2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jaguars add Kayvon Thibodeaux
By Brad Weiss
2022 NFL Draft: Jacksonville Jaguars add an elite edge rusher
Picks No. 11 through 14
Quarterback. Denver Broncos. Matt Corral. 11. player. 45.
The Denver Broncos may have ended any chance they had of making the playoffs in Week 16, as they went into Las Vegas and lost to the division-rival Raiders. Drew Lock was forced to start over Teddy Bridgewater due to Bridgewater leaving the Week 15 matchup with Cincinnati with a concussion, and in the end, he could not do enough to will his team to victory.
Picking at No. 11 overall, the Broncos make a move to bolster the quarterback spot in the future, adding Matt Corral from Ole Miss. One of the top quarterbacks in this draft class, Corral has the kind of drive, and passion for the game that will endear him to this front office, making him the second quarterback off the board.
. Defensive Tackle. Minnesota Vikings. DeMarvin Leal. 12. player. 60
In Week 16, the Minnesota Vikings snapped a two-game winning streak, as the Los Angeles Rams came to town and won a crucial NFC battle. For the Vikings, they have a lot of questions to be answered this offseason, including at head coach and quarterback, so it will be interesting to see what direction this franchise goes.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, they would hold the No. 12 overall pick if the season ended tomorrow, and that pick should be used on the defensive line. DeMarvin Leal is an incredible athlete for his size, and he would fit perfectly in this Vikings defense, causing havoc for the rest of the NFC North.
player. 15. . Wide Receiver. New Orleans Saints. Garrett Wilson. 13
The New Orleans Saints were hit by the COVID bug in Week 16, as both their top-2 quarterbacks, Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian were forced to miss the Monday night battle against Miami. That meant that rookie Ian Book got the start at quarterback, and with so many people out, the youngster struggled in a 20-3 loss to the Dolphins.
New Orleans will get Jameis Winston back for next season, and that will be a big boost for this offense, but they need some help on the outside. Garrett Wilson is one of the best wideouts in this draft class and just declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, making him possibly the first wide receiver off the board here at pick No. 13.
Edge. Cleveland Browns. David Ojabo. 14. player. 53.
Pick No. 14 belongs to the Cleveland Browns, who have seen a potential playoff season go down the drain over the last few weeks. Losses to the Las Vegas Raiders and Green Bay Packers have hurt any chance they have of making it to the playoffs, and they are another team that goes into the offseason with quarterback questions.
However, I believe they hang on to Baker Mayfield, as he has become a face of the franchise, and will be better once healthy. With their No. 14 overall pick, look for the Browns to get better off the edge, adding Michigan star David Ojabo to team with Myles Garrett for the long run.