FPC 2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Lions Snag Malik Willis

In the first FPC NFL Mock Draft of the season, the Detroit Lions find their quarterback of the future in Malik Willis.

Welcome to Full Press Coverage’s first official 2022 NFL Mock Draft. A new mock will publish each Monday until the real thing takes place on Thursday, April 28th at 8pm EST.

Of course, this mock draft is before the NFL’s free agency period kicks off on Wednesday. As such, team needs could change depending on which players sign where to fill roster holes throughout the league. Still, this mock will serve as a preliminary glimpse at how things could shake out on draft night, and which players could be available for your favorite team to take. Be sure to check in on our latest mock draft every week to follow all the risers, fallers, rumors, and trades leading up to NFL draft night.

Around FPC

NFL RUMORS: NFL Rumors: Amari Cooper, Von Miller, and Tyrann Mathieu

NFL NEWS: The Wild West: Russell Wilson Trade Reshapes AFC West

NFL DRAFT: NFL Draft Profile: Linebacker Nakobe Dean

NFL DRAFT: 2022 NFL Draft Profile: OL Ikem Ekwonu

NHL: NHL Insights: Tyler Toffoli Trade, Jack Eichel’s Return and Wild West

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 34: Russell Wilson Traded To Broncos; Aaron Rodgers Stays In Green Bay

So, without further ado, let’s mock all 32 first-round selections of the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan (6’7″, 260 pounds)

With the Jaguars placing the franchise tag on left tackle Cam Robinson for the second straight year, their focus for the first-overall pick shifts back to the defensive side of the ball. When accounting for production, tape, measurables, and intangibles, Hutchinson is the best player in this class. Jacksonville needs a culture reset, especially on defense, and Hutchinson should be a foundational player for them. He’s not quite in the class of recent highly drafted EDGE prospects like Chase Young or Nick Bosa, but he’s a virtual lock to be a very good player at the next level.

Read: Aidan Hutchinson’s Prospect Profile

2. Detroit Lions: QB Malik Willis, Liberty (6’0″, 219 pounds)

Willis certainly isn’t the second-best player, regardless of position, in the draft class. But quarterbacks get pushed up the board every year, and this year won’t be any different. The Lions don’t have a franchise quarterback right now, with Jared Goff acting as a $31-millon placeholder. Of all the quarterbacks in this draft, Willis has the physical tools and big-play ability to be a star in the NFL. Detroit could have him sit and learn behind Goff for a season, and get him ready to take the reigns in 2023. Willis is raw, but the Lions need to take a swing at some point.

3. Houston Texans: OT Evan Neal, Alabama (6’7″, 337 pounds)

The Texans are in the midst of a full-scale rebuild, with an impending Deshaun Watson trade on the horizon and a roster nearly devoid of expensive veterans. As such, drafting for need defers to simply accumulating talent at high-value positions. So Houston opts for Neal, an imposing physical specimen that can play multiple spots along the offensive line. This pick makes all the more sense given the trade rumors involving current Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

4. New York Jets: OT Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State (6’4″, 310 pounds)

After selecting quarterback Zach Wilson second-overall last year, the Jets should be doing everything in their power to give him the support he needs. Enter Ekwonu, a powerful yet light-footed tackle that routinely bullies people in the run game. He needs some refinement in pass protection, but he should pair with 2020 first-rounder Mekhi Becton to bookend New York’s offensive line for years to come.

Read: Ikem Ekwonu’s Prospect Profile

5. New York Giants: OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State (6’5″, 307 pounds)

The Giants’ offensive line has been porous for years now. They finally have a good, young building block in left tackle Andrew Thomas, but further investments in that unit need to be made. Cross isn’t the physical force that Neal or Ewonu is, but he’s an incredibly fluid, athletic, and long tackle that excels in pass protection. He’s not a dominant run blocker, but assuming he gets a bit stronger in the NFL, he should develop into a quality multi-year starter.

Read: Charles Cross’ Prospect Profile

6. Carolina Panthers: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (6’3″, 217 pounds)

The Sam Darnold reclamation project crashed and burned last season, so once again the Panthers are in need of a franchise quarterback. Barring a blockbuster trade for Watson, they’ll have to turn to the draft in the hopes of finding one. Much like Willis, Pickett isn’t worth this draft slot from a pure talent perspective, but teams desperate for quarterbacks can’t afford to bargain hunt. Pickett is the most pro-ready signal caller in the draft, so he should be able to step in right away and steer an NFL offense. His small hands have become the talking-point du jour, but he possesses prototypical size, poise, and arm strength.

7. New York Giants (from Chi): EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon (6’4″, 254 pounds)

Thibodeaux, at one time the presumptive number-one overall pick, slips down to seven after rumblings over his supposed lack of competitiveness have hurt his draft stock. The Giants happily stop his slide here, as they’ve been missing an elite pass rusher since trading away Jason Pierre-Paul. Thibodeaux has everything you look for in a premier edge rusher, including burst, length, agility, and closing speed. New York coming away with Cross and Thibodeaux from their two top-ten picks would be a home run.

8. Atlanta Falcons: CB Ahmad Gardner, Cincinnati (6’3″, 190 pounds)

The Falcons are a team with plenty of needs, including wide receiver now that Calvin Ridley will be serving a one-year suspension for gambling on the NFL. And while the offensive talent around quarterback Matt Ryan has deteriorated since his MVP season of 2016, their defensive issues have also persisted. Grabbing the man they call “Sauce” to pair with A.J. Terrell could potentially give them the best young cornerback tandem in the league. With his great length, speed, and coverage chops, Gardner has established himself as the draft’s top cornerback.

9. Houston Texans (from Den via Sea in projected trade): S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame (6’4″, 220 pounds)

We have our first projected trade in our NFL mock draft! In this scenario, the Seattle Seahawks would be sending this pick, which they just received from the Denver Broncos as part of the Russell Wilson trade, to the Texans as part of a package to get Watson. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah mentioned the Seahawks are favorites within league circles to acquire Watson. With their newfound top-ten pick, the Texans swing for the fences with the uber-talented safety Hamilton, a player many consider to be this draft’s best despite playing a less valued position.

Read: Kyle Hamilton’s Prospect Profile

10. New York Jets (from Sea): EDGE George Karlaftis, Purdue (6’4″, 266 pounds)

When Jets head coach Robert Saleh had the San Francisco 49ers’ defense humming a couple years ago as their coordinator, he had the benefit of a dominant defensive line. He doesn’t have that same luxury in New York. Nabbing Karlaftis here would provide a much-needed boost to the Jets’ pass rush. The native of Greece is a power-based technician off the edge, reminiscent of the Bosa brothers, though not quite of their caliber.

Read: George Karlaftis’ Prospect Profile

11. Washington Commanders: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah (6’3″, 237)

After their trade for Carson Wentz, the Commanders are (probably) no longer candidates to take a quarterback in this spot. That will allow them to address other weaknesses on their roster. One area that’s given Washington fans headaches for a long time is linebacker. Despite investing a first-rounder in Jamin Davis last year, the Commanders double down at the position by taking the aggressive, play-making Lloyd. The Utah product has the physical tools and demeanor to excel at the next level.

12. Minnesota Vikings: EDGE Travon Walker, Georgia (6’5″, 272 pounds)

The Vikings are in need of a defensive end to put opposite Danielle Hunter. Walker just so happens to be the type of physical freak that has historically been up their alley. He tore up the combine, running the 40-yard dash in an absurd 4.51 seconds despite weighing over 270 pounds. Walker needs a lot of refinement to reach his ceiling as a player, but human beings with his measurables are simply hard to find.

13. Cleveland Browns: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State (6’0″, 187 pounds)

Cleveland addressed their receiving corps by trading for Amari Cooper from the Dallas Cowboys, but the likelihood of them trading away Jarvis Landry means their receiver needs aren’t yet satiated. With the opportunity to take the first wideout off the board, the Browns opt for Olave, a strong overall player with speed, route-running, and ball skills. The chance to have him learn under a maestro like Cooper could be too tempting to pass up.

Read: Chris Olave’s Prospect Profile

14. Baltimore Ravens: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa (6’7″, 325 pounds)

Penning already embodies everything the Ravens franchise is about; tough, mean, aggressive, and in-your-face. It helps that he fits a need, too, since Baltimore is still searching for their next right tackle after trading away Orlando Brown Jr. a year ago. Penning is already a good run-blocker, which suits the Ravens’ offensive scheme well. This is one of those pairings that almost makes too much sense not to happen.

Read: Trevor Penning’s Prospect Profile

15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Mia): CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU (6’0″, 190 pounds)

With the first of their three first-round picks, the Eagles could be getting the steal of the draft here. If Stingley returns to the form he showed as a freshman in 2019, he could easily wind up as the best player from this class. Injuries and inconsistent play have haunted him the last couple years, which has knocked him down the board. Philadelphia is in desperate need of a cornerback to start opposite Darius Slay, so a talent like Stingley is too good to pass up.

Read: Derek Stingley Jr.’s Prospect Profile

16. Philadelphia Eagles (from Ind): LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia (5’11”, 229 pounds)

The Eagles go with back-to-back defensive players here, grabbing the last clear-cut first-round linebacker on the board. Philadelphia has shied away from investing much in the second level of their defense, but with three first-round picks this year it might be time to finally splurge on a little linebacker help. Dean won the Butkus Award this past season as the nation’s top linebacker. He possesses excellent speed, instincts, physicality, and awareness for the position, with his only knock being a lack of ideal size.

Read: Nakobe Dean’s Prospect Profile

17. Los Angeles Chargers: DT Jordan Davis, Georgia (6’6″, 341 pounds)

There may not be a more commonly mocked pick than Davis to the Chargers at 17. Los Angeles ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed per game last year, so suring up their run defense must be a priority. Good thing a player like Davis, whose immense size and power makes him a force at the line of scrimmage, is sitting right here for them. Davis’ rare athleticism for his size, as evidenced by his 4.78-second 40-yard dash at the combine, means he can be more than just an early-down run stuffer.

Read: Jordan Davis’ Prospect Profile

18. New Orleans Saints: QB Sam Howell, North Carolina (6’1″, 218 pounds)

Even if the Saints roll with Jameis Winston for another year, they’re still probably in the market for someone who could be their quarterback of the future. Howell was a projected high first-round pick before an offensive talent-drain at North Carolina precipitated a somewhat underwhelming junior season. He still has traits worth betting on, like high-end arm strength and above average mobility. Howell is a little undersized, but it’s not like New Orleans doesn’t have a history of success with shorter quarterbacks.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE David Ojabo, Michigan (6’4″, 250 pounds)

Philadelphia rounds out their three-pick first round with yet another defensive player. The Eagles have prided themselves on having a strong defensive line for many years, but the big names in that unit are getting older and they don’t have a great stable of young players coming up. A player like Ojabo can come in and be a rotational pass rusher as a rookie, while preparing to eventually replace his fellow Michigan alum Brandon Graham. Ojabo is relatively new to football, only picking up the game as a junior in high school. He’s still learning but already has very good pass rushing ability.

Read: David Ojabo’s Prospect Profile

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati (6’3″, 211 pounds)

The Steelers leave the Ben Roethlisberger era looking at the distinct possibility of stepping right into quarterback purgatory. They may acquire a stop-gap veteran this offseason such as Jimmy Garoppolo or Marcus Mariota, but they’ll still need to find their long-term answer at the position. Ridder is a decorated four-year starter, with an impressive 30:8 touchdown to interception ratio as a senior. Nothing about Ridder wows you, but he’s the most proven quarterback in this draft.

21. New England Patriots: CB Kaiir Elam, Florida (6’1″, 191 pounds)

With cornerback J.C. Jackson likely to leave in free agency, the Patriots need to restock the cupboards in their defensive backfield. They do so in our first NFL mock draft. Elam looks the part of a Bill Belichick cornerback, with the length and mirroring skills to play in man coverage.

22. Las Vegas Raiders: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama (6’1″, 179 pounds)

The Raiders have two very good underneath-to-intermediate pass-catching options in Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow, but they’re still searching for a field stretcher. Williams has elite speed, and put together an incredibly productive junior season before tearing his ACL in the National Championship game. All signs are that he’s recovering quickly from the injury.

Read: Jameson Williams’ Prospect Profile

23. Arizona Cardinals: WR Drake London, USC (6’4″, 219 pounds)

Arizona’s receiving depth was badly exposed last season once DeAndre Hopkins got injured. This team needs an upgrade over the likes of Christian Kirk and A.J. Green. London would fit well with quarterback Kyler Murray, as he can routinely win the type of jump-balls that Murray loves to toss down the field.

24. Dallas Cowboys: OG Kenyon Green, Texas A&M (6’4″, 323 pounds)

Left guard Connor Williams will probably leave as a free agent, so the Cowboys look to their own backyard to find his replacement. Green has the versatility to play anywhere along the offensive line, and plays with excellent balance and power. He should come in and help Dallas’ offensive line stay as a strength.

25. Buffalo Bills: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington (5’11”, 193 pounds)

The Bills have been looking for an upgrade at the cornerback spot opposite Tre’Davious White for quite some time now. In McDuffie, they find what they’ve been searching for. The Washington corner is a tremendous athlete that plays with good awareness. He’s not quite as long as you’d hope, but other than that it’s hard to find a concern in his game.

26. Tennessee Titans: C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa (6’2″, 296 pounds)

Tennessee needs interior offensive-line help after the release of guard Rodger Saffold and the likely departure of center Ben Jones in free agency. They should be counting their lucky stars if Linderbaum, one of the best overall prospects in the class, falls to them at the back of the first round. Linderbaum isn’t a perfect scheme fit, but the value of the player plus the severity of the need is too great to pass up.

Read: Tyler Linderbaum’s Prospect Profile

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State (6’5″, 254 pounds)

Yesterday’s maybe-not-so-shocking news that Tom Brady will return for a third season in Tampa means the Bucs won’t be shopping for a new quarterback just yet. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t still draft with an eye to the future. Johnson represents terrific value this late in the first round, as his length, power, and motor make him a pretty comfortable projection. With Pierre-Paul possibly leaving in free agency, and Shaquil Barrett set to turn 30-years old next season, Johnson would join Joe Tryon-Shoyinka as the young blood in Tampa Bay’s pass rush.

28. Green Bay Packers: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State (6’0″, 183 pounds)

It seems the Packers have taken the approach of appeasing Aaron Rodgers to keep him happy and in Green Bay. If so, then finally getting him a quality number-two receiver opposite Davante Adams would be a nice continuation of that plan. Wilson represents tremendous value at this spot, and his dynamic after-the-catch ability could make this Packers’ offense lethal.

29. Miami Dolphins (from SF): OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan (6’6″, 303 pounds)

The objective for the Dolphins this offseason should be pretty straightforward; improve the offensive line, at any and all costs. Snagging Raimann, the Austria native that transitioned from tight end to tackle, is a good start. Raimann has the physical traits you look for in a tackle and has already shown encouraging development. He’s a project Miami should want to take on.

30. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas (6’2″, 225 pounds)

Kansas City’s offense is almost a pefect machine. The only faulty part is the number-two receiver spot, which has yet to be sufficiently filled after the departure of Sammy Watkins. Taking the last legitimate first-round receiver at pick 30 would be a layup. Burks has the tackle-breaking skills to make the Chiefs’ screen and quick game even more potent.

Read: Treylon Burks’ Prospect Profile

A look at Treylon Burks’ 2021 season:#FPC #NFL #NFLDraft #NFLTwitter https://t.co/Ryr4zGeFZH pic.twitter.com/xjXJK3v2Q6

— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) February 23, 2022

31. Cincinnati Bengals: OG Zion Johnson, Boston College (6’3″, 312 pounds)

It’s no secret that the Bengals’ offensive line needs a talent influx. At this point, Johnson is the best o-lineman available, and he has enough cross-training to play anywhere along the line in a pinch. His true position is guard, which Cincinnati could certainly use.

32. Detroit Lions (from LAR): CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson (6’0″, 194 pounds)

The luxury of being a rebuilding team is that you can almost always draft the best player available, since your needs are all over the roster. Such is the case with Detroit, who grabs Booth here simply because he’s the best player left on the board. Booth is a versatile, hard-nosed corner that can play is any scheme. Ideally, the Lions pair him with 2020 third-overall pick Jeff Okudah to form a solid cornerback duo for years to come.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.