2022 NFL Draft: Now that the Super Bowl is over, the offseason fun officially begins. It’s all about the draft for the next few months, and here’s our latest mock draft with top options for each slot.
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2022 NFL Draft: First Round Mock Draft Post-Super Bowl
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2022 NFL Draft Underclassmen. Early Entrants
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Top 30 2021 NFL Draft Early Entrants
2022 NFL Draft Early Entrants By College
Now we know the order after Los Angeles pulled off the thriller over Cincinnati to win the Super Bowl and everyone will react and overreact.
The 2022 draft will come down to two key things: 1) how much does everyone value the relatively mediocre – but wanted – class of quarterbacks, and 2) can the teams at the top trade out of their spots and move down?
There isn’t a sure-thing No. 1 overall pick, and there will be lots and lots of movement.
For this version of the 2022 Mock Draft, we give the call along with a likely second option if the first call doesn’t happen.
32 Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams)
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia
Mock Draft Backup Option: QB Sam Howell, North Carolina
Here’s a general call on how Detroit will see this draft – it’s going to find anchors on the defensive front to build around. It’ll get its pass rusher at the 2, and it’s run-stuffer here.
31 Cincinnati Bengals
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan
Mock Draft Backup Option: OT Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State
It’s criminal what defensive fronts did to Joe Burrow this year. He might be the NFL’s new superstar, but he’ll have a shelf life of about ten more minutes if he doesn’t get some protection. Two words: Aaron Donald.
30 Kansas City Chiefs
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: OT/OG Zion Johnson, Boston College
Mock Draft Backup Option: OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan
Kansas City marches to the beat of its own drafting drummer, but in terms of need, it’s about cranking up options to keep upgrading the offensive line. The running game has been good, but can it take over games late? A masher like Johnson would help.
29 Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco)
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Mock Draft Backup Option: OT/OG Zion Johnson, Boston College
Dotson might seem like a luxury item for a tam that needs to rebuild the foundation, but if the Dolphins really want to see what Tua Tagovailoa can do, the Penn State deep threat is the call. Defensive backs wouldn’t have a prayer with Jaylen Waddle on the other side.
28 Green Bay Packers
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
Mock Draft Backup Option: TE Trey McBride, Colorado State
So, Green Bay. You’re “all in” on trying to keep Aaron Rodgers? Giving him yet another weapon to work with would be a big step, and landing Olave here would be a ridiculous steal.
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: OG Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Mock Draft Backup Option: OT/OG Zion Johnson, Boston College
The Bucs have to find a quarterback, but it won’t matter who they get if the offensive line doesn’t get some fresh new options. This should be a sweet spot for a top guard.
26 Tennessee Titans
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: WR Drake London, USC
Mock Draft Backup Option: OG Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
The Titans have to think long and hard about a blocker like Green to help upgrade the line, but they need a dangerous No. 2 wide receiver to help out AJ Brown even more.
25 Buffalo Bills
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: DE Travon Walker, Georgia
Mock Draft Backup Option: OG Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Flip a coin on positions for the Bills here. The defense is already amazing, but it mostly rocked against the mediocre teams. It could use just a wee bit more help up front, but the O line needs attention, too.
24 Dallas Cowboys
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: S Daxton Hill, Michigan
Mock Draft Backup Option: OG Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Oh will this be a fight among the Cowboy brass. The team has improved by leaps and bounds over the years by boasting one of the league’s best offensive lines, but a top defensive back – primarily a safety – would do more immediate good.
23 Arizona Cardinals
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: DE Jermaine Johnson, Florida State
Mock Draft Backup Option: DE Travon Walker, Georgia
This becomes the wild card part of the draft. There’s a whole lot happening with the Cardinals right now – Kyler Murray doesn’t appear to be too happy – but the defensive side could use a few more pieces up front.
22 Las Vegas Raiders
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama
Mock Draft Backup Option: WR Drake London, USC
Which injured wide receiver will be a Raider? The vertical passing game needs a main man, and either Williams or London will work just fine … eventually.
21 New England Patriots
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia
Mock Draft Backup Option: TE Trey McBride, Colorado State
Don’t be shocked if the Patriots give Mac Jones his new best friend and safety valve in McBride. However, that should come later. Be afraid of Bill Belichick gets Dean this late in the first round.
20 Pittsburgh Steelers
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: C/G Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
Mock Draft Backup Option: QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Pittsburgh wants a quarterback, and it will probably go with Corral, Malik Willis, or Kenny Pickett if one of them falls here. But it’s Pittsburgh, it values linemen, and that front five needs a whole lot of help. It might start with drafting its center for the next decade.
19 Philadelphia Eagles
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington
Mock Draft Backup Option: S Daxton Hill, Michigan
Just assume the Eagles will fill the more pressing needs in the first part of the draft and wait for the best defensive back option here. McDuffie would hard by a bad consolation prize to help the corner situation.
18 New Orleans Saints
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss
Mock Draft Backup Option: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington
Don’t be so sold on the idea of the Saints taking a quarterback here. They need a whole lot of of work in a whole lot of spots, but Corral is the type of all-around baller who might free up a whole lot of possibilities for free agent money going elsewhere.
17 Los Angeles Chargers
2022 Mock Draft Latest Call: DT Jordan Davis, Georgia
Mock Draft Backup Option: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington
Where are the offensive tackles at this point? There’s a shot the Chargers find more help for the offensive front, but they need work in the defensive interior even more.