Mock Draft 2.0: One final swing before the show begins
The NFL Draft has finally arrived, and KSR will be wrapping our coverage on the mega-event this weekend. The journey has been a wild ride.
After consuming another wild college football season in 2021, our team hit the road to take in the NFL Scouting Combine and had boots on the ground for Kentucky’s pro day in April. We wrapped that all up with a jam-packed draft guide that is ready for consumption. Now it’s time for one final mock before the party begins.
After covering the combine, our first mock was released, and the newest version has seen some alterations starting with the first pick.
1.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker (EDGE, Georgia)
Travon Walker is a former five-star recruit with ridiculous athletic traits, and the testing data backed that up. Walker brings positional versatility, and Jacksonville general manager Trent Baalke appears to be all-in despite a lack of high-level production.
2.) Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE, Michigan)
The first domino from the Travon Walker selection will allow the Lions to keep Aidan Hutchinson home. The Michigan product has elite production, top-flight testing, and appears to be a player that will provide high character to the locker room. Exactly what a rebuilding franchise needs as general manager Brad Holmes lands a line of scrimmage building block for the second draft in a row.
3.) Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr. (CB, LSU)
The Texans are in best player available (BPA) mode, and Derek Stingley Jr. has seen his stock rise as the draft gets closer. The last two years were disappointing, but at his best, the former five-star recruit can be an All-Pro island cornerback. Houston takes a chance on the LSU product.
4.) New York Jets: Ikem Ekwonu (T, NC State)
The Jets have needs at wide receiver and cornerback, but there are concerns at offensive tackle as Mekhi Becton may be on his way out of New York. With a pair of top-10 picks, general manager Joe Douglas goes BPA — according to their board — with Ikem Ekwonu to land a prospect that can slide inside or excel at tackle in Mike LaFleur’s wide zone scheme.
5.) New York Giants: Charles Cross (T, Mississippi State)
Perhaps the first big surprise happens with the Giants who have a big need at offensive tackle. General manager Joe Schoen goes with a tackle prospect in Charles Cross that has an extremely high ceiling as a pass protector and shows some unexpected physicality in run concepts.
6.) Carolina Panthers: Evan Neal (T, Alabama)
The Panthers are a trade back candidate due to their lack of picks. However, if Carolina stays put, the decision is easy as the NFC South franchise takes the best tackle available, and this mock has it as Evan Neal. Perhaps the best player in the draft slides to Carolina as there appear to be some medical concerns with the former five-star recruit.
7.) New York Giants: Sauce Gardner (CB, Cincinnati)
Here is another trade spot as the Giants will be taking offers after addressing their issues at offensive tackle if someone wants to move up for a quarterback. However, the G-Men need a cornerback, and Sauce Gardner will provide sticky man coverage for blitz-heavy defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.
8.) Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson (WR, Ohio State)
The Falcons need help at quarterback but should wait it out after signing Marcus Mariota. Looking to add cornerstone pieces, this organization needs skill talent. Luckily, WR1 falls to them. Garrett Wilson is an explosive and versatile wideout that can beat defenses with long speed, quickness, and in the air at the catch point. The Ohio State product is an instant starter and could have a Rookie of the Year case in an offense that needs weapons.
9.) Seattle Seahawks: Kayvon Thibodeaux (EDGE, Oregon)
The highest ceiling player in the class has a slide, but general manager John Schneider jumps at the chance to keep Kayvon Thibodeaux on the west coast. The bendy and explosive edge rusher has all-star traits and is a great scheme fit in the four-down, heavy three-deep zone defense that Pete Carroll prefers to run. There are off the field and buy-in questions, but Thibodeaux has no doubt All-Pro potential.
10.) New York Jets: Jermaine Johnson (EDGE, Florida State)
New York is quietly very much in the hunt for Deebo Samuel, and wide receiver is deep in this draft. Therefore, the Jets decide to focus on defense and improve their pass rush as the AFC loads with high-level passers. Jermaine Johnson is a bull with great play strength and room to grow as a speed rusher. The Jets haven’t hidden how much they like the former junior college transfer, and Johnson comes off the board earlier than expected.
11.) Washington Commanders: Drake London (WR, USC)
Head coach Ron Rivera is in win now mode after acquiring Carson Wentz in the offseason. The NFC East seems there for the taking, but the Commanders need skill talent help. D.C. gets a Robin to Terry McLaurin’s Batman by scooping up Drake London. The former top-250 recruit can serve as a big slot that wins in isolation, makes plays at the catch point, and gobble up big yards after catch (YAC) numbers.
12.) Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Hamilton (S, Notre Dame)
In his first draft, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is handed a gift when a top-five talent falls to the Vikings. Kyle Hamilton has speed concerns, but those should be outweighed by major playmaking traits combined with high-level production and ridiculous football instincts. Hamilton can be a difference-maker as a versatile safety that can serve in a variety of roles.
13.) Houston Texans: Jameson Williams (WR, Alabama)
Texans remain in BPA mode and get to scoop up one of the top wideouts in the draft. Jameson Williams is a vertical field stretcher with playmaking juice who has star potential and the ability to play multiple roles. The Ohio State transfer is still recovering from an ACL injury, but that is fine for a Houston franchise in rebuild mode.
14.) Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis (iDL, Georgia)
Upgrades have been made at quarterback and wide receiver in the AFC North, but establishing the run in these cold weather climates is still important. Therefore, teams must get big on the line of scrimmage and plug holes. The Ravens jump at the chance to get Jordan Davis who is a space-eater with high-end athletic traits. There’s a chance the All-American can develop into a playmaking nose thanks to elite athleticism after being surrounded by talent and not asked to play on third downs at Georgia.
15.) Philadelphia Eagles: Treylon Burks (WR, Arkansas)
Despite grabbing DeVonta Smith last season and seeing the rookie put together a nice season (64-916-5), the Eagles still need help on the perimeter. The NFC East franchise must give Jalen Hurts more weapons, and general manager Howie Roseman addresses that with Arkansas super slot Treylon Burks. The former top-125 recruit is a YAC monster who gives the Eagles a different body type (6-2, 225) that is utilized best in the slot with quick game targets or shots over the top of the defense.
16.) New Orleans Saints: Trevor Penning (T, Northern Iowa)
Terron Armstead left the Saints for the Dolphins in free agency, and New Orleans now needs both a left tackle and quarterback for the future. The passer will have to wait after re-signing Jameis Winston. General manager Mickey Loomis has shown a willingness to take tackles in the first round, and the Saints go back to that well. Trevor Penning is the clear T4 in this haul and the last one worthy of a day one selection. Development is needed, but there are some major straits — size, length, nastiness, and movement skills.
17.) Los Angeles Chargers: Chris Olave (WR, Ohio State)
After adding pieces on defense in free agency, the Chargers give Justin Herbert another weapon at wide receiver. Chris Olave is the best technician in this class as the wideout wins with football intelligence and great footwork. It’s not that much different than Keenan Allen and gives the Chargers another solid weapon in the intermediate game as defenses look to take away the deep ball due to Herbert’s bazooka arm.
18.) Philadelphia Eagles: Trent McDuffie (CB, Washington)
There are no star athletic traits for a position that needs top of the line athleticism, but the tape was excellent for Trent McDuffie as the Pac-12 prospect looks like a player that can turn into a solid starter at the next level. The Eagles will take a safe bet with one of their two first round picks as the defense also gets addressed inside the top-20.
19.) New Orleans Saints: Devin Lloyd (LB, Utah)
The Saints decide to completely pass on a quarterback in the first round and go with defense for their second pick. Linebacker is not a position this franchise likes to address early, but Devin Lloyd is a unique prospect with three-down ability and the skills to run fit, blitz, and cover in space.
20.) Pittsburgh Steelers: Maik Willis (QB, Liberty)
We likely see a trade happen on Thursday to start the QB domino effect, but in this mock, the position falls to No. 20. After signing Mitchell Trubisky, the Steelers roll the dice with the player with the highest ceiling. Malik Willis has major playmaking traits with an arm that can stretch the field but will need some time to develop before running an NFL offense.
21.) New England Patriots: Andrew Booth Jr. (CB, Clemson)
The Patriots lost JC Jackson in free agency and now have a hole at cornerback. Bill Belichick decides to address that with New England’s first pick. Andrew Booth Jr. owns elite ball skills and is at his best as a press-man cornerback that can challenge outside receivers at all three levels.
22.) Green Bay Packers: George Karlaftis (EDGE, Purdue)
With the top four wideouts off the board and some draft capital available, Green Bay passes on wideout and takes BPA. George Karlaftis falls, but the highly productive Big Ten player gives the Packers another pass rush weapon to show offenses that wins with power and motor.
23.) Arizona Cardinals: Kaiir Elam (CB, Florida)
The Cardinals need help at the two most important positions on defense — edger rusher, cornerback — and address the need in the first round. Kaiir Elam wins with physicality, and his length allows the corner to win in one-on-one situations. With island coverage ability, Elam has a high ceiling.
24.) Dallas Cowboys: Zion Johnson (iOL, Boston College)
Offensive guard is the biggest hole on the roster in Dallas and that makes this selection easy for Jerry Jones. The Cowboys scoop up the only guard worthy of a first-round selection. Zion Johnson has tackle experience, but at guard, the ACC product possesses strength and positional movement skills making him a fit for both zone and gap schemes to go with a high floor as a pass protector.
25.) Buffalo Bills: Tyler Linderbaum (C, Iowa)
The Bills enter the 2022 season with what could be the best roster in the NFL and clear answers at top positions. Therefore, general manager Brandon Beane can go with BPA. With Mitch Morse reaching 30 and having no guaranteed money on his deal after this year, Buffalo takes a swing at the top center in the draft. Tyler Linderbaum has short arms, and that’s a concern, but this is a prospect with elite athleticism and play strength despite being under 300 pounds. The All-American will be a good pro and gives Josh Allen his center of the future.
26.) Tennessee Titans: Jahan Dotson (WR, Penn State)
The Titans desperately need a vertical field stretcher to complement A.J. Brown and the physical rushing attack in Tennessee. General manager Jon Robinson rolls the dice with Jahan Dotson. The outside receiver isn’t big (5-10, 181) but has elite speed and high-level ball skills that should make the Penn State product a valuable shot play target in the NFL.
27.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devonte Wyatt (iDL, Georgia)
The Bucs need some help on the interior, and the defending NFC South champions roll with a prospect with a high floor. Devonte Wyatt did not have great production in college, but the former junior college transfer matches speed with motor and has pass-rushing traits that need some more refinement.
28.) Green Bay Packers: Daxton Hill (DB, Michigan)
We all know the Packers will not reach for a wide receiver in the draft. Therefore, Green Bay goes with a versatile defensive back that falls. Daxton Hill is a versatile chess piece that can play numerous positions in the secondary. The high-level athlete could thrive as a deep safety, play some dime linebacker, or handle slot corner responsibilities. With a combination of NFL-ready skills, this could be a Rookie of the Year candidate.
29.) Kansas City Chiefs: George Pickens (WR, Georgia)
After losing Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs need to get Patrick Mahomes some weapons on rookie contracts. Kansas City signed Juju Smith-Schuster to team with Mecole Hardman in the slot. However, an X receiver is needed to play outside the numbers. General manager Brett Veach rolls with former five-star recruit George Pickens who is elite in 50/50 situations and has the speed to be a vertical threat.
30.) Kansas City Chiefs: David Ojabo (EDGE, Michigan)
With two first-round picks, the Chiefs can afford to be selective. Therefore, adding a player with a high ceiling makes some sense. David Ojabo was a top-15 pick if not for an Achilles injury suffered during the pre-draft process. The twitchy edge rusher has a great frame and helps fill a position of need in Kansas City.
31.) Cincinnati Bengals: Logan Hall (DL, Houston)
The Bengals did a great job addressing the offensive line via free agency and can now focus on their defensive holes. The pass rush was a big weakness for the AFC champs, and the flaw needs to be addressed. Cincinnati lands on Logan Hall who provides both interior and outside pass rush potential with great length.
32.) Detroit Lions: Lewis Cine (S, Georgia)
The Lions should continue the Jared Goff experiment for one more year and use this year’s high draft capital to rebuild the rest of the roster. A double-dip could be in play on defense. Safety is a need in Detroit, and Lewis Cine has playmaking ability as a force player in run support and required coverage skills thanks to great speed. There is Pro Bowl potential due to excellent athleticism.
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