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We are officially through seven weeks of the NFL season and teams are already looking ahead to next year. But in a weak quarterback class, how is that going to impact the top-10 picks and which teams might reach on a passer?
Here is our latest 2022 mock draft with some significant changes at the top of the draft.
2022 NFL Mock Draft Round 1 Predictions
1. Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The Lions would love for a franchise quarterback to be available at No. 1, but this just isn’t the right class. Instead, they opt for the best player in the draft in Thibodeaux. He is a franchise-changing pass rusher in the mold of Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa and Chase Young. Thibodeaux is just too good of a player to pass up in a weak quarterback draft.
Bet Tip: Lions Under 2.5 Wins (-150) on Caesars - The Lions are 0-7 and the schedule doesn’t lighten up. While Detroit has played really hard all season long, it doesn’t feel likely that they will get to three or more wins. With the No. 1 pick scheduled to go to them, look for the Lions to make sure they secure that pick in next April’s draft.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
The Eagles are likely to have three first-round picks in this draft (via the Carson Wentz trade) so why not gamble on a quarterback? Corral has the best combination of athleticism, accuracy and arm talent in this class. He is the only quarterback in this class with the production to merit a top-five pick, despite less-than-ideal size.
Bet Tip: Dolphins Under 5.5 Wins (+100) on Caesars - This pick will go to the Eagles via the Jaylen Waddle trade, but the O/U on wins just doesn’t make sense for the Dolphins. Miami is likely to only win four or five games this season, which will surely give the Eagles another top-10 selection.
3. Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Much like the Lions, the Texans need a franchise quarterback. But with no great options available, they pick the best offensive tackle in the class. With Laremy Tunsil and Neal, the Texans would have one of the best tackle situations in the NFL.
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4. New York Jets: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The Jets have needs just about everywhere on their roster, but cornerback is among their biggest weaknesses. Stingley is the best cornerback in the class and a future star at the position.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kyle Hamilton, FS, Notre Dame
Hamilton is a 6’4" safety who can play as a centerfielder or in the box. He has incredible instincts and ball skills and should be a lock top-five pick in this year’s draft. Jacksonville needs playmakers on defense and Hamilton certainly fits that description.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
After addressing the quarterback position earlier in this draft, the Eagles select a defensive lineman to add to their already deep unit. Hutchinson has the prototype size for the position and looks unblockable at times. He would be a natural replacement for Brandon Graham, who is out for the season due to an injury.
7. New York Giants: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
The Giants have one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL and it is severely hampering their offense. Andrew Thomas has looked much improved in year two, but the unit needs more talent. Green would be a fantastic fit as he can play multiple positions, including left tackle and left guard. Sliding him next to Thomas for the next decade would be awfully appealing.
8. Washington Football Team: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The first big surprise of the draft. Kenny Pickett has had a marvelous senior season for Pittsburgh. He is averaging 9.2 yards per attempt and has thrown 23 touchdowns to just one interception. More importantly, he is finding ways to help lead his team to wins. Pickett would immediately be the best quarterback on Washington’s roster and would provide them a playmaker and leader that they haven’t had in ages.
Bet Tip: Washington Over 5.5 Wins (-110) on Caesars
Washington’s defense isn’t playing well right now, but they are the most talented team in the NFC East outside of Dallas. Look for them to get to six or seven wins, but still be in the range to select Pickett in the first round.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts): Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The Eagles already addressed their two biggest needs earlier in the first round, so they take the best cornerback left on the board. Elam has elite size at 6’2", 190 pounds and would be a perfect long-term pairing with Darius Slay.
10. New York Jets (via Seahawks): Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Centers usually don’t get drafted high in the first round, especially not in the top-10, but Linderbaum is a unique talent. The Jets would love to continue to build the interior offensive line and bring some nastiness to their offense. Position value aside, Linderbaum is probably the best offensive lineman in this class.
11. Miami Dolphins (via 49ers): George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Karlaftis was nearly unblockable against Iowa two weeks ago and projects as a superstar defensive end in the NFL. In 21 career college games, he’s totaled 23 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks. He’s got the size and strength to play across the defensive line and would be a big upgrade for Miami on the edge.
Texas A&M defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal is just the type of player Bill Belichick covets. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
12. New England Patriots: DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Bill Belichick loves to draft and acquire versatile defensive linemen. At 290 pounds, Neal can play on the edge or at defensive tackle. He also has experience playing in multiple fronts and would give the Patriots more flexibility on the defensive line.
13. Denver Broncos: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
If the Broncos don’t make a play for a quarterback via trade, look for them to use the draft to find their next franchise passer. Willis needs a lot of work, but his athleticism and arm talent make him a worthwhile gamble in the middle of the first round.
Bet Tip: Broncos Under 7.5 Wins (-115) on Caesars
The Broncos got off to a 3-0 start, but have lost four straight. With the AFC West being among the most competitive divisions in football, don’t expect the Broncos to get to eight wins.
14. Carolina Panthers: Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA
Cam Erving has been a disaster at left tackle and Rhyan could step right in and improve that spot for Carolina. While his game does need some refinement, he has the size and strength needed to be a legitimate first-round pick in next year’s draft.
15. New York Giants (via Bears): Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Azeez Ojulari has been a great find for the Giants, but they need to continue to add size and athleticism to their front. Jackson has already totaled four sacks in seven games this season and has the quickness to play multiple positions on defense. It’s hard to see him moving out of the top 15 picks due to his production and size.
16. Kansas City Chiefs: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
The Chiefs are 3-4 and things look pretty bleak right now, especially on defense. They have to upgrade their secondary in 2022 and Booth would be a fantastic pick in the middle of the first round. In fact, you can make a case that he has been the best cornerback in college football this season and would be a steal at pick No. 16.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The Steelers might be a playoff team in 2021, which could severely limit their chances of grabbing a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger. However, Sam Howell would make a lot of sense in the middle of the first round. He hasn’t quite taken the leap in 2021 that many hoped, but he has been solid. It still feels unlikely that he falls out of the first round entirely.
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18. Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Jordan Davis is a mountain of a man and the Falcons desperately need to beef up their trenches. Davis would instantly solve a lot of their run defense problems.
19. Minnesota Vikings: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
It seems like the Vikings draft a cornerback in the first round in every draft, but rarely do they hit. McDuffie doesn’t have elite size, but he is athletic and has a knack for making big plays.
20. Cleveland Browns: Adam Anderson, EDGE, Georgia
Myles Garrett is the best EDGE rusher in the NFL, but every team could use more of a pass rush. Anderson is a bit on the lighter side for an EDGE rusher, but he has been incredibly productive for Georgia. Over the last two seasons as a part-time starter, he’s tallied 10.5 sacks.
21. New Orleans Saints: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
How much longer will Michael Thomas be in New Orleans? That remains to be seen. But the Saints have to get more explosive on offense. Burks can help in that area as he is averaging 17.1 yards per reception in the SEC this season.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
Joey Bosa can only do so much by himself. Enagbare is a big, strong EDGE with solid production in the SEC over the past three seasons. He could also help one of the league’s worst run defenses with his size and length.
23. Tennessee Titans: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Outside of the Chiefs, the Titans might have the worst secondary in the NFL. Caleb Farley will miss the rest of the 2021 season with a knee injury and he has dealt with multiple other serious injuries in the past. It would make sense for the Titans to target a cornerback and Gardner is easily the best prospect left on the board.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
Riley Reiff has been solid at right tackle for the Bengals, but they need a long-term solution to protect Joe Burrow. Ekwonu can play multiple positions and would give the Bengals more flexibility on the offensive line.
25. Las Vegas Raiders: Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky
The Raiders love to draft SEC offensive linemen and Kinnard would be a great fit in their scheme at either guard or tackle. Las Vegas has one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL and 2021 first-round pick Alex Leatherwood has already been moved from right guard to right tackle. Kinnard might be able to solve their issues at right tackle, if he falls this far in the draft.
26. Green Bay Packers: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
De’Vondre Campbell has been lights out for the Packers, but they need to find someone to pair with him. Jaylon Smith isn’t the answer and no one else has stepped up. Lloyd is the best linebacker in the Pac-12 and has gotten better every single season.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama
The Cowboys had a ton of success the last time they selected a cornerback from Alabama. Jobe is another long, athletic cornerback that would fit well in Dan Quinn‘s scheme. Trevon Diggs, Kelvin Joseph and Jobe would give Dallas three really young cornerbacks as they rebuild their secondary.
28. Detroit Lions (via Rams): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
No team in the NFL has worse receivers than the Detriot Lions. Entering the 2021 college football season, Olave was viewed as the top receiver. He’s been productive for Ohio State again this year and should be a lock first-round pick.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Battle, FS, Alabama
The Ravens love to draft players from Alabama and they have a need at safety. Battle can play multiple positions and would be a great addition to an already good secondary.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
The Buccaneers hit on Joe Tryon last season, so why not continue to add to the defensive line again in 2022? Harrison has yet to put together a full season of production, but he is a disruptive player with big upside.
31. Buffalo Bills: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
Buffalo selected Spencer Brown on Day 2 last year, but they could always use more help on the offensive line to protect Josh Allen. Petit-Frere has experience playing both tackle spots and could eventually replace Dion Dawkins at left tackle if needed.
32. Arizona Cardinals: Jaquan Brisker, FS, Penn State
Arizona’s defense has really improved this season, but they could use another versatile defensive back to pair with Budda Baker. Brisker has been dynamic for Penn State this season and can play just about anywhere. He and Baker would make for a dynamic duo in the secondary.
