2022 1-Round NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
The Chargers continue to load up on defense in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. The Saints find a heavy hitter. And the Steelers draft a quarterback.
17) Los Angeles Chargers: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Chargers don’t necessarily need another pass rusher. But the value of George Karlaftis at 17 is just too good to pass up. He joins a defensive onslaught that includes Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
18) Philadelphia Eagles (from NO): Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
The Eagles would have preferred drafting Karlaftis, but they’ll happily settle for Andrew Booth Jr., who was an All-Conference player in 2021 after leading the Tigers with 3 interceptions.
19) New Orleans Saints (from PHI): Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
The Saints find a replacement for the departed Marcus Williams. Lewis Cine is a chinstrap-tightener in the running game but also more than holds his own in coverage.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The Steelers take the most NFL-ready quarterback in the draft in Kenny Pickett. Does he have the same upside as the guy he’s replacing, Ben Roethlisberger? No. But he should help the Steelers right away.
21) New England Patriots: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Mac Jones is a happy man. He has a new big-time receiving threat in Chris Olave after getting little help from the likes of Nelson Agholor and N’Keal Harry as a rookie.
22) Green Bay Packers (from LV): Drake London, WR, USC
Davante Adams is out, Drake London is in. The Packers use the Adams pick to get Aaron Rodgers some much-needed help.
23) Arizona Cardinals: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The perceived value of linebackers has taken a hit in recent years, but the Cardinals won’t regret taking the No. 12 player on our Big Board in Devin Lloyd with the 23rd overall pick.
24) Dallas Cowboys: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Yet another Bulldog defender off the board in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Jordan Davis — who won the Chuck Bednarik Award and Outland Trophy after a stellar senior year — joins a Cowboys defense that will have to generate pass rush without Randy Gregory.
25) Buffalo Bills: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
With Trent McDuffie, the Bills fill a need — with a third-team All-American, no less — and hedge against any potential rehab setbacks for Tre’Davious White, who tore his ACL on Thanksgiving.
26) Tennessee Titans: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The run on corners continues. Kaiir Elam is the fifth CB to have his name called in Round 1. He’ll join Caleb Farley, Kristian Fulton, Buster Skrine, and others in a talented room.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
With Lavonte David, Shaq Barrett, Devin White, and now Nakobe Dean, the Buccaneers will have the best group of linebackers in football.
28) Green Bay Packers: Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
More help for a Packers offense that experienced significant turnover this offseason. Kenyon Green will have a chance to start for a Green Bay line that lost Billy Turner and Lucas Patrick to free agency.
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA): Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
The Chiefs use the first-round pick they gained in the Tyreek Hill trade on his replacement, but Christian Watson — at 6-foot-5, 207 pounds — is a very different player than Cheetah.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
The Chiefs hope Daxton Hill — the Wolverine’s first-team All-Conference safety — will be an effective successor to Tyrann Mathieu.
31) Cincinnati Bengals: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
Senior Bowl MVP Perrion Winfrey has a very favorable entry point into the NFL, joining the reigning AFC champions just three years after playing for Iowa Western Community College.
32) Detroit Lions (from LAR): Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
Arnold Ebiketie — who exploded for 9.5 sacks as a senior — should bring an instant boost to a Lions defense that ranked last in yards per pass (7.7) and 27th in sacks per pass attempt (5.5%) in 2021.
