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NFL first-round mock draft: Pickett, Willis go in the top 10
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

NFL first-round mock draft: Pickett, Willis go in the top 10

Significant trades and free-agent signings continue with only a few weeks until the draft. Here's a look at our first-round mock draft, as of April 7, 2022.

 
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1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

After addressing their offensive line already via free agency, the Jags can now beef up the pass rush. Hutchinson had a breakout 2021 season with 14 sacks for the Wolverines and would create quite a tandem with Josh Allen in Duval.

 
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2. Detroit Lions: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia

Detroit Lions: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The Lions are in the market for a top pass rusher, so Walker and Kayvon Thibodeaux are likely in the running at No. 2 overall. Walker finished last season with six sacks and has made noise in the offseason.

 
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3. Houston Texans: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State

Houston Texans: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
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Despite the presence of Laremy Tunsil, the Texans still have to build up their offensive line. Ekwonu could fill the hole on the right side before eventually moving to left tackle.

 
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4. New York Jets: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

New York Jets: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
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Former first-round pick Mekhi Becton has struggled to stay on the field for New York, and the team can also use help on the right side of the line. Neal has been a dominant tackle at Alabama and should be able to help immediately.

 
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5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
Chris Pietsch / USA Today Sports Images

The Giants seem to be in the market for pass-rush help every season, but could put that need to bed with the strong draft class in 2022. Thibodeaux is a superstar in the making with elite athleticism and a great personality to match. He recorded 19 sacks in three seasons at Oregon.

 
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6. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
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The Panthers claim Sam Darnold could be their quarterback again, but that's hard to believe after his performance last season. Pickett's improved accuracy, completing over 67% of his passes with 42 touchdowns, could allow him to step in immediately for the Panthers.

 
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7. New York Giants (via Bears): Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

New York Giants (via Bears): Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Albert Cesare / USA Today Sports Images

With rumors that James Bradberry is on the trade block, the Giants could be looking at taking a corner early. Gardner really helped his draft stock with a great 2021 season, recording three picks, three sacks, and 40 tackles for the breakout Bearcats.

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

Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
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Wide receiver was already a major need in Atlanta before Calvin Ridley's season-long suspension. The speedy Wilson is coming off a monstrous season with 70 catches for 1,058 yards and 13 touchdowns in only 11 games.

 
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9. Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos): Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Seattle Seahawks (via Broncos): Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Robert McDuffie / USA Today Sports Images

Quarterback is an obvious need for Seattle, with only Drew Lock standing in the way of another signal-caller. Willis is slightly undersized but proved his playmaking ability over the last two seasons 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
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The Jets' secondary has been lacking since tracking Jamal Adams, and Hamilton could be the best safety prospect since that dynamic safety pick. Hamilton was a playmaking machine at Notre Dame with eight picks in three seasons.

 
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11. Washington Commanders: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

Washington Commanders: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Scott Clause / USA Today Sports Images

Stingley has been considered a likely early first-round pick this year since his dominant 2019 season, recording six picks as a lockdown corner for LSU's National Championship team. His value has dropped slightly due to injury, but he could greatly help Washington's secondary.

 
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12. Minnesota Vikings: Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State

Minnesota Vikings: Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State
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While Minnesota signed Za'Darius Smith, they still need more help with Danielle Hunter aging quickly. Johnson is climbing up draft boards after recording 12 sacks last season.

 
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13. Houston Texans (via Browns): Drake London, WR, USC

Houston Texans (via Browns): Drake London, WR, USC
Robert Hanashiro / USA Today Sports Images

Houston needs help everywhere, and the rumors of a Brandin Cooks trade could push the wide receiver need up the list. London is a problem for opposing defenses at 6-foot-5 with deep speed, and he had 88 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns last season in only eight games.

 
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14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
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One of the biggest defensive linemen in football, Davis has the potential to singlehandedly stop the run and blew away scouts at the combine. He finished last season with 32 tackles and two sacks while routinely taking on double teams for the Bulldogs.

 
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15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Linebacker seems like a yearly need for Philly, and Lloyd has a chance to fill that need for the long term. The speedy Lloyd was everywhere last season, recording 111 tackles, seven sacks, and four interceptions for the Utes.

 
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16. New Orleans Saints (via Colts): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

New Orleans Saints (via Colts): Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Chris McDill / Icon Sportswire

Left tackle is an obvious need for New Orleans after losing Terron Armstead, and their recent trade-up in the draft gives them a chance to replace him in the first round. Cross could shore up the spot immediately after a strong college career.

 
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17. Los Angeles Chargers: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

Los Angeles Chargers: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

LA was able to re-sign Mike Williams but still has to look at wideout with Keenan Allen getting older. Williams suffered a knee injury in the National Championship but has the elite speed to still be a worthy first-round pick. He averaged nearly 20 yards per catch last season, finishing with 1,572 yards receiving and 15 touchdowns.

 
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18. Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Adam Cairns / USA Today Sports Images

Philly had addressed wideout in the first round over the last two years, but their wealth of picks makes it a possibility again. Olave recorded 65 catches for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns in 11 games last season.

 
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19. New Orleans Saints: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

New Orleans Saints: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

The Saints have a need at corner. McDuffie might fit best as a slot corner at 5-foot-11 but has shown impressive ability at Washington.

 
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20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

Pittsburgh Steelers: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Pittsburgh added Mitchell Trubisky as a placeholder at quarterback, but it's questionable whether they think he's the long-term answer. Ridder was a winner in college, showing solid accuracy and throwing for over 3,300 yards and 30 touchdowns last season.

 
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21. New England Patriots: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

New England Patriots: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images

Dean has elite athleticism and proved a dynamic playmaker in 2021. He finished his final college season with 72 tackles, six sacks, and two picks, showing the upside to help New England's defense immediately.

 
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22. Green Bay Packers (via Raiders): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Green Bay Packers (via Raiders): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

After trading Davante Adams and losing Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency, no team in the NFL needs wideouts more than Green Bay. Burks has some Deebo Samuel upside with incredible ability when the ball is in his hands. He finished last season with 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 12 touchdowns for Arkansas.

 
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23. Arizona Cardinals: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson

Arizona Cardinals: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Cornerback depth was a big problem for the Cardinals last season, and they could still use another developmental player. Booth is a lockdown corner who recorded five picks over the last two seasons.

 
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24. Dallas Cowboys: Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College

Dallas Cowboys:  Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The Cowboys' offensive line has taken a step back in recent seasons and enters the draft with a big need at guard. Johnson is plug-and-play in Dallas.

 
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25. Buffalo Bills: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M

Buffalo Bills: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The Bills entered the offseason prioritizing the offensive line, and it's one of their few remaining big needs. Green could fill the team's need at guard immediately.

 
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26. Tennessee Titans: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan

Tennessee Titans: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
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Raimann has opened some eyes with a transition from tight end to tackle. While he could need more developmental time, Raimann has a chance to help the Titans in 2022.

 
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27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
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The potential losses of Jason Pierre-Paul and Ndamukong Suh create a major need on the edge for Purdue. Karlaftis was a problem for offensive linemen in his three college seasons, recording 14 sacks.

 
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28. Green Bay Packers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

Green Bay Packers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
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The return of David Bakhtiari will really help, but the Packers' offensive line depth was lacking last season. Penning's adding to the right side should help keep Aaron Rodgers upright.

 
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29. Kansas City Chiefs (via 49ers): Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

Kansas City Chiefs (via 49ers): Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Jeffrey Becker / USA Today Sports Images

With the trade of Tyreek Hill and the loss of Byron Pringle, the Chiefs need more wide receiver depth. Dotson showed dynamic ability as a receiver and punt returner for the Nittany Lions, finishing last season with 91 receptions for 1,182 yards and 13 touchdowns.

 
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30. Kansas City Chiefs: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington

Kansas City Chiefs: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

The Chiefs haven't selected a cornerback in the first round since Marcus Peters, another Washington alum. Gordon would help fill the void left by Charvarius Ward immediately.

 
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31. Cincinnati Bengals: David Ojabo, DE, Michigan

Cincinnati Bengals: David Ojabo, DE, Michigan
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Ojabo could effectively be entering a redshirt year after tearing his Achilles at his Pro Day, but it's a luxury the Bengals have with few needs after an aggressive offseason. The edge rusher was a possible top 10 pick before the injury.

 
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32. Detroit Lions (via Rams): Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State

Detroit Lions (via Rams): Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Few teams have a bigger area of need than the Lions at wideout. There are plenty of good options, but the speedy Watson could have the most upside at 6-foot-4 with breakaway speed.

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.

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