The Jacksonville Jaguars are natural, but they are not the most interesting team in this draft. There are an incredible eight teams with two first-round picks – a record to break on April 28 – including Super Bowl contenders such as the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. There are many ways in which Round 1 could go, especially with the questions (and concerns) surrounding the generals category. Let’s get into my annual two-round virtual draft, showing options 1-64. I have four generals and 12 wide receivers here, plus four defenders in the top seven picks. I have interesting landing points for aggressive tackles. And I have an exchange for a team that goes back to Round 1 to get a critical need – and jumping to another franchise that needs that position. I view these 64 selections based on a combination of my up-to-date ranking, team needs and what I hear from executives, scouts and coaches in the league. For the second round, in particular, so much could change from now on and when the teams are on the clock, so I use my Big Board as a guide to value. If you want to go deeper than the first two rounds, take a look at Jordan Reid’s seven-round mockery. And you can watch the one-hour SportsCenter Special on Wednesday analyze these options at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN +. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan You really do not need to think too much about things here. Hutchinson is the top contender in this category – a rush who could fire an average of 12 layoffs a year for a decade – and plays a leading position. He could play as a stationary outside defensive line or as a “ground space” for the Jaguars, meeting the generals in the backcourt with 2019 champion Josh Allen. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati May I be interested in a 6 foot long arm angle and 4.41 40 yards of speed that did not allow a single touchdown to cover in college? This is Gardner. The Lions have several needs and would probably jump on Aidan Hutchinson if he somehow fell here. But if they pick Gardner and get something from Jeff Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 draft who has played just 10 games in two seasons, they could have a much improved side. 2 About Travon Walker, DE, Georgia I do not think anyone outside the organization really knows what the Texans will do in Round 1. For this joke, I’m trying to think long term with Houston, who just needs to add a little talent. Walker is a bit risky in the top 10. The NFL teams are betting that his natural tools will win his degraded college output (9.5 layoffs in three seasons). The coaches want to try to maximize it. There is a lot of noise for Walker going early. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon I do not buy Thibodeaux drops. He is perhaps the most talented candidate in this category. The Jets need to add some juice to their passage, and that’s the point. Is it also possible to get a receiver here – Drake London or Garrett Wilson? – because their top can be off the board when they get No. 10. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State If the board is shaken in this way, the Giants should be excited to choose from the top two attacking tackles. I have Ekwonu a little more than Evan Neal, but it’s hard to go wrong with one of the two – they are my No. 2 and No. 3 prospects in this category. Ekwonu answered every question about his ability to protect passes last season. If left-leaning Andrew Thomas continues to improve, these two could be one of the best bookend couples in the NFL. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty Doesn’t Carolina coach Matt Rhule need to swing in a quarter here? The Panthers have no second or third round options. Rhule will be in the warm seat this season and this is his chance to buy some time with a high-ceilinged novice calling the brand. Willis is going to make some mistakes, but it will be fun to watch him. He can nail a perfectly deep ball to Robby Anderson and then throw a pick in the red belt in the next game. But he will continue to improve over time, and Carolina has some talent positioning skills to help him. Jermaine Johnson II, DE, State of Florida The Giants can take their tackle to No. 5 and then focus on their defense, which allowed 4.7 yards per game last season (31st place in the NFL). Johnson had 12 layoffs last season and was one of the most impressive prospects in the Senior Bowl in January. He already has some veteran pass-rush moves and can be an instant key. He also played a lot of outside defenders for the Seminoles, so he has some flexibility in Wink Martindale defense. And if you watch, it makes four rush to the top of the seven options. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio I will stay in this prediction because … who will Marcus Marriotta throw next season? Falcons simply do not have boot receivers. Wilson can run any route and beat the defenders after the capture. He could be the early favorite for rookie of the year if he got here – he would have many goals. Atlanta will probably be watching the attackers closely, but there is no value at this point on my board. I am playing 1:45 Take a look back at Garrett Wilson’s college career and why he’s starring in WR. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama This is another team that comes up with an ideal scenario. Veteran Duane Brown’s left tackle is still unsigned, so Neal could start from Day 1. It makes a lot of sense. I do not think Drew Locke will be Seattle’s answer in the long run, but Neil could be solid on the left for years to come. Drake London, WR, USC If the Jets can do it – a top-ranked receiver here and a high-profile rush No. 4 – shouldn’t they be considered one of the most improved off-season teams? I like what they have done and they did not have to break the money. Of course, this does not mean that they will still be AFC East contenders. London is a 6-foot goal that will dominate the red belt and bring down 50-50 balls to boost Zach Wilson’s completion rate. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame Hamilton was a bit boring due to his time at 40, which was 4.59 in the combination and a little slower in his professional day. He is a fantastic player, but he does not have rare natural tools, which means he could fall out of the top 10. I would like him in my team. At 6-foot-4, he could play many positions, from center-back to back-line. He would play for a Washington defense that disappointed in 2021. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU This fits well on both sides. The Vikings could take a corner with an elite, All-Pro roof and close a hole, while Stingley could join a team with some other former LSU stars (Justin Jefferson, Danielle Hunter, Patrick Peterson). The concern for Stingley is that his best cassette is from 2019, when he starred as a true freshman. Can he get back in shape in the NFL – and stay healthy? This is a risk that teams should consider. Nevertheless, I feel better making this bet at No. 12 than if I choose in the top five. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi I’ll stay on my board here, and since all 11 of my candidates have been selected (plus Malik Willis), I’ll move on to No. 12. Cross is a great passer who needs a little improvement in the running game – just because he did not have the repetitions to do so while playing for Mike Leach. After all, if the Texans are going to give Davis Mills the 2022 season to prove he’s the guy in the fourth, Mills needs a better right tackle. That could be Cross. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington The Ravens could go in many directions here, including the attacking tackle (will Ronnie Stanley be the same again?) And the defensive winger (Calais Campbell is back, but he is 35 years old). When I look at this depth chart, though, I see angle depth as an issue. McDuffie has the flexibility to play outside and inside the reception, and will also wrap and knock down ball players in the run game. He is physical. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio After last week’s deal with the Saints, the Eagles now have one less than the first round, but you have to think about getting a receiver with one of them, right? If they are committed to using 2022 as the evaluation year for Jalen Hurts, the best way they can evaluate it is to give it the tools to succeed. Olave had seven touchdowns outside the slot last season, but he can move out, and use his speed of 4.39 40 to open. Hertz would love to throw in him and Devon’s Smith, with Dallas Gendert working in the middle of the pitch. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa Speaking of the Saints, I find it hard to believe that the trade with the Eagles was to get a quarter. Why not try to climb higher? (Unless there is another move to follow.) They may believe they are NFC candidates this season and could push the boundaries with two more beginners. With that in mind, here is a tackle that could replace Terron Armstead on the left side. Penning is an ugly, physical blocker who is ready to play right away. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia The Chargers need a good tackle, but with Trevor Penning off the board, I do not feel good about the value here. In fact, my next tackle on this joke does not go from the board to No. 42. Let’s move on to another need for LA and fill it with Davis, who at 6 feet and 341 pounds is used to is hole-filler. It has unique natural tools for its size and makes everyone around it better because of the space it eats. This is how Brandon Staley’s defense can rise in 2022. Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia I see a huge gap in the middle of the Eagles’ front seven, and we get to the point in this draft where we get a player off the ball. I have Devin Lloyd right in front of Dean in my ranking, but there are teams that will fall in love with Dean’s intangibles. He is a formidable teammate who was the leader of the historic defense of the national champions. This is a …
title: “Nfl Mock Draft 2022 Mel Kiper S New Predictions For Top 64 Picks In Rounds 1 And 2 Including A First Round Trade " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-29” author: “Jane Ponce”
The Jacksonville Jaguars are natural, but they are not the most interesting team in this draft. There are an incredible eight teams with two first-round picks – a record to break on April 28 – including Super Bowl contenders such as the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs. There are many ways in which Round 1 could go, especially with the questions (and concerns) surrounding the generals category. Let’s get into my annual two-round virtual draft, showing options 1-64. I have four generals and 12 wide receivers here, plus four defenders in the top seven picks. I have interesting landing points for aggressive tackles. And I have an exchange for a team that goes back to Round 1 to get a critical need – and jumping to another franchise that needs that position. I view these 64 selections based on a combination of my up-to-date ranking, team needs and what I hear from executives, scouts and coaches in the league. For the second round, in particular, so much could change from now on and when the teams are on the clock, so I use my Big Board as a guide to value. If you want to go deeper than the first two rounds, take a look at Jordan Reid’s seven-round mockery. And you can watch the one-hour SportsCenter Special on Wednesday analyze these options at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN +. Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan You really do not need to think too much about things here. Hutchinson is the top contender in this category – a rush who could fire an average of 12 layoffs a year for a decade – and plays a leading position. He could play as a stationary outside defensive line or as a “ground space” for the Jaguars, meeting the generals in the backcourt with 2019 champion Josh Allen. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati May I be interested in a 6 foot long arm angle and 4.41 40 yards of speed that did not allow a single touchdown to cover in college? This is Gardner. The Lions have several needs and would probably jump on Aidan Hutchinson if he somehow fell here. But if they pick Gardner and get something from Jeff Okudah, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 draft who has played just 10 games in two seasons, they could have a much improved side. 2 About Travon Walker, DE, Georgia I do not think anyone outside the organization really knows what the Texans will do in Round 1. For this joke, I’m trying to think long term with Houston, who just needs to add a little talent. Walker is a bit of a risk in the top 10. NFL teams are betting that his natural tools will win his degraded college output (9.5 layoffs in three seasons). The coaches want to try to maximize it. There is a lot of noise for Walker going early. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon I do not buy Thibodeaux drops. He is perhaps the most talented candidate in this category. The Jets need to add some juice to their passage, and that’s the point. Is it also possible to get a receiver here – Drake London or Garrett Wilson? – because their top can be off the board when they get No. 10. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State If the board is shaken in this way, the Giants should be excited to choose from the top two attacking tackles. I have Ekwonu a little more than Evan Neal, but it’s hard to go wrong with one of the two – they are my No. 2 and No. 3 prospects in this category. Ekwonu answered every question about his ability to protect passes last season. If left-leaning Andrew Thomas continues to improve, these two could be one of the best bookend couples in the NFL. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty Doesn’t Carolina coach Matt Rhule need to swing in a quarter here? The Panthers have no second or third round options. Rhule will be in the warm seat this season and this is his chance to buy some time with a high-ceilinged novice calling the brand. Willis is going to make some mistakes, but it will be fun to watch him. He can nail a perfectly deep ball to Robby Anderson and then throw a pick in the red belt in the next game. But he will continue to improve over time, and Carolina has some talent positioning talent to help him. Jermaine Johnson II, DE, State of Florida The Giants can take their tackle to No. 5 and then focus on their defense, which allowed 4.7 yards per game last season (31st place in the NFL). Johnson had 12 layoffs last season and was one of the most impressive prospects in the Senior Bowl in January. He already has some veteran pass-rush moves and can be an instant key. He also played a lot of outside defenders for the Seminoles, so he will have some flexibility in Don Martindale defense. And if you watch, it makes four rush to the top of the seven options. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio I will stay in this prediction because … who will Marcus Marriotta throw next season? Falcons simply do not have boot receivers. Wilson can run any route and beat the defenders after the capture. He could be the first favorite for Rookie of the Year if he got here – he would have many goals. Atlanta will probably be watching the attackers closely, but there is no value at this point on my board. I am playing 1:45 Take a look back at Garrett Wilson’s college career and why he’s starring in WR. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama This is another team that comes up with an ideal scenario. Veteran Duane Brown’s left tackle is still unsigned, so Neal could start from Day 1. It makes a lot of sense. I do not think Drew Locke will be Seattle’s answer in the long run, but Neil could be solid on the left for years to come. Drake London, WR, USC If the Jets can do it – a top-ranked receiver here and a high-profile rush No. 4 – shouldn’t they be considered one of the most improved off-season teams? I like what they have done and they did not have to break the money. Of course, this does not mean that they will still be AFC East contenders. London is a 6-foot goal that will dominate the red belt and bring down 50-50 balls to boost Zach Wilson’s completion rate. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame Hamilton was a bit boring due to his time at 40, which was 4.59 in the combination and a little slower in his professional day. He is a fantastic player, but he does not have rare natural tools, which means he could fall out of the top 10. I would like him in my team. At 6-foot-4, he could play many positions, from center-back to back-line. He would play for a Washington defense that disappointed in 2021. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU This fits well on both sides. The Vikings could take a corner with an elite, All-Pro roof and close a hole, while Stingley could join a team with some other former LSU stars (Justin Jefferson, Danielle Hunter, Patrick Peterson). The concern for Stingley is that his best cassette is from 2019, when he starred as a true freshman. Can he get back in shape in the NFL – and stay healthy? This is a risk that teams should consider. Nevertheless, I feel better making this bet at No. 12 than if I choose in the top five. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi I will stay on my board here, and since my top 11 candidates have all been selected (plus Malik Willis), I will move on to No. 12. Cross is a great passer who needs some improvement in the run game – just because he did not have the repetitions to do so while playing for Mike Leach. If the Texans are going to give Davis Mills the 2022 season to prove he’s the guy in the fourth, Mills needs a better right tackle. That could be Cross. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington The Ravens could go in many directions here, including the attacking tackle (will Ronnie Stanley be the same again?) And the defensive winger (Calais Campbell is back, but he is 35 years old). When I look at this depth chart, though, I see angle depth as an issue. McDuffie has the flexibility to play outside and inside the reception, and will also wrap and knock down ball players in the run game. He is physical. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio After last week’s deal with the Saints, the Eagles now have one less than the first round, but you have to think about getting a receiver with one of them, right? If they are committed to using 2022 as a year of evaluation for Jalen Hurts, they will have to give him the tools to succeed. Olave had seven touchdowns outside the slot last season, but he can move out, and use his speed of 4.39 40 to open. Hertz would love to throw in him and Devon’s Smith, with Dallas Gendert working in the middle of the pitch. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa Speaking of the Saints, I find it hard to believe that they traded options with the Eagles to get a quarter. Why not try to climb higher? (Unless there is another move?) They are likely to believe they are NFC candidates this season and could overtake the lead with two more beginners. With that in mind, here is a tackle that could replace Terron Armstead on the left side. Penning is an ugly, physical blocker who is ready to play right away. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia The Chargers need a good tackle, but with Trevor Penning off the board, I do not feel good about the value here. In fact, my next tackle on this joke does not go from the board to No. 42. Let’s move on to another need for LA and fill it with Davis, who at 6 feet and 341 pounds is used to is hole-filler. It has unique natural tools for its size and makes everyone around it better because of the space it eats. This is how Brandon Staley’s defense can rise in 2022. Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia I see a huge gap in the middle of the Eagles’ front seven, and we get to the point in this draft where we get a player off the ball. I have Devin Lloyd right in front of Dean in my ranking, but there are teams that will fall in love with Dean’s intangibles. He is a formidable teammate who was the leader of the historic defense of the national champions. It’s a little …
