Yardbarker
x
2022 first-round NFL mock draft
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

2022 first-round NFL mock draft

With the NFL and college football seasons nearing the two-month mark, the 2022 NFL Draft picture is becoming clearer. The following NFL mock draft was updated Tuesday, October 21.

 
1 of 32

1, Jacksonville Jaguars: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

1, Jacksonville Jaguars: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
Chris Pietsch / USA Today Sports Images

The Jags are in a position to select the best defensive player available, and that's still Thibodeaux despite an early-season ankle injury. The talented edge rusher has 14 sacks in 23 career games.

 
2 of 32

2. Detroit Lions: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Detroit Lions: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Nikos Frazier / USA Today Sports Images

The Lions have their fair share of needs, and it's rare to see a safety going this high in the draft. A trade down would make sense if they have such a high draft position, but Hamilton looks like he's worthy of the pick as a game change at Notre Dame with eight picks in his three seasons.

 
3 of 32

3. New York Jets: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

New York Jets: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Scott Clause / USA Today Sports Images

No team needs cornerbacks more than the Jets, so Stingley would be a great fit. A foot injury has sidelined him for much of this season, but he remains the clear top cornerback in the 2022 class.

 
4 of 32

4. Houston Texans: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Houston Texans: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Mark Konezny / USA Today Sports Images

Houston will almost certainly be in the quarterback market, and Willis has emerged as the top prospect. A transfer from Auburn, Willis is improving on what was already a strong and dynamic 2020 season with 9.7 yards per pass attempt and 13/3 TD/INT in six games. The mobile quarterback would be a good follow-up for Texans fans who enjoyed the Deshaun Watson years.

 
5 of 32

5. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Marvin Gentry / USA Today Sports Images

Perhaps no player has helped his stock more in 2021 than Corral, who continues to lead an elite offense under Lane Kiffin. While Corral's completion rate isn't better than 2020, he didn't throw an interception in his first five games and continues to show sneaky mobility in addition to his accurate arm. Through six games, Jalen Hurts has yet to convince anyone that he's the sure future in Philly.

 
6 of 32

6. New York Giants: Evan Neal, iOL, Alabama

New York Giants: Evan Neal, iOL, Alabama
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The Giants offensive line has continued to be a problem despite the front office addressing it repeatedly in recent seasons. Neal is usually the biggest man in any room, listed at 6-foot-7, 360 pounds, and he has experience at tackle and guard.

 
7 of 32

7. Atlanta Falcons: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

Atlanta Falcons: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

The Wolverines have quietly churned out some impactful edge rushers in recent seasons, and Hutchinson is continuing to help his stock with a strong early season. He had 4.5 sacks in his first six games, and he has the physical attributes to be an elite edge rusher.

 
8 of 32

8. Washington Football Team: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

Washington Football Team: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Howell has struggled after losing some of his weapons in the offseason, but his dynamic playmaking ability is still tough to find. Despite some accuracy struggles, Howell still threw 16 touchdowns in six games and has been more willing to run the ball. It appears Taylor Heinicke isn't the long-term answer, so Washington will have to look elsewhere this offseason.

 
9 of 32

9. Philadelphia Eagles: DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M

Philadelphia Eagles: DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Few teams have put more emphasis on the defensive line than Philly, and 2022 will be a great draft to improve that area. Leal is turning into a terror on the interior with 4.5 sacks through six games this season and could be a future replacement for Fletcher Cox.

 
10 of 32

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts): Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts): Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Elam has missed time early this season with a knee injury, but he's still a strong prospect in the long line of recent Florida cornerbacks. The Eagles could use more corner depth behind Darius Slay.

 
11 of 32

11. New England Patriots: Adam Anderson, EDGE, Georgia

New England Patriots: Adam Anderson, EDGE, Georgia
Joshua L. Jones / USA Today Sports Images

Anderson has helped his stock as much as any player in this year's draft class with his fast start, accumulating 4.5 sacks in his first five games. The edge rusher could be a terror opposite Matt Judon.

 
12 of 32

12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M

Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

As expected, the Steelers' offensive line has played poorly this season, and the team is overdue to address it next offseason. Green has helped multiple positions for the Aggies, but his lack of height (6-foot-4) likely pushes him to guard at the next level.

 
13 of 32

13. New York Giants (via Bears): Drake Jackson, DE, USC

New York Giants (via Bears): Drake Jackson, DE, USC
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

The pass rush has been one of New York's many problems early in the year and one that Jackson could help. He has three sacks in his first six games this season.

 
14 of 32

14. New York Jets (via Seahawks): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

New York Jets (via Seahawks): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Joshua A. Bickel / USA Today Sports Images

The Jets have aggressively added at wideout over the last year but still lack a true No. 1 option. Olave could be the answer, as a quick, dynamic route runner who has been consistently productive for the Buckeyes. He has seven touchdowns through five games in 2021.

 
15 of 32

15. Carolina Panthers: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma

Carolina Panthers: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
Bryan Terry / USA Today Sports Images

Carolina's defense has quickly been rebuilt by Matt Rhule, but some help next to Derrick Brown could be helpful. Winfrey has helped his stock this season by showing he's more than a nose tackle, with 4.5 sacks in his first five games.

 
16 of 32

16. Minnesota Vikings: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue

Minnesota Vikings: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
Nikos Frazier / USA Today Sports Images

Danielle Hunter's return from injury has been a relief for the Vikings this season, but they could still use another pass rusher. Karlaftis has bounced back after playing only two games last season and remains a strong first-round prospect.

 
17 of 32

17. Las Vegas Raiders: Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa

Las Vegas Raiders: Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa
Jeffrey Becker / USA Today Sports Images

The Raiders offensive line has deteriorated quickly, particularly on the interior. Iowa remains a factory for offensive linemen, and Linderbaum is a safe bet at center.

 
18 of 32

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Zion Nelson, OT, Miami (FL)

Cincinnati Bengals: Zion Nelson, OT, Miami (FL)
Brandon Sloter / Icon Sportswire

The Bengals were criticized after bypassing Penei Sewell for Ja'Marr Chase in this year's draft. That move has worked out so far, but the offensive line still needs addressing. Nelson is a strong tackle prospect who could step in immediately.

 
19 of 32

29. Denver Broncos: Ikem Ekwonu, OL, NC State

Denver Broncos: Ikem Ekwonu, OL, NC State
Rob Kinnan / USA Today Sports Images

Denver's biggest need is quarterback, but the offensive line also remains a potential area of need. Ekwonu is a strong guard prospect who could help immediately.

 
20 of 32

20. Miami Dolphins (via 49ers): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

Miami Dolphins (via 49ers): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Miami's play on defense, particularly in the front seven, has faltered a bit this season. The gigantic Davis has been one of the catalysts of the dominant Georgia defensive line. Listed at 6-foot-6, 340 pounds, Davis could make stopping the run much easier for the Dolphins.

 
21 of 32

21. Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Brett Rojo / USA Today Sports Images

The excitement surrounding Julio Jones' addition has been curbed by his injuries, and the team's lack of depth has been apparent. A similarly imposing deep threat to Jones and A.J. Brown, Burks has averaged nearly 17 yards per catch in his college career and is off to a blazing start this season.

 
22 of 32

22. New Orleans Saints: John Metchie, WR, Alabama

New Orleans Saints: John Metchie, WR, Alabama
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The loss of Michael Thomas to injury this season has been dire for New Orleans, and they desperately need to fix their receiver issues. Metchie hasn't been as productive as last season but remains a blue-chip talent in the long line of recent elite Bama wideouts.

 
23 of 32

23. Cleveland Browns: Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati

Cleveland Browns: Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati
Albert Cesare / USA Today Sports Images

Jedeveon Clowney is a possible placeholder for Cleveland's next young edge rusher. Sanders has struggled to tally sacks early this season but remains a focal point for opposing offenses and remains an elite edge rushing prospect.

 
24 of 32

24. Kansas City Chiefs: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson

Kansas City Chiefs: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
Ken Ruinard / USA Today Sports Images

The Chiefs could use all of the 2022 picks on defense considering this year's early struggles. Cornerback will be a certain need, and Booth provides big upside late in the first round.

 
25 of 32

25. Green Bay Packers: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama

Green Bay Packers: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
Marvin Gentry / USA Today Sports Images

Green Bay has had issues in their front seven early this season. Harris could be an early impact player, though the Packers' needs are fluid depending on the Aaron Rodgers situation next offseason.

 
26 of 32

26. Dallas Cowboys: Kingsley Enagbare, DE, South Carolina

Dallas Cowboys: Kingsley Enagbare, DE, South Carolina
Jeff Blake / USA Today Sports Images

The Cowboys' lack of pass rush depth has been exposed this season. Enagbare has had a productive career for the Gamecocks and had 3.5 sacks in his first six games early this season.

 
27 of 32

27. Los Angeles Chargers: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

Los Angeles Chargers: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Vincent Carchietta / USA Today Sports Images

Mike Williams is a pending free agent whose pricetag could be astronomical considering his early production. Fortunately, there are many viable replacements in next year's draft for LA, including Wilson. Wilson has been a great deep threat for the Buckeyes and is off to a great start with 546 yards in his first six games.

 
28 of 32

28. Detroit Lions (via Rams): Drake London, WR, USC

Detroit Lions (via Rams): Drake London, WR, USC
Robert Hanashiro / USA Today Sports Images

The Lions' lack of receiver talent has been apparent, but there are plenty of prospects in the draft. London excels at football and basketball at 6-foot-5 and is off to an incredible start with 832 yards in his first six games.

 
29 of 32

29. Arizona Cardinals: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

Arizona Cardinals: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Joe Robbins / Icon Sportswire

Arizona strengthened their offensive line in the offseason, but a long-term right tackle would be helpful. Cross has the potential to step in next season.

 
30 of 32

30. Baltimore Ravens: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

Baltimore Ravens: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Reese Strickland / USA Today Sports Images

The 6-foot-7, 340 pound Penning is a mauling tackle prospect in the same line as the departed Orlando Brown. Baltimore has struggled at right tackle early this season, making Penning a viable replacement.

 
31 of 32

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Sam Greene / USA Today Sports Images

A long-term replacement for Tom Brady remains a need for the Bucs, and Ridder could fill the role. He's having another strong season for Cincinnati, leading a terrific offense.

 
32 of 32

32. Buffalo Bills: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

Buffalo Bills: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Buffalo's defense has been elite early this season, though linebacker depth could be a need next year. Lloyd continues to be everywhere for the Utes, with 54 tackles and two sacks in his first five games.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.