2022 NFL Mock Draft Version 3: Willis Leaps Up the Boards

With NFL Free Agency in full gear, the NFL Draft is just around the corner. But even with new testing data at our disposal, there are still many unknowns heading into this draft.

With the combine in the rearview mirror, more betting options will be on the way as NFL Draft odds are available, so here is version 3.0 of my 2022 NFL Mock Draft to help get us prepared. You can also review Mock Draft versions 1.0 and 2.0.

•JAX •DET •HOU •NYJ •NYG •CAR •NYG •ATL

•SEA•NYJ •WSH •MIN •HOU•BAL •PHI •PHI

•LAC •NO •PHI •PIT •NE •GB•ARI •DAL

•BUF •TEN •TB •GB •MIA •KC •CIN •DET

2022 NFL Mock Draft version 3.0

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

PICK: Neal No. 1 overall (+800)

What a difference a few days makes. Aidan Hutchinson is now the massive -400 favorite to go No. 1 overall after the Jaguars somewhat surprisingly used their franchise tag on Cam Robinson and then bolstered their offensive line even more in free agency. But I’m still not sold on Hutchinson at No. 1. Protecting Trevor Lawrence should still be priority No. 1, 2, and 3 for the Jags. Neal is still the top tackle on my board. You can start him on the right side and slide him over next year. Heck, he even played guard early in his career at Alabama. Going with Neal at No. 1 used to be trendy, now I’m on an island it seems.

2. Detroit Lions: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty 

PICK: Willis No. 2 overall (+500)

I’ve been itching to make this selection for the Lions in each of my first two mocks. An industry analyst I trust has said, the Lions have been enamored with Willis since they coached him at the Senior Bowl. And now at least one sportsbook has him as the co-favorite to be the No. 2 overall selection in the draft. Willis’ arm talent and athleticism are off the charts and his ceiling as a pro is crazy high. And until you have a quarterback in the NFL, you don’t have anything.

3. Houston Texans: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

PICK: Hutchinson draft position Over 1.5 (+300)

Deshaun Watson is gone. Now, the Texans can focus on rebuilding the roster from the ground up. Or maybe more accurately, from the trenches, out. A team with this many holes will be thrilled to see a player as talented as Hutchinson fall to them here. Hutchinson has a high floor, an even higher motor, and Lovie Smith will be excited to build his new defense around him.

4. New York Jets: Ikem Ekownu, OT, NC State

I really think the Jets want to grab one of the edge rushers here, but they just can’t pass on Ekownu in this spot. The Jets need to have the same mentality as the Jaguars, which is giving Zach Wilson the best chance to succeed. While they have Mechi Becton and beefed up their offensive line in free agency, “Icky” is a truck with all the tools to be a high-end left tackle in the league with positional versatility.

5. New York Giants: Charles Cross, OT, Texas A&M

In my first two mocks, Ekownu fell into the Giants’ laps, and they happily snatched him up to play opposite Andrew Thomas. But with the Top 2 tackles already gone in this version, the Giants elect to go with Cross here because there seems to be a gap between him and the next tackle. The Panthers also need help on the offensive line, and some elite edge rushers should still be on the board when they pick again at No. 7.

6. Carolina Panthers: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

The Panthers seem like they are in draft purgatory and don’t know what to do. I had them taking Kenny Pickett in my first two mocks, but Matt Rhule seems dead set on grabbing a veteran quarterback. Even though their options are quickly dwindling. Rhule has proven he’ll go with a high upside defender. None have more upside than Thibodeaux. I’m not buying his fall the way some are mock are. His tape and ability speak for itself.

7. New York Giants (via CHI): Travon Walker, DL, Georgia

What is the one thing we took away from the combine? That all Georgia defenders are freaks. And Walker is the first Bulldog who tested through the roof. He’s the perfect example of the type of player who can benefit from the combine. His tape was great and moved all over the line, but his size had some thinking he was a tweener without a true position. After the show Walker put on in Indy, that versatility looks like a huge plus.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

PICK: Wilson first WR selected (+100)

The Matt Ryan era is over in Atlanta, and they would probably love if Malik Willis fell to them but he’s long gone in this mock. Just like Calvin Ridley, we're betting the Falcons didn’t think they would be this thin at wide receiver heading into the draft either. Jokes aside, it sounds like the Falcons were ready to move on from Ridley before his suspension came to light, and now Russell Gage is gone as well. So, they pick Wilson. He can do it all. He’s an explosive playmaker at every level, with breakaway speed, and is a savvy route runner. Wilson isn’t the No. 1 receiver on my board but he’s a great compliment to Kyle Pitts.

9. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

It seems like QB eras are over all over the place, as Russell Wilson’s time in Seattle is done. Now, it’s what the Seahawks do with the return that will determine whether the rebuild in Seattle is a long process or a slow one. The great Seahawks teams were known for their defense and the Legion of Boom. They are set at safety, but they still need a lockdown corner and Gardner fits the bill. The long and athletic corner has all the tools to be a shutdown corner in the NFL.

10. Jets (via SEA): Drake London, WR, USC

The Jets got Wilson some protection with their first pick so now or they need to get him a security blanket in the passing game. That’s exactly what London is, not to mention being the No. 1 wide receiver on my board. The former Trojan has elite size, surprising speed, and can high point the ball better than anyone in this class. He’ll be the perfect outlet for Wilson in this offense.

11. Commanders: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

The Commanders found their next quarterback (I guess) when they traded for Carson Wentz. Conventional thinking would suggest that Washington needs to get Wentz more weapons. But the strength of this team is still its defense and needs to bounce back after a down year. Drafting Hamilton will help that. He is one of my top-rated players in this draft class and I don’t care a whole lot about his slow combine numbers. His tape says otherwise. With Landon Collins now gone, this is a perfect pick.

12. Vikings: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

The Minnesota secondary needs help in the worst way possible and while Stingley Jr. is going to be one of the most polarizing players in the draft, his ceiling is tantalizing. Stingley looked like a slam dunk Top 10 pick after his freshman year at LSU, but injuries and inconsistent play the next two seasons have hurt his stock. But there is no denying his potential talent. He could be the best corner in this class.

13. Texans (via CLE): Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

I told you we would get a bit crazy in this version. Now that Watson is gone it’s about making the most of the newly acquired picks and accumulating as much talent as possible over the next couple of seasons. That’s why we’re going Williams here. Before his ACL injury in the national championship, his tape was making the case for him to be WR 1 in this class. The Texans will be in no hurry to rush Williams back to the field and get Davis Mills a real weapon who is the top deep threat in this draft.

14. Ravens: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State

The Ravens were spurned by Za’Darius Smith in free agency but get a great consolation prize here in Johnson. No one has seen their stock rise more this offseason. Johnson rusher had a great season at FSU after transferring from Georgia. He then had an outstanding Senior Bowl and followed that up with another electric performance at the combine. He’s a great fit with the Ravens.

15. Eagles (via MIA): Devin Lloyd LB, Utah

Welcome to the Eagles’ portion of the draft. Philly addressed one of their biggest needs by signing Haason Reddick to come off the edge and have resigned Fletcher Cox to a team-friendly deal. So, their next biggest area of need is linebacker and Lloyd is the top one on my board. The kid out of Utah is an elite athlete who can play all three downs, blitz off the edge, and he’ll have no problem in coverage against running backs and tight ends at the next level.

16. Eagles (via IND): Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

The Eagles could also use some help in their secondary. The corner out of Washington isn’t flashy, but he's versatile and one of the most polished prospects in the entire draft. He can play inside or in the slot, he’s a solid tackler, and while he didn’t have many picks at Washington, that’s because opponents barely threw his way. He’s a great fit opposite Darius Slay.

17. Chargers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

The Chargers have hit a home run this offseason when it comes to their defense. First, trading for Khalil Mack, then signing corner J.C. Jackson and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day. On offense, they also did a good job re-signing Mike Williams. So, giving Justin Herbert even more protection is the next logical step here. Penning is your classical, nasty blocking lineman who loves contact. While he took too many penalties last year, he is a monster in the run game and has quick feet to develop into a solid pass blocker, and is worth the risk at this spot.

18. Saints: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

The Saints basically struck out in the veteran QB market and while they brought back Jameis Winston, I don’t think that stops them from taking a quarterback here. Small hand jokes aside Pickett is the most pro-ready signal-caller in this class and won’t have to worry about weather in the Superdome. This team still has a strong defense and needs a QB who won’t make mistakes. Pickett fits the bill.

19. Eagles: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Burks is becoming more and more of a polarizing prospect as the draft process moves along. He is a big, physical receiver with explosive breakaway speed and the ability to line up on the outside and in the slot. Sure, he is still a little raw and could improve his route running. But putting this fast, big-bodied receiver next to DeVonta Smith could be a recipe for success for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles.

20. Steelers: Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia

Mike Tomlin will be shocked if Davis falls to him at 20. But that’s just the way the board falls in this version of my mock, and there’s no way he passes on Davis for a “who knows what will happen?” quarterback (they just signed one of those in Mitchell Trubisky). Davis is a freak athlete and dominant run stuffer. But he can also develop into a solid interior pass rusher as well. He’ll slide in nicely next to Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt.

21. Patriots: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson

In the previous version of my mock draft, I had the Patriots address one of their biggest needs by taking linebacker Devin Lloyd. But he’s gone this time around and now corner J.C. Jackson is off to the Chargers. So, Bill Belichick drafts his replacement in Booth. The former Tiger is a long and athletic corner, who is physical with excellent ball skills.

22. Packers (via LV): Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Wow. Just, wow. Devante Adams is no longer a Packer. So, if the Packers front office does nothing other than select Olave (or another viable WR) with this pick, there may be riots in the streets of Wisconsin. Olave would be a good place to start if the Packers want to avoid that. He is a smooth route runner, can take the top off a defense, has stickum hands, and possesses a great catch radius.

23. Cardinals: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue

Chandler Jones has left the desert and J.J. Watt is always an injury concern, so pass rusher is a big area of need for the Cardinals. In a draft full of great edge rushers, Karlaftis can be overlooked, and he drops a bit in this version, but he does it all and the Cardinals are getting a steal. He is a great athlete with tremendous power and a high motor.

24. Cowboys: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M

The Cowboys grabbed a linebacker in my first mock but are more than happy to select Green here. The once-vaunted Dallas offensive line is lacking some depth, particularly now that La'el Collins is also on his way out of town. Green’s combination of size, strength, and positional versatility makes him a great fit for America’s team. He can start inside and eventually move to tackle.

25. Bills: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

The Bills don’t have too many holes on this roster. So, grabbing a guy like Dean here is a bit of luxury. Another freak Georgia defender, he is a true inside linebacker. Powerful with excellent sideline to sideline speed and an incredibly high football IQ. He’s the type of player Sean McDermott would love to plug and play in his defense.

26. Titans: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

PICK: Over 5.5 WRs drafted in First Round (-130)

Yes, the Titans just traded for Robert Woods but he is still recovering from an ACL injury so there is still a big need to improve the WR room in Tennessee. Dotson is quick with great hands and is an excellent route runner. He’s the type of guy who can make Ryan Tannehill’s life a lot easier and is a great compliment to Woods and A.J. Brown.

27. Buccaneers: Devonte Wyatt, DL, Georgia.

So, Brady went home for like three weeks and was like, "Nah, I’m good", and just like that, the Bucs are a Super Bowl favorite again. Obviously they are in win-now mode, and Wyatt immediately improves a Tampa Bay defensive front that still has a bunch of question marks. Another great Bulldog defender, Wyatt is powerful and has a quick first step. He will be disruptive in the running game and has the potential to develop into a solid interior pass rusher.

28. Packers: Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College

In this mock, the Packers selected a new weapon for Aaron Rodgers with their first pick and now use their second first-round pick to protect him. Johnson is a tank with positional versatility and tested very well at the combine. He’ll be a welcome addition to the Packers' offensive line.

29. Dolphins: Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa

I don’t know if Linderbaum makes it this far come April but it’s just the way the board falls in this mock and Mike McDaniel couldn’t be happier. Linderbaum is a plug-and-play interior lineman coming off an incredible season at Iowa. He has a strong frame despite being a little undersized, boasts great footwork, and is an expert in leverage. He’s the type of guy who can anchor the Dolphins' interior offensive line, which is something they need if they want to give Tua Tagovailoa a real shot.

30. Chiefs: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota

Mafe is another prospect who has been flying up draft boards this offseason. The Golden Gopher dominated the Senior Bowl and that continued with great testing at the combine. Mafe is explosive, long, and athletic. We saw how bringing in Melvin Ingram helped open things up for Chris Jones. Drafting Mafe is the same idea here.

31. Bengals: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida 

PICK: Over 10.5 SEC players drafted in the First Round (-135)

I know, I know. I said I would be mocking an offensive lineman to the Bengals in this spot no matter what. But after a free agency that saw them bring in Alex Cappa, Ted Karras, and most recently La'el Collins, they can actually afford to address another area and that’s their secondary. Eli Apple was fine in the playoffs, but they don’t really want to be really on him going forward. Elam is a long, physical corner that could be a solid replacement.

32. Lions, Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State

With Willis now the guy for the Lions, giving him as many weapons as possible is probably a good thing. Watson is a fantastic athlete with excellent measurables who profiles as a WR No. 1. He followed up a solid Senior Bowl by putting on a show at the combine.

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