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2022 first-round NFL mock draft
Tim Warner/Getty Images

2022 first-round NFL mock draft

Much of the 2022 NFL draft order is now set with the regular season concluded. Here's our initial first-round NFL mock draft for 2022.

 
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1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
Junfu Han / USA Today Sports Images

Hutchinson has arguably jumped Kayvon Thibodeaux as the top edge rusher in the draft after a spectacular season, recording 14 sacks in 14 games to become a Heisman Trophy finalist. He's a great potential fit opposite Jaguars edge-rushing star Josh Allen.

 
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2. Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
Chris Pietsch / USA Today Sports Images

The Lions are in position to take the best player available, and that could be Thibodeaux. He recorded 19 sacks in three seasons with the Ducks and is also revered for his intangibles.

 
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3. Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Like the teams drafting ahead of them, the Texans need to revitalize most of the roster. Neal is arguably the best offensive lineman on the board and could step in at left tackle if the team moves on from Laremy Tunsil after 2022.

 
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4. New York Jets: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue

New York Jets: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
Nikos Frazier / USA Today Sports Images

The defensive line is one of the most talented areas on the Jets roster, but they'd still greatly benefit from an edge rusher. Karlaftis fought off double teams to record 4.5 sacks last season and had 14 sacks in 26 games for his career at Purdue.

 
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5. New York Giants: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

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

After focusing more on offense last offseason, the Giants could try to improve the secondary. Stingley Jr. played only three games last season due to a foot injury, but the former top recruit is the likely top cornerback off the board in 2022.

 
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6. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

The Sam Darnold experiment failed, so the Panthers will certainly be addressing quarterback in the offseason. If the team is unable to acquire a veteran, Pickett is a strong possibility. He had a breakout season in 2021, completing 67% of his passes with 42 touchdowns while also showing very good mobility.

 
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7. New York Giants (via Bears): David Ojabo, DE, Michigan

New York Giants (via Bears): David Ojabo, DE, Michigan
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The pass rush has been an area of need for the Giants, and Ojabo can certainly fill it. He had a breakout season with 11 sacks in 13 games and shows great edge rusher size at 6-foot-5.

 
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8. Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

Atlanta's lack of receiver depth was exposed with the absence of Calvin Ridley for much of 2021. The speedy Wilson is a similar downfield threat, recording 70 catches for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns in 11 games in 2021.

 
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9. Denver Broncos: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Denver Broncos: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Robert McDuffie / USA Today Sports Images

Teddy Bridgewater did an adequate job as Denver's starter in 2021, but the team could still look to upgrade. Willis is an elite duel threat, though his passing accuracy can be questioned after completing only 61% of his passes for 12 interceptions in his final season at Liberty.

 
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10. New York Jets (via Seahawks): Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

New York Jets (via Seahawks): Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Nikos Frazier / USA Today Sports Images

The Jets' secondary has been lacking since trading Jamal Adams, and Hamilton could be the most talented safety in the draft since Adams was selected in 2017. He had eight interceptions in three seasons, and will hopefully check out physically after his season ended with a knee injury.

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

Washington Football Team: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

Taylor Heinicke's performance as a starter this season was admirable, but it's become clear late in the year that Washington could do better. The undersized Howell had a mixed junior season after losing some weapons last year, but he's a duel-threat playmaker with over 3,000 yards passing and 800 yards rushing in 2021.

 
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12. Minnesota Vikings: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Minnesota Vikings: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Albert Cesare / USA Today Sports Images

Cornerback is likely to be one of Minnesota's top priorities entering the offseason. Gardner is among the top corners on the board, showing his playmaking ability with three interceptions, three sacks, and 40 tackles last season.

 
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13. Cleveland Browns: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

Cleveland Browns: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Williams had quite the breakout campaign in 2021, averaging over 20 yards per catch as a premier deep threat for the Crimson Tide. After trading Odell Beckham, the Browns are in the market for a new No. 1 receiver.

 
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14. Baltimore Ravens: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

Baltimore Ravens: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Rob Kinnan / USA Today Sports Images

Ronnie Stanley has struggled to stay healthy recently, which could spark the Ravens to address tackle. Ekwonu was an All-American in 2021, with plenty of experience on the left side of the line.

 
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15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins): Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins): Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images

Dean was a clear playmaker on the elite Bulldogs defense, recording 68 tackles, six sacks, and two interceptions prior to the CFP National Championship. He's a do-everything linebacker teams will hope can be an immediate impact a la Micah Parsons.

 
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16. Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts): Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts): Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Cornerback depth has been an issue for the Eagles this season. McDuffie hasn't been a ballhawk in college, but he has the ability to play outside or as a slot corner.

 
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17. Los Angeles Chargers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Los Angeles Chargers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Kyle Robertson / USA Today Sports Images

Mike Williams is set to be a free agent for the Chargers, opening up a need if the team doesn't bring him back. Olave is a great route runner more in the Keenan Allen mold but has the polish to help immediately. He had 65 catches for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021.

 
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18. New Orleans Saints: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

New Orleans Saints: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Matt Bush / USA Today Sports Images

The Saints have needs at quarterback and receiver, but it would be surprising if they don't take a quarterback if they like one in the 2022 class. Corral suffered a scary ankle injury in the Rebels bowl loss, which hopefully won't hurt his draft stock. He had back-to-back terrific seasons at Ole Miss, capping off his career with over 3,300 yards passing and 600 yards rushing in 2021.

 
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19. Philadelphia Eagles: Demarvin Leal, DE, Texas A&M

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

The Eagles front office loves to keep the defensive line fully stocked, and Leal could help immediately. He had a great 2021 season with 58 tackles and 8.5 sacks.

 
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20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

Pittsburgh Steelers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Chris McDill / Icon Sportswire

The Steelers' offensive line was in shambles after several losses last offseason and will be a dire need in the offseason. Cross can step in immediately at left tackle, likely protecting a new quarterback in Pittsburgh.

 
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21. New England Patriots: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

New England Patriots: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Dan Rainville / USA Today Sports Images

With J.C. Jackson entering free agency, the Pats could be looking at cornerback in the draft. McCreary had three very productive college seasons, including 49 tackles and two picks in 12 games during 2021.

 
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22. Miami Dolphins (via 49ers): Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

Miami Dolphins (via 49ers): Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Reese Strickland / USA Today Sports Images

Miami has had some moving pieces with their young offensive line this season and could use help at right tackle. Penning has experience on both sides of the line and could step in immediately.

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

Las Vegas Raiders: Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa
Joseph Cress / USA Today Sports Images

The Raiders have seen a big drop off on the offensive line with major turnover last offseason, including the loss of center Rodney Hudson. Linderbaum is possibly the top interior lineman on the board from the Iowa offensive line factory.

 
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24. Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

Arizona Cardinals: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Davis should add an instant boost to any run defense, conservatively listed at 6-foot-6, 340 pounds. The aged Cardinals' defensive line would certainly get an upgrade in the middle by adding him.

 
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25. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M

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

The Bengals have had trouble at guard all year, and have a chance to prioritize the offensive line. The 6-foot-4 Green could step in to start at guard or tackle immediately.

 
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26. Buffalo Bills: Drake London, WR, USC

Buffalo Bills: Drake London, WR, USC
James Snook / USA Today Sports Images

The Bills still see wideout as a strength, but that could change quickly if they move on Emmanuel Sanders and Cole Beasley. London had a breakout season, with 88 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns in only eight games. He's a huge target on the outside at 6-foot-5 who could take attention away from Stefon Diggs.


 
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27. Detroit Lions (via Rams): Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

Detroit Lions (via Rams): Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Katie Stratman / USA Today Sports Images

The Lions have a lot of needs for the draft, and it's unclear if replacing Jared Goff is imminent. It's a possibility if Ridder is on the board. The quarterback had a lucrative career at Cincinnati, finishing out his career completing nearly 65% of his passes for over 3,300 yards while also showing plus mobility.

 
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28. Dallas Cowboys: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

Dallas Cowboys: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Rob Gray / USA Today Sports Images

The Cowboys selected linebacker Micah Parsons in the first round of last year's draft but could be in the market for another linebacker with Leighton Vander Esch's decline. Lloyd has been everywhere for the Utes this season, with 111 tackles, seven sacks, and four interceptions.

 
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29. Tennessee Titans: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson

Tennessee Titans: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
Ken Ruinard / USA Today Sports Images

Janoris Jenkins' play has been inconsistent this season, and there are alternatives if the Titans prefer to move on. Booth has been a lockdown corner for Clemson over the last two seasons.

 
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30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today Sports Images

With the possibility of Chris Godwin leaving in free agency, the Bucs are likely to address wideout. Burks is a top-tier talent with the ball in his hands and capped off a great college career with 67 catches for 1,123 yards and 11 touchdowns.

 
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31. Kansas City Chiefs: Drake Jackson, DE, USC

Kansas City Chiefs: Drake Jackson, DE, USC
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

An edge rusher is a need for the Chiefs heading into the offseason, with Melvin Ingram a free agent and the team potentially moving on from Frank Clark. Jackson could address the edge late in the first round, with plus size and 12.5 sacks over three college seasons.

 
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32. Green Bay Packers: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia

Green Bay Packers: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Finding a consistent pass rush has been a struggle for the Packers this season, even with Rashan Gary's positive development. Walker has the versatility to play inside or outside and recorded five sacks in 12 games heading into the National Championship.

Seth Trachtman

Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications

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