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2022 NFL Mock Draft: PFF shuffles the top of draft board

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•12/07/21•

Jonathan Wagner

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Chris Trotman via Getty Images.

The regular season is now over in college football, and Pro Football Focus has released an updated 2022 NFL Mock Draft. There have been some major changes in draft rankings throughout the season, and there is a major change at the very top of PFF’s latest projection.

Updated 2022 NFL Mock Draft

  1. Detroit Lions: Michigan EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
  2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Oregon EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux
  3. Houston Texans: Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett
  4. New York Jets: Alabama OT Evan Neal
  5. New York Jets (via Seattle): LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.
  6. New York Giants (via Chicago): Purdue EDGE George Karlaftis
  7. New York Giants: Mississippi State OT Charles Cross
  8. Atlanta Falcons: Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton
  9. Carolina Panthers: Ole Miss QB Matt Corral
  10. Minnesota Vikings: Georgia EDGE Travon Walker
  11. New Orleans Saints: Alabama WR Jameson Williams
  12. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami): Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum
  13. Philadelphia Eagles: Georgia DT Jordan Davis
  14. Denver Broncos: Utah LB Devin Lloyd
  15. Las Vegas Raiders: Georgia LB Nakobe Dean
  16. Cleveland Browns: Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson
  17. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis): Michigan EDGE David Ojabo
  18. Pittsburgh Steelers: North Carolina QB Sam Howell
  19. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco): Arkansas WR Treylon Burks
  20. Washington Football Team: NC State OT Ikem Ekwonu
  21. Cincinnati Bengals: Clemson CB Andrew Booth Jr.
  22. Los Angeles Chargers: Washington CB Trent McDuffie
  23. Buffalo Bills: Texas A&M OL Kenyon Green
  24. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): USC WR Drake London
  25. Dallas Cowboys: Florida CB Kaiir Elam
  26. Kansas City Chiefs: Cincinnati CB Ahmad Gardner
  27. Baltimore Ravens: Penn State S Jaquan Brisker
  28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ohio State WR Chris Olave
  29. Tennessee Titans: USC EDGE Drake Jackson
  30. Green Bay Packers: Central Michigan OT Bernhard Raimann
  31. New England Patriots: Auburn CB Roger McCreary
  32. Arizona Cardinals: Texas A&M EDGE DeMarvin Leal

Quarterbacks begin to rise in PFF’s projection

This year’s draft class is seen as being a weaker class for quarterbacks. In PFF’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft, only three quarterbacks were taken in the first round. Previously, Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral had been mocked as a fringe-top ten pick. But now, Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett rises all the way to third overall. Corral is selected ninth overall and North Carolina’s Sam Howell is taken 18th.

There is also a switch at the very top of this mock draft. Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux has been seen as the consensus top prospect in this year’s draft class for the majority of the last year. But Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson has made a strong case for himself as the top player available.

Drafts are difficult to project until the official order is set, and that won’t happen until after the Super Bowl is played. But for now, this is an interesting look as to how the NFL Draft could look in the offseason.