My 2022 NFL Mock Draft was a task to write.

As soon as I would have it done, a trade would happen. The early trades were really becoming an issue which, because of their timing, was not usual.

There are 8 teams with multiple picks in the first round. That is crazy and we have 3 weeks to go till the draft!

There are no projected trades, although that certainly does not mean there won’t be.

Draft order is provided by Tankathon. Any salary cap information is provided by Spotrac.

If you have not tried out Mock Draft Simulator – The Pick Is In – you can select the DRAFT SIM tab in the menu, or use the link here: The Pick Is In.

You can run it with or without trades. Play with your friends in the multi-session. Full 7 rounds with up to date draft orders and prospects rankings.

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2022 NFL Mock Draft – ROUND 1

2.        DETROIT LIONS

Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

I have listened to numerous mock drafts which give the Lions QB Malik Willis out of Liberty. I like Willis and I think there is a lot to like about him. But, I don’t see 2 overall and I really don’t see top 10. Walker has been underrated as a pass rusher, but his off season workouts have certainly made his game tape that much more impressive. He is a finesse pass rusher who uses his hands to be aggressive in setting up his position. He could use more leg drive in avoiding the offensive lineman to anchor and reset. Walker has a lot of upside and could really flourish under Dan Campbell.

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3.        HOUSTON TEXANS

4.        NEW YORK JETS

Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The Jets took Zach Wilson at #2 overall in 2021 but his protections was not always healthy, or just inept. Becton was injured a majority of the season but looks to be making a push for a healthy season. That still leaves the RT position open. Evan Neal is the highest rated tackle on my board and it only makes sense to protect your franchise QB. The Jets could shift Becton to RT and have Neal at LT considering Neal is a better pass protector than Becton, but time will tell.

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5.        NEW YORK GIANTS

Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

Nate Solder has held on too long as an NFL offensive tackle. His better days are behind him. The Giants know that if they are to see if they can get the best out of Daniel Jones, they need to provide him with great protection. Andrew Thomas has the LT spot nailed down, so the Giants shore up and upgrade the RT position with Ekwonu. Ikey can play every position on the line so his versatility will be used primarily at RT to replace Nate Solder.

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6.        CAROLINA PANTHERS

Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Sam Darnold is under contract, but is Darnold really going to be the answer for the next coaching staff to come in? All accounts are saying this is a lame duck coaching staff, so likely after this season Darnold is gone anyway. Willis has all the tools and tangibles to be a good NFL QB, but the biggest issue is the ability to dominate a game against lesser talent, and the ability to play in the big time against better talent. If you love a guy, then you pick him. That is what happens here.

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7.        NEW YORK GIANTS

Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State

The Giants rely on their pass rush and have done so for well over a decade. They have consistently relied on their pass rush to dominate games. Azeez Ojulari is a promising young pass rusher that is just scratching the surface of his potential. Johnson is a similar pass rusher which would make the Giants pass rush that much more effective. Johnson is a high motor guy that never quits and has a myriad of pass rushing moves to keep offensive tackles guessing which he displayed at the Senior Bowl in the one on one practices.

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8.        ATLANTA FALCONS

Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

The Falcons have a lot of options at this position. If they could trade back and get more picks it would make a ton of sense, but if the Falcons stay put, their roster has no legitimate WR’s on the roster. With Calvin Ridley being suspended, the Faclons are without productive WR’s. Even with Ridley, the Falcons needed more passing options. Wilson is going to provide that reliable option who runs good routes and has the hands you need in critical times. His straight line speed opened the eyes of scouts considering he was not a true vertical threat. Easily WR1 for the Falcons here.

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9.     SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

So the Hawks miss out on Malik Willis, but I understand the Seahawks are already enamored with another QB in this draft. In this case, the Hawks are going to bolster their offensive line which they have negelected for the past few years. I would not be surprised to see the Hawks trade up into the first round to get their guy. Cross is a LT in the NFL. There is no question about it. He is fluid in his technique and can get out in space to create run lanes. He is strong at the point of attack and resets his anchor very well against bull rushes. He is likely the best pass blocking OT in the draft.

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10.     NEW YORK JETS

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Derek Stingley might be the best corner in the draft but his body of work is limited. I heard an argument that injuries should not be a factor in a players evaluation. I think a majority of teams tend to shy away from players that are injured frequently, whether fluke or major. The Risk becomes higher. Gardner is a physical corner that can play on an island but he has the ability to play man press coverage and be physical at the line. Gardner is able to turn and run with fluid hips and lateral movement. Could be that shutdown corner the Jets have needed since Darelle Revis.

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11.     WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

There has been many speculative picks here, but if you look at the roster of the Commanders, the weakest spot is the S position. The reason for letting Collins go was simply the potential to see where they can get cheaper. Kyle Hamilton is arguably the best gifted athlete in this class, but many have been scared by his 40 times. His tape is way faster than a stop watch. Hamilton provides the combination of playmaking and size into a complete football player. He can play in the box in run support while being able to drop into coverage and provide mid range coverage on RB’s and TE’s. What you won’t get is the long range S that can play in a single high set or any deep ball trails.

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12.     MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

Stingley had a great pro day and showed that he can be the best CB in the draft. He ran a sub 4.4 40 yard dash, and if coupled with a healed Lisfranc injury that kept him out most of 2021 season, the Vikings could find a CB that would give them the single man press coverage they have been looking for. Stingley is just a physical patient corner that uses fluidity and technique to make plays and shut down opposing WR’s. He doesn’t get fooled by WR shuffle steps after the snap, but instead lets them commit to their route, gives an inside punch for contact, and follows along the WR hip. He is just a solid skilled CB and will do well if he can stay healthy at the next level.

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13.     HOUSTON TEXANS (from Cleveland)

Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

In the run heavy AFC South, the Texans are going to need a bolstered offensive line. Adding Penning to the roster to take over at RT is almost a no brainer. Penning is a nasty offensive lineman that gets after his blocks and looks to destroy them on every play. He is a monster in the run game, has a great get off and uses his hands to control defenders with aggression. This pick makes a lot of sense considering how the AFC South plays football.

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14.     BALTIMORE RAVENS

Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

Jordan Davis just seems like a Baltimore Ravens pick. His size, quickness, and ability to penetrate gaps will make him an effective 1 or 3 technique in the Ravens defense. His ability to eat blocks will help the edge rushers to get home while his motor carries him through the whistle. He is strong which will be a problem with interior offensive lineman especially in the A and B gaps which his lower body strength will take over to be effective against the run as well.

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15.     PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

This pick is maximizing the talent the Eagles are going to put on the field. Andrew Booth Jr. is one of the most physical corners in the draft. Slay had one of the best years of his career in 2021 and while Avonte Maddox was signed to an extension, adding Booth gives another level of physicality to the defense on the back end. Maddox can move inside while Booth and Slay play outside.

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16.     NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (from Philadelphia)

Drake London, WR, USC

Michael Thomas is a great WR but he cannot do it all for the Saints. With the Saints shoring up their QB for the next couple of seasons, he needs weapons. London is a big body WR with great hands but does not get good seperation. His body allows him to shield smaller CB’s and provides a big target for QB’s. His best work is either working the sidelines or over the middle, but his size doesn’t allow him to be elusive enough to get vertical. London could be a very good compliment and target for Jameis Winston.

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