First-Ever Hops and Thoughts 2022 NFL Mock Draft!

I F*&%$#@ LOVE the NFL DRAFT! 

It is the most magical time of the year, when NFL franchises build for the future and the college ballers you loved to watch on Saturdays get to see their dreams come true. I love the strategies that NFL franchises use to build their teams and work towards a championship. I love to examine the untapped talent, skill, athleticism and potential of young men who played at the highest level in the college ranks and are about to experience elite competition. I love to project who will fit best where and who will help take their new team to the next level.

No…this mock draft does not mean anything…the Green Bay Packers and GM Brian Gutekunst do not care what I, a simple-minded fan, think they should do in the 2022 NFL Draft and I don’t care. I love to test my own analytical brain (or lack thereof) to see how close I can come to reality – just like all of the other prognosticators, pundits, analysts and fans in the NFL Universe – so here goes nothing.

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Who Will the Green Bay Packers Draft in the 2022 NFL Draft?

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aidan Hutchinson – Michigan – Edge

^{Travon Walker is the betting favorite for this pick at the moment – but I think Aidan Hutchinson has the explosion, agility, size and proven production to make him the smarter pick with 74 pressures at Michigan last year. Walker may have a higher athletic ceiling, but without production he is harder to predict and Hutchinson has a high floor and the skillset to build around.}

2. Detroit Lions – Travon Walker – Georgia – Edge

^{The first (of many) Georgia defender is off the board to Detroit in the 2022 NFL Draft. An athletic freak that did not see the amount of success you would expect in college due to the scheme fit, Travon Walker has untapped potential up the a$$ and could be the definition of boom or bust in Detroit. I think Travon Walker comes in hungry, with a chip on his shoulder and ready to bite some kneecaps for Dan Campbell.}

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

^{The Houston Texans and Head Coach Lovie Smith could go a lot of different ways here – like literally ANY position. I think we have seen how a shutdown corner like Jalen Ramsey or Jaire Alexander can instantly change a defense and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner checks all the boxes with athleticism, skillset and production. Gardner never allowed a touchdown in college and will be the BBQ Sauce to Lovie Smith’s brisket in Houston}.

4. New York Jets – Evan Neal – Alabama – OT 

^{J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets!!! Zach Wilson can use all the help and protection he can get. I don’t think there is a WR worth the #4 overall pick – so protecting Zach Wilson in the trenches is the next most logical step. Mekhi Becton has struggled at times with injuries and production at LT. Evan Neal may be the best OT in this class and played in a rough and rugged SEC. He can take over LT and move Becton to RT or he can slide in at RT and improve the offensive line as a whole.}

5. New York Giants – Ikem Ekwonu – North Carolina St. – OT

^{Do you remember the show Sports Science? Not sure if they covered this or not, but science says it is difficult to throw when running for your life and/or on your back. Please – for the love of all things holy – help Daniel Jones! The G-Men seem committed to Daniel Jones and Ickey Ekwonu is just what the doctor ordered when it comes to protection. He will instantly improve the run game and pass protection in New York.}

6. TRADE – Seattle Seahawks – Malik Willis – Liberty – QB

Seattle – Pick #9 and Pick #41 → Carolina – Pick #6

^{Drew Lock is not the answer. With this trade, Seattle moves up a few spots and gets ahead of Atlanta who may be on the hunt for a QB. Malik Willis has impressive arm talent and mobility that are reminiscent of Russell Wilson and with an impressive WR corps and a good run game to back him up, he has the weapons to learn and succeed. The Carolina Panthers – also in need of a QB (but without many picks) move back and still remain in range to draft a QB.}

7. New York Giants – Kayvon Thibodeaux – Oregon – Edge

^{Azeez Ojulari was a great addition to the New York Giants defense in the 2nd round last year with eight sacks – but the defense still needs help getting pressure. Kayvon Thibodeaux may be the most talented edge in this class with a 91.7 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) at Oregon last year and an impressive win rate on pass sets – and the skillset to improve.}

8. Atlanta Falcons – Jameson Williams – Alabama – WR

^{Atlanta may have one of the worst WR rooms in the league with the suspension of Calvin Ridley. I think Jameson Williams (tore his ACL in the National Championship) and Garrett Wilson are at the top of the board and I think despite the injury that Williams is the pick. He has elite speed, route running skills and production to pair with great size and ball skills. The Atlanta Falcons are a team in rebuild mode this year and they can afford to wait for Jameson Williams to get healthy if he is the star they think he is.}

9. TRADE – Carolina Panthers – Kenny Pickett – Pitt – QB

Carolina – Pick #6 → Seattle – Pick #9 and Pick #41

^{Matt Rhule and the Carolina Panthers get the best of both worlds here – trade back to add picks and still get your guy. Rumor has it, Head Coach Matt Rhule needs to make a splash to keep his job after this season. He and Owner David Tepper have ties to Pittsburgh and Matt Rhule recruited Kenny Pickett in college – I think he is the target here. Kenny Pickett is an athletic, accurate and productive QB – but his tiny, baby hands will have many teams hesitant to draft him. Kenny Pickett may be the most ready-to-start QB in this draft.}

10. New York Jets – Derek Stingley Jr. – LSU – CB 

^{Head Coach Robert Saleh built a monster defense in San Francisco and I think he turns back to that side of the ball with this pick. Derek Stingley was damn near unbeatable as a true freshman in 2019 with six interceptions and more than 30 tackles – but was inconsistent and dealt with injuries the past two years. The LSU defensive back ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at his pro day at 6-foot and 190 pounds with the skillset to match. He will be an incredible building block for the New York Jets defense.}

11. Washington Commanders – Drake London – USC – WR

^{Carson Wentz gets a gift with this draft pick. Drake London is a big wideout at 6-foot, 4-inches tall and 215 pounds with a massive catch radius and great body control. London played just eight games last year due to an ankle injury and showed he has elite talent with 88 catches for 1,084 yards and seven TDs. I expect Drake London to be a great target for Carson Wentz and a talented running mate for Terry McLaurin in Washington.}

12. Minnesota Vikings – Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame – S

^{A dream come true if you are a Minnesota Vikings fan and you love defense. Kyle Hamilton may be the best prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft and due to his position and a sub-par 40-yard dash time, he slips to the Vikings at #12 (if they get the pick in on time). Hamilton pairs well with SS Harrison Smith and will benefit a lackluster CB room with his ability to make plays all over the field.}

13. TRADE – Green Bay Packers – Chris Olave – Ohio State – WR

Green Bay – Pick #22 and Pick #59 → Houston – Pick #13

^{General Manager Brian Gutekunst has not been afraid to move up for his guys in past drafts and I think if they want to really find an impact player at WR and get ahead of other teams in need of a WR – they cannot wait. Green Bay has the draft capital to move up and not bankrupt their draft capital and Houston has so many needs, that more picks can never hurt. Chris Olave is my guy in this draft (maybe because I watched him destroy my Wisconsin Badgers a few times). He has 4.39 speed and is maybe the best route runner in this class. He can win all over the field and will help fill the void left by Davante Adams.}

14. Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Davis – Georgia – DT

^{The star of the NFL Combine seems like the perfect fit for a Baltimore Ravens defense. Jordan Davis is a monster in the middle of the defensive line at 6-foot, 6-inches and 341 pounds with a 4.78-second 40-yard dash at the combine. Jordan Davis will hold the point of attack on early downs and can push the pocket on passing downs – freeing up pass rushers to wreak havoc. Najee Harris, Nick Chubb and Joe Mixon could be in for a long year with Jordan Davis in the middle of the Ravens defense.}

15. TRADE – Pittsburgh Steelers – Desmond Ridder – Cincinnati – QB

Pittsburgh – Pick #20 and Pick #84 → Philadelphia – Pick #15

^{Big Ben is gone and I think most Steel City fans would agree that Mitch Trubisky is probably not the answer. Desmond Ridder has been a fast riser in this draft class in recent weeks with the size, arm strength, mobility and knowledge that could make him a longtime starter in the league. Pittsburgh fills a massive need with this trade and gets ahead of another QB-needy team in the New Orleans Saints.}

16. New Orleans Saints – Charles Cross – Mississippi St. – OT

^{Charles Cross is an elite talent in this OT class – but I think with the buzz around Evan Neal and Ickey Ekwonu there is a chance he slides down the board – which is perfect for the New Orleans Saints. The departure of All-Pro LT Terron Armstead to Miami has left a massive (literally massive) hole on the offensive line. Charles Cross falls right into New Orleans’s lap in this draft scenario – instantly filling that gap and providing protection for Jameis Winston.}

17. Los Angeles Chargers – Garrett Wilson – Ohio St. – WR

^{The Bolts have made some solid moves in the offseason – adding Khalil Mack at Edge and signing J.C. Jackson at CB – which gives them some freedom with this pick. Garrett Wilson could end up being the best WR in this class and gives Justin Herbert yet another weapon. Wilson ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine and has shown the ability to win at all levels of the field with 70 catches, 1,058 yards and 12 TDs in 11 games last year for the Buckeyes.}

18. Philadelphia Eagles – Trent McDuffie – Washington – CB

^{Fly Eagles Fly! The Philadelphia Eagles look to upgrade a defensive backfield that doesn’t have much to look forward to outside of CB Darius Slay. Trent McDuffie may not have the prototypical size of an NFL defensive back – but he plays larger than life with impressive stats to back it up. McDuffie allowed just 16 catches for 111 yards last year for the Huskies and gave up zero touchdowns with five PBUs.}

19. New Orleans Saints – Skyy Moore – Western Michigan – WR

^{Michael Thomas has thrived on short and intermediate routes for years in New Orleans – but has struggled to find a reliable running mate. Skyy Moore is a shifty slot receiver that is an expert at beating man coverage and broke an FBS-high 26 tackles last year at Western Michigan. Moore may prove to be the perfect complement to Michael Thomas and a great weapon for Jameis Winston this year. Christian Watson could be another option at this point in the draft – but may be a bit of a reach.}

20. TRADE  – Philadelphia Eagles – Devin Lloyd – Utah – LB

Philadelphia – Pick #15 → Pittsburgh – Pick #20 and Pick #84

^{The backend of the defense gets an upgrade at #18 with the addition of CB Trent McDuffie and the front seven finds a premium talent at LB in Devin Lloyd. Lloyd is devastating against the run, can cover TEs in the pass game and is a great blitzer when called upon. A versatile option at LB, Devin Lloyd can play as a Mike or Will LB – but may be best suited for the weak side.}

21. New England Patriots – George Karlaftis – Purdue – Edge 

^{I am not sure any player in this draft is more of a prototypical Patriot than George Karlaftis. The beefy edge out of Purdue is a hard-working, blue collar player that wins with power and toughness at the point of attack and posted a 23.6% pass-rush win rate last year according to PFF. The addition of Karlaftis to the Bill Belichick defense promises to be a headache for opposing offenses in the years to come.}

22. TRADE – Houston Texans – Zion Johnson – Boston College – IOL

Houston – Pick #13 → Green Bay – Pick #22 and Pick #59

^{Lovie Smith wants to run the ball with Houston Texans and that means building in the trenches and what better place to start that at the heart of the offensive line. Zion Johnson is a versatile offensive lineman who has experience at LG and LT at the college level with impressive production. With the positional versatility that Zion brings to the offensive line, Lovie Smith can maximize the talent in the trenches.}

23. Arizona Cardinals – Jermaine Johnson – Florida St. – Edge

^{The Arizona Cardinals have a few needs that come into play at this point in the draft – but I think Jermaine Johnson, who has been flying up draft boards is tough to pass up at this point. A better pass rush helps your defensive backs and J.J. Watt is no longer the one-man wrecking crew that he once was. Johnson slots in opposite Markus Golden and will be a stout defender against the run with the ability to instantly impact the pass rush. Jermaine Johnson accounted for 46 pressures, 23 run stops and 14 sacks last year in the ACC.}

24. Dallas Cowboys – Devonte Wyatt – Georgia – DT

^{We Dem Boys – find themselves in a great scenario in this mock draft with OL, DL and LB all in play with this pick. Devonte Wyatt has all the physical tools that Jerry Jones always seems to love and he has the production to back it up. Wyatt has the strength and size to combat the run and the athleticism, explosion and agility to be an impact player against the pass. Devonte Wyatt fits a team need and is one of the best players on the board for Dallas at this pick. Arkansas Razorback WR Treylon Burks may be tough to pass up here for Jerry Jones as well.}

25. Buffalo Bills – Andrew Booth Jr. – Clemson – CB

^{A top-tier CB on many draft boards, Andrew Booth can step in and fill the void opposite All-Pro CB Tre’Davious White. The addition of Von Miller to the front seven provides an instant upgrade to the pass rush and with Booth and White on the backend with Micah Hyde at FS, the Buffalo Bills defense can take another step forward and one step closer to a Super Bowl for Josh Allen. Booth has incredible athleticism and gave up just 29 catches and 312 yards for Clemson last year.}

26. Tennessee Titans – George Pickens – Georgia – WR

^{I wish this was a Green Bay Packers pick and I wish it was in the 2nd round – but I think George Pickens has all of the traits that teams want in a true number one WR – size, strength, speed, hands and explosion. A torn ACL last spring limited Pickens to just a few games this past season, but he showed what he can do against Cincinnati in the Peach Bowl with seven catches for 135 yards and a TD. Look for Pickens to be a great complement to A.J. Brown this season in Tennessee.}

27. Tampa Bay – Kenyon Green – Texas A&M – IOL

^{Tampa Bay goes as Tom Brady goes and that means keeping Old Man River upright and healthy. I think that makes the interior offensive line a priority here for Head Coach Todd Bowles. Center Tyler Linderbaum is a possibility here – but NFL Scouts seem to see him as primarily a center at the next level – and Tampa Bay just re-signed Ryan Jensen to a three year deal. Kenyon Green is a road grader inside with elite pass-blocking traits and has played every offensive line position except center. Kenyon Green solidifies this offensive line to make one last run at a Super Bowl this year.}

29. Kansas City Chiefs – Treylon Burks – Arkansas – WR

^{Kansas City received a pretty good return for All-Pro Tyreek Hill – but his departure left a massive hole at WR. Free agents JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marques Valdes-Scantling (wow, they really have a thing for hyphens) are not it and it is time for reinforcements. If not for a sub-par 40-yard dash time at the combine, Treylon Burks may be in the running for WR1 in this class. His ability to haul catches in outside his massive frame and gain yards after the catch promise to make Patrick “I Eat Ketchup on My Steak” Mahomes feel like he just got a great deal on insurance at State Farm.}

30.Kansas City Chiefs – Kaiir Elam – Florida – CB 

^{In real life, I think that a team trades up here to draft their guy and get an extra year on his rookie contract – maybe Indianapolis moves up for a QB or Chicago trades up to get a potential difference maker. In this mock draft, I think the Chiefs choose to upgrade their CB room with Kaiir Elam. The former Florida Gator is a good fit in zone and press man schemes with 4.39 speed at 6-foot, 2-inches and 190 pounds. Elam allowed just 19 catches and 191 yards this past year against vaunted SEC pass catchers.}

31. Cincinnati Bengals – Tyler Linderbaum – Iowa – C

^{The buck stops here for Iowa mauler Tyler Linderbaum. Linderbaum is an elite Center prospect with a 95.4 overall grade by PFF last season – and their highest graded center in the past two years. Smart, powerful and athletic, Linderbaum can step in at Center for the Bengals and allow veteran free agent Ted Karras to move to Guard – a move that will instantly upgrade the entire offensive line and help protect Smokin’ Joe Burrow.}

32. Detroit Lions – Matt Corral – Ole Miss – QB

^{I think this is a great position for the Detroit Lions to be in. Jared Goff is not the long term answer at QB and I don’t think there is a QB prospect in this class that is worth the second overall pick. Matt Corral can come in at the end of the first round and learn an NFL offense behind Goff and the Lions get an extra year of control on his contract. Corral improved on his turnovers last season and showed great awareness and accuracy in the pass game.}

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What Would I Do Different in the 2022 NFL Mock Draft?

I love the NFL Draft – but let’s face it – the draft is a crapshoot for anyone who doesn’t do this for a living. There are a few draft picks that I love – like Trevor Penning at #28 and Jordan Davis at #14. And there are a few that I kinda hate. I am not sure what to do with Kyle Hamilton, he could be the best player in the draft, but where does he end up? Jermaine Johnson has been a hot pick in many mocks and I think I have him way too late in this draft. Linebackers like Devin Lloyd and Nakobe Dean are another tough one for me. I think they will be incredible talents in the NFL – but I don’t think teams value LBs.

Let me know how I did in the comments – or don’t. I am going back to my beer. Slȧinte!