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2022 NFL Mock Draft: Panthers land Kenny Pickett

By Brad Weiss

Evan Neal, Alabama Crimson Tide. (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Evan Neal, Alabama Crimson Tide. (Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) /
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EUGENE, OREGON – OCTOBER 15: Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the Oregon Ducks gets set for a play during the second half of the game against the California Golden Bears at Autzen Stadium on October 15, 2021, in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won 24-17. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON – OCTOBER 15: Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the Oregon Ducks gets set for a play during the second half of the game against the California Golden Bears at Autzen Stadium on October 15, 2021, in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won 24-17. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

The 2022 NFL Draft is over three months away, but as we inch closer to the close of the regular season, the draft order is starting to become a lot clearer.

The 2021 NFL regular season is coming to a close, and there are some exciting games taking place in Week 18 with playoff implications on the line. As of now, we have a pretty good idea of what the top of the 2022 NFL Draft will look like, and will have the top-19 finalized after Week 18 finishes up.

Here, we look at what the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft could look like.

Edge. Jacksonville Jaguars. Kayvon Thibodeaux. 1. player. 52.

The Jacksonville Jaguars were embarrassed on Sunday, even by their standards, as the New England Patriots put 50 points up against them. It has been a terrible season for the Jags, one that has seen them not only fire Urban Meyer but get shaky play from 2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence.

Having back-to-back No. 1 picks is a sure sign that your franchise is in trouble, and after taking Lawrence at No. 1 overall in 2021, they add a defensive star with No. 1 in 2022. Kayvon Thibodeaux is likely to be the first player off the board, giving the Jaguars a dominant edge rusher for the 2022 season.

2. player. 50. . Edge. Detroit Lions. Aidan Hutchinson

For Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions, this has been a season to forget, as they have won only two games, and currently hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. They have to get this pick right if they hope to change the fortunes of the franchise, and with it, they take an in-state player who dominated the college football landscape in 2021.

That player is Michigan star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who had a rough go in the College Football Playoff against Georgia. Still, Hutchinson is widely considered a top-3 prospect in this year’s NFL Draft, and the Lions would be a perfect landing spot for him.

10. . Offensive Tackle. Houston Texans. Evan Neal. 3. player

Of all the rookie quarterbacks this season who have done well, the biggest surprise has been Houston Texans signal-caller, Davis Mills. This is a kid who has stepped up in a big way, giving Houston a possible future at the position, and that could enable them to bypass on a quarterback this early in the first round.

With this pick, the Texans get a player who can help protect Mills, selecting Alabama star offensive lineman Evan Neal. The expectation is that Neal will be the first offensive lineman off the board in April, and Houston would be an excellent spot for him, where he would slide in as the starting left tackle on Day 1.

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