The 2021 NFL season is roaring towards Week 13, and based on trades and records, the two New York teams that play in New Jersey will be picking early on.
The 2021 NFL season is entering Week 13, and we have already seen some teams step up and look like legitimate playoff teams. However, as we get closer to the stretch run, many have come back to the pack, and the AFC is anybody’s guess at this point.
Here, we take a look at what the first round could look like in the 2022 NFL Draft, based on the recent reshuffling of the draft order.
2022 NFL Mock Draft: Giants and Jets get serious upgrades early in Round 1
The Detroit Lions are downright awful, and they were on full display to a national audience this week, as they took on the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day. It was a game that looked like nobody wanted to win, and in the end, the Lions were on the wrong side of one of the more horrific Thanksgiving games in recent memory.
As they look towards the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, they have two choices, one at No. 1 overall, and one very late in the round. With this pick, I believe they go with the best player available, and a guy who can revamp their defense, and that is Oregon defensive end, Kayvon Thibodeaux.
The Houston Texans took on the New York Jets this past weekend in a battle of teams that will be picking very early in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. For a while, it looked like neither team wanted to come away with the victory, but in the end, the Jets won, and the Texans moved up to No. 2 in the draft order.
Watching the Texans play, it is clear that they need some kind of future at the quarterback position, and they get some here in Matt Corral from Ole Miss. With Deshaun Watson out the door and Tyrod Taylor nothing more than a backup, Corral can come in and play right away, or spend a year behind Taylor learning the pro game if the Texans want to go that route.
The Jacksonville Jaguars were absolutely pasted by a terrible Atlanta Falcons team this past weekend and currently hold the No. 3 overall pick in next April’s draft. Jacksonville is hoping that Trevor Lawrence will be the franchise quarterback they were hoping for when they took him No. 1 overall, but he is struggling through a rough first season in the league.
With the No. 3 pick, the Jaguars turn their attention to the defense in this mock draft, adding Kyle Hamilton, a punishing safety from Notre Dame. This kid may be the most NFL-ready player in this draft class and based on his demeanor, and skill will be a captain for this team right away.
Picks No. 4 through 6
Incredibly, if the season ended tomorrow, both the New York Jets and the New York Giants would have back-to-back picks in the top-10 of the 2022 NFL Draft. When it comes to both those franchises, they can use all the help they can get, and with pick No. 4 overall, the Jets kick off four straight picks by teams that make their home inside MetLife Stadium.
The first of two picks in a row for the Jets is LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who is one of the better cornerback prospects I have seen in quite some time. He had looked like a first-round talent since his freshman season, and he fills an immediate need in this Jets secondary on Day 1.
The New York Jets hold the No. 5 overall pick thanks to the trade they made with the Seattle Seahawks for Jamal Adams, which looks like an absolute steal now. While Adams and the Seahawks are terrible, the Jets have two shots in the top-5 to change the fortunes of their franchise, and hopefully, Joe Douglas and company do not mess it up.
With this pick, they continue to stack talent along the offensive line, hopefully leading to move development from Zach Wilson. With Evan Neal, they will have a tremendous young trio in him, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Mekhi Becton, giving New York one of the best young trios in the league.
With pick No. 6, the New York Giants will try to do something to bolster their pass rush, which has been a sour spot for this team this season. Last weekend, they were able to play great defense against the Philadelphia Eagles, and while that likely is not to continue, they can upgrade in a big way here in the first round.
Aidan Hutchinson looked like a man playing against boys in Michigan’s victory over No. 2 Ohio State, increasing his draft status, and looking like the best player in the country. Some are even calling for him to be in the Heisman race, and while that is not likely, him going in the top-10 picks is an easy bet.
Picks No. 7 through 10
With their second pick in a row, the New York Giants look to improve upfront along the offensive line. The talk this week has surrounded whether or not Dave Gettleman will return as general manager, but whoever it is, they need to make sure they continue to try and fix the player in front of Daniel Jones.
Here, they get one of the more versatile offensive linemen in this draft class, adding Texas A&M star Kenyon Green. New York has tried to bolster the line with guys like Will Hernandez and Andrew Thomas in recent drafts, and hopefully Green can be one of the final pieces of the puzzle.
The Philadelphia Eagles hold three first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, including back-to-back picks in the first ten picks next April. This is the pick they have earned themselves by being one of the worst teams in football, and with it, they do something to improve their secondary.
Andrew Booth Jr. from Clemson is a player who is rocketing up draft boards and has the full complement of skills you look for in a shutdown cornerback. He is fast, and gifted in the coverage game, and based on what we have seen from the Eagles this season, they need to do a lot to improve that defense.
With their next pick in the first round, the one they received from the Miami Dolphins, the Eagles continue to try and stack talent along the defense. Here, they shift their focus to the defensive line, bringing in Purdue edge rusher George Karlaftis, who is going to be a dominant player at the next level.
Philadelphia has some talented pieces on both sides of the ball, and it will be interesting to see what they do with Jalen Hurts at quarterback moving forward. If they do not think he is the guy, as he looked terrible last week against the Giants, they could couple picks up to move up and get a quarterback, but now, they stay here at No. 8 and 9.
The Carolina Panthers took on the Miami Dolphins in Week 12, and most people felt that Cam Newton would build off his first start back with Carolina, and lead them to a victory. Well, the opposite happened, as Cam looked awful, was benched, and is just the latest in a run of Panthers quarterbacks who cannot get the job done.
At pick No. 10, Carolina has an interesting decision to make, as they could roll the dice with a quarterback in Liberty’s Malik Willis. When it comes to pure talent, Willis has everything you need, but he played against lower competition in college and could be a guy who is a year or two away from helping at this level.
Picks No. 11 through 14
The Atlanta Falcons picked up a much-needed win against the Jacksonville Jaguars this past weekend, putting together one of their better efforts in recent memory. Still, a lot of changes are likely coming to this franchise moving forward, and that could mean the end of the Matt Ryan era in Atlanta.
If that is the case, then the Falcons need to make sure they land a quarterback in the first round, and they do in our mock by selecting Kenny Pickett. Some feel Pickett could be the first quarterback off the board, and that could certainly be the case, but here, the Falcons find their next franchise guy at No. 11 overall.
The Minnesota Vikings are a team that has to kick it into gear if they hope to make the playoffs, as they suffered a tough loss this past weekend against San Francisco. That was on the heels of a tremendous victory against Green Bay, but if they are going to be so inconsistent, they could be looking at major changes this offseason.
With pick No. 12 overall, I like the Vikings to target their secondary, bringing in an elite talent in Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. This kid is a flat-out playmaker, and the Vikings defense certainly needs all the help they can get in the defensive backfield.
The New Orleans Saints have become a laughingstock since the injury to Jameis Winston, and it is being reported that Taysom Hill will replace Trevor Siemian as the team’s starting quarterback. The losers of four straight, the Saints are headed towards a top-10 pick, but here, they select at No. 13 overall.
With this selection, the Saints get Winston a legitimate weapon for when he returns next season in Garrett Wilson from Ohio State. Wilson is an incredible talent, possessing the ability to go up and make the big grabs, as well as go over the middle, and should be a star at the next level.
With their third and final first-round pick in 2022, the Philadelphia Eagles turn their attention to the offensive side of the ball, adding a weapon in the passing game for Jalen Hurts. Hurts looked terrible this past weekend against the New York Giants, but also suffers from not having enough players to target outside of DeVonta Smith, a 2021 first-round pick.
At pick No. 14, the Eagles add a legitimate playmaker next to Smith in Chris Olave, who joins teammate Garrett Wilson here in the top-15. Jalen Reagor has been atrocious since being a top pick of the franchise, dropping two touchdown passes against New York, so Olave becomes the No. 2 wideout from Day 1.
The Cleveland Browns were looked at early as a team that could be a challenger in the AFC, but after injuries, and inconsistent play, they have a ton of question marks surrounding them. They have to figure out what they want to do with Baker Mayfield, who is on the brink of a major extension, but here, they focus on the defensive line.
Looking around at some other mock drafts, DeMarvin Leal is mocked all over the first round, including in the top-10. Here, he lands with the Browns, who need help up front along the defensive line, as they get an elite prospect who can be dominant against the run or the pass.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are starting to trend in the wrong direction, and after a solid start to the season, it is looking more like they will be on the outside looking in at the playoffs. Ben Roethlisberger is coming to the end of the line in Pittsburgh, but with no successor, he could return in 2022, which means bolstering the offensive line.
At pick No. 16 overall, they do just that, bringing in one of the better all-around offensive linemen in this draft class. Tyler Linderbaum can play inside or out for the Steelers, and based on the talent they have in front of Big Ben, he would be a significant upgrade.
The Denver Broncos suddenly look like a team that could be a real challenger for a Wild Card spot, after beating down the Los Angeles Chargers this past weekend. If their defense plays the way they did against Justin Herbert and company, they are going to be in good shape moving forward, but they still have to figure out what they want to do long-term at quarterback.
Picking this late in round one, a quarterback is likely not going to be there, especially one that can be a franchise guy, so instead, they focus on the aforementioned defense. Nakobe Dean is one of the best linebackers in this draft class, and on a Broncos defense that recently lost Von Miller, he slides right into a starter’s role.
Incredibly, the Las Vegas Raiders went into Dallas and won a game on Thanksgiving Day, which could be a signal that their season will turn around. The losers of three straight before that victory, Las Vegas has a tough road ahead, and it will be interesting to see how Derek Carr and company navigate the rest of the season.
At pick No. 18, the Las Vegas Raiders once again draft an offensive tackle in the first round, which would be three times in the last five years. 2021 first-round pick Alex Leatherwood will likely kick inside for his career, leaving a starting right tackle job open for Charles Cross, their pick in the first round of our mock.
Picks No. 19 through 22
All of a sudden, the Washington Football Team looks like a team to beat in the NFC, this after knocking off Carolina, Tampa Bay, and Seattle in consecutive weeks. Taylor Heinicke looks like a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL, which makes their need for a quarterback in this draft a moot point.
Instead, they focus on what has become a solid defense, even without Chase Young, and grab Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam. This is a kid who is going to be a Day 1 starter at the next level and will provide the WFT with a standout player at a big position of need.
The Los Angeles Chargers are starting to be one of those teams where you do not know what you are going to get from them weekly. Last week, they took on the Denver Broncos, and despite a 300-yard game from Justin Herbert, they ended up on the losing end, and have fallen to 6-5 on the season.
With pick No. 20 overall, they add a talent to the middle of their defensive line, bringing in the big fella from Georgia, Jordan Davis. Davis is a mountain of a man and someone who is going to help clog the middle for the Chargers while taking pressure off their solid collection of pass rushers.
The Miami Dolphins will pick at No. 21 overall if the season ended tomorrow, this thanks to the fact that the San Francisco 49ers have found their groove down the stretch. Miami is a team with plenty of question marks, including at quarterback, but here, they draft a player that can help protect Tua Tagovailoa in the future.
Ikem Ekwonu is one of those offensive linemen in this class that can play on the inside, or out, but I like him more as an offensive guard at the next level. Miami needs help at tackle, even with Liam Eichenberg having a solid rookie season at left tackle, so it will be interesting to see where he would fit if he were the pick this late in round one.
The Buffalo Bills are in desperate need of catching the New England Patriots, who have become one of the top teams in the AFC. Buffalo has the talent on both sides of the ball to be a serious Super Bowl contender, but they have been wildly inconsistent in recent weeks.
One area where they could stand to get better is at the linebacker position, and they do so here by selecting Devin Lloyd from Utah. Lloyd is one of a handful of first-round linebackers in this draft class, and joining a team led by Sean McDermott, he would be in the best position to succeed early on in his carer.
Picks No. 23 through 25
With their second of two first-round draft picks, the one they got from the Los Angeles Rams in the Matthew Stafford trade, the Detroit Lions add a weapon for their offense. To watch their offense try to move the ball on Thanksgiving Day was enough to throw up your turkey, but at No. 23, they could get a difference-maker at the wideout position.
That difference maker is Drake London, who had a monster season for the USC Trojans and should be ticketed for the first round. Detroit has issues at quarterback, but won’t get a franchise guy this late in round one, so London is the pick and will be a top option in the offense in 2022.
The Cincinnati Bengals are a very explosive team, and since their bye week, they have come out swinging, beating Las Vegas and Baltimore. In fact, Cincinnati is so good that I believe they could end up winning the AFC North when all is said and done, and they are still very young.
One area they could use some help, however, is in the defensive backfield, and one cornerback I really like in this draft class is Trent McDuffie. McDuffie would be joining a secondary that has plenty of question marks, but as we have seen with this franchise in recent drafts, they know how to find stars in the first round.
The Dallas Cowboys went into their Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders as big favorites, even without the services of star wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper. However, from the outset, it was clear this would be a battle, and when all was said and done, the Raiders’ offense put 36 points on the Cowboys.
One thing is for sure, Dallas has some solid young talent on defense, especially in the secondary, where Trevon Diggs is one of the best young cornerbacks in the league. Upfront they need help, however, and David Ojabo could join teammate Aidan Hutchinson as first-round picks in 2022.
Picks No. 26 through 28
The Kansas City Chiefs have reestablished themselves as one of the best teams in the AFC, and it will be interesting to see if they can make a third straight trip to the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes is once again playing at a high level, and coming out of the bye week, they have become the team to beat in the conference.
Looking at their roster, there are still holes, especially on the defensive side, where they need some help getting after the quarterback. Drake Jackson is a player who can do all of that and more, as he is also solid against the run, and would be an excellent addition to this Chiefs unit.
The Tennessee Titans are going to find it hard to continue to play good football without Derrick Henry, something that we saw the last two weeks against Houston and New England. With their current roster, they will be lucky to even get into the playoffs, as the Indianapolis Colts look ready to overtake them in the AFC South.
When it comes to the Titans, they have plenty of talent at wide receiver, but Julio Jones has not been a steady contributor, and A.J. Brown has battled injuries. Enter Treylon Burks, a player who could be a solid No. 2 to Brown for years to come, giving Ryan Tannehill an excellent duo on the outside.
The Tampa Bay Buccanneers were able to get back on the winning track this weekend, though it took everything they had against a very good Indianapolis Colts team. Tom Brady was able to orchestrate another solid comeback victory for the Bucs, and when all is said and done, this team is going to make another run to the Super Bowl.
On Saturday, during the Iron Bowl, Auburn gave everything they had to Alabama, and one guy who stood out was cornerback Roger McCreary. While I did not see him as a first-round guy until that game, he showed out, and I believe he is someone who can sneak into the bottom of the first next April.
Picks No. 29 and 30
Last season, their first without Tom Brady as their quarterback in 20 years, the New England Patriots struggled mightily and did not make the playoffs. This season, everything is different, as rookie Mac Jones has proven to be a franchise guy under center, and they are steamrolling through their competition.
If the season ended tomorrow, the Patriots would be picking very late in round one, and with the pick, they get Jones a solid weapon on the outside. Jahan Dotson is a highlight reel waiting to happen, and in New England, he will give the Pats that long-term wideout to team with their outstanding rookie signal-caller.
The Green Bay Packers have a very important offseason ahead of them, as they still have no idea whether or not Aaron Rodgers will be back for another go-around. If he does stay, they need to get him more protection up front, and while he wants a first-round wideout every year, passing on Darian Kinnard here would be franchise malpractice.
Rodgers has once again proven this year that he is elite, and the franchise needs to do whatever they can to keep him happy, and in the Green and Yellow. One way is ensuring they can keep him upright, and if they take Kinnard, he has the size and athleticism to be Rodgers’ left tackle for the remainder of his career.
Picks No. 31 and 32
The Baltimore Ravens were able to defeat the Cleveland Browns on Sunday night, though it was another one of those games from this week that looked like nobody wanted to win it. The quarterbacks were atrocious, throwing interception after interception, but in the end, the Ravens won and held on to the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Going forward, they have to do something about the talent in front of Lamar Jackson, and here, they find a long-term replacement for Orlando Brown Jr. Sean Rhyan is not a first-rounder in every mock draft but he is not going to last past early in the second, and the Ravens cannot afford to let a potential star tackle slip away.
Right now, the best team in the NFL, as per the record, is the Arizona Cardinals, who seem to be able to win no matter who they trot out there. They have been winning games without both quarterback Kyler Murray, and star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, as they are establishing themselves as a team to beat in the NFC.
As we close out the first round of our mock draft, the Cardinals attempt to bolster their secondary, and they do so by adding Derion Kendrick from Clemson. Arizona does not have many issues when it comes to this roster, but cornerback is one of them, and they get a good one here to close out the first round.