Tag: 2022 Mock Draft

2022 NFL mock draft: What to make of next year’s WR class

See how many wide receivers crack the first round in this early projection for the 2022 NFL draft

The last few NFL draft classes have spoiled us at wide receiver, both in terms of blue-chip talent at the top of the group, as well as overall depth into the middle and later rounds.

Will that be the case next year?

The latest 2022 NFL mock draft from Pro Football Network gives us a glimpse into the potential of next year’s crop of top pass-catchers, projecting five wide receivers among the top-32 picks, including a pair of top-10 selections.

Both of the top-10 picks in this projection hail from Ohio State, with Garrett Wilson going No. 7 overall to the New York Giants, and Chris Olave landing with the Carolina Panthers at No. 9 overall.

The next receiver doesn’t come off the board until No. 20 overall, where the New Orleans Saints opt for Arkansas’ Treylon Burks. Alabama’s John Metchie III heads to the Cleveland Browns at No. 26 overall, while USC’s Drake London closes out the first round at No. 32 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Even with five receivers projected in the first round in this mock, there are plenty of talented pass-catchers left on the board for Day 2, including a pair of top prospects hoping to bounce back from serious injuries (Georgia’s George Pickens, Clemson’s Justyn Ross). Purdue’s David Bell, Penn State’s Jahan Dotson, Boston College’s Zay Flowers and SMU’s Reggie Roberson Jr. could all make a push for the first round with strong performances this fall.

To check out the full first-round projection for next year’s draft at Pro Football Network, click here.

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2022 NFL mock draft: How many QBs crack the 1st round?

The 2022 NFL draft could be loaded with talented quarterbacks, but how many of them will come off the board in the first round?

College football season just a few weeks away, which means various analysts are already taking an early look at how this year’s top prospects could fit into next year’s draft class.

The latest 2022 NFL mock draft comes from Joe Marino at The Draft Network, and his projection is noticeably lean when it comes to putting this year’s top quarterback prospects in the first round.

While Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler takes the No. 1 overall spot (Houston Texans), the next quarterback doesn’t come off the board until No. 10 overall (North Carolina’s Sam Howell, Atlanta Falcons), followed by Matt Corral from Ole Miss (No. 12 overall, Washington Football Team).

That’s it for the quarterbacks, as Marino’s mock has the likes of Liberty’s Malik Willis, Nevada’s Carson Strong, USC’s Kedon Slovis, Georgia’s JT Daniels and Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder all waiting until Day 2 to hear their names called.

Another surprise in this mock comes in the top five, where Oregon edge defender Kayvon Thibodeaux is not the first defensive player off the board. That title goes to LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who goes No. 2 overall to the New York Jets, while Thibodeaux lands with the Detroit Lions at No. 3 overall.

To check out Marino’s full first-round projection at The Draft Network, click here.

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Three Georgia players go in 2-round 2022 NFL mock draft

Georgia football has three players selected in this 2022 NFL mock draft.

Georgia football had three players selected in Pro Football Network’s 2-round 2022 NFL mock draft. 

Out of the three, two were selected in the first round.

The first player off the board is transfer cornerback Derion Kendrick, who goes at No. 13 to the Arizona Cardinals.

Off-field issues aside, Kendrick has landed at Georgia and will be eligible to play to start the season with the Dawgs. Arizona drafted three defensive backs in 2021 but none higher than the fourth round and neither with more upside than Tay Gowan. With that in mind, there’s still the need for a shutdown cornerback in the desert.

Kendrick can be that shutdown corner in the mold of a former SEC-to-Arizona defensive back. At 6’0″, 190 pounds, Kendrick has solid size for the position and incredible athleticism. A converted wide receiver, his skills at the catch point are unrivaled in this draft class.

His potential is seemingly unlimited at this point of his career, and with the way this 2022 NFL Mock Draft has unfolded, he’s too good to pass up here.

Kendrick is projected to start as the No. 1 cornerback in Dan Lanning’s defensive scheme this season. Kendrick transferred to Georgia from Clemson this offseason. He will face his former team to open the season.

Kendrick is a former five-star recruit who began his college football career at wide receiver. Kendrick transitioned to cornerback as a sophomore.

At No. 14 overall goes quarterback JT Daniels to the Washington Football Team.

His lack of mobility may scare some, but J.T. Daniels has every throw in his arsenal for the next level. Catching fire once he was fully cleared to play, Daniels averaged over 300 yards per game in just four starts last season with Georgia.

Daniels is a progressive thrower with unique angles and all-around arm talent. He’ll make the correct read more often than not. He has some of the best awareness in the pocket in this draft class. Accuracy is a plus with his arm. He has a penchant for throwing receivers open and finding spots where only his receiver can make the play.

Daniels looks ready to lead the Bulldogs in 2021 and he should be one of the nation’s top quarterbacks at the end of the season.

He had a phenomenal first year with Georgia, throwing for 1,231 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in four games.

Everything seemed to click when Daniels lined up under center, and years of built-up frustration with the Georgia offense began to slip away.

And in the second round, at No. 53 overall, is Georgia transfer defensive back Tykee Smith to the Dallas Cowboys.

The term “flex defender” was made for Tykee Smith. A West Virginia transfer, Smith jumped to Georgia for the chance to play on the national stage and test himself against some of the nation’s best in coverage. He’s a short safety who lays the lumber, possesses the instincts of a tremendous linebacker, and the coverage ability of a sticky man corner. What’s not to like?

Smith transferred to the University of Georgia from West Virginia this offseason. Smith is considered one of the top safeties in the country. He is reunited with Georgia defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae, his former position coach at West Virginia.

Smith will be counted on to start at safety or nickel for the Bulldogs in 2021 alongside Christopher Smith and Lewis Cine.

2022 NFL mock draft: How many teams will pass on Kayvon Thibodeaux?

If Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux doesn’t go No. 1 overall, just how far could the star pass rusher fall?

The 2022 NFL draft already has a clear-cut top overall prospect, but as has been the case many times before, it’s highly likely that player won’t be the No. 1 overall pick.

Teams picking at the top of the draft usually need a franchise quarterback before they can worry about any other position, which means Oregon edge defender Kayvon Thibodeaux isn’t the best bet to be next year’s top selection.

Just how far could he fall?

In the latest 2022 NFL mock draft from Pro Football Network, Thibodeaux lands at No. 3 overall with the Jacksonville Jaguars, after North Carolina’s Sam Howell (No. 1 overall, Houston Texans) and Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler (No. 2 overall, Detroit Lions) put quarterbacks in each of the first two spots.

The Jags have bigger needs elsewhere, but after landing their own franchise passer in Trevor Lawrence in this year’s draft, getting another elite prospect like Thibodeaux for the defensive side of the ball would be a huge win, regardless of need.

Another intriguing pick in this mock happens at No. 4 overall, where the New York Jets pass up LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr. for a different SEC corner, opting for Florida’s Kaiir Elam instead.

It’s a decent wait for the next quarterback off the board in this mock after Howell and Rattler, as Liberty’s Malik Willis lands with the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 18 overall. He’s the only other quarterback that makes the cut, as other top passers like USC’s Kedon Slovis, Nevada’s Carson Strong and Georgia’s JT Daniels fail to appear in this first-round projection.

To check out the full mock draft at Pro Football Network, click here.

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Where Derek Stingley Jr is slated to go in latest NFL mock draft

Where is LSU Tigers CB Derek Stingley Jr slated to go in the latest mock from Draft Wire?

In the upcoming college football season for the LSU Tigers, plenty of eyes will be on Derek Stingley. Continue reading “Where Derek Stingley Jr is slated to go in latest NFL mock draft”

Lions accelerate their rebuild in latest 2022 mock draft

With an early 2022 mock draft, the Detroit Lions used their top 3 selections to help accelerate the rebuild for the franchise down the road

The 2022 draft won’t be one Lions fans are accustomed to experiencing year in and year out. However, with the ammo from the Matthew Stafford trade, the potential high comp pick for losing Kenny Golladay and their normal draft slots, the Lions could have five selections within the first 100 picks next year. iI done right, could speed up the rebuild process.

2022 mock drafts this time of year are about as pointless as Matt Patricia’s behind-the-ear pencil. Typically, these exercises give readers a preliminary view of potential draftees early in the draft process than slotting players to teams. Likely for draftniks, mock drafts are easily consumed by the general public throughout the year.

Luke Easterling from our brother site, DraftWire, laid out his early 2022 mock draft projections (based on the latest Super Bowl odds) on how the first two rounds could shape up. Below are his early projections on the potential draft haul for the Lions.

3rd overall: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
29th overall: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
34th overall: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan

Get used to seeing a quarterback here, folks. With not much hope given to the Lions this coming season and almost a virtual certainty, the Lions will be picking high next draft; it only makes sense for them to select a player from a premium position. Also, with Jared Goff more than likely entrenched as the starter for the next two seasons, the Lions would be smart to grab someone who can learn behind Goff.

The 2022 draft does not have a consensus number one quarterback like Trevor Lawrence last year. With as many as five quarterbacks who could vie for that honor, it leaves many to debate who will end up leading that charge. With this mock, Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler went to the Houston Texans with the first overall pick, giving the Lions a few choices. Still, ultimately Sam Howell was tagged as the Lions future quarterback.

Howell has been the Tar Heels quarterback since arriving in 2019, setting the ACC record with 68 touchdowns through his first two years. He has great touch when it comes to ball placement, no matter the distance making it easily catchable for any playmaker. He is one of the shorter quarterbacks (6’1″), leading to a few tipped balls, and he may lock in on his initial read from time to time, but he seems like he makes any throw possible.

The biggest area Howell will be looked upon this year is if he can elevate the players around him. He lost Javonte Williams, Michael Carter, Dyami Brown, and Dazz Newsome to this past draft giving the Tar Heels a whole new look offense with Howell running the show. Daniel Jeremiah compared Howell to Baker Mayfield, highlighting their build, arm strength, and competitive nature. If Howell can follow Mayfield’s NFL trajectory so far, the Lions could be heading in the right direction.

It is no secret, especially from our own Jeff Risdon, that the Lions receiving corps is uninspiring and could lead to bad ripple effects later down the road. With such a massive hole, many thought the Lions would tag one of the Alabama receivers with their last first-round pick but waited until the fourth round to address the need. So now we will see how everything comes together but be prepared for the worst.

Fortunately for the Lions, another Alabama product is ripe for the picking with their second first-round selection. John Metchie III first arrived in Alabama with an already stacked receiver corps. Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Jaylen Waddle. And DeVonta Smith, so naturally, he had to wait his turn. However, when Waddle suffered his season-ending injury, Metchie was ready for the occasion and ended the season with 916 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

There was a common theme when it came to how the Lions addressed the receiving corps, and that was speed, and thankfully Metchie has that by the bucket load. It gives him the ability to get downfield quickly and create separation and maintain it throughout the process. In addition, he exhibits strong route-running ability in all facets, making him a versatile receiver who can line up anywhere on the field. So even though some may think he might get bullied downfield with a lack of contested catches, it shouldn’t be the key factor that holds back Metchie throughout the draft process.

The Lions attacked the defensive line hard this offseason by resigning Romeo Okwara, trading for Michael Brockers, and drafting Levi Onwuzurike and Alim McNeil back to back picks. However, Trey Flowers’ future may be up in the air depending on how well he fits in the scheme and a potential trade chip later on for a contender, which opens up a hole along the line, giving way to the Lions second-round selection.

Local Michigan product Aidan Hutchinson wore many hats along, lining anywhere from 0T to 4i along the defensive front due to his dominating presence and strong release. Due to his anchor, balance, and flexibility, he is lauded as one of the better-run defenders in this class. He does have a few pass-rushing moves, but that will be an area he will need to improve on. He will not be a prototypical edge rusher with speed along the edge, but he offers a set of traits that allow him to be a versatile lineman that Lions will have at their disposal.

With the new regime almost starting from scratch with their much-needed rebuild, this will be the draft. General manager Brad Holmes will put his stamp on this team, which would be a good start. They would secure their quarterback for the long haul in Howell, a speedster route runner in Metchie, and versatile lineman in Hutchinson. Of course, anything can change between now till the following draft, but these are players you might want to keep your eye on.

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2022 NFL mock draft: Early 1st-round projections loaded with top QBs

See where the top quarterback prospects land in the latest 2022 NFL mock draft from Bleacher Report

The 2021 college football season is nearly a month away, and early projections for the 2022 NFL draft are already flying in from every direction.

The latest 2022 NFL mock draft comes from Bleacher Report, and it has some of this year’s top quarterback prospects coming off the board early and often.

Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler kicks things off at No. 1 overall, landing with the Houston Texans, while North Carolina’s Sam Howell is projected to the Detroit Lions at No. 2 overall. Liberty’s Malik Willis is the next passer off the board, heading to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 7 overall, while Matt Corral of Ole Miss takes the No. 10 spot to the Atlanta Falcons.

Nevada’s Carson Strong is the fifth and final quarterback in this first-round projection, as he goes to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 14 overall. Other top prospects like Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder, USC’s Kedon Slovis and Georgia’s JT Daniels don’t make the cut in this mock.

The two biggest winners in the top 10 of this mock? The New York Jets, who land top overall prospect Kayvon Thibodeaux from Oregon at No. 3 overall, and the Carolina Panthers, who steal LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. at No. 6 overall.

To check out the full first-round projection at Bleacher Report, click here.

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2022 NFL mock draft: Early 1st-round projections full of big surprises

This early first-round projection for the 2022 NFL draft has some big surprises at the top, and some big names missing from the top 32

It’s only July, but we’ve already seen a pretty strong pattern develop when it comes to the top picks in early projections for the 2022 NFL draft.

The latest 2022 NFL mock draft from Sports Illustrated, however, takes a much different approach at the top.

At No. 1 overall, this projection has the Houston Texans taking Nevada quarterback Carson Strong, passing up the likes of North Carolina’s Sam Howell, Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler and Liberty’s Malik Willis in next year’s top spot.

The surprises continue at No. 2 overall, where this mock has the Detroit Lions opting for Purdue edge defender George Karlaftis, instead of Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux has been widely regarded as the top overall prospect in next year’s class, so it’s intriguing to see him not even being the first player at his position off the board.

Thibodeaux doesn’t wait long to hear his name called in this mock, as the New York Jets are rewarded when he falls into their lap at No. 3 overall.

Rattler lands with the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 7 overall, but the next quarterback off the board is another big surprise, as the Denver Broncos opt for Western Michigan’s Kaleb Eleby over Howell and Willis at No. 19 overall. Neither Howell nor Willis are projected at any point in this first-round mock.

Another surprise here? LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. falling out of the top five, landing with the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 6 overall.

To check out the full first-round projection at Sports Illustrated, click here.

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Cowboys long Super Bowl odds leads to defensive help in 2-round 2022 mock draft

If the Cowboys fail to make the playoffs for the third year in a row, the defense is the most likely culprit. It only makes sense they’d return to the well in a 2022 mock draft.

The Dallas Cowboys are about to embark on a journey they hope leads them to a result different than the ones that keep coming up. Each year, they pull the handle on the slot machine and each year it does something different than land on the jackpot. Can 2021 be any different? According to the latest odds, the chances are long.

Dallas is one of several teams given +4000 odds to win the Super Bowl, according to Bet MGM’s latest lines. That ties them for 15th best in a league where only 14 teams make the playoffs. If those results come to be realized, then the Cowboys are missing the dance for the third time in a row. In the latest Draft Wire 2022 mock draft, a 2-round affair based on Super Bowl odds (and not a direct prediction), they draft 17th overall.

With their haul, Dallas finds themselves with a new edge rusher and a s

17. Dallas | Zach Harrison | EDGE | Ohio St.

 

The Cowboys do not have much consistent edge pressure behind DeMarcus Lawrence. While Randy Gregory has huge potential and seems to finally be in a great place and ready to contribute to an entire season for the first time since, well, ever, there are no assurances to how that will play out. Even if it does end in greatness and a new contract, the club will still need another player to put into the rotation.

Harrison was a big talking point in the Buckeyes spring game, hitting the gym and reshaping his body. The improvements have moved him into the conversation to be the next high-impact edge player out of a pipeline that continues to churn them out.

From Pro Football Network:

Beyond having an elite name for a defensive lineman, Harrison undoubtedly passes the eye test for his scouting report. Standing at 6’6″, 268 pounds, Harrison is long and burly. With his size, he can rush outside to inside, and he also has some positional versatility. Ohio State mainly used him on the edge in 2020, but he has shaded inside on occasion, even to zero-technique at one point against Indiana.

While Harrison possesses some versatility, his best role might be at defensive end. There, his physical skill set meshes best. Harrison has excellent straight-line explosiveness, and he converts speed to power well. His stride lengths cover lots of ground, and he flashes acceleration around the edge. He’s reportedly been timed with a 4.47 40-yard dash, so it comes as no surprise that his explosiveness impresses.

 49. Dallas | Bubba Bolden | S | Miami (FL)

The Cowboys hope that they solved the hole at safety with some low-risk additions in the 2021 offseason. Dallas signed Damontae Kazee out of Altanta to reunite him with his former head coach and the Cowboys’ current defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Kazee however is recovering from an Achilles injury suffered in October. Despite having plenty of firepower, the Cowboys neglected the position until the sixth round of the draft when they selected South Carolina’s Israel Mukuamu with the intent to move him to centerfield.

Bolden stands 6-foot-3 and wieghs 200 pounds and seems like the prototype physically for the NFL’s shift to split (or even triple) safeties capable to playing deep and in the box as well as versatile enough to line up in the slot. He has some red flags associated with himself off the field, which may be an issue for some teams.

Again, from PFN:

The redshirt senior did not disappoint in 2020. While teammate Jaelan Phillips was elevating his NFL Draft stock, Bolden provided solid production from the secondary. In nine starts, he tallied 74 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 4 forced fumbles. 

His performances earned him multiple ACC Defensive Back of the Week awards. The first came against Louisville, where he terrorized the Cardinals’ offense to the tune of 11 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and a tackle for loss. Even in a heavy defeat to Clemson, his 10 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 2 blocked field goals were enough to land the honor. Additionally, he was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and received second-team All-ACC recognition. 

 

Mock draft watch: Lions land new franchise QB with the No. 1 pick

The Lions get the No. 1 pick in the latest from Pro Football Network

The last time the Detroit Lions earned the No. 1 overall pick, back in 2009, the franchise landed Matthew Stafford. One contemporary mock draft has the Lions repeating that history, hopefully with successful results, in the 2022 NFL draft.

Pro Football Network projects the Lions to earn the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft, based on composite Super Bowl odds. And with that pick, the Lions land Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler.

It’s a divisive decision, something PFN notes in the commentary,

Despite the financial ramifications of Goff’s contract, they bring in Spencer Rattler to change the franchise’s fortunes. The Arizona high school record holder for passing yards suffered a shaky start to his first season as the starter for Oklahoma last year. However, his development through the season was remarkable. There’s no doubting his arm strength, pocket presence, and ability to make plays out of structure. Another season of consistent development should ensure he sews up the QB1 spot in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Rattler figures to be one of the more polarizing prospects aiming for the top spot next year. If he plays in 2021 the way he wrapped up 2020, most Lions fans would be happy to land the dynamic Rattler as the QB of the future unless Goff reverts to his Pro Bowl form.