Round 2 | Picks 33-48
We’re on to Round 2 in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, starting with selections 33 through 48.
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
There have been reports from PFN Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline that Treylon Burks hasn’t looked great in pre-draft workouts. If he has trouble keeping his weight in check, that could push him down a bit. In Round 2, however, he’s a great value with his upside.
34. Detroit Lions: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
You don’t usually see Alec Pierce this high, but the Cincinnati WR has early-round talent. He has a great size profile and complements it with efficient footwork as a route runner, explosiveness upfield, and great catching instincts. He and Amon-Ra St. Brown would make an excellent tandem.
35. New York Jets: Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
The Jets shouldn’t discriminate when it comes to improving their defense. Aside from the interior line, it can all be upgraded. Chad Muma, with his size and range in the box, as well as his positional versatility at the second level, makes a lot of sense on Day 2.
36. New York Giants: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
The Senior Bowl is Trey McBride‘s chance to proclaim himself the top tight end in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’ll have some competition, but few can match the Colorado State product’s sheer consistency in both phases. He’d be a valuable asset for Jones in New York.
37. Houston Texans: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Texans are that team that auto-drafts every year — but their roster is so thin they can basically use whoever they get. Especially at cornerback, Trent McDuffie has a lot of appeal. He’s instinctive and plays with urgency, but he should test out of this world at the combine as well.
38. New York Jets (from CAR): Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
When he’s on, it’s hard not to like Jalen Tolbert‘s game. The 6’3″, 190-pound Jaguars star accounted for almost 50% of his team’s receiving production in 2021. He can separate and stack defensive backs, but his body control and ball-tracking ability are what will truly win over Zach Wilson.
39. Chicago Bears: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Operation Save Justin Fields remains a go, even with the Bears’ hiring of defensive head coach Matt Eberflus. Jahan Dotson is arguably the best player on the board here with his three-level ability. A combination of Dotson and Darnell Mooney is a nightmare for opposing defenses.
40. Denver Broncos: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Boye Mafe is another riser candidate at EDGE this offseason. He’s a tremendous character off the field, but his upside between the hashes is just as exciting. Mafe has a reported 4.57 40-yard dash and a 40.5-inch vertical at 6’4″, 265 pounds. There aren’t many with his raw potential.
41. Seattle Seahawks: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Seattle’s cornerback room was as thin as four-men deep at times this past season. They’ll need to hit that position hard in the offseason. Roger McCreary is a great get in Round 2. He has great footwork off the line and uses his burst and physicality to disrupt at the catch point.
42. Washington Football Team: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
In Washington’s much-hyped defensive renaissance under Ron Rivera, one position was consistently neglected: Safety. Kamren Curl is a great matchup piece, but Washington needs a rangy player over top. Jaquan Brisker has the athleticism, length, and spatial awareness to deliver.
43. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
If there’s going to be a QB that slips into Round 2 this offseason, it could be Matt Corral. He’s the only first-round candidate not at an all-star game. He’s also coming off an injury and has fielded durability concerns with his lighter frame. But with his creation capacity and arm talent, Atlanta is willing to pounce on the value.
44. Cleveland Browns: Sam Williams, EDGE, Ole Miss
Character evaluations will be the biggest stepping stone for Sam Williams this offseason. But if he checks off that box, he’s a top-50 talent through and through. He’s an explosive, powerful athlete at 6’4″, 265 pounds, and his 12.5 sacks in 2021 are proof of his ability.
45. Baltimore Ravens: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Trevor Penning could use the Senior Bowl to vault into Round 1. However, the showcase could also expose his relative lack of refinement against superior competition. He’s a good athlete with suffocating strength and aggression regardless, and will have starting upside for Baltimore.
46. Minnesota Vikings: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Pass rush and coverage are two departments that work in tandem with one another. The problem with Minnesota is that they’ve had neither in recent years. Jermaine Johnson II could fix that. Johnson’s a well-rounded rusher with strength, urgency, and a defined arsenal of moves.
47. Indianapolis Colts: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
The Colts have bigger needs, but it’s exciting to think about what a tandem of Martin Emerson and Rock Ya-Sin could do on the boundary. Throw in Pro Bowl slot defender Kenny Moore and Isaiah Rodgers, and this secondary could give offenses fits.
48. Los Angeles Chargers: Logan Hall, DL, Houston
The Chargers may have missed out on their nose tackle in Round 1, but they can get a near-perfect fit at 3-technique in Logan Hall with their second-round pick. Hall has the versatility to shade outside, but his burst, power, and violence shine especially bright on the interior.
Round 2 | Picks 49-64
Here’s who closes out Round 2 of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
49. New Orleans Saints: David Bell, WR, Purdue
If a team is going to take a chance on Ridder as a starting quarterback, then there can’t be any cut corners when it comes to support. David Bell can be a reliable target for Ridder. He has the body control and instincts to contort for passes that aren’t pinpoint accurate.
50. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
No one can dispute that the Dolphins need to upgrade their offensive line. But the Dolphins could also use a running back who can create when nothing is there for him. Enter Kenneth Walker III, who — with his instincts, agility, and contact balance — may be the best pure runner in the 2022 NFL Draft.
51. Philadelphia Eagles: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
PFN Chief Draft Analyst Tony Pauline recently reported that John Metchie III is on track to a full recovery after tearing his ACL in the SEC Championship Game. When healthy, Metchie is a dynamic receiver with solid three-level ability and strong hands — something the Eagles could use.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
Nicholas Petit-Frere gets a bad rap for some of his worse performances. To be fair, he is a bit of a work in progress. But the tools are there to mold, and the Steelers were able to get something out of Dan Moore Jr. in his rookie year. Petit-Frere also has LT-RT versatility and may project better on the right side opposite Moore.
53. Las Vegas Raiders: Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
Some pieces on the Raiders’ interior defensive line performed better than expected in 2021. Nevertheless, they still have room to add more talent. Phidarian Mathis is an alignment-versatile lineman with burst, power, and a tireless motor.
54. New England Patriots: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
When you think of what Bill Belichick can do with versatile linebackers, it’s not hard to imagine the possibilities with Quay Walker. Walker is strong, built like an edge rusher at 6’4″, 240 pounds, with impressive athleticism in space. He could develop into a valuable chess piece.
55. Arizona Cardinals: Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
Zion Johnson slipped down the board a bit in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft — perhaps a bit further than he should have. Johnson has a great mix of natural leverage and elite proportional length, using it to his advantage in the trenches.
56. Dallas Cowboys: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
If you need a nose tackle and can’t get Jordan Davis, this is your consolation prize. Travis Jones may not get as much hype as Davis, but he’s a huge 6’5″, 333-pound space-eater with eye-catching athleticism. He’s a great run defender, with some pass-rush upside.
57. Buffalo Bills: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
You feel that? No, that’s not the cold Buffalo breeze. That’s Breece Hall blazing by a defender on his way to a game-winning touchdown. Hall isn’t quite as physical as his frame indicates, but he has the explosiveness, creative capacity, and full-field vision to bring Buffalo’s running game to new heights.
58. Atlanta Falcons (from TEN): Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
Imagine watching your first read get erased from existence by A.J. Terrell, and then you go to your second read, only to find Kyler Gordon blanketing him as well. With his efficiency of motion and elite athleticism, that’s the peak outcome that Gordon provides.
59. Green Bay Packers: Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
The future remains uncertain on the edge for the Packers, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Adding 6’5″, 270-pound MWC standout Cameron Thomas is one way to quell concerns. Thomas has great power and drive, and can use his hands to capitalize at the apex.
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
The Buccaneers could try and bring a running back or two back in free agency, but they should have some nice value opportunities late in Round 2. With his elusiveness, creative instincts, and physical edge, Isaiah Spiller could go off in this offense.
61. San Francisco 49ers: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
The pass rush is a unit you never want to neglect if you can help it. In this deep EDGE class, it’ll be easy for the 49ers to get a value deal on Day 2. Drake Jackson still has the upside that enamored scouts with him before the season, and his ceiling is high opposite Nick Bosa.
62. Cincinnati Bengals: Perrion Winfrey, DT, Oklahoma
The Bengals have been getting stellar play out of nose tackle D.J. Reader and Larry Ogunjobi. Ogunjobi, however, could be gone in free agency. Perrion Winfrey could be an able replacement. He’s an explosive, twitchy defensive tackle with great pass-rush upside.
63. Denver Broncos (from DEN): Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
This tackle class is strong up top, but it’s not quite as deep as previously thought. You’d think a player like Abraham Lucas would have more hype in this class, but he doesn’t. He can change that at the Senior Bowl, however. A natural right tackle, he should be on Denver’s radar.
64. Kansas City Chiefs: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
I’m worried I gave fellow NFL Draft Analyst Oliver Hodgkinson a heart attack out of excitement with this fit, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take. Christian Watson can introduce himself to the scouting world at the Senior Bowl, and his rare athleticism as a RAC threat is a perfect fit in Kansas City.