That's right, were back with one last mock before a hiatus. This time for the 2022 Draft as it would stand today. The draft order is based on Super Bowl odds from prior to the 2021 NFL draft, we also used the Consensus Mock Draft Database Big Board. Take a look at the early thoughts for 2022:
1. Houston Texans: Spencer Rattler QB, Oklahoma- regardless of the legal situation, it appears that Watson has played his last snap in Houston. If you are picking #1, Davis Mills should not stop you from selecting a top QB here. Rattler Continues the Oklahoma QB streak of #1’s going to teams.
2. Lions: Sam Howell-QB, North Carolina Lions fans rejoice! The rebuild brings you the top level QB in this class. Howell has a laser arm and stands out in 2020. Has release reminds me of Baker, but he is larger than Baker was. Sometimes makes bad decisions, but he can really catapult his stock with a good year.
3. Bengals: Derek Stingley Jr CB, LSU: The Bengals look to build out the defense further by selecting a player many had as CB1 since he was a true Freshman. This helps the defense after the offense has progressively gotten more attention since the Burrow selection.
4. Jets: Kavon Thibodeaux EDGE, Oregon: New York adds the best EDGE prospect in this draft, and a talent that could go #1 if Houston hadn’t needed help at the most important position in football. Kavon has been a terror playing in the Oregon Defense, and is the second defensive player off the board.
5. Jaguars: Evan Neal OT, Alabama: Jaguars look to continue building around Trevor Lawrence and take a Tackle from the best program in the nation. Priority #1, as it should be, is keeping Trevor upright.
6. Eagles: Zach Harrison EDGE, Ohio State: The list of OSU EDGE players who are first rounders continues. Harrison has showed elite talent and flashes off the EDGE and projects as a top 10 defender in 2022.
7. Giants: Drake Jackson IDL, USC: Even though this is based on betting odds, if the Giants in this scenario are picking #7 you can bet Gettleman is gone. Reaching for a QB in the top 10 here may not be the best scenario so they take a BPA approach and take the Interior D-Lineman after losing Tomlinson this last year.
8. Falcons: Sevyn Banks CB, Ohio State: The list of OSU corners to the NFL continues. Falcons look to pair former 1st rounder AJ Terrell with another shutdown corner, they elect to get the 2nd best one in the draft.
9. Broncos: Tyler Shough QB, Texas Tech: I could foresee Broncos going the Veteran route next year if one is made available that can come in and win right away. But if not, they turn to Tyler Shough the ascending QB out of Texas Tech to be the future at the most important position.
10. Panthers: Charles Cross OT, Mississippi State: After adding Darnold and building elsewhere, Carolina will look to add another bookend opposite from their Franchise RT Taylor Moton. Cross is SEC tested and can protect the blindside of Sam Darnold as they look to decide whether they want to extend him or not.
11. Raiders: Garret Wilson WR, Ohio State: The Raiders have a huge need as a playmaker WR as Henry Ruggs struggles to develop as a pro, so why not take another speedy WR from a big program (a must under the Mayock/Gruden regime) to help bolster your offense?
12. Giants via Bears: Zion Nelson OT, Miami: With an additional first rounder due to the Justin Fields trade, Giants look to build the wall around Daniel Jones (if he is still the QB) and Zion Nelson is the next best available Tackle. Joe Judge and Jason Garrett continue to try and bolster this offense as the defense has been stout.
13. Washington: Desmond Ritter QB, Cincinnati: The Fitzpatrick experiment cannot last forever, so Football Team will look to the future and take the athletic signal caller from Cincinnati. This may be a little bit of reach at the moment, but the Bearcats quarterback will look to build off last years strong season and catapult his stock.
14. Vikings: Chris Olave WR, Ohio State: The move to go back to school plays in Olave’s favor as he moves up draft boards and fins a home in Minnesota playing alongside Justin Jefferson. Adam Thielen is not getting any younger, and this give them flexibility for when they choose to move on.
15. Chargers: Kaiir Elam CB, Florida: After losing Casey Heyward this offseason, and drafting Asante Samuel Jr high, they look to build out even further at the CB position and take the Florida product at 15. Staley is a defensive minded coach, and with the offense firing on all cylinders with Herbert, they can divert additional attention to that side.
16. Steelers: Kedon Slovis QB, USC: you can copy and paste what we said for WFT for Pittsburgh as well. Roethlisberger has been very limited the last couple seasons, and they make a move to get a QB of the future. The shocking thing about this is that this will be the fifth QB off the board, with the possibility of more.
17. Cardinals: Demarvin Leal IDL, Texas A&M: in a BPA situation, the Cardinals take the next best defender available. JJ Watt is not getting younger, and the defense still needs additional help. If Vance Joseph is still in town, this will hep give his unit additional flexibility in the front 7.
18. Titans: George Pickens WR, Georgia: After losing Corey Davis, the Titans need an additional playmaker opposite AJ Brown. Pickens is an elite talent, and with the WR class being deep again, a steal at 18 for the Titans.
19. Patriots: Christian Harris LB, Alabama: Bill Belicheck loves his LB’s and having as many as possible keeps his defense malleable. Kyle Van Noy and Donta Hightower are closer to their end than their beginning. Snagging Harris here is a huge value and helps keep their defense a top unit.
20. Dolphins: Rasheed Walker OT, Penn State: After addressing the defense in 2021, and getting a weapon in Jaylen Waddle, Miami elects to address their other Tackle position opposite Austin Jackson. Rasheed Walker is another top lineman talent and next up in protecting Tua.
21. Cowboys: George Karlaftis DL, Purdue: In another effort to help build their defense, Jerry Jones goes to the Purdue defensive standout. To help strengthen the middle of the defense and take pressure off Tank Lawrence, Dallas nabs Karlaftis another top Big Ten D-lineman.
22. Saints: Brenton Cox Jr. LB, Florida: With Demario Davis getting older, and passing on top LB talent in 2021, Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis, and co. look to the Florida linebacker to help stack the position as they add to the defense again after going to the EDGE well early in 2021.
23. Jets via Seattle: Logan Brown OT, Wisconsin: Jets went Defense earlier and continue building around Zach Wilson their second first rounder. Brown is the best true Tackle remaining and can slot in at RT opposite Mekhi Becton.
24. Colts: John Metchie WR, Alabama: Another year, another first round Alabama receiver. Colts get a big time WR to give Carson Wentz another target. They were in the market for a new receiver in 2021, and with TY Hilton’s contract expiring this year they elect to get younger at receiver.
25. Browns: Tyler Linderbaum IOL, Iowa: With not many needs still present after this offseason, the best route is to go OL, specifically interior. Taking Linderbaum gives the team flexibility cap-wise to move on from some higher priced individuals like Wyatt Teller or JC Tretter who are getting longer in the tooth.
26. Philadelphia via Miami via SF: JT Daniels QB, Georgia: Having drafted in the top 5, that would signal the Jalen Hurts experiment did not work. They dip their toes back in the water and take the Georgia QB, and that makes 6 Qb’s in the first round which is unprecedented.
27. Lions via Rams: Justyn Ross WR, Clemson: After having some medical issues, Ross returns to Clemson and re-establishes his draft stock to rocket back up draft boards. Lions after getting their QB of the future go back to the well and get a top-flight receiver to help him.
28. Bills: Jalen Wydermeyer TE, Texas A&M: Similar to the Browns, Bill do not have many holes to fill. TE production has been low as Dawson Knox still develops. If he doesn’t take a leap, they could look to Wydermeyer to fill the need here in the first.
29. Ravens: Cade Mays IOL, Tennessee: Everyone knows that the Ravens love the run game. So, they look to build on a strength and keep their line up front stout. Cade Mays is a topflight IOL prospect that can help Baltimore right away.
30. Packers: Nick Bonnito EDGE, Oklahoma: Packers are in quite the predicament with the Rodgers situation, and if he does not play in 2022 expect this pick to be much sooner in the draft order. But in this scenario, Green Bay looks to get younger and cheaper at an important position as Preston Smith and/or Z’darious Smith could be out of town after 2021.
31. Buccaneers: Isaiah Spiller RB, Texas A&M: With Fournette on a one-year deal, and Ronald Jones contract coming up soon, the Bucs elect to go younger at RB as most other holes are already filled. No WR here warrants a selection at the moment, so the dynamic back in Spiller is the pick.
32. Chiefs: Jordan Battle S, Alabama: Chiefs have a top safety talent land right in their lap, and with Sorenson getting up there in age it makes sense to help draft at this position. WR here is tempting after losing Watkins in 2021, but the value here is too great to pass up.
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