2022 7-Round NFL Mock Draft | Round 2
Now we move on to Round 2 of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, where several high-level prospects are still on the board.
33) Jacksonville Jaguars: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Devonte Wyatt is an older rookie at 24 years old, but few defensive tackles can match his burst and lateral agility off the line. He could go on to be the pass-rushing catalyst the Jaguars aimed to get with Taven Bryan a few years back.
34) Detroit Lions: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Quay Walker has garnered fringe first-round consideration as of late. If he falls to No. 34 overall, it would be wise for the Lions to take him. He has an elite size-athleticism combination and is very smooth matching players laterally in space.
35) Indianapolis Colts (mock trade from NYJ): Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
Indianapolis send picks No. 42, No. 122, and a 2023 fourth-rounder for pick No. 35 from the New York Jets.
The Colts need to maximize their window with Matt Ryan. That means being aggressive if they have a window to get a high-upside left tackle. Tyler Smith is worth trading up for in Round 2. He needs refinement, but the high-level tools are all there.
36) New York Giants: Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
A first-round prospect on my board, Arnold Ebiketie could be a menace opposite Azeez Ojulari. Like Ojulari, Ebiketie is a bit smaller but still densely built, and he has elite proportional length. He’s also explosive, twitchy, and has great power capacity.
37) Houston Texans: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
There’s no lead back in Houston’s RB room right now. Adding one could help take pressure off Davis Mills’ shoulders. Kenneth Walker III can be that back with his open-field burst, balance, vision, and high-level creative instincts.
38) New York Jets: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
Christian Watson can be a tremendous player if he matches with a creative offensive coordinator. Mike LaFleur could be that match. Watson should be schemed touches early on, but he’s an exciting weapon with his size and effortless speed.
39) Chicago Bears: Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
Kenyon Green can only slide so far. He didn’t test quite as well as expected, but his tape speaks for itself, especially when he can stay at guard and work. He immediately upgrades the Bears’ interior.
40) Carolina Panthers (from SEA): Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
With their second-round pick added in a first-round trade back, the Carolina Panthers select Central Michigan OT Bernhard Raimann. Raimann needs to improve his hand usage, but he has the athleticism to be a starter.
41) Seattle Seahawks: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
The offensive tackles have been flying off the board so far. That’s a likely development, as the depth drops off severely after the first few. Abraham Lucas, at the very least, is a strong physical talent with natural ability at right tackle.
42) New York Jets: Nick Cross, S, Maryland
The Jets signed Jordan Whitehead in free agency but could still use a complement. Nick Cross could be that complement. The Maryland safety has the range and high-end athleticism to play single-high, while Whitehead can crash the box.
43) Atlanta Falcons: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
The Falcons would likely prefer an edge rusher who can be available right away. But in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the value with David Ojabo is too good to pass up. When he’s fully healthy in 2023, he can be a game-wrecker.
44) Cleveland Browns: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
The trade for Amari Cooper gave the Browns a boost at wide receiver. However, there’s still more room to improve. Skyy Moore is an alpha with explosiveness, effervescent twitch, and unending violence to his game.
45) Baltimore Ravens: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
The Ravens did sign Michael Pierce as an able nose tackle in the immediate timeline, but Travis Jones’ ceiling is worth banking on in Round 2. He’s incredibly explosive and powerful, and he can shift across alignments even with his size.
46) Minnesota Vikings: Sean Rhyan, G, UCLA
The Vikings have a promising young tackle duo and a high-upside left guard in Ezra Cleveland. But the right guard spot remains a hole. Sean Rhyan translates very well inside with his athleticism, core strength, and nasty streak.
47) Washington Commanders: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The Commanders have often been tied to Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave in Round 1. Jahan Dotson is a great compromise in Round 2 because he has elements of both receivers in his game — explosiveness, throttle control, and great instincts.
48) Philadelphia Eagles (mock trade from CHI): Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Philadelphia sends picks No. 51 and No. 101 for pick No. 48 from Chicago.
If a quarterback like Sam Howell gets to this point, it’s not out of the question that a team with a moderate need at QB like Philadelphia would engineer a cheap trade-up to get him. Howell provides upside and would benefit from sitting early on.
49) New Orleans Saints: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
After trading up for their new franchise left tackle in Round 1 of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Saints grab a new weapon for Jameis Winston in Round 2. A lot hinges on whether 2019 George Pickens can re-emerge. If he can, he’s a special talent.
50) Minnesota Vikings (mock trade from KC): Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
Camryn Bynum showed flashes as a rookie, but the Vikings could upgrade across from Harrison Smith and leave Bynum in a rotational role. Jaquan Brisker has the athleticism and size to be an able complement to Smith, as the latter enters his twilight years.
51) Chicago Bears (mock trade from PHI): Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
The Colts and Packers have both favored larger, more athletic receivers in recent years. Matt Eberflus’ and Luke Getsy’s preferences mesh well with Alec Pierce. He’s a big-bodied WR with the burst to stack DBs and the length and instincts to make plays downfield.
52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Tyler Linderbaum falling this far seems unrealistic on the surface. But Creed Humphrey fell even farther in 2021, and he was arguably the better prospect. Regardless, Linderbaum can file in at center right away for PIT, and he allows them to be flexible across the line.
53) Green Bay Packers: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Drake Jackson checks all the Packers’ boxes at EDGE. Last measured at 6’2 5/8″, 273 pounds, with 34″ arms, Jackson has a 36.5″ vertical and a 127″ broad jump on record. He’s an explosive player with impressive flexibility — a ball of clay much like Rashan Gary.
54) New England Patriots: Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
Leo Chenal has been favorably compared to former Patriots Pro Bowler Dont’a Hightower. Hightower was a destroyer in the box at his peak, and Chenal has similar upside with his explosiveness, unending physicality, and instincts in tight spaces.
55) Arizona Cardinals: Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis
The Cardinals were one of several teams to host Calvin Austin III on a visit before the 2022 NFL Draft. He seems a bit redundant with Rondale Moore. But Austin is arguably a more proficient creator with his elite speed, short-area athleticism, and deceptive releases.
56) Dallas Cowboys: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Nakobe Dean has long been rumored to be a potential faller, mostly due to his size. But a player of his caliber should only fall so far. Dallas could have a use for Dean. He can call signals and fly around the middle of the field while Micah Parsons rushes the edge.
57) Buffalo Bills: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
The Bills met with Breece Hall ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. They haven’t valued running backs in the early rounds before, but that could change this year. Hall’s athleticism is unmatched in the class, and he shows great flashes of vision and instincts as well.
58) Atlanta Falcons: DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
For a team that can use him correctly and hone his versatility, DeMarvin Leal could go on to be a stellar contributor. His lateral agility is rare, and he has surprising power capacity and violence in his hands. Put him at 3-tech or strong-side DE and let him work.
59) Green Bay Packers: Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
The Packers traditionally don’t value linebackers in the early rounds, but if Chad Muma falls to this point, he’s a very compelling pick. Muma is an elite athlete with size, instincts in run defense, and great coverage ability.
60) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Set to turn 24 years old this year, age will take Boye Mafe off the board for some teams. But he’s relatively new to football, and he’s a quickly ascending talent with elite burst and bend.
61) San Francisco 49ers: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
For a secondary that still has a lot of youth and uncertainty at cornerback, I love what Jalen Pitre can provide with his positional flexibility. He’s terrific in the slot and a hunter in the box.
62) Kansas City Chiefs: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
Two qualities immediately come to mind when thinking of the ideal Steve Spagnuolo cornerback: long and physical. Martin Emerson is almost a perfect match with his 33 1/2″ arms and tenacious mentality.
63) Cincinnati Bengals: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
The Bengals have shown interest in some of the 2022 NFL Draft tight end prospects throughout the cycle. They’ll need to re-invest after losing C.J. Uzomah. Getting TE1 Trey McBride can help a great deal.
64) Denver Broncos: Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
The idea of Troy Andersen is more compelling than Troy Andersen in his current state. The Montana State linebacker still has lots of room for refinement. But he’s an elite size-speed athlete with a versatile outlook.