THE 2022 NFL DRAFT: ITH’s Mid-Season Mock Draft Special 2.0
Mock draft time, version #2. Now 12 weeks into the NFL season we all have a pretty good idea of where teams stand moving forward into Draft Season, and it’s mostly the same teams picking high that were there last time. The teams might not have changed a ton but there certainly has been some movement in the players rankings. As a Thanksgiving gift here is our second mock draft of the season.
Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux DE Oregon Ducks
Kayvon Thibodeaux is at the top of most Big Boards around the league and will likely be the #1 overall selection come April’s draft. -Matt Stephen
2. Houston Texans: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE Michigan
The Houston Texans need help everywhere. There really isn’t a position moving forward that doesn’t need addressing for the 1-8 team, the Texans offense and defense amongst the worst in the league. They need help wherever they can get it and they get it in Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson has been one of the best overall players in college football and will give Houston some needed talent on defense. - Jacob Keppen
3. New York Jets: Evan Neal OT Alabama Crimson Tide
The Jets need to build around their franchise quarterback Zach Wilson. We know the tendencies of General Manager Joe Douglas and that is to build upfront in the trenches. If Evan Neal is here, I can’t imagine the Jets passing on a franchise offensive tackle. -Matt Stephen
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Jaguars are another team that just simply needs talent. Evan Neal would be the easy pick, but with him off the board, the Jaguars opt for a stellar safety in Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton is one of the best prospects at the position in years. A true do it all player, Hamilton has the physical abilities to be one of the best defensive players in the league. With his size and speed, Hamilton can match up with both tight ends and running backs and can be a chess piece for the Jag’s defense. - Jacob Keppen
5. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami): Derek Stingley Jr. LSU
A tough projection here for the Eagles. We know the Eagles’ long-standing history of building through their offensive and defensive lines--that option remains. We also know that the Eagles need an infusion of talent to their secondary in the worst way. A player like Derek Stingley Jr. can change the culture immediately. -Matt Stephen
6. New York Giants: George Karlaftis, EDGE Purdue Boilermakers
The Giants did well last year grabbing Georgia edge rusher Azeez Ojular in the second round, where they further improve the position with Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis. While Karlaftis doesn’t have a ton of production this year, he faces an insane amount of double and triple teams each game, his film shows the potential for a stud defensive end. Karlaftis is a stellar athlete with a wide variety of pass rush moves. His skill set is very reminiscent of former Purdue pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan. - Jacob Keppen
7. New York Jets (via Seattle): Andrew Booth Jr. CB Clemson Tigers
The Jets stay true to who they are with their first selection of Evan Neal. With this selection, the Jets target an area of need. The Jets need a complete overhaul of their defensive backfield and a player like Andrew Booth Jr. has the type of sky-high upside Head Coach Robert Salas covets. -Matt Stephen
8. New York Giants (via Chicago): Kenyon Green, IOL Texas A&M Aggies
The New York Giants need help on the offensive line, this is no surprise to anyone who has watched the G-Men over the past year or two. They struggle to create virtually any lanes in the run game and are a pretty barren unit outside of left tackle Andrew Thomas. Kenyon Green has been playing tackle for the Aggies this year but will slide to his more natural position at guard for New York. Green is a stud interior linemen, with great athleticism and size. - Jacob Keppen
9. Washington Football Team: Matt Corral QB Ole Miss Rebels
The Washington Football Team has no direction at the quarterback position and will be stuck in neutral until they do. Matt Corral has flaws that need to be fixed, but there is also a great deal of talent to work with. -Matt Stephen
10. Miami Dolphins (via San Fran): Charles Cross, OT Mississippi State Bulldogs
Saying the Miami Dolphins need help on the offensive line would be the biggest understatement of the year. The Dolphins are allowing pressures at an astronomic rate. Rookie guard Liam Eichenberg has really struggled to transition to the league and transitioning inside, while Austin Jackson looks like a massive swing and a miss. Charles Cross needed to bulk up a bit and show more power in his game, and he’s done just that. He checks off all the boxes of a franchise tackle. In a class that didn’t have such a rare talent such as Evan Neal, Cross would easily be seen as the premier lineman in the class. - Jacob Keppen
11. Philadelphia Eagles: DeMarvin Leal DT Texas A&M Aggies
There are some in draft circles that are souring on DeMarvin Leal given an up and down 2021 season. Don’t forget that this is a player with tantalizing traits and was dominant in 2020. -Matt Stephen
12. Atlanta Falcons: Ikem Ekwonu, OL North Carolina State Wolfpack
I swear, I’ll stop picking offensive linemen soon but Atlanta is another team whose line is extremely below average. The Falcons offense as a whole is overall atrocious, and one of the biggest reasons why is an extremely poor line. Besides left tackle Jake Matthews and right guard Chris Lindstrom, nobody on the Atlanta line looks like a starter. While Ikem Ekwonu has killed it this year at tackle, he still can step in on day one and be a future anchor at left guard for the Falcons. - Jacob Keppen
13. Minnesota Vikings: Ahmad Gardner, CB Cincinnati Bearcats
The Minnesota Vikings need help in their secondary in the worst way. Ahmad Gardner is rising on draft boards around the league and could challenge Derek Stingley Jr. as the top cornerback in the class. -Matt Stephen
14. Denver Broncos: David Ojabo, EDGE Michigan Wolverines
When asking Broncos fans what the biggest need for the team this offseason is, the resounding answer was: Head Coach. A good second was edge rusher. The Broncos are currently searching for a starting edge rusher opposite of Bradley Chubb, and so far Malik Willis has really struggled. While maybe not a day one starter, David Ojabo has the potential to be a truly dynamic player for the Broncos. In his only true year playing for Michigan, Ojabo already has 10 sacks and five forced fumbles this season. For a player who just picked up the sport midway through high school, Ojabo has an extremely high ceiling. - Jacob Keppen
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indy): Tyler Linderbaum C Iowa Hawkeyes
The sense I get from Jason Kelce is that this is his last season as an Eagle. Kelce has been one of the best centers in the league for a decade. Drafting a ready-made replacement like Tyler Linderbaum would keep the Eagles offensive line one of the most dominant units in the league. -Matt Stephen
16. Cleveland Browns: Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio State Buckeyes
If the Browns want to keep going with Baker Mayfield, they need to get him some help at wide receiver. Odell Beckham Jr didn’t really work out in Cleveland, leaving them still searching for a true star wide receiver. Garrett Wilson is the best receiver in the draft, a quick playmaker who can run routes with the best of them. With the ball in his hands, he creates magic. - Jacob Keppen
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Nicholas Petit-Frere OT Ohio State Buckeyes
The projection of Nicholas Petit-Frere to the Cincinnati Bengals is one due out of necessity. The Bengals need to continue investing in their offensive line. Petit-Frere is a bit ‘raw’ and will need some development at the NFL level. -Matt Stephen
18. Las Vegas Raiders: Kaiir Elam, CB Florida Gators
Once again the Las Vegas Raiders are searching for a new corner. Damon Arnette is gone already, another miss for the Raiders in the Mayock era. The edge rusher debacle has seemingly been solved with Maxx Crosby playing insane football and the addition of Yannick Ngakoue. Kaiir Elam is a long athletic corner who can be the future outside corner for the Raiders. - Jacob Keppen
19. Carolina Panthers: Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
The Carolina Panthers have used so many of their draft assets on the defensive side of the ball and have transformed that unit quickly. Now is the time to turn your attention back to the offensive side of the ball, particularly, the offensive line. Trevor Penning will take time to adapt to the speed of the NFL game, but the upside is worth it. -Matt Stephen
20. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis, IDL Georgia Bulldogs
Jordan Davis to the Chargers is a perfect pick. The Chargers need ANY bit of help they can get on the interior. They cannot stop the run one bit. Jerry Tillery has been a massive disappointment so far for the Chargers. Jordan Davis might not be the most complete prospect. He isn’t a guy you should expect to ever really get to the quarterback. What Jordan Davis is great at is run defending. He’s simply too big and strong to run on. - Jacob Keppen
21. New Orleans Saints: Malik Willis QB Liberty Flames
For a team ready to compete now, the Saints may be in the hunt for a veteran quarterback option. If the Saints look towards the draft, a player with the potential of Malik Willis could have Head Coach Sean Payton salivating. -Matt Stephen
22. New England Patriots: Trent McDuffie, CB Washington Huskies
The Patriots look back to the team we’re all used to. They’re back to a strong defensive foundation, playing off of smart quarterback play and a good run game. If there is a hole in the making it’s at cornerback. J.C. Jackson is a very good corner but Jalen Mills isn’t as great. With Devin McCourty getting up there in age Mills can be the potential replacement. McDuffie is a good coverage corner who’s a monster in the run game. - Jacob Keppen
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Olave, WR Ohio State Buckeyes
The Chiefs have been in search of a steady complement to Tyreek Hill at receiver for some time now. Mecole Hardman provides a splash here and there but remains inconsistent down in and down out. Chris Olave can step in from day one and be a starter at the next level. -Matt Stephen
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derion Kendrick, CB Georgia Bulldogs
How do you pick for a team that seemingly has everything? On a very good balanced team, it can be pretty hard to find holes in the Bucs roster. Defensive tackle could be in play here, but instead, the Buccaneers get more depth at cornerback. Derion Kendrick uses his receiver background to play the ball very well in the air. - Jacob Keppen
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers are another team that will be looking for a long-term solution at the quarterback position by the season’s end. Kenny Pickett has played as well as any quarterback in the country and rightfully so, has elevated his draft stock to 1st round consideration. -Matt Stephen
26. Baltimore Ravens: Darian Kinnard, OL Kentucky Wildcats
Darian Kinnard just feels like a Raven. For a team that is so predicated on running the ball, which focuses a lot on the offensive line, the Ravens line is just very ok. Kinnard is an old-school road grader who punishes defenders in the run game. He can step in and be a solid run blocker whether at tackle or guard. - Jacob Keppen
27. Detroit Lions (via LA Rams): Treylon Burks, WR Arkansas Razorbacks
The Detroit Lions need some firepower at the wide receiver position in the worst way. Treylon Burks has untapped potential and legit alpha upside. -Matt Stephen
28. Dallas Cowboys: Drake Jackson, EDGE USC Trojans
The Cowboys absolutely nailed the defensive picks in last year’s draft. Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa both look like very good players for the Cowboys. The defense is starting to turn away from being one of the worst defenses in the league. Drake Jackson shouldn’t still be here, an athletic pass rusher who certainly will add another athletic weapon to the Dallas defense. - Jacob Keppen
29. Buffalo Bills: Roger McCreary Jr. CB Auburn Tigers
The Buffalo Bills need additional reinforcements in their secondary. Roger McCreary Jr. has been top-notch all season long and has played himself into the 1st round conversation. -Matt Stephen
30. Arizona Cardinals: Daxton Hill, S Michigan Wolverines
The Cardinals have a lot of good things going their way. One of the best offenses in the league, the Cardinals look like a bonafide championship contender. On defense, the Cardinals could use some help in the secondary. With most of the top corners gone, the Cardinals add a partner to star safety Budda Baker in Daxton Hill. Hill is a fluid playmaker who flies around the field. - Jacob Keppen
31. Tennessee Titans: Jameson Williams, WR Alabama Crimson Tide
There are people around the league who speculate that Jameson Williams could ultimately be the top wide receiver off the board. I know that speed kills, but I’m not there yet on Williams. -Matt Stephen
32. Green Bay Packers: Jahan Dotson, WR Penn State
It’s a bit hard to draft for the Packers. There’s no telling whether Aaron Rodgers or Davante Adams will be returning. The entire draft is predicated on this free agency period for the Packers. Assuming the Packers are picking here, they just won the championship. Congrats Green Bay! With this in mind, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume Aaron Rodgers forgives and forgets and stays in Green Bay. Whether or not Davante Adams stayed shouldn’t impact them looking for a receiver. Jahan Dotson is the best receiver on the board. He is a speedster who plays well above his size and would be a great addition to a strong Green Bay offense.- Jacob Keppen