2022 NFL Mock Draft: Lions replace Jared Goff with Spencer Rattler
By Brad Weiss
49. . WR. Green Bay Packers. Chris Olave. 25. player
Wouldn’t it be an incredible troll job if the Green Bay Packers traded away Aaron Rodgers, and then went and selected a wide receiver in the first round in 2022. The Packers are rumored to be heading towards a split with the reigning Most Valuable Player, and if they do turn to Jordan Love, they will be picking a lot earlier than No. 25.
However, say Rodgers stays on, the Packers will once again be one of the best in the NFC, and with this pick, they finally get him a wideout in the first round. The pick here is Chris Olave, who I believe would have been a top wide receiver taken in this year’s draft class as well.
53. . LB. Cleveland Browns. Brenton Cox Jr.. 26. player
The Cleveland Browns are a team that could make some serious noise during the 2021 NFL season, so it would not be surprising to see them picking towards the bottom of round one once again. With this pick, they continue to add to the linebacker group, bringing in Brenton Cox Jr. to pair with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, their No. 52 overall selection.
Cox is going to be a solid player at the next level, and he possesses the skills to be a 100-plus tackle guy before all is said and done. He has great athleticism, and a tremendous motor, something that will land him in the first round next year.
27. player. 26. . Edge. Baltimore Ravens. George Karlaftis
We now turn our attention to the Baltimore Ravens, who I believe will be one of the last teams standing in 2021. The Ravens had a tremendous 2021 NFL Draft, getting bolstered on both sides of the ball in the first round, taking wide receiver Rashod Bateman at No. 27, and then Jayson Oweh with the pick they got from the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 31.
While the team did add Oweh, they need more than just him on the outside, and they get another solid edge rusher here in George Karlaftis. Karlaftis played in only a few games last season due to COVID-19, but when he is on the field, he is a real menace for the Purdue Boilermakers.
28. player. 59. . DT. Miami Dolphins. Perrion Winfrey
Unlike last year, the Miami Dolphins will have only one first-round pick, the one they got from the San Francisco 49ers. Still, they can add a talented defensive tackle this late in round one, as they continue to build their roster with elite, young talent.
Perrion Winfrey fills a major void on this Dolphins roster and would join a Miami defensive line that has been bringing in young players via the draft the last two years. He is big, mobile, and strong, making him a perfect guy to team with Raekwon Davis on the inside.