BIYC NFL Mock Draft V1

The NFL Draft Combine is upon us! We get to see our first look at the rookies in this draft class and plenty will change from this mock draft into the next after what happens in a long week of testing at the combine. But, as it stands right now, there is no clear-cut number one overall pick and no clear QB1 in this draft. We attempt to figure these things out in the first version of the 2022 BIYC NFL Mock Draft.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Evan Neal, Alabama

The Jaguars must prioritize Trevor Lawrence and getting him on track to be their franchise QB. Evan Neal has the tools to turn into that protection for many years.

2. Detroit Lions: EDGE Aiden Hutchinson, Michigan

Lions get the best pass rusher in the draft and the second-best prospect in this class in Aiden Hutchinson.

3. Houston Texans: S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

Kyle Hamilton is my number one prospect in this draft class and will be a force on defense for a long time in the league. Great ball skills, great tackler, and play recognition off the charts. Easily my number one guy.

4. New York Jets: EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

Thibodeaux could go number one, or he could fall out of the top 10. He has been regarded as a future number one pick for a while but feels like a wildcard for most teams at the top of the draft.

5. New York Giants: OT Ikem Ekwonu, NC State

Giants changing GMs and finally hoping to fix an offensive line they had been trying to do for years. Ikem Ekwonu might be the best tackle in this class and could wind up at one ahead of Neal when it’s all said and done.

6. Carolina Panthers: OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State

Panthers pick will change throughout the offseason, I personally believe they are going to be in the running for a solid veteran QB. If not, it might be QB here. However, Charles Cross would be a great building block with whomever the Panthers bring in at QB.

7. New York Giants: CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU

I am not sure Stingley is the best corner in this class, but he certainly has the homerun potential to be the best player in the class. Giants take him here to sure up the defense.

8. Atlanta Falcons: EDGE George Karlaftis, Purdue

Falcons desperately need help at pass rusher, there will be a lot of options to take here at EDGE and I like Karlaftis to continue to win on the pass-rush.

9. Denver Broncos: EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia

Broncos fill a need with a high upside pick that I believe will continue to rise draft boards with his defensive playmaking ability at his size and athleticism.

10. New York Jets: CB Ahmed Gardner, Cincinnati

This is my number one CB in the draft, he is great at the catch point and would immediately make the Jets defense better as their best defensive player.

11. Washington Commanders: QB Malik Willis, Liberty

Commanders try to move on from the Taylor Heinicke experiment and compete in the NFC East. Willis isn’t my top QB, but a lot of teams seem to like him.

12. Minnesota Vikings: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington

Surprise, surprise, the Vikings are going CB with their first-round pick again. A lot of different routes to go and with a new GM, things could be unclear with the process, but McDuffie has a very clean game in the secondary.

13. Cleveland Browns: WR Drake London, USC

I am intrigued where Drake London winds up in this draft, he could be top 10, or he could be back half of the first round. Either way I think he projects to be a versatile wideout with high upside.

14. Baltimore Ravens: G/T Kenyon Green, Texas A&M

Tough, versatile guard who could end up developing into a tackle. Ravens love to run the ball and I think Green would help the Ravens at tackle with guard traits already developed.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah

Draft community will start to fall in love with Devin Lloyd more and more in the coming weeks. He is the perfect off ball linebacker for the NFL today.

16. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE David Ojabo, Michigan

Another Big Ten pass rusher who is raw and not a finished product but has the make-up to be a force. Stop me when you’ve heard that before.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Jordan Davis, Georgia

Having a laughable rush defense this past season (see the Raiders trying to run out the clock and tie for the playoffs and still running it down their throats) it makes sense that the Chargers would need to start addressing that void.

18. New Orleans Saints: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

Kenny Pickett comes off the board as the Saints go away from Sean Payton and his obsession over Taysom Hill the QB. Pickett is the best QB in the draft with all the right tools.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Can the Eagles get it right at WR? Devonta Smith was a good pick, so let’s get another playmaker and try to forget about Justin Jefferson, shall we?

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Sam Howell, North Carolina

What will you get out of Sam Howell still remains to be seen. He had a great passing season in 2020 and felt like he was hindered by a bad offensive line last year. He will be the first to come after Big Ben and fill those shoes (or walking boot).

21. New England Patriots: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

Patriots go after a clean route runner to pair with Mac Jones after his tremendous rookie season. This should open more on offense with the sure handed Olave on the outside.

22. Las Vegas Raiders: CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson

A smooth corner who fills a big need on the Raiders defense as they bring in a whole new culture.

23. Arizona Cardinals: EDGE Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State

Could see Johnson flying up boards in the next few weeks and wouldn’t be surprised to see Arizona go a different direction at this spot but with Chandler Jones leaving and JJ Watt getting older it makes sense.

24. Dallas Cowboys: LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia

A leader on the defense that also frees up Micah Parsons to dominate elsewhere and provide more consistency at LB.

25. Buffalo Bills: CB Kyler Gordon, Washington

Bills have room to play around at this pick, but I couldn’t pass on the explosiveness of Gordon who will shine at the combine.

26. Tennessee Titans: C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

A tough center who also possesses a ton of athleticism at the center position will work just fine in the Titans running scheme.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Daxton Hill, Michigan

Bucs could go WR here depending on rumors of Chris Godwin. However, pairing Hill with Winfield Jr. would be the beginning of a young solid secondary.

28. Green Bay Packers: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama

Get Aaron Rodgers another gadget to use and keep the man happy! This also helps Davante Adams who will most likely be franchise tagged this season.

29. Miami Dolphins: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

Tua is the guy long term it seems for the Dolphins and the best way to make that work is to protect him up front and keep him healthy.

30. Kansas City Chiefs: IDL DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M

Feels like we’re back to the point of Kansas City needing considerable help on the defensive side of the ball. More glaring needs will appear if Tyrann Mathieu leaves as well.

31. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan

Protect Joe Burrow. Protect Joe Burrow. Protect Joe Burrow. There isn’t much else to say, keep him healthy and the Bengals will have sustained success.

32. Detroit Lions: QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss

Matt Corral is the fourth QB taken off the board in the first round as the Lions can start to look at the future with a late first round pick.