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Johnny’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0

March 28, 2022

Even with the Arizona Cardinals’ sleep inducing in-activity to begin the offseason, plenty of other teams around the NFL have been busy improving their rosters. Which means things have changed on the mock draft front since late-February following both the NFL Combine and the first wave of free agency.

Whether it was the blockbuster deal that sent Russell Wilson to Denver, or the crazy robust receiver market, teams around the league are now reprioritizing in preparation for April.

This mock draft is no different. Let’s get started.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
After the Jaguars opted to franchise tag Cam Robinson, it became all too clear whom they were targeting with the first overall pick. Hutchinson working opposite Josh Allen will be truly devastating for the rest of the AFC South.
Detroit Lions – Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Doubling down on this selection, considering that Walker has the second best odds to go first overall. Malik Willis is the only offensive option that should be considered, as the Lions’ staff coached him at the Senior Bowl.
Houston Texans – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Now that the Houston Texans can properly move on from Deshaun Watson, they’d be best served investing in some premium protection for Davis Mills. Neal’s athleticism rivals Penei Sewell of a year ago.
New York Jets – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
While Thibodeaux may no longer be the consensus first overall pick, the former Oregon product has done little to hurt his status as a top 10 lock. Robert Saleh is desperate for immediate help on the edge, as Thibodeaux is built in the bold of Jadeveon Clowney.
New York Giants – Ickey Ekwonu, OT, N.C. State
While I think Brian Daboll will tinker with the idea of selecting Malik Willis, he himself knows this Giant’s roster isn’t nearly strong enough to support a rookie quarterback. Ekwonu is an east coast product that is an immediate plug-and-play starter at left tackle.
Carolina Panthers – Malik Willis
Willis is the draft’s top quarterback, which means he’s bound to go higher than pick six. Carolina, who is currently stuck with the incumbent Sam Darnold, has been left at the quarterback altar an embarrassing amount of times. Ownership needs to make a deal with either Jacksonville or Detroit to end this charade.
New York Giants (via Chicago) – Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State
In what should be a meat and potatoes type of draft for New York, the Giants get back to their winning roots spearheaded by this 6’5 phenom.
Atlanta Falcons – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
After the trade that sent franchise icon Matt Ryan to Indy, the message became abundantly clear that the situation in Atlanta is a complete teardown. Penning is a cornerstone player the Falcons can build around long-term.
Seattle Seahawks (via Denver) – Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinatti
With Peter Carroll fully behind the wheel of this emerging dumpster fire, expect the 70-year-old to double down on the importance of a quality secondary. Even if that means sacrificing your franchise quarterback to get there.
New York Jets (via Seattle) – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
After being linked to Tyreek Hill, it’s clear the Jets are committed to adding some serious juice to their passing game. Wilson remains the most complete receiver in what has become a loaded class of pass catchers.
Washington Commanders – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
With Carson Wentz now under center, Washington would be best served taking advantage of this supremely gifted group of blockers. Outside of Neal, no one has a bigger upside than Cross especially in pass protection.
Minnesota Vikings – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
With an offensive group that remains of quality, the Vikings can utilize their early picks to rebuild their fledgling defensive front. Dean was the ultimate field general for the National Champion Bulldogs and would pair nicely with veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks.
Houston Texans (via Cleveland) – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The Texans are the beneficiaries of positional devaluing that may push Hamilton outside of the top 10. Hamilton is a contender for the draft’s most complete player and would become an immediate fixture within Houston’s secondary.
Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Davis’s historic combine performance likely solidified him as a firm top 15 selection, although the lack of pass rush leaves something to be desired. Even so, the Ravens are in dire need of some youth and athleticism upfront on defense.
Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami) – Drake London, WR, USC
After their trade for the now suspended Calvin Ridley was rightfully nixed by the Falcons, the Eagles can look toward the draft for some size opposite DeVonta Smith. London has some Mike Evan qualities to his game, as he routinely attacks the ball at it’s highest point.
Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis) – Tyler Lindenbaum, C, Iowa
With franchise legend Jason Kelce announcing his return for next season, what better time to secure his eventual replacement than with one of Philly’s many first round picks. Lindenbaum can kick over to guard in the short-term.
Los Angeles Chargers – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Even with the acquisition of star corner J.C. Jackson at the start of free agency, look for the Chargers to double down at a position that was amongst the worst in football a season ago. Stingley has some Stephon Gilmore to his game, possessing an elite skillset that made him in that nation’s top recruit in 2019.
New Orleans Saints – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
While flawed, Corral is quickly gaining steam as the draft’s second best signal caller and with good reason. His production in the ultra competitive SEC should not be ignored as the California native would fit well operating within the comforts of the NFC South. Even with Winston returning, the Saints clearly have their eye pointed at the future.
Philadelphia Eagles – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Outside of the ageless Darius Slay, the Eagles are seriously lacking for quality cornerback depth in their secondary. McDuffie comes from a long line of successful DB prospects hailing from Washington and should immediately track as a nickel corner.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
While I do buy Pittsburgh’s infatuation with Malik Willis, the price to move up and secure him may be far too steep for the ultra conservative Steelers. Dotson is a nice consolation prize and is the logical successor to JuJu.
New England Patriots – Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
The Patriots have been below average at the skilled positions for far too long, with much of that having to do with their head coach’s inability to identify talent at receiver. Lucky for Bill, Watson’s talent is so immense even New England can’t screw this up.
Green Bay Packers (via Las Vegas) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
After inexplicably trading away their best offensive skilled player of the past decade, the Packers are basically obligated to take a receiver with their first pick. Olave is raw but will supplement a lot of what Adams did vertically.
Arizona Cardinals – Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
The Cardinals opt to break the run at receiver and resolidify the interior of their offensive line with this girth of a guard prospect. Drawing comps to Larry Warford, among others, Johnson has all the tools to be a consistent Pro Bowler at the next level.
Dallas Cowboys – Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
With the once fearsome Dallas front beginning to show it’s age, Jerry and company make the wise decision to reinvest at tackle for the betterment of Dak Prescott. Raimann is a fringe first-round talent that stands nearly 6’7.
Buffalo Bills – Travis Jones, DT, UConn
Following the acquisition of Von Miller, it feels like the primary goal of Buffalo’s brass this offseason is to flood it’s defense with as many front-seven ass kickers as possible. As we’ve seen, the presence of Josh Allen is more than enough offensively.
Tennessee Titans – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
After the bust that was the Julio Jones trade from a year ago, the Titans get back to basics and secure this SEC standout. Burks’ offseason testing may not be eye-popping but his tape from this past season more than makes up for it.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
With O.J. Howard officially out of the picture, and Gronk basically year-to-year, McBridge is a logical successor for an otherwise loaded Tampa team. With Brady back, the Buccaneers can continue to be selective without forcing a pick on a top signal caller.
Green Bay Packers – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The Packers’ receiving core remains far too depleted for me to completely dismiss the notion of this actually happening. Even with the glaring holes at the position, Williams would likely be entering a situation in which the Packers could implement him slowly upon his return from injury. This is a move made for the long-term in Green Bay.
Kansas City Chiefs (via Miami/San Francisco) – Boye Mafe, DE, Minnesota
Even with Frank Clark returning on a reduced deal, the Chiefs remain far too vanilla off the edge. Boye is a complete player at defensive end, sporting a ceiling that should see the former Gopher net multiple Pro Bowl berths.
Kansas City Chiefs – Devonte Watt, DT, Georgia
With a clear shift in team philosophy taking place, the Chiefs need to compliment Mahomes’s greatness with that of a stout defense. Watt is an ideal fit opposite Chris Jones and should give Kansas City an immediate boost in run prevention.
Cincinnati Bengals – Devon Lloyd, LB, Utah
Purely a value pick for the AFC Champion Bengals, as Lloyd is rivaled only by his Georgia counterpart at the position.
Detroit Lions (via LA Rams) – Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Taking a running back in the first-round while in the midst of a full blown rebuild feels like a Detroit Lions move.

Best Available Players Remaining