Welcome to Action on Fourth’s second annual 2022 NFL Mock Draft. We had a stellar mock draft last year and are hoping for the same this year. Less quarterbacks this year but should still be very intersting, and make sure you read to the end for our favorite prop bets.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
If this was anyone else up with the first pick in the NFL pick the answer would be Aidan Hutchinson but it is not, it’s the Jags. The Jags GM is Trent Baalke and there are reports that he wants Walker for more reason than just his potential. Baalke and Jim Harbaugh have ongoing beef that is still lasting which causes this pick to happen. Anyways, Walker is an athlete freak with crazy potential. He was insane at the combine running a 4.51 as 5-5, 275 lbs defensive end but his production in college scares me. He registered only 6 sacks last year for Georgia with that already insane defensive line and only has 9.5 sacks in his entire career. Nonetheless, I think Jacksonville gets the guy that they see has the most potential in the draft.
- Detroit Lions: Aiden Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Hutchinson gets to stay home in Michigan and becomes part of the culture of Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions. Hutchinson is a beast and the most NFL ready edge rusher in the draft who can start day 1. He is a guy the Lions would love to build around to help reshape their terrible defense.
- Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
There have been rumors circling around that Thibodeaux that he has some character concerns. But the same thing was said about Micah Parsons last year and he proved everyone wrong. I think new head coach, Lovie Smith, will stick with what he knows best and get a defensive player to help out what is right now a terrible defensive line. Thibodeaux has been the consensus first overall pick for about a year and a half until this offseason, so I think Texans get an absolute steal at pick number three.
- New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner, DB, Cincinnati
This is the part of the draft where not a soul starts to know what could happen here. With a division that makes you face receivers such as Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, Jaylon Waddle, and many more, I think it time the Jets get their number 1 cornerback. Gardner was a beast in college by not letting a single touchdown in his entire career at Cincinnati. I believe the Jets get their cornerback #1 of the future here with this pick, especially because of defensive minded head coach Robert Saleh.
- New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
There is one thing that is for sure and it’s that the Giants will take a lineman here. The question is which one. I believe Evan Neal is the best lineman in his draft with his huge 6’8, 335lb frame and because of his insane production in college. It seems the Giants are running the table with Daniel Jones for one more season so I think they will surround him with as much talent as they can.
- Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina
I was really thinking the Panthers would reach for the quarterback here, but if Ekwonu falls to them at 6, I think they pull the trigger. Panthers are in deep need of an offensive tackle and Ekwonu can fill that huge need. He is a beast in the run game which will help keep Christian McCaffrey on the field.
- New York Giants: Derek Stingley Jr., DB, LSU
The Giants actually have a very solid defense, but I believe since they went offense with their first pick, they will lean to take a defensive player with their second top-10 pick. Stingley was the #1 cornerback out in the country coming out of high school, but injuries plagued what could have been an amazing collegiate career. He is an unbelievable athlete who can become a top 10 corner in the league.
- Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The Falcons absolutely need a wide receiver, but I feel they have so many holes on their roster that they will lean to take the best player available. Hamilton has been considered the top overall player in this draft for a while, but the positional value of a safety and his average combine results will lead him to drop to Atlanta.
- *TRADE* Pittsburg Steelers (via Seattle Seahawks): Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
It’s really hard to imagine that a quarterback will not be selected in the top 10. With Willis still on the board, I see Pittsburg wanting to take a guy with his traits. Willis is a fantastic athlete that some scouts have said he runs like Lamar Jackson and throws like Josh Allen. Pittsburg need to get a future franchise QB, so I imagine they trade up to take a guy who can fill that role. This also makes sense for Seattle since they are in a rebuild and need more picks.
(Predicted trade- Seattle receives: 20th overall pick, 84th overall pick, 2023 1st round pick; Pittsburg Steelers receive: 9th overall pick, 229 overall pick)
10.) New York Jets: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Zach Wilson needs a true number 1 receive and Williams has the potential to become that guy. Corey Davis is a solid player, but he is not a guy you can rely on down the stretch because of injury and average production. We have seen wide receiver make an instant impact in the NFL so the Jets will hope they hit on guy with the traits Williams has.
11.) Washington Commanders: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Washington needs a second-wide receiver so I can see them hoping they hit on another Ohio State wide out. Wilson lead a very great receiving room at Ohio State which has made him a hot commodity in this year’s draft. Washington has made a move to get Carson Wentz who has shown he has his ups and down so I think it will be smart to give him all the help he needs.
- Minnesota Vikings: Trent McDuffie, DB, Washington
With the Vikings close to compete in the NFC North, I see them reaching a tiny bit for a cornerback that can help stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. McDuffie will instantly upgrade their cornerback room and help the Vikings defense out.
- Houston Texans: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Houston becomes incredibly lucky with taking a guy like Cross at 13. He is a great pass blocker who possess great athleticism but needs a little work in the run game department. With the Texans trying their luck with Davis Mills, I imagine they get him some protection too.
- Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Ravens love to take players who play defense line and are great run stoppers. Davis is one of the best athletes in this draft and he is 6’5, 341lbs. I can see Davis become one of the best run stoppers in the whole NFL due to his speed, strength, and size. If Davis falls to Ravens at 14, there is no way they pass on him.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
With two first rounder pick and the top receiver off the board, the Eagles will look to help out their defensive line with Johnson II. Johnson II is a very power edge rusher who had a very respectable colligate career with posting 11.5 sacks in 12 games. Eagles get a very good pass here due to concerns of his age (23) and only being a one-year starter.
- New Orleans Saints: Trevon Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Saints just lost their left tackle Terron Armstead in free agency so they will look to find a replacement and Penning would be perfect. He is a 6’7, 325 monster who is also a freak of an athlete. Saints will look to take a chance on a guy like Penning to be their brick wall of the future.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Drake London, WR, USC
The Chargers went all in on defense this offseason with a trade to get Kahlil Mack and the signing of J.C. Jackson. I think it’s time the Chargers give some more help to Justin Herbert to make the offense even better. London is a huge (6’4, 219) wide receiver who has a great catch radius. London played a lot of slot receiver in college so it would make for a great wide receiver lineup to have him in the slot and Keenan Allen and Mike Williams on the outside.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Olave
This will be the 3rd year in a row that the Eagles have taken a wide receiver in the first round, but I think they need to. Olave could become the best wide receiver in this class because of his deep threat ability and run after catch ability. Lineup Olave next to DeVonta Smith and that will cause some issues for opposing teams secondary.
- New Orleans Saints: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburg
It seems to me that the Saints do not trust Winston as the QB of the future and if a QB like Pickett falls to them, they will not hesitate to pull the trigger. Pickett had an unbelievable 2022 college season which shot him up the draft boards. He is a late bloomer and there are concerns about his hand size, but you can’t argue stats, he is a baller.
- *Trade* Seattle Seahawks (via Pittsburg Steelers): George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Seahawks need help on both sides of the ball so I think they will go best player available here. George Karlaftis will help start their rebuild in giving them a powerful defensive end that is an incredible athlete. He is a guy you can plug in right away and can make a difference, especially with run stopping.
- New England Patriots: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Patriots do not have a very good linebacking room so picking Lloyd makes sense because he is very versatile. He is an athlete who has inane instincts in both the run and pass game. If there is on guy who can help Lloyd reach his full potential, it is Bill Belichick.
- Green Bay Packers: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Packers are in desperate need for a wide receiver due to the trade of Devante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. Burks is a great deep threat and run-after-catch ability is off the charts. Aaron Rodgers will be happy to get a target likes Burks.
- Arizona Cardinals: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Arizona needs a center and if Linderbaum falls, they will snag him in a heartbeat. Linderbaum is a very powerful center that can help in the run game and the pass game. With the top wide receivers off the board, Cardinals will look to still help Kyler Murray and take his center for the future.
- Dallas Cowboys: Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
Dallas looks to fix their offensive line and will take Johnson to play interior line. He is a very versatile player due to his size and athleticism. Cowboys will look to help their run game out a bit with Johnson.
- Buffalo Bills: Breece Hall, HB, Iowa State
Buffalo does not have many holes to fill, but there has been an issue with the run game for quite a while. I do not think Devin Singletary and Zack Moss is a legitimate due so the Bills will reach for a running back that is an absolute monster. Hall is a powerful back with the ability to make players miss. He has the skills to be the day one start and fix Buffalo’s run game.
- Tennessee Titans: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M
The Titans offense is centered around their running game so bringing in Green can help with their schemes. He is another versatile guard who can play other positions on the line if needs. He is powerful and his best part of his game is his run blocking, so this seems like a match made in heaven.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
The Bucs are in win now mode so they will look to take someone to reinforce the defense line next to Vita Vea. He would be perfect to plug into Todd Bowles defense scheme. He is an older rookie at 24 but he will still make an immediate impact for the Bucs.
- Green Bay Packers: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Packers already got their offense a receiver so now it’s time to help the defense out. They need a rotational defensive back and Cine would be a perfect fit because he can play multiple positions in the secondary. This pick will help the Packer’s defense make the next step.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Kansas City is yet another team in desperate need for a wide receiver because of their trade of Tyreek Hill. Dotson will help their receiving room by bring his great speed and his amazing pass catch ability.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
Kansas City also needs help with their defense, and I see Hill can help with their secondary. He can play both safety and cornerback which makes him a rare player to find.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Kaiir Elam, CB, Flordia
Bengals have a decent cornerback room as it is but Elam will help bring it up to all-star level. Elam is a physical corner and could help make another Super Bowl push right away.
- Detroit Lions: Matt Coral, QB, Ole Miss
With another pick at #34, I think the Lions will take a chance on a quarterback due mostly to the criticism Dan Campbell had with Jared Goff all year. Corral is great at reading defenses and running RPOs so I can see Lions taking a chance on a raw prospect to be their QB of the future.
Three Favorite Prop Bets
– Over .5 Running Backs Drafted in the 1st Round +150
– Under .5 Tight Ends Drafted in the 1st Round -700
Worth laying the juice here as no one is even in consideration
– Breece Hall to be Drafted before Arnold Ebiketie +110
Bullish Hall here and also don’t think Ebiketie will crack the first round