2022 NFL Mock Draft: Burroughs 1.0 Edition
With the college football regular season over and bowl season upon us, I decided to start the engine on the old mock draft train up and bring you my 1.0 edition of the 2022 NFL Mock Draft. This is subject to many changes both due in part to the draft position of teams seeing that the NFL regular season is not over yet, and players going to said teams. As a disclaimer before we begin, I will not be doing any trading in my mocks. So the order given is what we will go with. For my first mock draft, there won’t be a whole lot of deep analysis for my picks either. That will come with time, promise. Without further ado…
#1 Detroit Lions- Aiden Hutchinson (EDGE, Michigan)
I understand that the eyes of the universe have been on Kayvon Thibodeaux for some time now, but the story is right there. Michigan kid, went to Michigan stays in state to help turn this disaster of an organization around? Plus watching his film especially over the past few weeks, he is an absolute unit coming off the edge (Michigan had a pair of edge rushers this season) to where I think a solid argument can be made for Hutch to Detroit. Our 2022 NFL Mock Draft starts off with a shock.
#2 Jacksonville Jaguars- Evan Neal (OT, Alabama)
*I want to go on record now as saying I firmly believe that Ikem Ekwonu is OT 1 in this draft class. I was right last year about Rashawn Slater so let’s make it back to back years*
Again, I know what you’re thinking: If This didn’t go number one he surely must go number two! Incorrect. I think you have to protect your franchise QB in Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars did an awful job at doing so this year. This team goes as Lawrence goes, and if you can not protect him you will go nowhere. I do believe that once this team finally lets go of the cancer that is Urban Meyer, things will get better. Drafting Neal from Alabama fits what they want to do and will help turn things around.
#3 Houston Texans- Kayvon Thibodeaux (EDGE, Oregon)
The “fall” stops here. I debated going QB here but honestly, I don’t want to see them waste another QB’s career in Houston. Plus they have needed a go-to-pass rusher for a little while now to fill the shoes of JJ Watt. Thibodeaux has all the tools you want in an edge rusher and he would slide right into what the Texans want to do.
#4 New York Jets- Ikem Ekwonu (OT, NC State)
I LOVE me some Ikem Ekwonu. Starter as a True Freshman, Ekwonu okayed both guard and tackle to the highest level while at NC State. That versatility is huge at the NFL level and shows his worth to NFL scouts as to why he could potentially land a top-5 spot in the Draft. I think if he goes out and has a killer pro day and combine, he could see this become reality.
#5 New York Giants- George Karlaftis (EDGE, Purdue)
The Giants need A LOT of help (sorry to our Giants fans here at Vendetta) and having two top-ten picks will help but they have to hit on both. I gave a lot of consideration here to a QB with one of these two picks (a bit of a spoiler there, you’ll see) but they think they have something with Daniel Jones. I don’t see it, but addressing some of their other major needs is a must. Karlaftis has flown up draft boards and I think someone takes a shot on him early.
#6 New York Giants- Charles Cross (OT, Mississippi State)
No QB only because I don’t see a top-10 talent at QB in this class. The Giants addressed a major issue with the pick before, and this awful offensive line gets a major upgrade and an instant starter in Cross. Cross is a pretty good athlete and should fit the system in New York. I considered going Kyle Hamilton here to potentially replace Logan Ryan.
#7 New York Jets- Kyle Hamilton (S, Notre Dame)
Speaking of Hamilton to replace a starting Safety! Breaking up the run of only EDGE and OT in this draft is the best safety we have seen in some time. Hamilton has great size, is great in zone coverage, and is a sure tackler, he is sure to give a massive lift to a Jets secondary that could use a little help. Marcus Maye has been tough to deal with based on his contract issues, now you can let him walk and replace him potentially with someone better.
#8 Carolina Panthers- Matt Corral (QB, Ole Miss)
All off-season, there were a number of us who thought that Sam Darnold would turn his career around in Carolina and be the solution to all their needs. Karl Heiser loves to tell us that we were wrong. I am accepting my defeat with this issue. Corral comes in and becomes the day one starter in hopes he can electrify an offense that showed glimpses of greatness this season.
#9 Atlanta Falcons- David Ojabo (EDGE, Michigan)
I am aware that Matt Ryan isn’t getting any younger. But based on his decent play this year, I think they have to wait one more year to find his replacement. David Ojabo fills a MASSIVE need for a pass rusher. Ojabo is a freakish athlete who I think benefitted greatly by playing with Hutch this year. He will have his chance to show he is the real deal on his own.
#10 Philadelphia Eagles- Derek Stingley Jr. (CB, LSU)
With the first of their three first-round picks (you HAVE to hit Howie Roseman), the Eagles find their true #1 CB in Stingley. Darius Slay is fine and all, but Stingley gives the Eagles a chance to move off that contact and use that money elsewhere. You could make the argument that Stingley has been CB1 in this draft class for at least two years now.
#11 Philadelphia Eagles- Garrett Wilson (WR, Ohio State)
Garrett Wilson is *probably* the WR1 in this class, at least Kam Moos thinks so. I think that this is a pick that the Eagles should look to move in reality, but why not pair Devonta Smith with another stud at WR and help Jalen Hurts. Eagles fans can’t complain about having no weapons anymore. This OLine could get a little younger but the talent isn’t there at 11.
#12 Minnesota Vikings- Jordan Davis (IDL, Georgia)
With Kyle Hamilton off the board, the Vikings address their next major need: interior DLine. DeMarvin Leal just doesn’t do it for me, while Jordan Davis screams NFL ready. This defense at Georgia this year were killers and David was among the best on this unit. At the start of the year, Davis might not have been mentioned as a first-round talent, but he sure is now.
#13 New Orleans Saints- Jameson Williams (WR, Alabama)
If the Saints go into the 2022 NFL season with Michael Thomas and no one else like they have been this year, they are in trouble. Enter the swiss army knife that is Jameson Williams. Williams has burners and will take the top off opposing defenses in a way that MT simply can not do. QB is another major issue for this team but again just don’t like the fit.
#14 Las Vegas Raiders- Tyler Linderbaum (IOL, Iowa)
There are two really big areas of need for this Raiders team: OL and DL. In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, not only do the Raiders get a day one starter in Linderbaum, but get arguably a generational talent at Center. Linderbaum is your traditional Big-Ten linemen: mean streak plays nasty, solid. Vegas finds their Rodney Hudson replacement for the next 10 years, minimum.
#15 Pittsburgh Steelers- Kenny Pickett (QB, Pittsburgh)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a major issue going into this off-season: what the hell do they do at QB? Ben has told folks he’s splitting, Mason Rudolph is a bum, and Dwyane Haskins I guess didn’t prove himself enough to get the nod. Enter a local kid who is athletic and has a good arm and is accurate. Probably the Steelers’ day one starter next season if this comes to fruition (as a Steelers fan, let this happen).
#16 Denver Broncos- Desmond Ridder (QB, Cincinnati)
Entering the 2021 season, the Denver Broncos might’ve been a little underrated. But poor QB play never let this team hit their real potential. Desmond Ridder instantly becomes their best QB on the roster and has all the tools needed to play in Denver. Broncos fans should be over the moon at the chance to get a winner like Ridder on their team.
#17 Cincinnati Bengals- Andrew Booth Jr. (CB, Clemson)
Before y’all freak out about the Bengals not taking an OL again this year, we all thought they should have last year but they took Ja’Marr Chase, and look how well that turned out. If a talent like Booth is sitting there at 17, the Bengals HAVE to consider bringing in a guy like him to arguably become a CB1 for this team. There is depth at OL in this class to where they could address it next round.
#18 Cleveland Browns- Chris Olave (WR, Ohio State)
Another first-round player stays in the state. With the departure of OBJ, there is a clear need at WR for this Browns team. Olave is the perfect compliment to Jarvis Landry and instantly adds another layer to this offense that has been pretty run-heavy the last few years. I have a bit of a hot take at WR which I will explain with a later pick but for now, Olave is WR3 off the board.
#19 Washington Football Team- Kenyon Green (IOL, Texas A&M)
I love Taylor Heineke as much as the next guy, don’t get me wrong. But I have some doubts he can be THE guy for this team for the future. But this isn’t the class to find a replacement, especially with Heineke putting the WFT in the wild card hunt. Kenyon Green sure up either guard position and adds a lot of beef upfront to stop some impressive defensive lines in the NFC.
#20 Buffalo Bills- DeMarvin Leal (IDL, Texas A&M)
Back-to-back Aggies off the board. Leal could become what they hoped Ed Oliver would become and bring a menacing presence to the line. I think that WR should be in question here because outside Diggs, this WR room leaves a lot to be desired. But, Buffalo can find a WR later on or in free agency.
#21 Philadelphia Eagles- Daxton Hill (S, Michigan)
in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Eagles completely revamp their secondary by landing two sure-fire starters for a team that needed an infusion of talent. While I think that EDGE could be the pick here, I like what Hill brings to the position and can play either SS or FS.
#22 Miami Dolphins- Trevor Penning (OT, Northern Iowa)
This offensive line stinks. There’s just no two ways about it (Sorry Jackson Law). This might be a bit of a reach, but the need is there and probably is an upgrade to whoever the Dolphins have starting at either tackle right now. An FCS guy will be sure to bring the toughness and grit to a team that could use it to protect their franchise guy in Tua. Protect him at all costs.
#23 Los Angeles Chargers- Devin Lloyd (LB, Utah)
This pick has to be the best player available on defense to try and help a unit that has looked strong at times but more times than not needs some help. Lloyd can play in either scheme 4-3 or 3-4 on the outside and can apply pressure on the QB, something this Chargers team is in desperate need of. WR you could argue as well because Mike Williams is on a contract year and balled out, but that is a need for a later pick.
#24 Detroit Lions- Sam Howell (QB, North Carolina)
Looking at the board, for this team there just wasn’t a ton of fits that I liked. While I don’t really think this is the best pick for them, it does give them an out of the Jared Goff contract they have or they let him sit for a year and let Howell start in 2023 or take over at some point next year. Point is, Goff stinks and they get their guy to finally replace him.
#25 Baltimore Ravens- Roger McCreary (CB, Auburn)
The Ravens have a few holes to fill on their defense, but looking at the board the best player available at a position of need is clearly Roger McCreary out of Auburn. McCreary is as near a complete CB as you will find in this draft and his versatility on special teams makes him a unique player in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Plus he has a nose for the football that the Ravens need.
#26 Dallas Cowboys- Travon Walker (EDGE, Georgia)
The desire to take a WR here with Michael Gallups departure potentially luming this off-season is very intriguing, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Instead, we plug in Travon Walker to bring the speed on the edge and learn from Demarcus Lawrence before he is gone and can seamlessly fill his role on this defense. CB is also an option opposite the emerging Trevon Diggs as well.
#27 Kansas City Chiefs- Jordan Battle (S, Alabama)
To me, it’s clear this team does not trust Juan Thornhill enough to let him have meaningful reps in games, and replacing him with Daniel Sorensen doesn’t help either because lets be honest, this guys stinks. Jordan Battle will either make these guys better by pushing them in camp, or make the defense better by flat out winning the job. Battle saw the field as a True Freshman and started back-to-back years so he has the experience.
#28 Arizona Cardinals- Kaiir Elam (CB, Florida)
EDGE should be a major need and you can argue they should use their pick here on an EDGE rusher, but the board is not kind right now for that for this pick. Instead, you add talent to a CB core than needs an infusion of it in a guy that was a projected top-10 pick at the start of the year. Elim needs to work on his consistency especially in run support, but his size at 6’2 makes him a very intriguing prospect.
#29 Tennessee Titans- Nakobe Dean (LB, Georgia)
This Tennessee Titans team desperately needs help at linebacker, enter Nakobe Dean. Dean won the Butkus award for the best high school linebacker in the country and a former All-American, Dean has a number of valuable tools any NFL Defensive Coordinator looks for in a draft prospect. His only knock is his size for the position at 6′ and 225 lbs.
#30 Tampa Bay Bucanneers- George Pickens (WR, Georgia)
Remember that hot take I mentioned earlier about WRs? George Pickens is arguably WR2 in this draft class, and had it not been for injuries everyone else would think this as well. Pickens is a monster athlere with impressive body control and huge upside. I picked WR here with the potential departure of Chris Godwin this off-season. If Godwin stays, anything among the lines should be considered.
#31 New England Patriots- Treylon Burks (WR, Arkansas)
The last time the Patroits found themselves picking a WR in the first round, it didn’t pan out to be kindly. This team needs a bonafide WR1 and they get that undoubtedly in Burks. At 6’3 and 225 lbs, he has amassive frame that he loves to throw around and fight for extra yards. Doesn’t he just sound like someone Bill Belichick wants on his team? Sure does.
#32 Green Bay Packers- Jahan Dotson (WR, Penn State)
For the love of god, stop wasting Aaron Rodgers’ end of his career by not getting him help. Davante Adams can only do so much, you throw in a burner in Dotson who can kind of fill that Jordy Nelson role as a pure slot guy, and this offense hits 30+ points a game consistently. Work on the defense and the lines later in the draft but this is a can’t miss talent at 32.
Stay tuned next month for the 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Burroughs 2.0 Edition!
Check out our Linktree to view all of our wonderful sponsors as well as our socials!
Need a seasoning that is packed with flavor and low on the MSG and sodium? Dan O’s is the seasoning for you! With a variety of seasonings for whatever you are cooking, I always use Dan O’s seasonings and so should you! Use the link here and code VSM to help support!
