2022 2-Round NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 | Picks 17-32
Which talented prospects go in the later stage of Round 1 of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft?
17) Los Angeles Chargers: Drake London, WR, USC
Davis was a great pairing for the Chargers when the offseason began, but now they’ll have to trade up to get him. If they want another interior defender, they’ll look to trade back. However, if they stick with their pick at 17, wide receiver is an option. Drake London gives Justin Herbert another great option at receiver, making the Chargers’ offense even more terrifying.
18) Philadelphia Eagles (from NO): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Once considered the top receiver in this class, Chris Olave‘s stock dropped a bit. He’s still considered a first-round talent, and pairing him with Jalen Hurts would provide a spark for the Eagles’ offense. After taking DeVonta Smith last year, drafting Olave would reconcile the Jalen Reagor pick.
19) New Orleans Saints (from PHI): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Now that they possess two first-round picks, the Saints have some flexibility in the first round (hence the Karlaftis pick). In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Saints stay put and still get a guy considered a QB1 candidate.
Matt Corral threw at Ole Miss’ Pro Day and impressed plenty of scouts in attendance. He can sit behind Jameis Winston to learn for now, but he’s the future with this pick.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
It’s tough to see the Steelers sticking with Mitch Trubisky long-term, but someone needs to protect him for now. Trevor Penning inserted his name into the top tackles in the draft conversation and brings a toughness that fits in well with Mike Tomlin’s squad, a tenacity that will make an impact right away.
21) New England Patriots: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
When the offseason began, Trent McDuffie was considered a second-round pick at best. Now, he’s in contention to be the first cornerback taken in the draft. McDuffie has shutdown corner talent, and Bill Belichick wouldn’t hesitate to take a corner of his caliber at No. 21.
22) Green Bay Packers (from LV): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
I’m already imagining the boos that would reign down with this pick. Green Bay traded away Davante Adams, so nearly everyone in that fan base expects a wide receiver to be selected first.
Once the frustration dies down, Packers fans would realize that Devin Lloyd is an uber-productive and talented player who can step in and win a starting job immediately. They also have another first-round pick to take a receiver.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
There are rumors that Gardner, Stingley, Trent McDuffie, and Kyler Gordon are the only first-round-graded corners. However, Kaiir Elam deserves to be in the conversation.
He’s an extremely fast corner with great length that immediately improves the secondary of the team drafting him. He’d take former teammate Marco Wilson’s spot and give the Cardinals a pairing of Elam and Byron Murphy Jr. Good luck throwing against that.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
Though there are 14 picks between Hill and the top safety taken in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft (Hamilton), the gap between them isn’t that great. It just comes down to team needs.
Dallas has some talented players on defense, and Daxton Hill adds to that excitement. A player who can move all over the field, Hill brings versatility to the Cowboys’ secondary.
25) Buffalo Bills: Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
Rewind to 2020. Zion Johnson was just supposed to be a good transfer addition for Boston College. Nothing more. Fast forward to 2022 and he’s considered a potential first-round pick. Buffalo’s offense is set at the skill positions, so adding a talent like Johnson to the interior of their offensive line bolsters Josh Allen’s protection.
26) Green Bay Packers (mock trade with TEN): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Mock Trade: Tennessee trades pick 26 to Green Bay for pick 28 and a 2023 third-round pick.
Packers fans can exhale. They got their receiver. Treylon Burks brings great size to the Packers’ pass catchers at 6’3″, 225 pounds, and displays good speed. Aaron Rodgers would probably still like more help even with this pick, but adding Burks gives him something to work with for now.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Tom Brady might be back, but Tampa Bay learned the hard way how quickly they need a quarterback. Sam Howell is an ideal fit for the Bucs because it gives him time to sit and learn from the best quarterback in NFL history. Despite concerns about his 2021 season, Howell is worth a first-round pick and has the arm talent to succeed Brady in South Florida.
28) Tennessee Titans (mock trade with GB): Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Jeffery Simmons and Harold Landry give Tennessee a strong presence on the edge, but they need something similar on the interior of their defensive line. Enter Devonte Wyatt, the often overshadowed but still extremely talented Georgia defensive tackle. If not for his teammate, Jordan Davis, Wyatt could be considered the best tackle in the class.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA): Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
The more scouts watch film, the more they love Lewis Cine. With back-to-back picks, the Chiefs could get creative with their selections. Taking a hard-hitting safety who can fly around the field seems like a good way to replace Tyrann Mathieu.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
Kansas City once needed a wide receiver in this slot, but the signing of JuJu Smith-Schuster ended that need. Now, they turn their attention to the defense. Perrion Winfrey reminded everyone of the power in his frame when he dominated at the Senior Bowl, and he could be a menace with the Chiefs.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
We riot if Cincinnati takes anything but an offensive lineman with this spot. Granted, the Ja’Marr Chase pick turned out to be great. However, the lack of consistent play at guard cost them a championship.
Drafting Kenyon Green changes that. A versatile player who can play both guard and tackle, Green could be the missing piece to help the Bengals win it all in 2022.
32) New York Jets (mock trade with DET): Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Mock Trade: Detroit trades pick 32 to New York for pick 35 and 111.
After taking Johnson and Hamilton, the Jets round out their defense by adding an elite second-level defender. Nakobe Dean brings the definition of a playmaker to New York, and fans should be excited if this 2022 NFL Mock Draft becomes a reality. Three first-round picks have to amount to something, right?