It’s NFL Mock Draft season! The most exciting time of the NFL offseason is nearly upon us. On Thursday, April 28th, the NFL Draft Round One will occur. Thirty-two names of young talented, hardworking men will hear themselves be announced as the first members of the 2022 NFL Draft class and as members of the NFL. Sometimes, I think watching the player’s reactions is far more exciting than seeing who my favorite team picks. These picks will help shape the NFL and their respective teams for a very long time. Here at Dynasty Nerds, I asked two of my fellow talented writers to help me out with an NFL Mock Draft of Round 1.
Thank you so very much Dan and Andrew for assisting me with this task. Having three people cover a one-round mock draft helps eliminate long-standing bias and gives more unpredictability than if just one person was mocking. This NFL Mock Draft will not include any trades since it’s nearly impossible to predict those accurately. Plus, it will not be a hot take-filled NFL mock draft as we are projecting these picks based on what we THINK each respective team will do.
Also, tune into the draft on Twitter, especially in our Dynasty Nerds Community, where we will have live breakdowns pick-by-pick on how these picks affect your dynasty team, the rookie draft, and other current players! If you haven’t yet joined the best community on Twitter, click here to join now! I’ll be covering the NFC West, which will see the Seahawks and Cardinals make picks in the first round at least. Perhaps Deebo is dealt, and the 49ers get back into the first round. Digression aside, let’s start the NFL Mock Draft!
NFL Mock Draft First Round
Jacksonville Jaguars, 1.01: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
He’s a violent pass-rusher that tries to bulldoze his way through linemen. While he needs to learn some new techniques, he has a great burst off the line of scrimmage. His 4.74 40 proves how fast he is. He’s a building block for that D-line. Getting a monster in the trenches will help Josh Allen and this team. This would be a franchise-changing move for the defense. -Jake
Detroit Lions, 1.02: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The Lions have Jared Goff for one more year, and then his contract becomes favorable to drop off the books. Willis needs to sit a year to develop and catch up on the speed of the NFL and hone his craft. This seems too good a situation for the Senior Bowl staff that had Willis pass up. – Andrew
Houston Texans, 1.03: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Because they have many team needs, they can take the best player available at any position with any pick. The third pick would have been an ideal spot to trade down, but we take the best player available with no trades. Disregarding positional value, Hamilton is a top-two prospect in this class. – Dan
New York Jets, 1.04: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Gardner is an excellent corner. He’s got great hands, ball skills, and fluid motions to keep up with WRs. Long, Lean, and athletic, Sauce will help take pressure off the Jets’ defenders. “Sauce” would automatically be the #1 corner for the Jets. Don’t forget; he never gave up a TD in college. -Jake
New York Giants, 1.05: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
The New York Giants face a culture shift and a roster overload, taking the best player available fast tracks that, that is Thibodeaux. He has the bend, the speed, and the physical tools to be a staple on a Giants defense that is looking to make an impact immediately. -Andrew
Carolina Panthers, 1.06: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Willis going to Detroit with the second pick makes this easy for the Panthers. They have dire needs for left tackle and QB, but only one top-100 selection to upgrade either. The Panthers would spend a late-round pick for Jimmy Garappolo or Baker Mayfield. Matt Rhule freshens that resume because he won’t survive another year with this current QB situation. -Dan
New York Giants, via Bears, 1.07: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The slide is over! The Giants get a massive steal. Protecting Danny Dimes is the mission. Ekwonu is battling Neal for the rights of OT1 in this draft class. He’s a Day 1 starter at either left or right tackle, technically sound and strong. I believe Ekwonu is the #1 OT in the draft. -Jake
Atlanta Falcons, 1.08: Jermaine Johnson, Edge, Florida State
The former Georgia Bulldog turned Florida State Seminole has seen his draft stock rise the most of anyone this draft cycle. He aced the Senior Bowl, the combine, and has gone from a round two project to a top ten pick. Edge help is what the Falcons need most, and this is the last of the elite rushers left in this draft. – Andrew
Seattle Seahawks, via Broncos, 1.09: Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
We see a massive run of edge rushers going in the top ten this draft, and Seattle makes it four total. Travon Walker has been shooting up draft boards, and some have even been mocking him as going with the first overall pick. This young man is an athletic freak but doesn’t quite have the production to back it up. One could argue that it is hard to produce on a Georgia defense where you are sharing the field with five other first-rounders. I am sure that is something Seattle will be saying at their post-draft press conferences. -Dan
New York Jets via Seahawks, 1.10: Drake London, WR, USC
Give Wilson some help besides protection! The team can’t trust Corey Davis. The Jets need a big-bodied playmaking WR to partner with Elijah Moore. London would bring size, speed, huge catch radius, accuracy help for Wilson, and obscene toughness to Gang Green. In fact, before his broken ankle, the 6’4″ WR almost had 1,000 yards receiving in only eight games in his last year at college. -Jake
Washington Commanders, 1.11: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Washington has been an absolute disaster in the news recently, and that is not even including the rumors they may eventually move on from Terry McLaurin rather than extend him. Jameson Williams is a different style receiver than McLaurin, but he possesses the same ability to break games wide open. Also, Carson Wentz needs all the help he can get. -Andrew
Minnesota Vikings, 1.12: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The Minnesota Vikings can add Justin Jefferson’s former sparring partner from LSU with the twelfth overall pick. Jefferson and Stingley were both members of the 2019 national championship team and will be looking to continue that success professionally. Stingley had one of the most impressive freshman seasons in college football history for a CB. Unfortunately, he has been dealing with injuries the past two seasons. If healthy, Stingley has the potential to be a top-five corner in the league. -Dan
Houston Texans via Browns, 1.13: Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia
This is just taking the BPA for the Texans since their entire team is one big need. Their roster looks like an expansion roster. He’s the #1 IDL player in this year’s draft. Davis is a 2-gapper, 3-down player that stuffs the run and ensures that the interior of the line is taken care of. Plus, he pushes the pocket. -Jake
Baltimore Ravens, 1.14: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Ravens tried the Alejandro Villanueva experience last year, but it was unsuccessful. Charles Cross has played every OL spot during his college career and thus serves as a Swiss army knife for the Ravens’ offensive line. -Andrew
Philadelphia Eagles, via Dolphins, 1.15: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio St.
The Philadelphia Eagles select a WR in the first round for the third year in a row. Hopefully, this one works out more like Devonta Smith than Jalen Reagor. Wilson may be the safest WR in the draft class as far as being able to project his abilities to the next level. He’s an expert at getting open, and if things don’t work out with Jalen Hurts, he can always reconnect with C.J. Stroud in 2023. -Dan
New Orleans Saints, via Eagles via Colts, 1.16: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The Saints need a long-term QB answer, and this would be my #1 Dynasty QB. I have him having Kirk Cousins/Derek Carr type potential, which is plenty good enough for the Saints to make the playoffs. Pickett has a steady/strong arm, is mobile, and is very accurate. He does everything well, but nothing is stand-out special. -Jake
Los Angeles Chargers, 1.17: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
After taking Rashawn Slater last year and having him turn into an All-Pro, the drafting of Penning would sure up this offensive line potentially for the long haul. The whole Chargers offense took off last year with the renewed focus on the line, and this pick sustains it. -Andrew
Philadelphia Eagles, via Saints, 1.18: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
With two picks in the first round, the Eagles add another safe selection and drastically improve this roster. Llyod is arguably the best LB in this class and will slide in quite easily as a week-one starter this season. Lloyd is truly a do-it-all LB who will one day become the leader of this Philadelphia defense.
New Orleans Saints, via Eagles, 1.19: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio St.
The Saints need WR help badly, and with a young QB, why not get a WR that can grow with him? Olave’s an elite route runner with speed for days. Olave ran a blazing 4.39 40-yard at the combine. Scouts compare him to McLaurin, and if that’s true, this would be a terrific grab by the Saints. Chris plays tough and bigger than his 6’0″ frame. -Jake
Pittsburgh Steelers, 1.20: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn St.
The Steelers are finally moving on from Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger to Mitchell Trubisky, and they need to give him all the help he can get. The team still has Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, but they lost James Washington in free agency. Dotson can fit that role in the offense and plays with a style that allows for offensive coordinator Matt Canada to scheme with him in different ways. Ways that include getting the ball in his hand and letting him get creative from there. – Andrew
New England Patriots, 1.21: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Incredibly, the Patriots can stand pat at 21 and grab the top player at a particular position in this year’s draft. Linderbaum is the consensus top-rated center in the 2022 draft class and projects as a pro bowl level starter at the next level. The Patriots can get out of starting center David Andrew’s contract next offseason. In the meantime, Linderbaum can play right guard and get used to the game’s speed at the professional level. -Dan
Green Bay Packers via Raiders, 1.22: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Rodgers needs help; Lazard and Watkins aren’t it for their top-2 WRs. Burks has a ton of potential. Burks is a talented playmaker that can line up in the slot or outside. Even better, he’s a great jump ball catcher. He’ll even play wide back like Deebo if he’s asked. He’s just a solid player, and this snipes my Cardinals. -Jake
Arizona Cardinals, 1.23: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
With this pick, the Arizona Cardinals will be re-branded the Washington Huskies of the south. With Byron Murphy, Buddha Baker, and now McDuffie on the defense. It proves two things. One is they may have the best DB group in the league, and two, Washington is the new DBU. -Andrew
Dallas Cowboys, 1.24: George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
The Dallas Cowboys can grab an edge defender at the end of the first. The goal is to replace some of the production left when Randy Gregory signed with the Denver Broncos. Karlaftis may be the best edge defender in this class regarding pure power in his lower body. Micah Parsons will be more flexible in his role in the field. -Dan
Buffalo Bills, 1.25: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa St.
The Bills are nearly a complete team with only RB and CB as clear weaknesses. They can’t let Josh Allen continue to put himself in danger. Hall would come in and immediately add some fire and punch to the team’s rushing attack. The 1.01 in rookie drafts. He’s 5’11” and 217, the perfect size for a long-term running back, and ran a 4.39 40-yard at the combine. In 2021, he had 1,472 rushing yards and 20 TDs. Oh, Hall can catch too. -Jake
Tennessee Titans, 1.26: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Walker has been shooting up draft boards as teams grow concerned with Nakobe Dean’s size. Mike Vrabel loves his LBs late in round one, and with the loss of Rashaan Evans, Walker is a fun fit in physical defense. -Andrew
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1.27: Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
Tom Brady is back again, which means the Buccaneers are all in on a Super Bowl push. They lost both starting guards from last year, and the front office must fill those holes to protect the 45-year-old Brady. Tampa traded a fifth-round pick for Shaq Mason from New England. He will slide into one starting guard slot, and Kenyon Green will fill out the other starting role. -Dan
Green Bay Packers, 1.28: Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota
BPA here for the Packers. He’s a talented pass-rusher that would provide a long-term complement to Rashan Gary. The Packers edge rush room would be set for a while with Mafe and Gary. He’s an explosive athlete with strong hands, power, and range. The Packers must win in the trenches. -Jake
Kansas City Chiefs, via 49ers via Dolphins, 1.29: Andrew Booth Jr., CB Clemson
The Chiefs have had CB be a weak spot in the defense for years now, and as several playmaking faces leave the unit, they need a new one. Booth could easily be seen as the top corner when all said is done, and we look back at this class. -Andrew
Kansas City Chiefs, 1.30: Devontae Wyatt, IDL, Georgia
Kansas City adds more to the defense in the first round with the second of two back-to-back picks. Everyone has been clamoring for a WR with one of these two picks, but the value in these defensive players is too hard to pass up. Wyatt and Chris Jones would be a formidable duo up the middle. This pick also gives Kansas City the flexibility to get out of the Chris Jones’ contract next offseason. -Dan
Cincinnati Bengals, 1.31: Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
The Bengals must continue to build their OL for Joe Burrow. The team can’t let him become the next Andrew Luck. Johnson is the best player on the board at this spot. To maintain their line for Burrow and Joe Mixon, they take Zion Johnson. Zion can play guard or tackle and is a strong, talented, powerful OL. -Jake
Detroit Lions via Rams, 1.32: Perrion Winfrey, DL, Minnesota
Dan Campbell wants his football team to have a certain edge; Winfrey fits that mold. They addressed the defensive line in last year’s draft, but Winfrey could come in and start day one and allow a rotation to be built with Alim McNeil. -Andrew
Let us know in the comments below your thoughts on our NFL Mock Draft for the 2022′ NFL Draft! A special thank you again to both Dan and Andrew for helping me out with this draft! Be sure to click on those links and give them a follow! Let us know on Twitter your NFL mock draft. Perhaps it’s similar, or maybe yours will help us be better at mocking next year!
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