The 2022 NFL Draft is just over two weeks away. I’ve decided to throw my hand in the ring with an attempt at a first-round mock draft. Jon Ledyard debuted his own NFL Mock Draft 2.0 last week. While the quarterback class isn’t anything to write home about, every year it seems coaches and general managers talk themselves into prospects. This year is no different with three going in the Top 10 picks. With the Bucs locking up a majority of their needs in free agency, they could ultimately go in any direction at No. 27.

See who rises and falls in this first-round NFL mock draft. Whether you roast it or toast it, here goes it. Enjoy!

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Edge Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

The Jags could elect to go with one of the top offensive tackles here. But after franchise tagging Cam Robinson for a second straight year it’s likely they grab the top edge rusher on the board. Pairing Hutchinson with Josh Allen gives Jacksonville a dynamic pass rush for years to come.

2. Detroit Lions – QB Malik Willis, Liberty

While the Lions could certainly go in a number of directions here, Willis has been climbing up the boards as of late. The Lions have shown legit interest in him and could fall in love with his dual threat ability. The prospect of having him sit for a season as he gets adjusted to the pro-game is alluring. And the Lions have a plethora of picks the next two seasons to address other needs.

3. Houston Texans – CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati

Cincinnati CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner – Photo by: USA Today

Another team full of holes, the Texans go with the top corner in the draft here at pick three. Gardner gives them an immediate upgrade at the position and should be a starter day one. They could also try to trade down a few spots if they can find a taker.

4. New York Jets – CB Derek Stingley, LSU

Stingley put to rest any concerns after his Pro Day, which saw him test extremely well. The Jets have holes all over the defense. While they could go tackle here, the Jets need help in the secondary in the worst way. With picks coming up at 10 and 35, they could target a tackle there.

5. New York Giants – OT Evan Neal, Alabama

The Giants need offensive line help in the worst way. Daniel Jones has been running for his life. Saquon Barkley has been obliterated behind the line to often. With both of the top tackles on the board in this mock draft, the Giants go with the safer pick in Neal. Just like they did with Andrew Thomas two years ago.

6. Carolina Panthers – QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

The Panthers have been doing their due diligence on the quarterbacks in this years class. Carolina settles on Pitt’s Kenny Pickett. The Sam Darnold experiment obviously did not work out the way Matt Rhule hoped. With his name on the hot seat he grabs a quarterback he hopes can help turn the franchise around. Rhule recruited Pickett to Temple before leaving for the Baylor job.

7. New York Giants (from CHI) – EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia

Talk about a prospect that has shot up the boards. After grabbing their tackle with their first pick, the Giants nab an edge rusher here who can hopefully give their defense some more spark. Walker tested extremely well at the NFL Scouting Combine. He gives New York a physical, athletic specimen who can set the edge for a defense that had just 34 sacks last season.

8. Atlanta Falcons – QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

Let’s face it here. While Kyle Pitts is going to be a phenomenal player it feels like the Falcons missed the boat here last season not selecting a quarterback. After trading Matt Ryan, the Falcons are in the market and have met Ridder multiple times. With the addition of Marcus Mariota, Ridder won’t be thrust into the starting job immediately. He will have a chance to get acclimated to the NFL game.

9. Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) – OT Ikem Ekwonu, N.C. State

With the top QBs on their wish list off the board in this mock draft, the Seahawks buck their recent trend here and do what they never did when Russell Wilson was their QB – take an offensive lineman early in the draft. With Ekwonu, Seattle is getting a player with an extremely high ceiling. He may not be as refined as Evan Neal but he can develop into the classes top tackle.

10. New York Jets (from SEA) – EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

The questions about Thibodeaux’s love for the game see him fall right into the Jets lap here at 10. They could go tackle here in this mock draft with Charles Cross. Seeing Ekwonu go right before them hurts, and they secure one of the best pass rushers in the draft. With Gardner and Thibodeaux the Jets have selected top talents at the most important positions on the defense.

11. Washington Commanders – S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

The Commanders have to be thrilled how the board in this mock draft falls here. They land one of the top players in the draft outside the top 10. Hamilton has been discussed as a possibility as high as the Lions at pick two. With a dominant front seven and two quality corners, Hamilton will add to an already loaded defense.

12. Minnesota Vikings – CB Trent McDuffie, Washington

Even with addition of Chandon Sullivan and the re-signing of Patrick Peterson the Viking could still use help at the cornerback position. Both are on one-year deals. McDuffie will provide stability at the position for the next five years. McDuffie’s athleticism and anticipation should see him start his rookie year.

13. Houston Texans (from CLE) – WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Another selection for the Texans here after the Deshaun Watson trade. The Texans could literally go anywhere in this mock draft with this pick. With none of the top quarterbacks available they decide not to reach for one and instead give Davis Mills some help. Wilson is arguably the top wideout in the class and gives the Texans a dynamic pairing with Brandin Cooks.

14. Baltimore Ravens – Edge Jermaine Johnson, Florida State

FSU DE Jermaine Johnson – Photo by: USA Today

The Ravens have been in on a number of edge rushers this offseason. After being scorned by both Za’Darius Smith and Bobby Wagner, the Ravens could go in one of two ways with edge rusher Jermaine Johnson or linebacker Devin Llyod here. The chance to pair Johnson with Jayson Oweh here is too good to pass up in this mock draft.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) – LB Devin Lloyd, Utah

The Eagles usually don’t prioritize linebacker in their defense but with Lloyd staring them in the face here at 15 and the lack luster play from the position last season, they flip the script. Lloyd honestly shouldn’t get out of the top 10. He’s that good. Lloyd is great in coverage, can blitz from anywhere in the alignment and doesn’t come off the field. Home run pick for the Eagles.

16. New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) – OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State

When the Saints made this trade it was a bit puzzling. Were they trading to try and be able to package picks for a QB or to position themselves for top tackle? Well the QBs are off the board but they had a tackle fall right into their laps. With the loss of Terron Armstead,  New Orleans had a huge hole at left tackle that Cross will fill. Outstanding in pass protection, he will need get bigger and stronger to perform better in the run game. But has future Pro Bowler written all over him.

17. Los Angeles Chargers – DT Jordan Davis, Georgia

Evan with the additions of Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson the Chargers are still expected to add a defensive tackle in the draft. Davis should help turn around a run defense that was ranked 30th in the league last season, allowing over 100 yards in 12 of 17 games. His addition will also help LB Kenneth Murray and edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack see less double teams.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) – WR Drake London USC

After grabbing the top linebacker in the draft in this mock draft, the Eagles select arguably the best receiver in the class in London. The Eagles have spent resources at the receiver position the past three years. But in a passing league you can’t have enough weapons. If Philadelphia truly wants to see what they have in Jalen Hurts, surrounding him with receivers is a good step.

19. New Orleans Saints (from PHI) – WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

It’s no secret the Saints need receivers. With Michael Thomas missing nearly the entire last two seasons, there is no telling what he will look like in his return. With Olave the Saints get a reliable, sure-handed threat in the passing game. He won’t give much after the catch but has superb route-running ability and can take the top off defenses.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

The Steelers are transitioning to a life with Big Ben but it doesn’t matter who is under center if they can’t block for him. Roethlisberger had the quickest release of any QB last season and it was mostly because he was under constant duress. Adding Penning will help the Steelers in two ways, opening up the running game for impressive rookie Najee Harris and buying Mitch Trubisky or whoever the signal caller is time for plays to develop.

21. New England Patriots – CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson

The Patriots are in a position here were before the trade for Devante Parker I would have thought wide receiver would’ve been the play. And while it still might be I think they look to the corner position here especially with Booth still on the board. The Pats let J.C. Jackson test the market and he found a new home in LA. They brought in Super Bowl hero – and goat – Malcolm Butler. New England will still need to address the position. Olave’s a fluid athlete, makes plays on the ball and fits the scheme the Pats like to run.

22. Green Bay Packers (from LV) – WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Arkansas WR Treylon Burks – Photo by: USA Today

With the pick the Packers received in the Adams trade they select his replacement. Burks has the ability to be the best receiver in this class. He possess inside outside versatility and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. His size, athleticism and ball skills will work well within the Packers offense. Burks could quickly develop into Aaron Rodgers favorite target.

23. Arizona Cardinals – G Zion Johnson, Boston College

Offensive line has been a popular pick for the Cardinals and for good reason. Kyler Murray can create magic when he’s forced to scramble. But the rate it happened last year was problematic. Johnson is a plug-and-play guard and will slot in nicely next to Rodney Hudson. It’s not a flashy pick, but protecting Murray, especially in a contract year, will be important.

24. Dallas Cowboys – C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

Dallas has lost two players from its offensive line including their starting right tackle and center Tyler Biadasz was uninspiring to say the least. Linderbaum gives them an immediate upgrade. The Cowboys have a good track record of drafting top tier lineman and that continues here. They could also look at edge rusher or wide receiver. But both positions are pretty deep in this draft.

25. Buffalo Bills – CB Kaiir Elam, Florida

The Bills get a corner here to pair with Tre’davious White. Elam is speedy, physical corner that can reroute receivers coming off the line. He’s got the pedigree and intangibles teams look for. However he’s not necessarily a ballhawk and needs to better job of wrapping up ball carriers when making tackles.

26. Tennessee Titans – G Kenyon Green, Texas A&M

The Titans have had some turn over on the offensive line this offseason. In Green they get a replacement for Rodger Safford, and a guy who can step in and start right away. Green is a mauler in the run game and will help open lanes for Derrick Henry. He need to be more refined in his technique in the passing game. But the Titan are primarily a run-first team anyway.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia

Georgia DT Devonte Wyatt – Photo by: USA Today

I didn’t plan for it to work out this way in this mock draft. Actually during my rough draft I didn’t even have Wyatt selected in the first round. But the Bucs should be thrilled he fell into their laps at No. 27. If you’re a Pewter Report reader you already should know all about Wyatt and his fit with the Bucs. The thought of pairing him next to Vita Vea for the next five plus years is salivating.  He gives Tampa Bay the interior speed the team wants while not losing anything in the run game.

28. Green Bay Packers – EDGE George Karlaftis, Purdue

After losing Za’Darius Smith due to cap constraints, the Packers select a versatile edge rusher with their second first-round pick in Karlaftis. The Purdue product is NFL ready and should start from Day 1. He’s got that type of floor as a prospect with his quick first step, power and relentless energy.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) – WR Jameson Williams, Alabama

You knew the Chiefs would take a wide receiver somewhere in the draft. But i doubt they thought Williams would slide to them at No. 29. Coming off an ACL tear, Williams might not be ready for the start of camp. But he gives them everything they lost in Tyreek Hill and more.

30. Kansas City Chiefs – EDGE Boye Mafe, Minnesota

With back-to-back first-round picks, the Chiefs now turn their focus to the defensive side of the ball. While they could go corner here, in a loaded division at QB they grab a player that can put some pressure on them. Mafe has top-end speed and explosion. He’s a natural disrupter in the passing game. While he needs to refine his role as a run defender he can make immediate impact getting to the quarterback.

31. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Kyler Gordon, Washington

One name – Eli Apple. The Bengals need to get better at the corner position and after a complete overhaul on the offensive line in free agency this pick allows them that opportunity. Gordon, the other Washington corner, isn’t as polished at McDuffie. But  he has natural fluidity and toughness for the position.

32. Detroit Lions (from LAR) – LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia

Landing Dean at this point in this mock draft is a steal for the Lions. While they brought back Jared Davis and re-signed Alex Anzalone neither moves the needle like Dean. A playmaker on the field, the unanimous All-American finished his final collegiate season with 10.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. He would be a welcome addition to the Lions defense.