2022 NFL Mock Draft: Buccaneers, Steelers draft Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger successors

During the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles are going to select three times within a five-pick span, with their final selection coming at No. 19 overall. After going defense with their first two picks at No. 15 and 16, why not continue on that trend here, bringing in an elite linebacker prospect in Nakobe Dean.

Dean is a special player, helping Georgia to the national title this past season, and is seen by some as a top-10 pick. He is going to be a three-down linebacker at the next level, and while the Eagles could use a weapon for Jalen Hurts, passing upon him at No. 19 just does not make any sense.

This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers said farewell to long-time franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who decided to hang up his cleats after 18 years as the starter in Pittsburgh. The winner of two Super Bowls, Big Ben’s next destination will be Canton, Ohio, where he will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

With Big Ben gone, the Steelers have to decide on their next franchise guy at quarterback, and while Mason Rudolph could get the gig in 2022, they should not pass up on Carson Strong here. Strong has shown incredible arm strength at the Senior Bowl and could rocket up draft boards when all is said and done.

In the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots found their successor to Tom Brady in Alabama star Mac Jones. Coming off a Heisman Trophy-winning season, Jones led the Patriots to the playoffs, where they fell short against a Buffalo Bills team that proved to be the best in the AFC East this season.

Now, the team needs to go out and get him some weapons, and they do so by selecting USC star wideout Drake London at No. 21 overall. London is an elite talent on the outside, has incredible height and strength, and could be a top target in New England for years to come.

The Las Vegas Raiders finally made it back to the playoffs this past season, going through horrific issues on and off the field, while securing the No. 5 spot in the AFC. Now, they will have upheaval at leadership, with Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels coming over from New England to serve as the team’s general manager and head coach, respectively.

The team has already stated that Derek Carr will be the guy under center in 2022, and despite going offensive tackle in round one in 2021, they have to go back to the well this April. Trevor Penning would be an excellent right tackle opposite Kolton Miller, giving Carr the protection he needs in his ninth season at the helm.