Last update: Thursday, April 28, 2022 (4:30 p.m. ET). Final version.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
*** 2022 NFL MOCK DRAFT updated April 28. This mock draft will be updated occasionally. Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. ***
Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia 
The Jaguars’ biggest need isn’t edge rusher, but I don’t know how they can pass up on the best prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. I believed that to be Kayvon Thibodeaux much earlier in the draft process, but as Charlie Campbell wrote in the NFL Hot Press, Jacksonville prefers Aidan Hutchinson and Travon Walker at the moment. The Jaguars feel Hutchinson is safer, but Walker has more upside. I believe they’ll choose the upside, but Hutchinson is definitely still a possibility.
Walker got off to a hot start during the 2021 season. Walker has great size and athleticism, and he was one of the top performers at the combine.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Aidan Hutchinson, DE – Once again, the Jaguars believe Hutchinson is safer, but Walker has more upside.
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Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan 
I’ve slotted Drake London here since the combine, and he was in the lead for the No. 2 pick. Then, Travon Walker became the favorite. Now, there’s a chance Walker may not even be here, given that Jacksonville believes he has more upside than Aidan Hutchinson. If Walker is off the board, it sounds like Hutchinson will be the choice.
Hutchinson has excellent potential, but we didn’t get to see it very much last year because he suffered an ankle injury.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Travon Walker, DE – The Lions will likely pick the edge rusher the Jaguars don’t take.
By the way, I was on the Ira on Sports show discussing the 2022 NFL Draft. Here’s the audio:
Houston Texans: Ikem Ekwonu, OT/G, N.C. State 
I had Kayvon Thibodeaux listed here three days ago, but it doesn’t sound like the Texans want to deal with his drama. I believe this pick will come down to one of the top tackles and Derek Stingley. Given that the Texans might get a corner with their second opening-round choice – they could move up a bit for Stingley, potentially, or just draft Trent McDuffie – I think this selection will be used on a tackle. If I’m correct, I believe Ikem Ekwonu or Evan Neal will be the selection. Neal could be the favorite if Houston clears him medically, but I’m going with Ekwonu.
Ikem Ekwonu has gotten rave reviews from talent evaluators. Some projected him as a late-first-round pick to start the 2021 season, but he has made major strides and is now a potential top-five choice. He could go third to Houston.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Evan Neal, OT – The other tackle choice. I wonder if Houston has cleared Neal medically.
2. Derek Stingley, CB – Houston has some major problems at cornerback.
New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati 
The Jets have so many needs that it would be redundant and obvious to say that they must address [insert position here]. Cornerback has been a huge issue for quite some time, and the Jets may view Ahmad Gardner to be the best player available at No. 4.
Gardner is a 6-foot-2 cornerback with great length, and he enjoyed a terrific combine.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE/OLB – Edge rusher has been a huge hole for the Jets as well.
2. Evan Neal/Ikem Ekwonu, OT – I don’t think a tackle could be dismissed here, but I think it’s more likely the Jets select an edge rusher or a cornerback.
New York Giants: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU 
The Giants have an excellent secondary, but that won’t be the case once they trade James Bradberry, which seems inevitable right now. Once Bradberry is gone, the Giants will sorely need a No. 1 cornerback.
Derek Stingley had a freshman campaign for the ages, completely erasing one side of the field despite having no experience entering the year. He has great size (6-1, 190) and athleticism, but could fall in the 2022 NFL Draft because of some major injury concerns.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Evan Neal/Charles Cross, OT – Charlie Campbell reported the Giants are targeting a tackle at No. 5 or 7. Tackle will be the pick if both corners are off the board.
Carolina Panthers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State 
Matt Rhule believes he’s the Jay-Z of NFL head coaches, but he’s more Silkk the Shocker than Jay-Z at the moment. For Rhule to truly be Jay-Z, he needs his Beyonce, but he doesn’t have a better quarterback option than Sam Darnold, who is basically Rebecca Black. The Panthers whiffed on all the quarterbacks they could’ve obtained via trade, so they could use this selection on a signal-caller, given that this is the only pick the team has in the top 100.
However, it’s sounding like the Panthers will use this pick on a tackle. Carolina doesn’t have second- and third-round picks, but it could use the ones it has in 2023 to obtain someone like Matt Corral. If so, the Panthers can take one of the top three tackles.
Charles Cross has great feet as a former five-star recruit. Charlie Campbell reported that Cross has impressed team evaluators this season.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Ikem Ekwonu/Evan Neal, OT – I now believe Carolina is going tackle…
2. Malik Willis, QB – However, quarterback is still a possibility.
Pick change; previously Evan Neal, OT/G New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT/G, Alabama 
Andrew Thomas struggled to begin his career. He has improved, but right tackle is a big problem because Nate Solder is a shell of his former self. It sounds like this pick will come down to Evan Neal versus Charles Cross.
Evan Neal is a 360-pound lineman who can move very well, which almost seems impossible. There are some injury question marks, however.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Kayvon Thibodeaux/Jermaine Johnson, DE – If the top two cornerbacks are off the board, the Giants could trade down. If they don’t, they may address their poor edge-rushing situation.
Pick change; previously Charles Cross, OT
Atlanta Falcons: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE/OLB, Oregon 
The Falcons could opt to take a quarterback with this pick. If they like either Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett, they should. If not, they should tank for next April (I have three quarterbacks in the top three picks in my 2023 NFL Mock Draft.) Regardless, the Falcons will otherwise pick the best player available between edge rusher, cornerback, offensive lineman and wide receiver. In this case, Kayvon Thibodeaux would be a no-brainer.
Thibodeaux terrorized Pac-12 backfields with his great pass-rushing ability. There’s some question now about his passion for football, but this might be FUD spread by other teams who want Thibodeaux to fall to them.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Evan Neal/Ikem Ekwonu/Charles Cross, OT – All three tackle prospects make sense for the Falcons.
2. Jermaine Johnson, DE – Atlanta has lacked a potent edge rush for a very long time.
Seattle Seahawks: Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State 
Prior to free agency, Pete Carroll discussed that finding edge-rushing help would be essential for the team this offseason. Yet, all the Seahawks have done in that regard is obtain Uchenna Nwosu. That’s not nearly enough to combat Matthew Stafford, Kyler Murray and Trey Lance. I believe the Seahawks will target a dynamic edge rusher with this pick unless someone unexpected drops to them.
Jermaine Johnson, who left Georgia for Florida State, has good speed off the edge.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Derek Stingley, CB – Stingley seems like the perfect prospect for the Seahawks, but he may not be available.
2. Trevor Penning, OT – Rob Staton of SeahawksDraftBlog.com did a great breakdown of why Seattle could be interested in Penning at No. 9 overall.
New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State 
I didn’t think the Jets needed a receiver very much, but Joe Douglas disagrees because he offered this pick to the Seahawks for D.K. Metcalf. Obviously, receiver will be considered at this spot if Douglas loves someone at the position. He needs to give Zach Wilson as much help as possible, after all.
Garrett Wilson has ridiculous run-after-the-catch ability.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jameson Williams, WR – Another receiver who could be the pick.
2. Jermaine Johnson, DE – If the Jets eschew an edge rusher at No. 4, Johnson would be a great choice at this spot.
Washington Redskins: Kyle Hamilton, S/LB, Notre Dame 
I had Kyle Hamilton going here for a while, then switched to a receiver for a while. I’m moving back to Hamilton for the final mock. Washington’s secondary was a total disaster last year, and the Ron Rivera-Jack Del Rio defense needs a valuable piece that Hamilton can fill perfectly.
The very physically gifted Hamilton showed lots of promise in his freshman year. However, teams question if he’ll play safety or linebacker in the NFL. As it so happens, the Vikings need help at both positions.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Drake London, WR – It sounds like London is the preferred receiver if the Redskins go in that direction.
2. Chris Olave/Jameson Williams, WR – Here are the other receivers in play at No. 11.
Minnesota Vikings: Drake London, WR, USC 
A receiver doesn’t seem like a logical need, but Adam Thielen turns 32 in August, so his days are numbered. Minnesota will need a new target to pair with Justin Jefferson for the long haul. Besides, if the Vikings believe a wideout is the best player available, they’ll go in that direction, much like the Bengals did last year when they chose Ja’Marr Chase despite already rostering Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
Drake London has mismatch size, and he could be the first receiver off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has drawn comparisons to Mike Evans.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Kyle Hamilton, S – My pick if Hamilton gets by the Redskins.
2. Trent McDuffie, CB – The Vikings could trade down and select McDuffie.
Houston Texans: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington 
I think there’s a good chance the Texans trade down from 13. They have so many needs, and there are plenty of teams that will want to move up into this range. I could see Houston moving down to anywhere between 15 and 22. If so, Trent McDuffie would be a logical target following a deal. I’ve heard through second-hand sources that the Texans like McDuffie, so he would be a logical target if the Texans were to pick a tackle at No. 3.
Trent McDuffie isn’t six feet (5-11), but he has great cover skills.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jameson Williams/Drake London/Chris Olave, WR – Receiving options for the Texans if they don’t trade down.
2. Derek Stingley, CB – The Texans will try to trade up for Stingley, but I don’t think it’ll work.
Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia I’m torn between slotting Jordan Davis at 14 and 15. I think there’s a chance the Eagles jump over Baltimore to select Davis. If they don’t – or move up for a receiver – Davis is likely to be chosen at this spot, as Baltimore needs to get much younger on the defensive line.
Jordan Davis was a monster in the 2021 season debut against Clemson. He has continued to dominate this year, and he continued to improve his draft stock with a 4.78 40 time at the combine.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Trevor Penning, OT – The Ravens have declined since Lamar Jackson’s second season because of offensive line issues. Marshal Yanda retired, while Ronnie Stanley hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
2. George Karlaftis, DE – Karlaftis seems like the type of prospect the Ravens love. Baltimore needs edge-rushing help.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama The Eagles ran more than any other team in the league last year. This was not by initial design. Philadelphia wanted to air out the ball, but Jalen Hurts had just one viable receiver. I think Howie Roseman knows that he needs that to change. If so, Eagles fans will be hoping that Roseman doesn’t select a second-round receiver prospect over the chalk option again.
Jameson Williams is a tall (6-2), electric play-maker with great burst. He hurt his knee in the national championship, but could play in 2022 at some point.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Kyle Hamilton, S – The Eagles have a big hole at safety, and Hamilton is a great value if he gets by Washington and Minnesota.
2. Jordan Davis, DT – As mentioned in the Baltimore write-up, the Eagles could trade up for Davis.
New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State The Saints obtained this pick from the Eagles (check out my NFL Trade Grades for more). Their two biggest needs, aside from quarterback, are wide receiver and left tackle. They can address both at Nos. 16 and 19.
Chris Olave has a good mix of size (6-1, 185) and speed. He became a big play-maker at the end of 2019.
*** OTHER 2022 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jameson Williams/Drake London, WR – The Saints have nothing at receiver outside of Michael Thomas.
2. Kyle Hamilton, S – The Saints may trade up a few spots for Hamilton.
Go to 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32
Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.
