2022 NFL Mock Draft: 5 quarterbacks go in first round
By Brad Weiss
2022 NFL Mock Draft: Draft order set for first 18 picks
Picks No. 7 through 10
player. 31. . Cornerback. New York Giants. Derek Stingley Jr.. 7
The New York Giants hold two of the first seven picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, and overall, they hold five of the first 80 selections. After seeing general manager Dave Gettleman retire earlier in the week, the Giants decided to fire head coach Joe Judge on Tuesday, much to the delight of most of the Giants fan base.
Now, they go into the offseason with a chance to finally make some positive changes, and after taking an offensive lineman at pick No. 5, they add the best cornerback in this class at pick No. 7. New York has to start stacking talent no matter if it is a desperate need or not, and if they are still with Daniel Jones, a quarterback is not needed here.
player. 44. . Edge. Atlanta Falcons. George Karlaftis. 8
It was an up-and-down season for the Atlanta Falcons, and at one point, it looked like they could be able to sneak into the playoffs. However, they ended up on the outside looking in, and while some feel they could turn the page at quarterback, we like them adding to their defense with pick No. 8 overall.
That selection should be an edge rusher, and George Karlaftis out of Purdue is a guy with a tremendous motor that should be an impact player from Day 1 at the NFL level. Atlanta needs some serious help on defense, and in Karlaftis, they get a potential double-digit sack guy.
. Quarterback. Denver Broncos. Kenny Pickett. 9. player. 45
For the Denver Broncos, it was another terrible season, one that saw them miss the playoffs once again, and in turn, fire head coach Vic Fangio. Fangio is likely to land on his feet, as he will be a highly sought-after defensive coordinator candidate, so we will see who is calling the shots in Denver this offseason.
No matter who it is, they have to get themselves a long-term solution at quarterback, and they do so here by selecting Pitt signal-caller Kenny Pickett. This is a kid who has a very high ceiling, and after dominating the ACC, he is ready to take his game to the next level.
player. 30. . Cornerback. New York Jets. Ahmad Gardner. 10
The New York Jets will round out the top-10 with their second pick of this draft, and they continue to bolster the defense with this selection. Head coach Robert Saleh is widely regarded as a defensive genius, so after adding an elite safety with pick No. 4, he continues to put talent in the secondary with arguably the most NFL-ready cornerback in this draft.
Cincinnati star Ahmad Gardner helped his AAC team to the College Football Playoff this past season, and should be one of the top-2 cornerbacks off the board this April. The Jets are atrocious on defense against the pass, but that will change in a hurry with Kyle Hamilton and Gardner joining this secondary.