2022 NFL mock draft: Three QBs, Five DEs land in top 20 picks of first round

NFL mock draft 2022: Three Quarterbacks, Five defensive Ends land in top 20 picks of first round.






Predicting the first round of the NFL draft more than three months before it's scheduled its Just Like....


After all, how can one map out the possibilities with any precision when the full draft order hasn't been set and players can still change their minds about declaring?


Regardless of the shifting parts, the 2022 NFL draft has already started to take form, even if not in a manner that's anywhere close to complete. And with the season over for 18 of the league's 32 franchises, it's time to look ahead to what April might hold.



NFL mock draft 2022: Jaguars takes Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux at No.1




Here's our first look at how the first round of the NFL draft may pan out, with the order of the playoff teams determined by their seeding going into the postseason:



READ:   2022 NFL draft first-round order: Jaguars at No. 1, Top 18 Picks Set.



1. Jaguars – Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

A down year for potential franchise passers would likely vex most teams that landed the No. 1 pick. Not so for Jacksonville, which is settled at quarterback, thanks to Trevor Lawrence, but not at many other spots. Although he's not the prospect that Myles Garrett was at the same point in his career before being selected in the top slot in 2017, Thibodeaux looks like the early favorite for the honor this year.


2. Lions – Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

Scoring three wins in the final six weeks precluded Detroit from earning the No. 1 pick for the first time since 2009


3. Texans – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

Neal is best known for his massive 6-6, 360-pound build, which helps him plow holes in the run game and neutralize pass rushers. Additional refinement when dealing with counter moves


4. Jets – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

Plagued by injuries the last two years, Stingley didn't get to showcase his skills in a manner expected of a top-five pick. That shouldn't matter to the Jets, whose secondary is in dire need of an overhaul.


5. Giants – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

 Ekwonu looks like just the kind of blocker Big Blue needs to bring on to stabilize a perpetually underperforming line that offers little long-term hope beyond left tackle Andrew Thomas.


6. Panthers – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

7. Giants (from Bears) – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

8. Falcons – George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue


Atlanta enters the offseason with one stat weighing on it above all else: its league-worst 18 sacks, 11 fewer than the next closest team.


9. Broncos – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

10. Jets (from Seahawks) – David Ojabo, DE/LB, Michigan

11. Washington Football Team – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss


Should Washington be the first team to select a quarterback at this slot, this draft would go down as a modern anomaly, as a passer has been taken in the top three picks in every year since 2013.


12. Vikings – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

13. Browns – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

14. Ravens – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa


This past season makes the Ravens particularly difficult to read. But even after Lamar Jackson missed five games, it's readily evident that the team's protection is in disarray after the line allowed 57 sacks, the second-highest total in the NFL.


15. Eagles (from Dolphins) – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah


Yes, the Eagles have only taken one linebacker in the first round since 1980.



16. Eagles (from Colts) – Travon Walker, DE, Georgia

17. Chargers – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

18. Saints – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt


 Sean Payton seemingly pushed New Orleans as far as it could go without some semblance of consistency at quarterback. Identifying more than a patchwork solution has to be the foremost concern this offseason, and Payton won't find a better package of experience and accuracy in the draft than Pickett.


19. Eagles – Drake London, WR, USC

20. Steelers – Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

21. Patriots – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida


 If New England is unable or unwilling to retain J.C. Jackson after his star turn, cornerback will be New England's unquestioned most glaring offseason need.


22. Dolphins (from 49ers) - Kenyon Green, G/T, Texas A&M

23. Raiders – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

24. Cardinals – Cameron Thomas, DE, San Diego State


 Arizona's pass rush has at times hinged on four-time Pro Bowl selection Chandler Jones and the underrated Markus Golden, who combined to record 21 ½ of the defense's 41 sacks.


25. Bengals – Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky

26. Lions (from Rams) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

27. Bills – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson


 Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane built the NFL's top-ranked defense by finding value across the board, which is what they could do here with Booth.


28. Cowboys – Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

29. Buccaneers – DeMarvin Leal, DT/DE, Texas A&M

 The offseason questions are piling up in Tampa Bay, with the likes of wide receiver Chris Godwin, cornerback Carlton Davis, tight end Rob Gronkowski, center Ryan Jensen, outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul and defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh and William Gholston all set to hit free agency.



30. Chiefs – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama


31. Titans – Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan

32. Packers – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas


 If Green Bay is able to complete its reconciliation with Aaron Rodgers, what better way to celebrate the repaired relationship than by granting him his long-awaited first-round receiver?



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Source -- usatoday.com/sports

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