The draft is near. It is time to start rapid fire NFL Draft Mocks. My favorite part about the draft process is all the uncertainty. No one really knows what these GMs are going to do come draft night. Part of me feels like it is just like Draft Day.
1 Jacksonville Jaguars Aidan Hutchinson EDGE Michigan
This is obvious. After focusing on the offensive line in free agency, this allows Doug Pederson to take the best overall player in the draft in year 1. They locked up the QB position last year. Having back to back first overall picks is a nice thing to have. Hutchinson is a generational talent. I'd be shocked if the Heisman Finalist is the not the first overall pick.
2. Detroit Lions Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE Oregon
The Lions could go a million ways with this. Kayvon has fallen and rose back up a million times. I feel this is the safe pick, rather than the best pick. I like his athleticism that he brings to Detroit. He may not be what Dan Campbell is looking for, but I think in a spot where they can go a million different ways, this is the safest pick.
3. Houston Texans Evan Neal OT Alabama
The Texans need it all. Build from the trenches to start and work your way out. Take a top Tackle in this draft and build the foundation. Neal can best be described as BIG. He played every single position on the offensive line while at Alabama. That has to be something Houston is looking for. They have so many holes, that a player who can play the entire offensive line has to be appealing.
4. New York Jets Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
The Jets definitely have bigger needs, but it is not very often a guy like Kyle Hamilton is available. This is the smart pick for them. Hamilton is known for how versatile he is. He is listed as a safety, but can play both CB and LB with ease.
5. New York Giants Ikem Ekwonu OT NC State
The Giants need QB help, but they also signed Tyrod Taylor this off-season. The best way to develop a rookie QB is to provide them with a great foundation. The Giants did that with A+ coaching and general manager hires. Now they need to get a good foundation on the field. Give their future franchise QB a solid offensive line to start.
6. Carolina Panthers Kenny Pickett QB Pitt
I do not agree with this pick at all. I think Carolina should have explored a free agent rather than to draft a QB. They also have bigger needs than a QB. However, a lot of reports are saying that Carolina will take a QB at 6 and they are in love with Pickett. Head Coach Matt Rhule tried recruiting Pickett when Rule was at Temple.
7. New York Giants Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State
The Giants are a mess at WR. Kadarius Toney is exactly as I thought he'd be. Sterling Shepard went MIA in the middle of the season, and Kenny Golloaday never even approached the production is contract was meant to be. The Giants need to lock down the WR position. Give whoever their QB is some sense of hope with some talent around them.
8. Atlanta Falcons Tyler Linderbaum C Iowa
I am not sure why this pick is so crazy. Linderbaum is a top 5 player in this draft and is without a doubt the best offensive lineman. The Falcons have a giant hole in their offensive line and Linderbaum will be a day 1 starter. He plays so big and strong that it will open up so much for the Falcons new look offense in 2022.
9. Seattle Seahawks Travon Walker EDGE Georgia
The Seahawks will be bad in 2022. I think they should tank in 2022 to get a way better QB in the 2023 class. They have Drew Lock for at least 1 season to hold down the fort. Seattle should go back to what they are known for. Their defense, and that is what they do here.
10. New York Jets Sauce Gardner CB Cincy
The Jets need to improve their defense a large amount in 2022. They picked up Kyle Hamilton at 4 and now they can get a locked down corner at 10. Sauce should be the first corner off the board. He played incredibly at Cincy and his numbers showed that. Never gave up a TD, held WR1 to negative yards in the semi-final game.
11 Washington Commanders Malik Willis QB Liberty
A team that is not being talked about in the QB market. I know they traded for Carson Wentz. As an Eagles fan I know this trade is not a long term option. Ron Rivera has always loved mobile QB's and there is no one better in this draft as a mobile QB than Willis.
12. Minnesota Vikings Jermaine Johnson II EDGE Florida State
Many expect Johnson to be taken much higher. He has flown up draft boards in the most recent weeks. The Vikings biggest need on defense is EDGE. If Johnson falls this far, Minnesota would be foolish to pass on him. He steps in day 1 and will be a force to be heard on the defensive line.
13. Houston Texans Derek Stingley JR CB LSU
The Texans need it all. I don't think they go QB though. Davis Mills showed some glamour of hope towards the end of last season. I say they run with him for a year and see if they have a diamond in the rough. If not they will draft CJ Stroud next season.
14. Baltimore Ravens George Karlaftis EDGE Purdue
The Ravens need help at defensive line. In this case Karlaftis is still on the board for them. This draft is crazy strong at EDGE and Baltimore has a chance to grab one here at 14. Should be an easy pick.
15. Philadelphia Eagles Jameson Williams WR Alabama
Howie Roseman loves high risk high reward players. That is the definition of Jameson Williams. If he can return to his elite self that we saw at Alabama the Eagles have themselves a star. However, why I think he is not the first WR off the board is that ACL injury. If he can not return than the Eagles just did what we expect.
16. New Orleans Saints Drake London WR USC
Many expect this to be QB, but with both Pickett and Willis off the board, the Saints need to look elsewhere. The Saints resigned Winston and signed Andy Dalton this off-season. They need a future franchise QB, but also have bigger needs like WR. I have no idea what Michael Thomas is doing or if he will ever come close to his same production. I like the pickup of London here at 16. They get a super quick WR that can fill the void of Thomas.
17. LA Chargers Andrew Booth Jr. CB Clemson
Have you seen what the entire AFC West has done this off-season? It has been a giant arms race for offensive players. If the Chargers want to compete in this division, they will need to address the CB position.
18. Philadelphia Eagles Trent McDuffie CB Washington
Darius Slay is amazing, Avonte Maddox is a slot corner, and the Eagles need another one. With Steven Nelson off to Houston, the Eagles desperately need another corner.
19. New Orleans Saints Sam Howell QB North Carolina
After my first pick for the Saints, Mickey Loomis and I discussed and they do in fact need a QB. Yes they brought in big names, but nothing great. Sam Howell is QB1 in this class and has the best arm. He will fit right into an offense that will love to throw the ball downfield. It will even be nice they have a new down field threat in Drake London.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers Charles Cross OT Mississippi State
The Steelers should have taken an offensive tackle last season, but opted for a running back. The Steelers have a need at QB, but all the "better" QBs in this class are off the board already. I think they grab one later, and try to fix their offensive line, who in reality is as good as a piece of paper.
21 New England Patriots Devin Lloyd LB Utah
The Pats need a few other areas, but Lloyd was able to fall to them at 21. I can not see how they could pass this up right now. With any Bill pick "league messed up letting this guy fall to New England."
22. Green Bay Packers Chris Olave WR Ohio State
Well the Packers resigned Aaron Rodgers, traded away his only receiver, and then replaced him with Sammy Watkins. This pick is easy. Get Rodgers some much needed help.
23. Arizona Cardinals Jordan Davis DL Georgia
The Cardinals have two needs. Offensive line and defense. I think the bigger need is defense especially at the line. JJ Watt can not stay healthy. They could be a trade candidate to move up to get an offensive lineman if someone drops, but for now, they should stay at 23 and take Davis.
24. Dallas Cowboys Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
I would not be shocked if Dallas goes WR here. With Amari Cooper off to Cleveland and Michael Gallup coming off an injury they should be in the market for one. However, this team has one horrible offensive line. The run game has trouble going, Dak has no time in the pocket, and this is an issue that needs to be addressed ASAP.
25. Buffalo Bills Jahon Dotson WR Penn State
One of the best deep ball threats in this entire draft. Stefon Diggs is great, but the Bills need someone else to play alongside him. Dotson is that guy. I have loved this guy from day 1 and I think should be considered in that top tier of receivers in this draft.
26. Tennessee Titans David Ojabo EDGE Michigan
This is another high risk high reward situations (something the Titans love to do.) He tore his ACL during his pro-day, and some expect him to fall. However, if he can play any where close to how he did at Michigan Tennessee just got a steal. They love to take risks and have done that every draft, so here is another chance at doing so.
27. Tampa Bay Buccanears Devonte Wyatt DL Georgia
New head coach Todd Bowles is a defense minded guy. I believe in his first draft as the head coach, the Bucs will focus on Bowles' specialty.
28. Green Bay Packer Bernhard Raiman OT Central Michigan
Rodgers is getting old and not getting any younger any time soon. You got him a new WR, now make sure he does not get hit 100x per game.
29. Kansas City Chiefs Kaiir Elam CB Florida
Same thing I said for the Chargers pick. The offensive arms race in this division was amazing. However, defense is whats going to determine the division champion.
30. Kansas City Chiefs Nakobe Dean LB Georiga
Same thing I said for pick 29!
31 Cincinnati Bengals Kenyon Green G Texas A&M
They lost the Super Bowl because their offensive line was bad. Guess what every single pick should be in this draft?
32. Detroit Lions Desmond Ridder QB Cincy
Ridder may be the biggest question mark amongst the QBs. No one really knows what we will get out of him. He had an unbelievable collegiate career and his leadership skills are unmatched amongst the QB prospects in this class. He struggled against better talent this past season. The Lions have Jared Goff so they may look to go elsewhere with this pick, but they could take a risk since they have pick 34 as well.