for stability at right tackle. Storm Norton can’t start there next year.
18. New Orleans Saints- Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio St.
The Saints struck gold with the last Ohio State wide receiver they drafted. They go back to the well for another pass catcher, adding a receiver that some analysts believe is the best in this class. Wilson carries a good amount of speed, but he primarily wins on short and intermediate routes. He’ll provide much-needed depth for the Saints.
19. Philadelphia Eagles- Zion Johnson, IOL Boston College
It’s hard to imagine the Eagles making all three of their first-round picks this year. They’ll likely try to flip one for extra capital in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, in this scenario, they continue adding to the offensive line. Johnson plugs in at right guard immediately, giving Philadelphia the deepest collection of offensive line talent in the league.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers- Tyler Linderbaum, IOL Iowa
Taking a quarterback at this point makes sense for Pittsburgh, especially considering only one went off the board so far. Unfortunately, the second-best quarterback in this class would be just the seventh-best quarterback to enter the draft over the past two years. Instead of reaching out of desperation, the Steelers search for Maurkice Pouncey’s real heir.
Linderbaum’s size and arm length are concerns, but he had the best tape and grading of any center in college basically since Pouncey entered the draft in 2010.
21. New England Patriots- George Karlaftis, EDGE Purdue
Karlaftis is the odd-man-out in a loaded edge class. His production at Purdue was good enough to warrant a first-round selection, but it wasn’t elite. An up-and-down Combine performance didn’t help Karlaftis’ case. Luckily, he ends up playing for a defensive-minded genius who will give him plenty of opportunities to wreak havoc.
22. Green Bay Packers (Via Raiders)- Chris Olave, WR Ohio St.
Randall Cobb (375) and Allen Lazard (513) are the only returning Packers receivers who had over 100 yards last season. Outside of Treylon Burks, Olave is the only remaining receiver prospect that could go in this range and play outside. He brings excellent route running and good vertical speed to the table. Olave immediately becomes the franchise’s best receiver.
23. Arizona Cardinals- Kenyon Green, IOL Texas A&M
Green is a versatile offensive lineman that played every position but center for the Aggies. Arizona’s offensive line doesn’t need a new addition as much as some other units, but Green helps the Cardinals prepare for the future. The team already said goodbye to Max Garcia this offseason, and four of Arizona’s starting offensive linemen become free agents in 2023.
Green should compete with Josh Jones for the starting right guard spot as a rookie.
24. Dallas Cowboys- Daxton Hill, S Michigan
Hill is a versatile, do-everything safety capable of operating in the slot full-time. The Wolverine spent nearly three times as many snaps in the slot compared to the box and free safety positions throughout his college career. Hill is on the smaller side, but his wingspan, ten-yard split, 40-yard dash, and three-cone all rank in at least the 92nd percentile for safeties, per MockDraftable.
Dallas already has a handful of potential solutions at safety, but none match Hill’s versatility and elite testing.
25. Buffalo Bills- Jahan Dotson, WR Penn St.
The Bills recently signed Jamison Crowder to work as their slot receiver in 2022, but his deal is cheap enough that General Manager Brandon Beane can justify drafting a slot option with a higher ceiling. Dotson is on the smaller side, but he’s a twitchy weapon with short-area quickness and decent long speed.
26. Tennessee Titans- Skyy Moore, WR Western Michigan
Like Dotson, Moore is a slot-only option in the NFL. Unlike his Penn State counterpart, Moore packs nearly 200 lbs. of muscle into his 5'10" frame. His 1.46-second ten-yard split at the Combine ranked in the 97th percentile for wide receivers, according to MockDraftable. Moore outscored Dotson on all agility tests, except for the vertical jump.
Moore brings twitchy playmaking ability to a remade Titans wide receiver room already featuring A.J. Brown and Robert Woods.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Kaiir Elam, CB Florida
Elam doesn’t have ideal arm length, but he surprised some analysts with a 4.39 40-time at the Combine. The Florida product was a stud in 2019 and 2020. Unfortunately, this past season was his worst on record. Elam will have an opportunity to clean things up as he works into Tampa Bay’s experienced cornerback room, which could lose Ross Cockrell, Jamel Dean, and Sean Murphy-Bunting to free agency in 2023.
28. Green Bay Packers- Boye Mafe, EDGE Minnesota
Green Bay learned from drafting and developing Rashan Gary that sometimes the best pass rushers are elite athletes who take a year or two to develop. Mafe had an excellent Senior Bowl and checks all the boxes from an athletic standpoint. He’ll eventually replace Preston Smith as Gary’s running mate.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (Via 49ers/Dolphins)- Roger McCreary, CB Auburn
The Chiefs are sulking that most of the draft’s top receivers are off the board. They could go Treylon Burks here, but I took a different route. There’s some concern that McCreary will only play in the slot at the NFL level because of his arm length. I would try him outside first. At worst, Kansas City gets a great slot corner and moves L'Jarius Sneed outside full-time.
30. Kansas City Chiefs- David Ojabo, EDGE Michigan
Ojabo will likely miss his rookie season with a torn Achilles. Two weeks ago, I would’ve argued against Kansas City drafting an injured player, but trading Tyreek Hill changed things. A team in “win now” mode would never trade the game’s most dynamic offensive weapon. The Chiefs are thinking about competing for the next five to seven years, not the next two to three. If that’s the mindset, they can stash Ojabo for a year.
31. Cincinnati Bengals- Jordan Davis, IDL Georgia
Davis is an odd piece to fit into the NFL landscape because he doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher and will play under 650 snaps per season. I completely understand the argument for Cincinnati to target a premier position like cornerback with Kyler Gordon here, but it could become hard to pass on Davis.
Cincinnati’s strongest defensive unit last year was its underrated interior defensive line, which featured a three-man rotation with B.J. Hill, Larry Ogunjobi, and D.J. Reader. Ogunjobi is a free agent, which makes room for Davis.
It’s almost a guarantee that Davis goes in the first-round, but I don’t view him as first-round value, which is why I’m scrambling to find a spot for him this late. This is by far the selection I liked the least in this round.
32. Detroit Lions (Via Rams)- Nakobe Dean, LB Georgia
The Lions could opt for a quarterback at this spot knowing they’ll have the fifth-year rookie option, but they’re worried about Jacksonville snagging the linebacker they want. Dean is undersized and will struggle with climbing offensive linemen, but his excellence in coverage and sideline-to-sideline range give Campbell’s team a unique defensive weapon.
Second Round
33. Jacksonville Jaguars- Devin Lloyd, LB Utah
34. Detroit Lions- Matt Corral, QB Ole Miss
35. New York Jets- Treylon Burks, WR Arkansas
36. New York Giants- Lewis Cine, S Georgia
37. Houston Texans- Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE Penn St.
38. New York Jets (Via Panthers)- Kyler Gordon, CB Washington
39. Chicago Bears- Bernhard Raimann, OT Central Michigan
40. Seattle Seahawks (Via Broncos)- Desmond Ridder, QB Cincinnati
41. Seattle Seahawks- Drake Jackson, EDGE USC
42. Indianapolis Colts (Via Commanders)- Christian Watson, WR North Dakota St.
43. Atlanta Falcons- Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh
44. Cleveland Browns- Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE South Carolina
45. Baltimore Ravens- Tariq Woolen, CB UTSA
46. Minnesota Vikings- Jalen Pitre, S Baylor
47. Washington Commanders (Via Colts)- George Pickens, WR Georgia
48. Chicago Bears (Via Chargers)- Jalen Tolbert, WR South Alabama
49. New Orleans Saints- Tyler Smith, IOL Tulsa
50. Kansas City Chiefs (Via Dolphins)- Jaquan Brisker, S Penn St.
51. Philadelphia Eagles- Cameron Thomas, EDGE San Diego St.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers- Nik Bonitto, EDGE Oklahoma
53. Green Bay Packers (Via Raiders)- Abraham Lucas, OT Washington St.
54. New England Patriots- Leo Chenal, LB Wisconsin
55. Arizona Cardinals- Travis Jones, IDL UConn
56. Dallas Cowboys- DeMarvin Leal, EDGE Texas A&M
57. Buffalo Bills- Jamaree Salyer, IOL Georgia
58. Atlanta Falcons (Via Titans)- John Metchie III, WR Alabama
59. Green Bay Packers- Christian Harris, LB Alabama
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Darian Kinnard, IOL Kentucky
61. San Francisco 49ers- Dylan Parham, IOL Memphis
62. Kansas City Chiefs- Breece Hall, RB Iowa St.
63. Cincinnati Bengals- Chad Muma, LB Wyoming
64. Denver Broncos (Via Rams)- Quay Walker, LB Georgia
Third Round
65. Jacksonville Jaguars- Kerby Joseph, S Illinois
66. Detroit Lions- Nick Cross, S Maryland
67. New York Giants- Sam Howell, QB North Carolina
68. Houston Texans- Perrion Winfrey, IDL Oklahoma
69. New York Jets- Kenneth Walker III, RB Michigan St.
70. Jacksonville Jaguars (Via Panthers)- Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT Ohio St.
71. Chicago Bears- Trey McBride, TE Colorado St.
72. Seattle Seahawks- Mario Goodrich, CB Clemson
73. Indianapolis Colts (Via Commanders)- Martin Emerson, CB Mississippi St.
74. Atlanta Falcons- Myjai Sanders, EDGE Cincinnati
75. Denver Broncos- Jeremy Ruckert, TE Ohio St.
76. Baltimore Ravens- Sean Rhyan, IOL UCLA
77. Minnesota Vikings- Logan Hall, IDL Houston
78. Cleveland Browns- Justyn Ross, WR Clemson
79. Los Angeles Chargers- Troy Andersen, LB Montana St.
80. Houston Texans (Via Saints)- Isaiah Spiller, RB Texas A&M
81. New York Giants (Via Dolphins)- Brian Asamoah, LB Oklahoma
82. Atlanta Falcons (Via Colts)- Alec Pierce, WR Cincinnati
83. Philadelphia Eagles- Luke Fortner, IOL Kentucky
84. Pittsburgh Steelers- Alontae Taylor, CB Tennessee
85. New England Patriots- Zyon McCollum, CB Sam Houston St.
86. Las Vegas Raiders- Daniel Faalele, OT Minnesota
87. Arizona Cardinals- David Bell, WR Purdue
88. Dallas Cowboys- Brandon Smith, LB Penn St.
89. Buffalo Bills- Cam Taylor-Britt, CB Nebraska
90. Tennessee Titans- Ed Ingram, IOL LSU
91. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Phidarian Mathis, IDL Alabama
92. Green Bay Packers- Jelani Woods, TE Virginia
93. San Francisco 49ers- Khalil Shakir, WR Boise St.
94. Kansas City Chiefs- Romeo Doubs, WR Nevada
95. Cincinnati Bengals- Joshua Williams, CB Fayetteville St.
96. Denver Broncos (Via Rams)- Josh Paschal, EDGE Kentucky
97. Detroit Lions- Marcus Jones, CB Houston
98. New Orleans Saints- Carson Strong, QB Nevada
99. Cleveland Browns- Matthew Butler, IDL Tennessee
100. Baltimore Ravens- Darrian Beavers, LB Cincinnati
101. New Orleans Saints- Rasheed Walker, OT Penn St.
102. Miami Dolphins- Channing Tindall, LB Georgia
103. Kansas City Chiefs- Greg Dulcich, TE UCLA
104. Los Angeles Rams- Cole Strange, IOL Chattanooga
105. San Francisco 49ers- Zachary Carter, IDL Florida
Best Remaining Prospects
Bailey Zappe, QB Western Kentucky
Tyler Allgeier, RB BYU
James Cook, RB Georgia
Jerome Ford, RB Cincinnati
Dameon Pierce, RB Florida
Calvin Austin III, WR Memphis
Isaiah Likely, TE Coastal Carolina
Cade Otton, TE Washington
Kellen Diesch, OT Arizona St.
Max Mitchell, OT Louisiana
Luke Goedeke, IOL Central Michigan
Zach Tom, IOL Wake Forest
Dohnovan West, IOL Arizona St.
Damone Clark, LB LSU
JoJo Domann, LB Nebraska
Coby Bryant, CB Cincinnati
Derion Kendrick, CB Georgia
Bryan Cook, S Cincinnati