2022 NFL Mock Draft: Needs continue to change as league year begins
By Brad Weiss
Evan Neal. 4. player. 30. . Offensive Tackle. New York Jets
The New York Jets have been very active to start the new league year, and are trying to build around quarterback Zach Wilson. The Jets have been one of the worst franchises in the NFL for quite some time now, but it appears Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh have a plan moving forward.
With pick No. 4 overall, New York looks to add to the offensive line, bringing in Evan Neal to team with Mekhi Becton at the offensive tackle spots. The Jets brought back Braxton Berrios and improved the secondary, so here, they add a big body to protect the front side of Wilson.
New York Giants. Ikem Ekwonu. 5. player. 31. . Offensive Tackle
The team the Jets share MetLife Stadium with will pick directly after them in this year’s first round, with the New York Giants looking to improve with a new regime in place. They have always swung some moves in free agency, and if they want Daniel Jones to reach his full potential, they have to get better along the offensive line.
That is the route they go with pick No. 5 overall, adding NC State star Ikem Ekwonu to the fold as one of their starting offensive tackles. Jones has the physical gifts you look for in a franchise quarterback, and with a better offensive line, he should be able to reach new heights.
87. . Quarterback. Carolina Panthers. Malik Willis. 6. player
It takes until the No. 6 pick in the first round, but the first quarterback comes off the board here with the Carolina Panthers. Carolina is a team that is rumored to be in the market for Deshaun Watson, so that would change things in a big way if that happens, but that has yet to happen, so Malik Willis is the pick here.
With this pick, the Panthers try to get the quarterback spot right for the first time since Cam Newton was one of the best in the game. Willis is seen as the quarterback with the highest ceiling in this draft class, so him being the first off the board makes sense.