Jordan ReidESPN
As we approach two weeks before the start of Round 1 of the NFL 2022 Draft (April 28 on ESPN and ABC), the teams are putting the finishing touches on their charts, using college tape and data from the all-star game circuit, combining and business days to help stack prospects. Most business days are over, but USC Wide Drake London receiver, who will be training on Friday, has the opportunity to lock in his top-10 status with a great workout. This draft class is unlike any other we have seen in recent memory, as there are eight record teams with multiple selections in the first round, including the New York Giants and New York Jets, each with two in the top 10. Like we saw with the Saints-Eagles trade recently, there could be a lot of maneuvering in Round 1, with franchises trying to trade to get their type. Below is my prediction for how all seven rounds will turn out later this month, as I viewed all 262 selections, the most in a draft since 2003. I have notes on my selections in the first three laps and then matched names in teams for the last four rounds. I also picked my favorite prospects-teams for rounds 4-7. Let’s start with the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 1 and continue until we finish with the San Francisco 49ers at No. 262. Compensatory options are marked with an asterisk. Go to round: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
ROUND 1
Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan This option points to a rush, based on what the Jags have done this off-season. Hutchinson has the ability to pressure generals from day one. is already polished as a passerby. It would give the Jaguar a direct hit defense. Malik Willis, QB, Liberty As I wrote in my draft QB mock last week, either you like this idea or you are completely against it. Jared Goff has a contract for two more seasons, which would allow the Lions to bring Willis late. There is no guarantee that the franchise will be able to claim a top answering machine for 2023 next year. This is an ideal situation for Willis, as the team is going to have plenty of draft capital to continue building the roster in the future. Evan Neal, OT, Alabama Undoubtedly the worst roster in the NFL right now, the Texans are able to amass as much talent as possible in premium positions. Neil is a high level player who can play right away and strengthen an offensive line that already includes Laremie Tunsill and Taitus Howard. 2 About Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE Oregon Jets need passers-by. Carl Lawson will be back after tearing up his Achilles in training camp last season, but they need more talent and depth. The franchise did not have a single player to reach double-digit redundancies by Muhammad Wilkerson in 2015. Matching Thibodeaux with Lawson gives the Jets a terrific tandem going forward. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State The Giants could have four young beginners along the offensive line in 2002. Ekwonu could play the right tackle and pair up with Andrew Thomas as a bouquet to build around. It brings physicality and disgust to a front that lacks that kind of behavior and is a consistent player. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt The Panthers’ future general is not on the roster. Of all the signal callers in this category, Pickett and Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati) are the two most prepared to enter an NFL game and produce. With coach Matt Rhule having a history with Pickett, this choice makes sense. Travon Walker, DE, Georgia Walker, a hot name in draft circles, is a huge ending with unique physical features. The teams in the top 10 could take advantage of his good potential and take him early, even if he had only 9.5 career dismissals. Buffalo-based general manager Joe Schoen was in a position not to be afraid to take risky, high-profile prospects, as he played a role in the choices of Josh Allen and Greg Rousseau. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame The Falcons need talent in almost every position across the board. General Manager Terry Fontenot could instead focus on getting the best perspective available. The 6-foot, 4, 220-pound Hamilton brings tremendous ability to the defense. He can be a playmaker and tone adjuster for Atlanta. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati With plenty of cash drafts in the next two years after Russell Wilson’s trade, the Seahawks have the opportunity to reshape the roster on both sides of the ball. Gardner fits in well with the defensive line and has the characteristics of the prototype they wanted in previous years. With the possibility of being a locking angle, it could land in a state on which to rely early. Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio General manager Joe Douglas is one of the toughest executives in the league – basically, watch his actions, not his excerpts. Having made an aggressive move for Tyreek Hill, it is clear that he wants a top receiver on the roster. Wilson brings a skill reminiscent of Stefon Diggs when he left Maryland. Drake London, WR, USC With Carson Wentz in the picture now, Commanders would be wise to set him as many primary goals as possible. Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel are on the roster and London is a 6-foot 4 X receiver that complements both of their skill sets. He’s a big, natural target and underrated runner-up, and he reminds me a lot of former Clemson Wideout Mike Williams, who finished in Round 1 of the Chargers in 2017. Illustration by ESPN Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU The Vikings need another corner, even after the return of Patrick Peterson. In addition, there are already many LSU connections on the roster. Together with Peterson, the Vikings recently hired Daron Jones, the Tigers’ defensive back and defensive back coach, a season ago. Ability is not the issue with Stingley – it is availability. He lost 13 games in the last two seasons after a distinct first-year season in 2019. Minnesota could bet on the features to overcome endurance concerns and pick Stingley here, where I see the floor of the draft series. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia At 6 feet-6, 341 pounds, Davis is a wide-body indoor defender with unheard of natural tools of this size. I featured attacking tackle Evan Neal in Houston with his first choice and general manager Nick Caserio could continue to build the trenches by choosing Davis. The price of three down will be a big factor in the range of Davis’ draft, but he has the potential to increase his output. His presence affects the other 10 players on the field with him, even if he does not always appear in the box score. Jermaine Johnson II, DE, State of Florida After taking five sacks and three forced tests from rookie Odafe Oweh, their first-round pick last year, the Ravens could try to combine him with another extreme player at Johnson. He is a ready defender for running as well as a mature passer. Johnson is consistent at the point of attack and has a determined mindset in all games and style of play that would fit well in Baltimore. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington Time to break the streak for the Eagles? They have not made a corner in the first round by Lito Sheppard in 2002. McDuffie makes a lot of sense here. Although it does not have the original size (5-feet-11) or length for an outer corner, it plays much larger than its size. He is a defender with intense running and is not afraid to reach the line of the match and hit the ball bearers. He mainly played belt coverage with the Huskies, but has potential as a male angle due to his fast legs, patient technique and strong instincts. Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi Cross is the most refined pass-protector in this category of attacking tackles, but the evaluators in the league have mixed views on his ceiling. Due to his inexperience as a run-blocker, he plays better in a team that wants to throw the ball heavily. With Terron Armstead now in Miami, Cross can slip to the left of Tacklin as a key player in New Orleans. Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa A receiver here could be a possibility, but Justin Herbert’s protection is more valuable. Following Bryan Bulaga’s cut, the only proper tackles on the roster are Storm Norton and Foster Sarell. The Chargers won gold with left-leaning Rashawn Slater in Round 1 last season, and general manager Tom Telesco could get the right tackle of the future at Penning, which sets the tone for his presence on the line. Answer NFL 2022 Draft Questions to Win $ 100,000! Make your choices George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue Karlaftis is a tough defender with plenty of pop in his hands, but he will not be suitable for every defense. His flexibility to downgrade the battle line is likely to appeal to the Eagles, although his appearance may not be as high as that of some of the other rapists in the class. Karlaftis points to the plan of the defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon as a starting point as a basic end. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama Williams would claim to be the top wide receiver before tearing up his ACL in the national title game in January. It has tremendous vertical speed that puts pressure on the defenses. Needing a wide receiver, the Saints could bet he would overcome the injury, as he told the cabinet that the injury would take “five to seven months” to overcome. Williams’ combination with Michael Thomas gives the team a dynamic outside duo. Zion Johnson, G, Boston College Even after the addition of James Daniels to the free agent, the Steelers could continue to add along the offensive line. There was no player who impressed me more throughout the pre-draft process than Johnson. With flexibility in guard and tackle throughout his career, he gained experience at the center during the All-Star Game and suffered no retirement. It could compete with the signing of free agent Mason Cole for first place in the center. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah This option will most likely result in a wide receiver, line fan or corner. Lloyd is formerly safe with easy motor skills and flexibility. It was in the center …
