2022 NFL Mock Draft: Philadelphia trades up for a franchise QB

2022 NFL Mock Draft | 17-32

Trades dominated the first half of Round 1, but will we see anymore in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft?

17) New England Patriots: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

Andrew Booth Jr. is the Chris Olave of cornerback prospects this season. He’ll make highlight-reel catches look mundane while also possessing the requisite skills to see success in any defensive scheme.

Booth sticks in man and has stellar reads in zone coverage. With more experience in the Clemson secondary, don’t be surprised to see Booth in 2022 mock drafts become a regular sight.

18) Pittsburgh Steelers: J.T. Daniels, QB, Georgia

Big Ben’s heir apparent is going to be a common selection all the way until next April. J.T. Daniels played the best football of any quarterback to close out the season in 2020 as he finally returned to full health.

There is no reason 2021 should be any different, as Georgia has national championship aspirations this year. What Daniels lacks in mobility, he more than makes up for with arm strength, intelligence, and accuracy.

I didn’t even think twice here — Daniels was available and was the pick.

19) Philadelphia Eagles: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama

With the freedom of two first-round picks, Philadelphia moved up from sixth to second to grab their next franchise QB. That means the 19th overall pick had to hit. And Christian Harris does just that — hit.

A multi-faceted linebacker, Harris’ game is prototypical for today’s NFL. He can blitz with an array of pass-rushing moves and covers with impressive middle-of-the-field ability. Harris also has size advantages over most running backs, coming equipped to do it all at the next level.

20) Washington Football Team (from New Orleans): Ikem Ekwonu, OG, NC State

Washington certainly could have selected Ikem Ekwonu at No. 14 and would have been happy. Instead, they pick up a third-round pick this year, a second-rounder next year, and still get a top player at a position of need. That’s a win-win right there.

Ekwonu is impressive at all facets as a true guard with few weaknesses. Shoring up his pass protection against bigger interior linemen will be crucial, as that is really the only nitpicky concern. This would be a dream scenario for Washington, even if no quarterback of the future were taken — yet.

21) Dallas Cowboys: DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M

Talk about a player falling into your lap. The Cowboys land the class’ top interior defensive lineman and didn’t have to move up to do so. DeMarvin Leal‘s slide stops here as he stays in the state of Texas.

Leal can do it all. But more than that, he fills a gaping need along the otherwise strong Dallas defense. Big D heads to Big D.

22) Tennessee Titans: Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama

Perhaps the 2022 mock draft circuit’s darling here at Pro Football Network, Jalen Tolbert could ultimately prove to be the best receiver in the class. He’s an incredibly rangy WR with deceptive speed. He is tremendous at the catch point, with sharp routes getting him there. Tolbert can tighten up a bit on his hands, but that will come in time.

Pairing him up with A.J. Brown and Julio Jones almost seems unfair for Tennessee. Rejoice, Titans fans, the league’s top offensive skill unit would reside in Nashville if Tolbert was the pick.

23) New York Jets: Myjai Sanders, DE, Cincinnati

New York signed Carl Lawson to a big free-agent deal this past offseason, but the lack of depth along the edge is apparent with his unfortunate injury. Anyone they sign to replace Lawson at this stage would be on a short-term contract. The need to find a long-term defensive end is imperative.

Myjai Sanders is more than a fill-in. In fact, he’s a talented pure pass rusher with an incredible frame. He utilizes his size to his advantage and is only improving. Sanders becomes the second defensive player taken by the Jets in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, a theme for their first two rounds.

24) Indianapolis Colts: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

The Colts get positional versatility with Charles Cross, pairing him with Quenton Nelson and Braden Smith for a potential decade-long dominant offensive line. Cross can take over at left tackle while also possessing the ability to potentially play inside opposite Nelson.

Either way, what he does well, he does incredibly well. That includes both pancakes in the run game and clean sheets in pass protection more often than not.

25) Miami Dolphins: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State

Speaking of clean sheets in the passing game, that’s the name of the game for Abraham Lucas. What he’s not proven in the run game (not to any fault of his own), he’s more than made up for in pass protection. More experienced in terms of snap volume than most players returning to college football this fall, Lucas dominates in the passing game.

At 6’7″, 319 pounds, he’s more than ready to play in the NFL. He would line up opposite Austin Jackson, protecting Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside at right tackle.

26) Cleveland Browns: Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa

The Browns know what it’s like to have a generational center. They also know what it’s like to lose a generational center. Having watched the success of Alex Mack for years in Atlanta, the Browns grab the 2022 NFL Draft’s best center in Tyler Linderbaum.

Tightening up one of the league’s top offenses with a position of need and the best player at that position, what else could be better? Now, just make sure you keep him past his rookie deal, Cleveland.

27) Buffalo Bills: Mykael Wright, CB, Oregon

Mykael Wright’s name is certainly going to pop up a lot more in 2021. After multiple teammates in the secondary made the NFL leap this past season from Oregon, Wright is left behind as a true junior. Yet, he may be the best of the bunch.

Wright is a sticky cornerback with the versatility to play both inside and outside. He has outstanding size and terrific long speed to match receivers. All Wright needs is time and reps to show what he’s got. That’s exactly what he’ll get in 2021. And in doing so, Wright will become one of the most coveted cornerbacks.

28) Detroit Lions: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

There will be receivers aplenty to end Round 1 of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. That’s not because this class of receivers lacks top-end talent — it’s because the talent has been so good at receiver the past few years that teams’ top needs are not going to be at WR in 2022.

That being said, Garrett Wilson is every bit of a three-down receiver at the next level. After Detroit moved down from No. 2 and grabbed Hamilton, WR vaulted up their list of priorities, and Wilson just happened to be there. They’d better run to the podium if that is the case.

29) Baltimore Ravens: Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA

In two short years at UCLA, Sean Rhyan has proven to be a dependable left tackle in all aspects of the position. He owns terrific speed and hands at his size and would be a great addition to an offensive line that signed Alejandro Villaneuva to a two-year contract this past offseason.

Given the health and hopeful recovery of Ronnie Stanley, it’s not out of the picture that Rhyan could get situational work as a rookie rather than being forced into the lineup in Year 1. That would bode well for him and the Ravens all the same.

30) Green Bay Packers: Drake London, WR, USC

The best yards-after-the-catch player in the entire class finds a home in Green Bay. Drake London is a dual-threat receiver, and that’s not just because he also plays basketball at USC. It’s more because he is essentially a running back once he gets the ball into his hands.

London possesses impressive size, leaping ability, route-running, and burst. He’s a home-run threat due to his YAC ability. London would be a welcome addition for — wait for it — Jordan Love to throw to in 2022.

31) Houston Texans (from Tampa Bay): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

(Houston sends 2022 picks 33, 128, and 2023 3rd in exchange for Tampa’s pick 31)

With the run on receivers happening and the Chiefs likely going to scoop the last of the top-tier receivers, Houston makes a move with the defending Super Bowl champions to get back into the first round. They select a talented player for Rattler to rebuild with.

Treylon Burks is a massive receiver who plays much lighter than his 6’3″, 225-pound frame would indicate. He’s exceptional after the catch and wins a ton from the slot. Burks may not have the speed of Will Fuller, but he can have a similar impact from inside for Houston.

32) Kansas City Chiefs: Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

Another speedy receiver for Patrick Mahomes to throw open should give AFC West opponents nightmares. Zay Flowers is that guy who could play directly next to Tyreek Hill and give DBs fits with their speed and shiftiness.

The sky is the limit for the Phil Jurkovec-Zay Flowers combination in 2021, but if 2020 proved anything, we’ll be hearing about them often. Flowers should flourish in the BC offense again, making this selection slightly less shocking to those in the know.

[su_button url=”https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2022-nfl-mock-draft-mellor-august/3/” style=”flat” background=”#0857c3″ color=”#ffffff” size=”5″ wide=”yes” center=”yes” text_shadow=”0px 0px 0px #000000″]Next Page: Round 2[/su_button]