Schuyler Callihan's 1st Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft 3.27

Predictions for all 32 picks in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Author:
Schuyler Callihan
Mar 27, 2022 12:00 PM EDT

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - EDGE Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)

Now that the Jaguars have beefed up the offensive line, I think this comes down to Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux. There are a lot of questions about Thibodeaux's passion for the game and that's not something worth spending the first overall pick on, even if he becomes the best player in the draft.

2. Detroit Lions - EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)

Almost went with Kyle Hamilton here, but I get the sense that Dan Campbell wants to continue to build this thing in the trenches. The Lions could really use another pass rusher/disrupter and with Hutchinson off the board, Thibodeaux is the best one available.

3. Houston Texans - S Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)

If I'm being honest, the Texans need everything but a left tackle. Teams like Houston should just take the best player available and in this case, it's Kyle Hamilton. No, safeties don't hold the same value as an edge rusher or even corner for that matter but Hamilton is so talented and so versatile, you can't pass on him here especially after losing Justin Reid to the Chiefs.

4. New York Jets - EDGE Jermaine Johnson (Florida State)

Hearing a lot of folks around the league are projecting Johnson to go high in the draft, possibly breaking the top five. With two top ten picks, the Jets have a chance to add a big piece to the defensive front, so why not grab Johnson at No. 4. He won't be there when they pick again.

5. New York Giants - OT Ikem Ekwonu (North Carolina State)

The Giants seem committed, at least for now, to Daniel Jones at quarterback. The best way to give him some help is by adding some consistency up front. Ekwonu has the tools to be a successful tackle in the NFL for years to come. It's either Ekwonu or Evan Neal here and you can't go wrong with either choice.

6. Carolina Panthers - OT Evan Neal (Alabama)

Sure, the Panthers could take a quarterback such as Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett but why force something with the 6th pick? If Evan Neal is still on the board, there's no way you can pass on him for a quarterback that may or may not be the long-term solution.

7. New York Giants - EDGE Travon Walker (Georgia)

Maurice Jones-Drew may have Travon Walker going No. 1 overall, but he's not going until six picks later here. Sack production hasn't been quite where it needs to be but the talent is there. Beast of an athlete that will have a long, successful career.

8. Atlanta Falcons - QB Malik Willis (Liberty)

Marcus Mariota isn't the long-term answer for Atlanta and the Falcons know that. For Malik Willis to truly transition to the NFL smoothly, he needs to be placed in a situation where he doesn't have to be thrown to the wolves immediately.

9. Seattle Seahawks - OT Charles Cross (Mississippi State)

I'm expecting the Seahawks to eventually trade or sign Baker Mayfield if he is released by the Browns, so I'm passing on a quarterback here. Left tackle is a glaring hole for this team after Duane Brown became a free agent this offseason. Charles Cross is arguably the purest pass protector in the class having played for Mike Leach.

10. New York Jets - CB Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati)

I didn't buy the hype on Sauce Gardner at first, but the more film I watch, the more I believe in the kid. He eliminated an entire half of the field at Cincinnati and has all the traits of being a lockdown corner in the NFL. The Jets haven't had that since Darrelle Revis.

11. Washington Commanders - CB Derek Stingley (LSU)

At one point in time, Stingley was the top corner in this draft. However, a drop in production and a foot injury could lead to him dropping out of the top ten. The Commanders will be banking on what they saw from Stingley during his freshman campaign.

12. Minnesota Vikings - DL Jordan Davis (Georgia)

13. Houston Texans - CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson)

14. Baltimore Ravens - WR Drake London (USC)

The Ravens could live without another receiver, but they still lack a true No. 1 receiving target at the position. A big-bodied Drake London will free up things on underneath and deep down the field for Marquise Brown along with tight end Mark Andrews.

15. Philadelphia Eagles - CB Trent McDuffie (Washington)

16. Philadelphia Eagles - C Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa)

Jason Kelce isn't getting any younger and Linderbaum would be a terrific successor to the veteran. He does have some positional flexibility, but it's clear he is most comfortable at center.

17. Los Angeles Chargers - OT Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa)

The Chargers are building this thing the right way around Justin Herbert. They are getting more physical up front and by drafting Penning, he fits the culture of what LA is attempting to build.

18. New Orleans Saints - WR Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)

19. Philadelphia Eagles - WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)

20. Pittsburgh Steelers - QB Kenny Pickett (Pitt)

I don't know how seriously interested the Steelers are in Pickett, but I do see a team taking him in the first round and Pittsburgh made the most sense after I had Malik Willis going off the board earlier in the round. Another quarterback that goes to a situation where he can be groomed to be the starter behind a veteran, Mitch Trubisky.