2022 NFL Mock Draft: Charles McDonald's first and only Mock Draft of the draft season

Apr 27th 2022Charles McDonald

This mock draft has one goal: Beat Josh Norris. I needed to make some different picks here just so we don't overlap too much. Mine is better.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

Travon Walker has seen a late rise up the draft rankings, but the Jaguars play it safe here and take an NFL-ready pass rusher that still has upside to tap into as he gets older. Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Allen finally gives the Jaguars an edge rusher duo teams have to plan for a little bit.

2. Detroit Lions: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

The second pick might be high for Malik Willis, but this is a good spot for him. The Lions seem to building a strong support system and Willis needs some time to learn before he can be unleashed. A quarterback battle against Jared Goff on a team that has already invested and hit on multiple offensive linemen is a good start for him.

3. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Here's an edge rusher for Lovie Smith to start rebuilding the Texans defense around. Thibodeaux makes a lot of sense if Smith wants to turn it back to the standard four man fronts he's had success with over the years.

4. New York Jets: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State

This is high for Jermaine Johnson to me. I see him as more of a top 30-40 player that can be a strong number two edge defender for a team. However, NFL teams are higher on him than me and he's a nice fit in Robert Saleh's defense.

5. New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

Giants get fortunate here with Neal being on the board. He should be able to slide right into the right tackle spot and create a strong, bookend duo with Andrew Thomas.

6. Carolina Panthers: Icky Ekwonu, OT, NC State

The Panthers need offensive line help, so here's a tackle from the Charlotte area to help them out. Even if Ekwonu struggles at left tackle, he can kick inside — where the Panthers need help too.

7. New York Giants: Travon Walker, DL, Georgia

This is a great landing spot for Walker. He was built in a lab to play for Wink Martindale's defense and the tutelage of Andre Patterson should help him unlock the dormant pass rushing ability.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

This might be a shocker, but consider two things. First, Calvin Ridley is extremely unlikely to play for the Falcons again and that was true even before his year long suspension for gambling. Second, the Falcons ain't winning anything anytime soon. They can draft Jameson Williams and have him sit as long as he needs in order to recover from that ACL injury. Falcons might be terrible still, but at least Kyle Pitts and Jameson Williams is interesting enough to watch.

9. Seattle Seahawks: Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Seattle gets lucky with an incredible cornerback prospect falling to them at ninth overall. Just turn on the film of Sauce against the Alabama wide receivers.

10. New York Jets (via Seattle): Drake London, WR, USC

A big bodied, athletic wide receiver to help Zach Wilson reach the next level. London is more than a contested catch guy, he's really athletic for his size and has high-level route running potential based on his traits.

11. Washington Commanders: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU

Stingley may end up being the steal of the first round when it's all said and done. Stingley was talked about as one of the best cornerback prospects ever before injuries slowed him down as a junior. Here's a chance to bet on the upside.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Vikings get lucky here with Kyle Hamilton falling to them. He's just too good of a value to pass up at this point.

13. Houston Texans: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

Houston gets Charles Cross here, who might be the best tackle in the draft, to bolster their offensive line.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia

The Hulk joins a franchise explicitly known for rugged, athletic defenders in the middle of their defense. Davis will make life easier for guys like Patrick Queen and the rest of their linebackers.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

A big play wide receiver to pair with Jalen Hurts as the Eagles continue to shape their offense around him.

16. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

If Michael Thomas' injury showed anything, the Saints need another wide receiver to throw into their offense. Olave is an NFL-ready route runner with tremendous speed and good hands to be an instant impact.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

Penning is a high-risk prospect, but he can start off his career at right tackle after the Chargers hit a home run with Rashawn Slater last season.

18. Philadelphia Eagles: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue

Edge rusher just to keep their rotation on the defensive line healthy for years to come. Karlaftis can be the thunder to Haason Reddick's lightning.

19. New Orleans Saints: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati

The Saints take their first legitimate swing on a post-Drew Brees quarterback. Ridder has some work to do before he he'll be a long term starting quarterback, but the base for a good starter is there.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College

Najee, we see you and hear you. Here is some help.

21. New England Patriots: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia

The first of the Georgia linebackers to get taken. Walker has the speed, size, stopping power and coverage ability to be an early contributor in the NFL.

22. Green Bay Packers: Logan Hall, DL, Houston

Logan Hall would be a great fit for what the Packers do on defense and my buddy Justis Mosqueda said they were 50/50 on picking a wide receiver in the first round. Blame him for your ire, Packers fans.

23. Arizona Cardinals: Dax Hill, CB/S, Michigan

A versatile defensive back that can allow the Cardinals to stay flexible in their back seven.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia

Lewis Cine can do a little bit of everything for Georgia, but at a high level. No matter what role Dan Quinn sees fit for Cine, he should be able to excel.

25. Buffalo Bills: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

A versatile cornerback that lets Buffalo build out an extremely deep secondary. This is a potential upgrade on what they had with Levi Wallace in recent years.

26. Tennessee Titans: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

A Julio Jones replacement and some insurance in case their negotiations with AJ Brown go south.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

A high upside cornerback for a team that can always use more of them.

28. Green Bay Packers: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa

Tyler Smith would be a great fit for what the Packers do on offense and my buddy Justis Mosqueda said they were 50/50 on picking a wide receiver in the first round. Blame him for your ire, Packers fans.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota

An edge rusher for a team that can use some edge rusher help.

30. Kansas City Chiefs: George Pickens, WR, Georgia

Pickens ain't exactly Tyreek Hill, but he does seem to fit what the Chiefs are looking for in the new transition for their offense: physicality.

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

Didn't really know what to do here for the Bengals, so here's something to help out their pass defense now that the Ravens are looking to be healthier and they have The Nasty Man in their division.

32. Detroit Lions (via Rams): Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

A weapon with great separation ability to mesh early with Malik Willis.