2022 NFL Mock Draft: Steelers, Texans take a quarterback; 5 groups goal receivers and 5 go edge rusher

Fortunately, the Jags have their franchise quarterback and with the No. 1 total choose they go along with one of many most secure picks on this class.

Initially a defensive finish, Leal, at 6-foot-4, 290, has the flexibility and athleticism to play up and down the road. He has the potential to be actually, actually good within the NFL, and he and the Aggies are coming off an enormous win over beforehand unbeaten Alabama.

Neal is a an athletic marvel who has excelled at a number of O-line positions for the Crimson Tide. The Jets must make defending Zach Wilson a precedence as a result of he has regarded shell-shocked in his first month as an NFL QB.

Marcus Epps is the one Eagles free security beneath contract after this season and Hamilton, who’s a 6-4, 220-pound model of Ed Reed, is a Day 1 affect participant.

The Falcons might go cornerback right here, too, however cross rusher is a giant want as effectively. Hutchinson could be nearly unstoppable at occasions, and he’d be the most recent Wolverines edge rusher to be an early-round draft choose.

The Patriots have moved on from Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson, their greatest cornerback, is within the final 12 months of his rookie deal. Stingley, who’s sidelined with an damage, stays CB1.

The Colts might stand to bolster the offensive line right here however Evan Neal is the one clear-cut high 10 choose and he is off the board. Cornerback can be a necessity and Sales space, who has all of the athleticism and instruments to be particular, has balled out early in Clemson’s season.

Tyrod Taylor is the bridge QB to whomever is subsequent, and whereas rookie Davis Mills might finally develop into the job, Corral has been spectacular this season for Ole Miss — he has the instruments to be a Lamar Jackson/Trey Lance/Josh Allen-type quarterback however he is nonetheless extremely uncooked.

Sure, the Eagles do not usually draft linebackers in Spherical 1, however they’ve two (and presumably three) first-rounders, and it is a place missing a big-time playmaker.

The Giants O-line has suffered by accidents this season and Inexperienced, who performed left guard final season and has performed each offensive place throughout his profession, brings each nastiness and flexibility to New York.

Karlaftis provides one other dimension to the line of defense. Accidents and the pandemic noticed him play restricted snaps in ’20, however Karlaftis was practically not possible to cease in ’19 when he recorded 17 tackles for loss and had 7.5 sacks.

Robust is our QB1 all season with one fairly huge asterisk: His draft standing is all going to come back all the way down to the medicals on a knee damage he suffered in highschool. Robust is essentially the most constant QB on this draft class and if wholesome, he might finally be the primary passer off the board. The Steelers desperately want a Massive Ben succession plan however the lack of an offensive line might simply be setting Robust up for failure.

Corey Davis has been a pleasing shock in New York, and Elijah Moore is barely going to get higher, however Zach Wilson wants a go-to goal on the skin and Olave suits that invoice.

Solely wideouts DeVante Parker, Jaylen Waddle and Allen Hurns are beneath contract after this season and if the plan is to roll with Tua Tagovailoa, surrounding him with playmakers prefer it’s Alabama is sensible. In associated information: Burks has the instruments to be one of many first large receivers drafted within the spring.

The Saints’ protection has been excellent this season however it might stand so as to add depth within the secondary. Elam has the dimensions (6-foot-2, 190) and athleticism to be probably the greatest draft-eligible corners in ’21.

Linderbaum is without doubt one of the greatest offensive linemen within the nation, and whereas twelfth total might sound excessive for a middle, the Giants misplaced Nick Gates to damage and his substitute, Billy Value, has struggled.

Solely L’Jarius Sneed and Rashad Fenton are beneath contract past this season and the Chiefs must improve this protection. Kendrick was within the dialog as a first-round choose within the 2021 draft earlier than returning to Clemson after which coming into the switch portal. He is now at Georgia and a robust season will probably make him one of many first defensive backs chosen subsequent spring.

London, who is without doubt one of the few shiny spots in a disappointing USC season, is not going to run a 4.3 however he is a high-point-catch machine who will give Baker Mayfield one other downfield weapon.

Wydermyer was certainly one of Kellen Mond’s favourite targets in 2020 for a motive: he is dependable and virtually all the time open. 4 of the tight ends who’ve taken snaps for the Titans this season are set to be free brokers and whereas the Titans might stand to beef up the protection, giving Ryan Tannehill one other downfield weapon is sensible right here, too.

Ekwonu is a monster, and extra importantly, might slide into the opening left by veteran Brandon Scherff, ought to he depart in free company. And whereas QB is sensible right here, if WFT is proud of Taylor Heinicke, they’re going to bolster different positions on the depth chart.

We love the thought of surrounding Josh Allen with a big-play risk in a lot the identical method the Chiefs have for Patrick Mahomes. Offensive line can be a necessity, however including Wilson to a younger group that features Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis might take this offense to a different stage.

Darian Kinnard is a mauler who has been inconsistent at occasions this season however has all of the instruments to be a first-round expertise. In the meantime, it seems the Panthers are comfy with Sam Darnold and if the plan is not to discover a franchise QB, defending the present QB ought to be a precedence.

Ross missed the 2020 season due to a neck damage however he was on monitor to be a first-round choose. He is off to a gradual begin in 2021, partly as a result of Clemson resides in a post-Trevor Lawrence world, but when we have realized something from the Packers’ season thus far, it is that Aaron Rodgers fully trusts Davante Adams, however he might positively use some assist.

The Bengals opted to take Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell and it seems to have been the precise choice, however they nonetheless must make defending Joe Burrow a precedence.

Spiller is a risk in each the run and cross sport, and he would give the Bucs some consistency in one of many few spots that lack it on this offense.

Josey Jewell is finished for the 12 months, however he is additionally within the closing 12 months of his deal, as is A.J. Johnson. Lloyd is off to a fantastic begin for the Utes — he had eight tackles in Utah’s win over USC and he has two sacks and two interceptions thus far in ’21.

Faalele, who opted out final season, weighs within the 380-pound vary however strikes extra like he’s 100 kilos lighter. Given the significance of the working sport to the Ravens offense, including an earth mover appears logical. Added bonus: Faalele is a stable cross protector, too.

Although McDuffie performs cornerback, we get Tyrann Mathieu vibes once we watch him. We love him as a slot nook who serves as an enforcer in run help and locks down brief and intermediate routes, one thing he does frequently for the Huskies.

Micah Parsons can line up anyplace, however even when takes most of his snaps at edge rusher, the Cowboys might use extra juice off the sting. Enagbare is a twitched-up athlete who will solely get higher with extra reps and added muscle.

Gardner is a protracted, press nook who would give the Raiders some depth at a place that has proven indicators of life this season. He’ll must get stronger however he has the instruments to be a stable NFL cornerback.

Sanders, who has explosive traits however can even must get stronger on the level of assault, hasn’t logged a sack but this season however he did rack up 11 sacks within the final two years for the Bearcats.

Davis is extra prone to go on Day 2 (although lots can change between now and April), however he additionally beefs up a Playing cards protection that has been actually good by the primary quarter of the ’21 season.