It’s next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, live from Las Vegas, that the NFL Draft will take place. Unlike many years past, there is no consensual choice, even at the top. This promises many surprises! In this context, The newspaper there is its only version of the first-round mock draft, for all teams involved. In other words, who could end up where?
• Read also: 2022 NFL Draft: a timid offensive vintage
• Read also: 2022 NFL Draft: Defense steals the show
1. Jaguars de Jacksonville
Aidan Hutchinson
(winger/linebacker), Michigan
A growing rumor is sending Travon Walker to the Jaguars instead. We refuse to believe it here! Things need to get as normal as possible in Jacksonville, which isn’t in the Jaguars’ genes. Hutchinson is the go-to choice for a franchise looking for credibility.
2. Detroit Lions
Kayvon Thibodeaux
(winger/linebacker), Oregon
The Lions are too cute for opposing quarterbacks. While it’s hard to imagine an old-school driver like Dan Campbell having to deal with an extravagant personality like Thibodeaux, it’s the logical choice from a talent standpoint.
3. Texans de Houston
Ikem Ekwonu
(blocker), North Carolina State
The Texans have several glaring gaps to fill and are spoiled for choice. On the offensive line, Ekwonu could start as a guard, before eventually replacing Laremy Tunsil or Tytus Howard as blocker. Otherwise, a cornerback would make sense.
4. New York Jets
Ahmad Gardner
(half corner), Cincinnati
Air festivals were commonplace last season against the Jets. A player to chase the quarterback would also be an option, but they will rely on the return of Carl Lawson to change the game a bit for this purpose. Gardner has the potential to transform the secondary.
5. Giants de New York
Evan Neal
(blocker), Alabama
The new staff of the Giants seems sincere in its intention to give quarterback Daniel Jones a real opportunity to rise. The first step to take is to better protect it. Evan Neal can play left or right. It almost makes too much sense.
6. Carolina Panthers
Kenny Pickett
(quarterback), Pittsburgh
The purpose of a mock draft is not to decide what the Panthers should do, but what they will do. Their owner is desperate to find his franchise quarterback. Pickett ain’t no safe bet, but Panthers don’t talk again until 137e choice.
7. Giants de New York*
Travon Walker
(wing/linebacker), Georgia
Walker is the classic case of the team going for the home run, but also taking the risk of splitting the air. The athletic traits are there, but the production has been rather coy in the college ranks. If the game rises to the rank of projection, it will be a monster.
8. Falcons d’Atlanta
Garrett Wilson
(receveur), Ohio State
It is very difficult to determine which need among their many shortcomings to fill the Falcons will choose to prioritize. Their aerial attack will, however, be nauseating if they do not make an important gesture to obtain a quality receiver. Wilson is very thorough.
9. Seahawks de Seattle*
Malik Willis
(quarterback), Liberty
This choice would clearly not be unanimous, since quarterbacks this year are frowned upon. After the Russell Wilson trade, however, the Seahawks have a clear need for this position. Willis offers a good dose of athleticism and an ideal arm for their vertical attack.
10. New York Jets*
Jameson Williams
(receiver), Alabama
If they get their hands on Jameson Williams, the Jets will bet on the receiver most likely to take advantage of the cannon arm of their young development quarterback, Zach Wilson. His acceleration is phenomenal and the Jets lack punch in their offense.
11. Commanders de Washington
Kyle Hamilton
(marauder), Notre Dame
Some would say it’s impossible for such a dominant safety to slip out of the top 10. This position isn’t the most critical in the eyes of decision-makers, but Hamilton is a unique talent. The Commanders secondary had a hard time last season. He would be welcome.
12. Vikings of Minnesota
Derek Stingley Jr.
(cornerback), LSU
It’s a safe bet that the Vikings will opt for a cornerback. Which between Stingley and Trent McDuffie? There’s room for debate since Stingley all but passed out in 2020 and 2021. Stingley’s defensive coordinator at LSU is now the defensive backs coach at Minnesota.
13. Texans de Houston*
jordan davis
(plaqueur), Georgia
It’s possible that in Jordan Davis, general manager Nick Caserio sees his former protege Vince Wilfork, from when he was with the Patriots. Davis is a 340-pound monster, a wall against ground game. However, he will have to demonstrate that he can support a greater workload.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Jermaine Johnson
(winger/linebacker), Florida State
Slowly but surely, the Ravens are aging on the defensive end. There’s less depth than there used to be on the front. The Za’Darius Smith acquisition attempt failed and the Ravens certainly have other plans to torment the quarterbacks.
15. Philadelphia Eagles*
Devin Lloyd
(secondeur), Utah
Most observers see the Eagles betting on a defensive lineman or receiver with their first of two picks in the opening round. Still, Lloyd would fill an obvious gap at linebacker and help out at coverage.
16. N. Orleans Saints*
Charles Cross
(blocker), Mississippi State
After losing the services of Terron Armstead, the Saints must find his successor on the offensive line. It will be ecstasy if Cross falls that far. Otherwise, Trevor Penning or Bernhard Raimann would also be logical choices. Cross excels at password protection.
17. Los Angeles Chargers
Trevor Penning
(blocker), Northern Iowa
The rush for the big guys continues with the addition of the Chargers’ most aggressive blocker of its vintage. Quarterback Justin Herbert is a national treasure that the team must do whatever it takes to protect. Penning is durable and will play fast.
18. Philadelphia Eagles*
Drake London
(receiver), USC
The Eagles have drafted a receiver in the first two rounds the past three years, but two of them (Jaelen Reagor and JJ Arcega-Whiteside) are not meeting expectations. London would emerge as a big target alongside the diminutive DeVonta Smith.
19. N. Orleans Saints*
Chris Olave
(receveur), Ohio State
The Saints have been showing a receding group of receivers behind Michael Thomas for far too long. Difficult to say if the latter will return to the top of his form after two years of injuries. In Chris Olave, the Saints would rely on speed to complement Thomas.
20. Steelers de Pittsburgh
Desmond Ridder
(quarterback), Cincinnati
Even if the quarterbacks of this vintage are not looked at in high regard, there are always teams to try the big blow. The Steelers aren’t going anywhere in the medium term with Mitchell Trubisky, and Mike Tomlin has repeatedly mentioned he wants a mobile quarterback.
21. N. England Patriots
Trent McDuffie
(cornerback), Washington
The Patriots lost cornerback JC Jackson in the offseason. They brought back Malcolm Butler, but there’s no guarantee he’ll have a big impact at this stage of his career. McDuffie isn’t a big cornerback, but he doesn’t shy away from the physical game.
22. Packers de Green Bay*
George Pickens
(receiver), Georgia
Several analysts aren’t talking about Pickens as a potential first-round pick because he suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss most of last season. He is, however, an imposing size receiver that the Packers need.
23. Cardinals of Arizona
Treylon Burks
(receiver), Arkansas
Another receiver! This time the mold is completely different from the others. Burks is big on size (a plus for Kyler Murray) and he’s been deployed inside, outside and in the backfield. The Cards were handcuffed when without DeAndre Hopkins. We need reinforcements.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Zion Johnson
(garde), Boston College
The Cowboys no longer have the most dominant offensive line in the league, as they did just a few years ago. Johnson is considered the best guard available, a great potential value at this late stage in the first round.
25. Buffalo Bills
Andrew Booth Jr.
(corner), Clemson
It would be very tempting to predict a running back (Breece Hall) to the Bills. Teams in their conference are brimming with offensive talent and the Bills could take that approach. A cornerback would fill a need, however, and there are always carriers available later.
26. Tennessee Titans
Kenyon Green
(garde), Texas A&M
The Titans offensive line is starting to need some love. The identity of the team remains first and foremost the physical game and the two guards at the moment are not top players. Unless the Titans see Ryan Tannehill’s successor hanging around…
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Devonte Wyatt
(plaqueur), Georgia
The Buccaneers are no longer betting, at least for now, on Ndamukong Suh alongside huge tackle Vita Vea. Wyatt would be a prime option in a 3-4 type system like in Tampa. He has not always had the recognition he deserves on the university scene.
28. Packers de Green Bay
George Karlaftis
(winger/linebacker), Purdue
Karlaftis is an intriguing player, in the sense that many see him going out early in the draft, while others believe he will suffer a long slide. In the unlikely scenario that this powerful defensive end falls into the hands of the Packers, they run to hand over their pick.
29. Chiefs de Kansas City*
Boye Mafe
(winger/linebacker), Minnesota
The pressure on the quarterback coming from the Chiefs’ defensive front has to come from somewhere other than Chris Jones on the inside. In Boye Mafe, the Chiefs would get their hands on a player whose first step is extremely fast. A need filled, late at the end of the round.
30. Chiefs de Kansas City
Kyler Gordon
(cornerback), Washington
With two first-round picks, the Chiefs could scramble for a receiver to fill Tyreek Hill’s departure. Let’s not forget that they hired JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Their tertiary needs reinforcement in an air-strong division.
31. Bengals of Cincinnati
Tyler Linderbaum
(center), Iowa University
Too good to be true ! It’s hard to believe that Linderbaum, a formidable talent at center, can stay up this late, but if so, the Bengals have to jump at the chance, even if it means moving newcomer Ted Karras to the guard position.
32. Detroit Lions*
Nakobe Dean
(secondeur), Georgia
The Lions could opt for some welcome reinforcements among receivers, but there will be more in the second round. A quarterback to benefit from the fifth year of option attached to the first round choices? Maybe… But Nakobe Dean would quickly become the leader of Dan Campbell’s program.
* Rank number 7 is from Chicago. 9e the Denver. 10e de Seattle. 13e of Cleveland. Miami rank 15, 16e from Philadelphia via Indianapolis, 18e from New Orleans, 19e of Philadelphia, 22e from Las Vegas, 29e from San Francisco via Miami and at 32e rang, des Rams.
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