2022 NFL Mock Draft: Fifth Edition

  Here is the fifth edition of my 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars- Aidan Hutchinson, Defensive End, Michigan: There is some talk regarding Travon Walker being the number one overall pick, but it still won't be surprising if they go with Hutchinson, who's drawn comparisons to the likes of the Bosa brothers, Chase Young, and Myles Garrett.

2. Detroit Lions- Tavon Walker, Defensive End, Georgia: This mock I have Walker going second and it feels like it will be the case. He was the best pass rusher on a loaded unit that helped the Georgia Bulldogs win the National Championship and he would certainly help the Lions get back on track.

3. Houston Texans- Ickey Ekwonu, Offensive Tackle/Guard, NC State: Here's a little bit of a curveball of a selection for the Texans, who can go anywhere with this pick considering the needs on this roster.  Ekwonu's versatility is what could get him drafted this high and the Texans have a major need on the offensive line.

4. New York Jets- Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, Cornerback, Cincinnati: Gardner would be a tremendous pick for Gang Green, despite the teams need for a pass rusher. Gardner would be a great foundation piece that the Jets would be more than thrilled with to build their secondary around.

5. New York Giants- Evan Neal, Offensive Tackle, Alabama: This would be a tremendous selection for Big Blue as they land the best lineman in the class. Neal is a super steady player and would fit nicely with Andrew Thomas on the offensive line.

6. Carolina Panthers- Charles Cross, Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State: Everyone and their brother is penciling in a quarterback in this spot, but it could be off the table if they acquire a veteran. Cross is coming off a breakout season which has put him in this position and that may be concerning for some teams in terms of whether it was for real or not.

7. New York Giants (from Chicago Bears)- Derek Stigley Jr, Cornerback, LSU: The Giants have some choices here for their second first rounder and you can't go wrong with Stigley. If they trade or cut James Bradberry, then an opening comes up in the secondary and Stigley would be a great fit and he has the upside to be a CB1.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Garrett Wilson, Wide Receiver, Ohio State: The Falcons have a lot of needs on their roster and this is another spot where a quarterback could be in play, but here I have them going with receiver. Wilson had a big year at Ohio State and I believe he'll be an electric player at the next level and the Falcons are a good fit considering the suspension of Calvin Ridley.

9. Seattle Seahawks- Kavon Thibodeaux, Defensive End, Oregon:   For the first time in a few mocks, I do not have the Seahawks going with a quarterback. Pass rush is another team need and Thibodeaux would be a steal here and is someone who will come in and bring youth and athleticism to a Seahawks pass rush that needs it.

10. New York Jets- Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama: This would be a nice pick for the Jets granted Williams is coming off a torn ACL. The Jets need more weapons around Zach Wilson and Williams can really become a star playing in a big market with a quarterback that is only going to get better.

11. Washington Commanders- Drake London, WR, USC: The consensus feels that the Commanders will definitely go with a wideout here. London is a super talented wide receiver and he can come in and form a nice duo with Terry McLaurin.

12. Minnesota Vikings- Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington: The hot pick as of now for this spot is McDuffie, who is a good prospect, but could be a reach here. The Vikings need some help in their secondary and McDuffie can play from anywhere and will learn from Patrick Petertson, which can't be unnoticed.

13. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns)- Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame: What a steal this would be for the Texans with snagging someone that was thought out to go top ten or even top five. Hamilton is someone that can have a day one impact wherever he goes.

14. Baltimore Ravens- Jermaine Johnson II, Defensive End, Florida State: This feels like the floor for Johnson, who would be a great selection here for the Ravens. Johnson was always a steady player in college and he'll bring youth and stability to a pass rush that needs more of the former.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins)- Jordan Davis, Defensive Tackle, Georgia: This would be a nice selection for the Eagles considering the Eagles front seven isn't getting any younger. Davis was apart of the dominant front seven the Bulldogs had and he brings needed youth to the Eagles pass rush.

16. New Orleans Saints (from Philadelphia Eagles via Indianapolis Colts)- Malik Willis, Quarterback, Liberty: The vibe I get is that one of these two Saints selections will be a quarterback. Willis has the most upside among the quarterbacks, but I do not feel is the safest bet.

17. Los Angeles Chargers- Trevor Penning, Offensive Tackle, Northern Iowa: Penning's stock is trending upward as we are at draft week. I feel this is a good spot for Penning, to learn from the veterans on that older offensive line and he has the size and athleticism to succeed in the league.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints)- Devin Lloyd, Linebacker, Utah: Some may consider this a reach, but others may look at it and think the fit is very good. Lloyd is super athletic and fast and the Eagles may look at the impact Micah Parsons had in Dallas last year and take shot here with Lloyd.

19. New Orleans Saints (from Philadelphia Eagles)- Chris Olave, Wide Receiver, Ohio State: The Saints grab a steal here taking Olave here all the way at 19. Olave and Michael Thomas would be a dynamic duo at receiver for whomever is at quarterback.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers- Kenny Pickett, Quarterback, Pittsburgh: This pick feels like one of the safer bets to be a quarterback, but the question is which one? Pickett would make a lot of sense because he is one of the safer bets to pan out considering he was a Heismann finalist last season and the fans know him from playing in city.

21. New England Patriots- Devonte Wyatt, Defensive End, Georgia: The third Bulldogs pass rusher goes to a place where you're usually in a good place to succeed. Wyatt is a versatile player and the Pats can use some youth and versatility in their pass rush.

22. Green Bay Packers (from Las Vegas Raiders)- Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas: The Packers need a wide receiver in this first round in the worst way possible and they land a good one in Burks. DaVante Adams's production won't be easy to replace, but Burks would become a favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year if he were to be the pick here.

23. Arizona Cardinals- George Karlaftis, Defensive End, Purdue: Karlaftis is someone who's stock completely dropped from where it was six months ago. The Cardinals need to replace Chandler Jones's production so Karlaftis makes a ton of sense here.

24. Dallas Cowboys- Zion Johnson, Guard, Boston College: It feels likely that the Cowboys will go offensive line here with this selection. Johnson's stock is rising high here in draft week and he'd be a nice fit as the team is revamping the line with some of their key guys aging.

25. Buffalo Bills- Andrew Booth Jr, Cornerback, Clemson: The Bills are a team that's going to be contending for a Super Bowl and picking a player to help them right away would pay dividends. Booth comes into a great situation and start for the Bills and would play alongside Tre White.

26. Tennessee Titans- Tyler Smith, Offensive Tackle, Tulsa: The Titans have some interesting options here with this selection. Defense probably should be where they go, but Smith isn't a bad choice here considering Taylor Lewan is getting older and they can use depth at the position.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Kenyon Green, Guard, Texas A&M: This would be a great selection for the Bucs. Green is a plug and play guard who can slide in and start in the interior, helping replace the losses of Alex Cappa and Ali Marpet.

28. Green Bay Packers- Nkobe Dean, Linebacker, Georgia: Another player from the vaunted Georgia front seven goes in this mock here in Dean. He is the type of young playmaker the Packers need at the position considering they lost linebackers in free agency.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from San Francisco 49ers)- Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver, Penn State: The Chiefs are the other team that needs to come away with a wideout in the first round. Dotson could go anywhere from the middle of the first round until the second round and Dotson could help replace the production lost from Tyreek Hill.

30. Kansas City Chiefs- Lewis Cine, Safety, Georgia: Cine is the player that is getting the most momentum to become a first round pick, which folks didn't see coming a week ago. Cine is a favorite among scouts and was a big part of the dominant Bulldogs championship defense.

31. Cincinnati Bengals- Kyler Gordon, Cornerback, Washington: Here I have the second Huskies corner going off the board. The Bengals corners overachieved a year ago and you can argue that they should  take a corner here considering regression could be coming for those current Bengals cornerbacks.

32. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams)- Matt Corral, Quarterback, Ole Miss:  A lot of people seem to think the Lions will go quarterback here. Corral's stock has been all over the place, but the Lions need a potential long term answer here so I have them banking on Corral.