2022 NFL Mock Draft: Malik Willis is first QB off the board
By Brad Weiss
Cornerback. Washington Commanders. Ahmad Gardner. 11. player. 58.
The Washington Commanders officially have their new name but do they officially have their long-term solution at quarterback. Some feel that Taylor Heinicke did enough to take the starting job in 2022, and while they could bring in some new talent at the position, Ron Rivera will likely want to go with a veteran free agent if that is the case.
At pick No. 11, they instead decide to revamp their secondary, and Ahmad Gardner from Cincinnati is a cornerback that I feel will come off the board early. Gardner has elite coverage skills and hands, and the Commanders are going to want a playmaking defensive back to bolster the secondary this offseason.
60. . Cornerback. Minnesota Vikings. Andrew Booth Jr.. 12. player
With pick No. 12 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings have several ways they could go. They have a brand new general manager and head coach, so keep an eye on what the new regime decides to do in terms of starting quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason.
Picking here, they do not go with a replacement for Cousins, who played very well last season, but instead, add cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. from Clemson. He is a top-3 cornerback in this draft class and would help a Vikings secondary that was burned far too often last season.
53. . Wide Receiver. Cleveland Browns. Jameson Williams. 13. player
When it comes to the Cleveland Browns, they are a team that could see a ton of changes to their roster this offseason, as they have key players entering free agency. After trading away Odell Beckham Jr. during the 2021 season, they will also be looking to upgrade at wide receiver, and they do so in our latest mock draft.
Despite tearing up his knee in the national title game, Jameson Williams is the first wideout off the board at pick No. 13 overall, and he is going to be a special player at the next level. Sure, he needs to get healthy first, but if the team is sticking with Baker Mayfield, why not get him other weapons to help in his growth.
26. . Edge/Linebacker. Baltimore Ravens. David Ojabo. 14. player
Pick No. 14 overall belongs to the Baltimore Ravens, who I believe will make it back to the playoffs next season. Losing Lamar Jackson late in the year hindered what they like to do offensively, and with him back healthy in 2022, they should challenge once again for dominance in the AFC North, who just happened to send a team to the Super Bowl this year.
Looking at their roster, the Ravens have to do something about their pass rush, and they get an elite player at doing just that in Michigan’s David Ojabo here. Ojabo could play on the edge, or at outside linebacker at the next level, giving even more talent to what is already a solid Ravens defense.