Cobi's 2022 NFL Mock Draft 2.0 (2 Rounds)

The NFL season has officially concluded with the Los Angeles Rams defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in a Super Bowl heartbreaker. Congratulations to the city of LA, Rams fans, and Odell Beckham Jr. specifically - yes, I am a Giants fan. There were very few people that would have predicted the Bengals to make the playoffs, let alone the finale, so hats off to them for a phenomenal season as well. This elongated period of time without football is truly a struggle, so look to fulfill that desire of watching the game by any means necessary. One method of doing so, and my personal favorite, is looking to the NFL Draft. Like the Bengals this season, the NFL Draft is one of the only ways that a franchise can turn from a bottom team to a true contender in a short period of time. Minus compensatory selections in the later rounds, we now have the official order that the teams will be selecting in, which means that mock draft season can officially start. This is the second version of my mock draft, but my first official one as my previous mock was written prior to the conclusion of the regular season. To celebrate the new offseason, I decided to include two full rounds in this mock. If you would like to read my full scouting reports for the players I have checked out so far (QBs, RBs, WRs), click here. Let's dive in to the second iteration of my 2022 NFL Mock Draft!

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Evan Neal (Alabama), OT

Evan Neal has become the most popular mock selection at the first pick, and although I would prefer to land a premier pass-rusher in Thibodeaux or Hutchinson, it is hard to argue against the choice. Trevor Lawrence had little chance of success last season playing behind his abysmal offensive lineman, so securing a cornerstone left tackle to protect the future of your franchise makes all the sense in the world.

2. Detroit Lions - Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan), EDGE

The door is open for the Detroit Lions to select their top prospect in this draft if the Jaguars do end up selecting by need and landing Evan Neal. It would be very hard for the Lions to screw up this pick with the talent of Hutchinson and Thibodeaux available. Playing at the University of Michigan, Aidan Hutchinson already has ties with the state, and is widely regarded as the safer of the two prospects.

3. Houston Texans - Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), S

The Texans would have loved to find their franchise quarterback in this draft with Deshaun Watson almost certainly never playing another snap for the team, but this class lacks a quarterback worthy of being selected this high. Disregarding positional value, Kyle Hamilton may very well be the best player in the entirety of this draft. He possesses a remarkable athletic profile, has elite range, and is a tremendous tackler who can play in the box. Landing a chess piece like Kyle Hamilton will immediately bolster any secondary.

4. New York Jets - Ikem Ekwonu (NC State), OT

The New York Jets have a number of positions that they could target at this selection, but Ikem Ekwonu ended up as my mocked choice. Similar to the situation of Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson had almost no chance of success with the offensive line that he played behind. The Jets have invested heavily in their offensive line with first round selections Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker, but the unit still needs to get much stronger. Protect your second overall pick from the previous year and see what he can do.

5. New York Giants - Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon), EDGE

Being the biased Giants fan that I am, I would be ecstatic if they are able to land Kayvon Thibodeaux without needing to move up. Thibodeaux is my top prospect in this class, and him falling out of the top three would have sounded absurd a few months ago, but there are apparently NFL scouts who question his motor. The top prospects that have been under the microscope for years always seem to become over analyzed at this point of the scouting season, so I have no worries about his play. In a recent interview, Kayvon Thibodeaux stated that he thinks the Giants will be the team to select him, so I can only hope.

6. Carolina Panthers - Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh), QB

If the Carolina Panthers aren't infatuated with any of the quarterbacks in this class, then they should look to trade down, but they have been heavily linked to former Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett. After three seasons of mediocre play, Pickett had a rise similar to that of Zach Wilson of the previous year with his phenomenal play as a senior. Pickett is athletic, has a good arm, can diagnose defenses at an NFL game speed, and is accurate to all levels of the field, but is far from a safe prospect. One team will reach for a quarterback, and I think that the Panthers are the easiest choice to do so.

7. New York Giants (via Chicago Bears) - Charles Cross (Mississippi State), OT

The Giants failed to address their offensive line with Thibodeaux falling to their first selection in this mock, so they must add protection for Daniel Jones with their latter choice. Evan Neal and Ikem Ekwonu are long gone, but Mississippi State's Charles Cross is still available. Cross is a terrific athlete that specializes in pass protection - he would immediately join Andrew Thomas as the best lineman on the team.

8. Atlanta Falcons - David Ojabo (Michigan), EDGE

The Atlanta Falcons were the toughest first-round team for me to mock. They have needs all across the board, and are not out of consideration for drafting a quarterback with Matt Ryan severely regressing with age. They recently released Dante Fowler, creating an ever bigger need for edge rushers than they already had. Although I think this is just a little bit early for David Ojabo, he made the most sense to be selected in this spot for me. He is still a little bit raw in his play, but retains all the athletic traits and technical skills that are required in being a stellar NFL pass-rusher.

9. Denver Broncos - Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU), CB

Behind the quarterbacks, the draft stock of Derek Stingley Jr. is one of the more difficult ones to project. Stingley had one of the best freshman seasons that college football has seen from a corner, but his play has regressed since then, which can largely be attributed to effort. That is somewhat understandable as he may have wanted to limit his chance of injury provided he has been a top prospect for years now. Derek Stingley Jr. will be just fine in the NFL, and would create for an elite pairing for the future next to Patrick Surtain II in this scenario.

10. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks) - Sauce Gardner (Cincinnati), CB

The Jets have arguably the worst cornerback talent of any team in the NFL, so they should address that issue with either of the top ten picks that they own. Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner had the best season of any collegiate cornerback last season, and will look to continue that success in New York. Gardner has elite size, athleticism, and fluidity, and held opposing quarterbacks to a 29.3 QBR when targeted in 2021.

11. Washington Commanders - Matt Corral (Ole Miss), QB

Who will take the first snap under center for the newly named Washington Commanders franchise? Tyler Heinicke? A veteran? A rookie? That answer is uncertain as of now, but my guess would be that the team will look to move on from last season's starter. I cannot project the team landing a quarterback in free agency, so selecting one at this spot makes perfect sense. If the Panthers pass on a quarterback and no team trades up, then this could be the spot where the first one is selected, but with Pickett already gone, Matt Corral is the choice. There are some reported concerns over the offensive scheme that he played in at Ole Miss, but he has immense arm talent and possesses the athleticism necessary to be a dual-threat player.

12. Minnesota Vikings - George Karlaftis (Purdue), EDGE

The Minnesota Vikings are lacking much of a presence across their defensive line aside from Danielle Hunter, and this class is filled with talent at the edge position. George Karlaftis is a big and powerful player that excels at getting after the quarterback while still having an impact againstthe run. He can play most positions on the defensive front, and should start immediately.

13. Cleveland Browns - Treylon Burks (Arkansas), WR

With the departure of OBJ, the Browns drastically need to add a playmaker to their receiving core to pair with Jarvis Landry. Luckily for them in this scenario, they have their choice of whatever receiver is on the top of their draft board. Popularly mocked as the first receiver to be taken, Treylon Burks offers a similar skillset to that of AJ Brown, and will become a threat for Baker Mayfield on day one.

14. Baltimore Ravens - Jordan Davis (Georgia), IDL

The Ravens have the luxury of drafting the best player available with the deep roster that they have. At this point in the draft, Jordan Davis is that player for me, while also fulfilling a need for the team. Davis is a mammoth on the interior of the defensive line that can overpower just about anyone that he faces. Pairing Brandon Williams and him on the interior will create for an antagonizing anchor across the middle of the defense.

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

The Philadelphia Eagles have three selections in the middle of the first-round, with this being the first of their choices in which they acquired from the Dolphins. There are a number of different areas that they could look to address, but I would find it very difficult to pass on Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd if he fails to this point. Lloyd is a terrific athlete with sideline-to-sideline roaming range - something that the Eagles are severely lacking.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis Colts) - Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa), C

With the latter pick of their back-to-back selections, the Eagles select Tyler Linderbaum. Jason Kelce has yet to confirm whether he will be retiring or sticking around for another season, but either way, he won't be there for the long haul. As soon as he decides to step away, Linderbaum will take his place and has the potential to have the same impact and longevity that Kelce provided for Philadelphia.

17. Los Angeles Chargers - Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa), OT

From watching the Chargers last season, it is pretty obvious that the positional groups they need to target in this draft are their offensive and defensive lines. Herbert constantly faced pressure from his right side, and I think that I would have been able to rush for 100 yards on that defense. Although I think defensive line is a slightly bigger need, it is a deep edge class, and Trevor Penning is a great talent who shined at the Senior Bowl.

18. New Orleans Saints - Jameson Williams (Alabama), WR

The Saints are very much in consideration to select a quarterback at this spot, but they decide to ride with Jameis Winston for another year and boost their receiving room in this mock. Michael Thomas is the only true receiving threat on the roster, and Jameson Williams has managed to slide this far. Jameson Williams would be an excellent compliment to Michael Thomas that can help take the top off the defense.

19. Philadelphia Eagles - Garrett Wilson (Ohio State), WR

Following the Saints, the Eagles carry on the start of the trend of receivers being taken in the back half of the first. It was very difficult to not address the secondary with any of the Eagles three picks, but that is the way that the draft fell. Garrett Wilson is an athletic freak with sure hands that would create one of the best young receiving duos in the league next to DeVonta Smith.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Malik Willis (Liberty), QB

Similar to the Commanders, I am almost certain that the Steelers will opt to sign a veteran quarterback or select one in the first round of this draft. Malik Willis is still very raw as a prospect, but he has the highest upside of any quarterback in this class with his unusual combination of an elite arm and athleticism. Mike Tomlin will love having a quarterback that defenses need to account for on the ground after having the immobile Big Ben for his duration as coach.

21. New England Patriots - Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson), CB

The Patriots don't have any massive positional needs on their roster, but with JC Jackson not seeing a contract extension just yet, I opted to find his replacement. Andrew Booth is a well-rounded cornerback prospect who has good athleticism, physicality, and ball skills. Bill Belichick would love to get his hands on a corner with shutdown potential.

22. Las Vegas Raiders - Chris Olave (Ohio State), WR

The Raiders could go numerous routes with their selection, but with the tragic situation that Henry Ruggs created, they need a field stretching receiver to pair with Hunter Renfrow. Chris Olave is the most polished receiver in this class, which is evident with his silky smooth route running ability. He isn't the biggest or most athletic receiver, but he excels at the most important aspect of playing receiver - getting open.

23. Arizona Cardinals - Trent McDuffie (Washington), CB

The Cardinals started the season as the number one seed with an undefeated 7-0 start, but collapsed and ended up losing in the Wild Card round to the team that ultimately won the Super Bowl, the Rams. The Cardinals and Kyler Murray are currently in an awkward situation, so it will be interesting to see how that pans out. Nonetheless, the Cardinals two biggest needs are on their defensive line and cornerback room, so they address one of those here. Trent McDuffie is the pick and creates a Washington University secondary trio next to Budda Baker and Byron Murphy.

24. Dallas Cowboys - Travon Walker (Georgia), EDGE

Although the Cowboys defense considerably improved during their 2021 campaign, I think they overachieved for the roster they have, and still have some holes that need to be fulfilled. The two main spots I think they should target are the defensive line and safety positions. Travon Walker is one of the best players available, and offers size, power, and athleticism opposite of DeMarcus Lawrence.

25. Buffalo Bills - Kenyon Green (Texas A&M), IOL

In my opinion, the Buffalo Bills have the most complete roster in the NFL, so they can afford to select best player available if that is the route that they wish to take. Luckily for them, I think the best player available also aligns with their biggest need - the interior of their offensive line. Kenyon Green should end up going higher than this, but would be a slam dunk pick for the Bills.

26. Tennessee Titans - Nakobe Dean (Georgia), LB

Although the Titans were the first seed in the AFC last season, they still have numerous different positional groups that they need to address in the off-season. Linebacker is perhaps the biggest of these needs, and Nakobe Dean may very well be the best player available at this spot. Dean could end up going much higher than this with his combination of stellar athleticism and high football IQ.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jahan Dotson (Penn State), WR

Tom Brady and Antonio Brown are out of the league, and Chris Godwin is set to be a free agent, so there looks to be a new era coming in Tampa Bay. The team could select a quarterback here, but I think they are slightly more inclined to sign a veteran and draft receiver at this spot. Jahan Dotson, another Penn State product, offers a similar skillset to Chris Godwin with his quickness and sure hands, and can immediately take over his vacant role.

28. Green Bay Packers - Jermaine Johnson (Florida State), EDGE

Much like the Buccaneers, the Packers might be seeing a change of scenery with the future of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams questionable. Due to that situation, the Packers are a true question mark team at this point of time, so mocking for them is difficult. If there is one thing for certain, it's that you can't have enough pass-rushers on your roster, and Jermaine Johnson could go significantly higher than here.

29. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco 49ers) - Bernhard Raimann (Central Michigan), OT

The Miami Dolphins don't have many glaring needs on their roster, but also don't have a plethora of elite talent. Although they have spent a lot of capital to address their offensive line in recent years, they still have struggled as a unit, and could use a lot more help. Bernhard Raimann has one of the most fascinating transformation stories of any player in the draft, and brings endless potential as a tackle.

30. Kansas City Chiefs - Roger McCreary (Auburn), CB

Although the Chiefs defense stepped up later in the season, there is no question that they are still the weaker of the two units. I don't think any defensive position is out of question at this pick, so finding the best player that fits their scheme should be the mindset. Although Snead has been a steal, their defense is lacking a true CB1, and Roger McCreary has potential to be just that. He isn't as physical as the other top corners in the class, but he is an exceptional athlete that excels at mirroring receiver movement.

31. Cincinnati Bengals - Daniel Faalele (Minnesota), OT

I will keep this analysis short and sweet - the Bengals need to draft offensive line. Forget best player available completely, they need to protect Joe Burrow, and they need to do it now. Joe Burrow was under pressure all of playoffs, and would have had a legitimate shot at taking home the trophy if he had time to navigate the pocket. Daniel Faalele might be a slight reach at this point, but he brings unheard of size to the position at 6'9, 380 pounds.

32. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams) - Drake London (USC), WR

This is probably the only time that the Detroit Lions will ever pick last, so fans should just imagine that they won the Super Bowl. After scoring a premier pass-rusher with the second overall pick in this draft, the Lions should target quarterback, receiver, or a secondary player with this selection. Drake London is a physical receiver who brings tremendous size and contested catch ability - Mike Evans is a great comparison for him. USC studs Amon-Ra St. Brown and Drake London are united again, and would be an excellent pairing for a long time in Detroit.

Round 2:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M), IDL

2. Detroit Lions - Sam Howell (North Carolina), QB

3. New York Jets - Jaquan Brisker (Penn State), S

4. New York Giants - Zion Johnson (Boston College), IOL

5. Houston Texans - Cameron Thomas (San Diego State), EDGE

6. New York Jets (via Carolina Panthers) - Logan Hall (Houston), EDGE

7. Chicago Bears - Nicholas Petit-Frere (Ohio State), OT

8. Denver Broncos - Chad Muma (Wyoming), LB

9. Seattle Seahawks - Drake Jackson (USC), EDGE

10. Washington Commanders - Kaiir Elam (Florida), CB

11. Atlanta Falcons - David Bell (Purdue), WR

12. Cleveland Browns - Devonte Wyatt (Georgia), IDL

13. Baltimore Ravens - Kyler Gordon (Washington), CB

14. Minnesota Vikings - Daxton Hill (Michigan), S

15. Indianapolis Colts - Myjai Sanders (Cincinnati), EDGE

16. Los Angeles Chargers - Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma), IDL

17. New Orleans Saints - Carson Strong (Nevada), QB

18. Miami Dolphins - Kenneth Walker III (Michigan State), RB

19. Philadelphia Eagles - Lewis Cine (Georgia), S

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - Sean Rhyan (UCLA), IOL

21. Las Vegas Raiders - Darian Kinnard (Kentucky), IOL

22. New England Patriots - George Pickens (Georgia), WR

23. Arizona Cardinals - Josh Paschal (Kentucky), EDGE

24. Dallas Cowboys - Travis Jones (UConn), IDL

25. Buffalo Bills - Kingsley Enagbare (South Carolina), EDGE

26. Atlanta Falcons (via Tennessee Titans) - Isaiah Spiller (Texas A&M), RB

27. Green Bay Packers - John Metchie III (Alabama), WR

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati), QB

30. Kansas City Chiefs - Christian Harris (Alabama), LB

31. Cincinnati Bengals - Tyler Smith (Tulsa), IOL

32. Denver Broncos (via Los Angeles Rams) - Boye Mafe (Minnesota), EDGE

Cover Picture Attribution: "Oregon DL Kayvon Thibodeaux (GoDucks.com)" by Whole Flock of Ducks is in the Public Domain