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NFL mock drafts 2022: Compare latest from Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay, Daniel Jeremiah & other experts

04-28-2022
24 min read
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Yes, there is a draft in here. In fact, there are several.

With the NFL cooling off from free agency before it reheats for the 2022 NFL Draft, the constant shuffling at the top of the board continues. The general consensus (with one notable exception) is that Georgia's Travon Walker will go No. 1 overall to the Jaguars following the team's extension of left tackle Cam Robinson. Beyond that is anyone's guess.

With the NFL franchise tag deadline come and gone, the blockbuster trades of Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson completed and free agency started and other prominent trades completed, the NFL Draft is the next tentpole in the offseason.

MORE NFL DRAFT: TSN experts join up for a combined mock draft

The predraft process has revealed that meteoric rise for Walker, as well as Mississippi State tackle Charles Cross and diminishing faith in quarterbacks such as Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis.

Here's how six of the latest mock drafts — from TSN's Vinnie Iyer, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah and Charles Davis and The Athletic's Dane Brugler — stack up:

Vinnie Iyer's mock draft (The Sporting News)

Iyer's latest mock draft was released April 28:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Jacksonville Jaguars Aidan Hutchinson EDGE Michigan
2 Detroit Lions Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
3 Houston Texans Evan Neal OT Alabama
4 New York Jets Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE Oregon
5 New York Giants Ikem Ekwonu OT/G N.C. State
6 Carolina Panthers Charles Cross OT Mississippi State
7 New York Giants (from CHI) Derek Stingley CB LSU
8 Atlanta Falcons Travon Walker DE/DT Georgia
9 Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) Malik Willis QB Liberty
10 New York Jets (from SEA) Sauce Gardner CB Cincinnati
11 Washington Commanders Chris Olave WR Ohio State
12 Minnesota Vikings Andrew Booth Jr. CB Clemson
13 Houston Texans (from CLE) Jermaine Johnson II EDGE Florida State
14 Baltimore Ravens Tyler Linderbaum C Iowa
15 Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) Kenny Pickett QB Pittsburgh
16 New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State
17 Los Angeles Chargers Jordan Davis DT Georgia
18 Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) Nakobe Dean LB Georgia
19 New Orleans Saints (from PHI) Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
20 Pittsburgh Steelers Desmond Ridder QB Cincinnati
21 New England Patriots Jameson Williams WR Alabama
22 Green Bay Packers (from LV) Drake London WR USC
23 Arizona Cardinals Devonte Wyatt DT/DE Georgia
24 Dallas Cowboys Kenyon Green G Texas A&M
25 Buffalo Bills Trent McDuffie CB Washington
26 Tennessee Titans David Ojabo EDGE Michigan
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers George Karlaftis EDGE Purdue
28 Green Bay Packers Jahan Dotson WR Penn State
29 Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
30 Kansas City Chiefs Boye Mafe EDGE Minnesota
31 Cincinnati Bengals Trey McBride TE Colorado State
32 Detroit Lions (from LAR) Devin Lloyd LB Utah

Noteworthy:

— Not one, but two: the Packers take two first-round wide receivers, USC's Drake London and Penn State's Jahan Dotson. The two have different skill sets that fit the Packers' offense perfectly.

— The Eagles grab a new quarterback, courtesy of the Lincoln Highway, selecting Pitt's Kenny Pickett with the No. 15 pick.

— The Chiefs do their best to mitigate the exit of Tyreek Hill by drafting Arkansas' Treylon Burks with the 29th overall pick.

Mel Kiper Jr.'s mock draft (ESPN)

Kiper's latest mock draft was released April 28:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Jacksonville Jaguars Travon Walker DE Georgia
2 Detroit Lions Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan
3 Houston Texans Ikem Ekwonu OT N.C. State
4 New York Jets Sauce Gardner CB Cincinnati
5 New York Giants Charles Cross OT Mississippi State
6 Carolina Panthers Evan Neal OT Alabama
7 New York Giants (from CHI) Jermaine Johnson II DE Florida State
8 Atlanta Falcons Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State
9 Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) Derek Stingley Jr. CB LSU
10 New York Jets (from SEA) Drake London WR USC
11 Washington Commanders Chris Olave WR Ohio State
12 Minnesota Vikings Kayvon Thibodeaux DE Oregon
13 Houston Texans (from CLE) Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
14 Baltimore Ravens Jordan Davis DT Georgia
15 Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) Jameson Williams WR Alabama
16 New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
17 Los Angeles Chargers Devin Lloyd ILB Utah
18 Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) Trent McDuffie CB Washington
19 New Orleans Saints (from PHI) Kenny Pickett QB Pitt
20 Pittsburgh Steelers Malik Willis QB Liberty
21 New England Patriots Daxton Hill S Michigan
22 Green Bay Packers (from LV) Kenyon Green G Texas A&M
23 Arizona Cardinals Zion Johnson G/C Boston College
24 Dallas Cowboys Tyler Smith OT/G Tulsa
25 Buffalo Bills Kaiir Elam CB Florida
26 Tennessee Titans Jahan Dotson WR Penn State
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Devonte Wyatt DT Georgia
28 Green Bay Packers Christin Watson WR North Dakota State
29 Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) Skyy Moore WR Western Michigan
30 Kansas City Chiefs Arnold Ebiketie DE Penn State
31 Cincinnati Bengals George Karlaftis DE Purdue
32 Detroit Lions (from LAR) Lewis Cine S Georgia

Noteworthy:

— Thibodeaux falls all the way out of the top 10, to the Vikings at 12. That would certainly be a disappointment for someone many considered the preseason No. 1 overall prospect.

— Pickett is the first quarterback off the board, at 19. The last time the first QB off the board came outside the top 15 was in 2013, when the Bills selected Florida State's EJ Manuel at 16. You'd have to go back to the 1997 draft to find the first QB taken lower: Jim Druckenmiller, who went 26th overall to the 49ers.

— The Packers draft a wide receiver to replace Davante Adams, taking North Dakota State's Christian Watson at No. 28.

Todd McShay's mock draft (ESPN)

McShay's latest mock draft was released April 28:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Jacksonville Jaguars Travon Walker DE Georgia
2 Detroit Lions Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan
3 Houston Texans Derek Stingley Jr. CB LSU
4 New York Jets Ikem Ekwonu OT N.C. State
5 New York Giants Charles Cross OT Mississippi State
6 Carolina Panthers Evan Neal OT Alabama
7 New York Giants (from CHI) Sauce Gardner CB Cincinnati
8 Atlanta Falcons Kayvon Thibodeaux DE Oregon
9 Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) Jermaine Johnson II DE Florida State
10 New York Jets (from SEA) Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State
11 Washington Commanders Drake London WR USC
12 Minnesota Vikings Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
13 Dallas Cowboys (from CLE via HOU) Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
14 Baltimore Ravens Jordan Davis DT Georgia
15 Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) Jameson Williams WR Alabama
16 New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) Chris Olave WR Ohio State
17 Los Angeles Chargers Kaiir Elam CB Florida
18 Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) Trent McDuffie CB Washington
19 New Orleans Saints (from PHI) Devonte Wyatt DT Georgia
20 Pittsburgh Steelers Malik Willis QB Liberty
21 New England Patriots Devin Lloyd ILB Utah
22 Green Bay Packers (from LV) Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
23 Arizona Cardinals Jahan Dotson WR Penn State
24 Houston Texans (from DAL) Tyler Smith OT/G Tulsa
25 Buffalo Bills Breece Hall RB Iowa State
26 Tennessee Titans Zion Johnson C/G Boston College
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kenyon Green G Texas A&M
28 Green Bay Packers Lewis Cine S Georgia
29 Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) Daxton Hill S Michigan
30 Kansas City Chiefs George Pickens WR Georgia
31 Cincinnati Bengals Quay Walker LB Georgia
32 Detroit Lions (from LAR) Kenny Pickett QB Pitt

Noteworthy:

— McShay mocks a trade between the Cowboys and Texans for the former to move up and take Northern Iowa tackle Trevor Penning 13th overall. The Texans move back and take tackle/guard Tyler Smith of Tulsa.

— Iowa State running back Breece Hall goes in the first round, at No. 25 overall to the Bills. Most mock drafts list him as an early-to-mid second-rounder.

— Like Kiper, McShay does not expect a quarterback to be taken high in the first round. The first such selection is Willis, at No. 20 overall to the Steelers. The only other quarterback in his first-round mock is Pickett, taken with the 32nd overall pick by the Lions.

— McShay predicts Georgia will tie Miami's 2004 and Alabama's 2021 draft classes with six players taken in the first round — but without linebacker Nakobe Dean. That includes three of the last five picks with Cine, Pickens and Walker.

Mel Kiper-Todd McShay combined mock draft (ESPN)

The ESPN duo's joint mock draft was released April 19. McShay starts off at No. 1, with the picks alternating from there:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Jacksonville Jaguars Aidan Hutchinson DE Michigan
2 Detroit Lions Travon Walker DE Georgia
3 Houston Texans Kayvon Thibodeaux DE Oregon
4 New York Jets Sauce Gardner CB Cincinnati
5 New York Giants Ikem Ekwonu OT NC State
6 Carolina Panthers Malik Willis QB Liberty
7 New York Giants (from CHI) Jermaine Johnson II DE Florida State
8 Atlanta Falcons Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State
9 Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) Evan Neal OT Alabama
10 New York Jets (from SEA) Drake London WR USC
11 Washington Commanders Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
12 Minnesota Vikings Derek Stingley Jr. CB LSU
13 Houston Texans (from CLE) Charles Cross OT Mississippi State
14 Baltimore Ravens Trent McDuffie CB Washington
15 Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) Jameson Williams WR Alabama
16 New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
17 Los Angeles Chargers Jordan Davis DT Georgia
18 Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) Daxton Hill S/CB Michigan
19 New Orleans Saints (from PHI) Chris Olave WR Ohio State
20 Pittsburgh Steelers Kenny Pickett QB Pittsburgh
21 New England Patriots Nakobe Dean ILB Georgia
22 Green Bay Packers (from LV) Christian Watson WR North Dakota State
23 Arizona Cardinals Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
24 Dallas Cowboys Arnold Ebiketie DE/OLB Penn State
25 Buffalo Bills Andrew Booth Jr. CB Clemson
26 Tennessee Titans Zion Johnson G/C Boston College
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Devonte Wyatt DT Georgia
28 Green Bay Packers George Karlaftis DE Purdue
29 Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) Jahan Dotson WR Penn State
30 Kansas City Chiefs David Ojabo OLB Michigan
31 Cincinnati Bengals Devin Lloyd ILB Utah
32 Detroit Lions (from LAR) Desmond Ridder QB Cincinnati

Noteworthy:

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— David Ojabo injury be damned: The Michigan edge rusher is still a first-round pick, going to the Chiefs at No. 30.

— Sticking with the Chiefs, they find a potential Tyreek Hill replacement with Penn State's Jahan Dotson at No. 29.

— Quite the rise for Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill, who goes to the Eagles at No. 18.

Daniel Jeremiah's mock draft (NFL Network)

Jeremiah's latest mock draft was released April 27:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Jacksonville Jaguars Travon Walker EDGE Georgia
2 Detroit Lions Aidan Hutchinson EDGE Michigan
3 Houston Texans Ikem Ekwonu OT N.C. State
4 New York Jets Sauce Gardner CB Cincinnati
5 New York Giants Evan Neal OT Alabama
6 Carolina Panthers Charles Cross OT Mississippi State
7 New York Giants (from CHI) Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State
8 Atlanta Falcons Jameson Williams WR Alabama
9 New York Jets (from DEN via SEA) Drake London WR USC
10 Seattle Seahawks (from NYJ) Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE Oregon
11 Washington Commanders Chris Olave WR Ohio State
12 Minnesota Vikings Derek Stingley Jr. CB LSU
13 Houston Texans (from CLE) Jermaine Johnson II EDGE Florida State
14 Baltimore Ravens Jordan Davis DT Georgia
15 Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
16 New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
17 Los Angeles Chargers Kaiir Elam CB Florida
18 Philadelphia Eagles (from NWO) Trent McDuffie CB Washington
19 New Orleans Saints (from PHI) Devin Lloyd LB Utah
20 Pittsburgh Steelers Kennny Pickett QB Pitt
21 New England Patriots Zion Johnson IOL Boston College
22 Green Bay Packers (from LV) Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
23 Arizona Cardinals George Karlaftis EDGE Purdue
24 Dallas Cowboys Jahan Dotson WR Penn State
25 Buffalo Bills Breece Hall RB Iowa State
26 Tennessee Titans Tyler Smith OT Tulsa
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Logan Hall DL Houston
28 Green Bay Packers Quay Walker LB Georgia
29 Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) Boye Mafe EDGE Minnesota
30 Kansas City Chiefs George Pickens WR Georgia
31 Cincinnati Bengals David Ojabo EDGE Michigan
32 Detroit Lions (from LAR) Malik Willis QB Liberty

Noteworthy:

— Jeremiah predicts the Jets move up one spot (trading the Seahawks' acquisition back to them) to ensure they get their preferred receiver: London, of USC (following selections of Wilson and Williams with the seventh and eighth picks). The Seahawks move back a spot, grab a fourth and draft Thibodeaux 10th overall.

— Speaking of receivers, Jeremiah places significant value on the position in his latest draft, projecting four in the top 11 in Wilson (seventh), Williams (eighth), London (ninth) and Olave (12th).

— The Packers and Chiefs both make pickups to offset the loss of Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill with Burks and Pickens, respectively.

Charles Davis' mock draft (NFL Network)

Davis' latest mock draft was released April 28:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Jacksonville Jaguars Travon Walker DL Georgia
2 Detroit Lions Aidan Hutchinson EDGE Michigan
3 Houston Texans Ikem Ekwonu OT N.C. State
4 New York Jets Sauce Gardner CB Cincinnati
5 New York Giants Charles Cross OT Mississippi State
6 Carolina Panthers Evan Neal OT Alabama
7 New York Giants (via CHI) Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE Oregon
8 Atlanta Falcons Jermaine Johnson II EDGE Florida State
9 Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) Derek Stingley Jr. CB LSU
10 New York Jets (from SEA) Drake London WR USC
11 Washington Commanders Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State
12 Minnesota Vikings Trent McDuffie CB Washington
13 Houston Texans (from CLE) Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
14 Baltimore Ravens Jordan Davis DT Georgia
15 Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) Jameson Williams WR Alabama
16 New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
17 Los Angeles Chargers Devonte Wyatt DT Georgia
18 Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) Andrew Booth CB Clemson
19 New Orleans Saints (from PHI) Chris Olave WR Ohio State
20 Pittsburgh Steelers Malik Willis QB Liberty
21 New England Patriots Devin Lloyd LB Utah
22 Green Bay Packers (from LV) Jahan Dotson WR Penn State
23 Arizona Cardinals Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
24 Dallas Cowboys Kenyon Green IOL Texas A&M
25 Buffalo Bills Breece Hall RB Iowa State
26 Tennessee Titans Zion Johnson IOL Boston College
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Kaiir Elam CB Florida
28 Green Bay Packers George Karlaftis EDGE Purdue
29 Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) Daxton Hill S Michigan
30 Kansas City Chiefs Skyy Moore WR Western Michigan
31 Cincinnati Bengals Kyler Gordon CB Washington
32 Detroit Lions (from LAR) Kenny Pickett QB Pittsburgh

Noteworthy:

— Quite the precipitous drop for Pitt's Kenny Pickett, who falls all the way to the Lions at No. 32.

— A surprising pick for the No. 1 overall receiver: USC's Drake London, at No. 10 overall (one pick ahead of Garrett Wilson).

— Hamitlon's slow 40 drops him all the way to 13 in Davis' mock draft.

Dane Brugler's mock draft (The Athletic)

Brugler's latest mock draft was released April 28:

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Jacksonville Jaguars Travon Walker EDGE Georgia
2 Detroit Lions Aidan Hutchinson EDGE Michigan
3 Houston Texans Derek Stingley Jr. CB LSU
4 New York Jets Ikem Ekwonu OT N.C. State
5 New York Giants Evan Neal OT Alabama
6 Carolina Panthers Charles Cross OT Mississippi State
7 New York Giants (from CHI) Sauce Gardner CB Cincinnati
8 Atlanta Falcons Jameson Williams WR Alabama
9 Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE Oregon
10 New York Jets (from SEA) Jermaine Johnson II EDGE Florida State
11 Washington Commanders Drake London WR USC
12 Minnesota Vikings Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
13 Houston Texans (from CLE) Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State
14 Baltimore Ravens Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
15 Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) Jordan Davis DT Georgia
16 New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) Chris Olave WR Ohio State
17 Los Angeles Chargers Zion Johnson OG Boston College
18 Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) Trent McDuffie CB Washington
19 New Orleans Saints (from PHI) Quay Walker LB Georgia
20 Pittsburgh Steelers Kenny Pickett QB Pitt
21 New England Patriots Devin Lloyd LB Utah
22 Green Bay Packers Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
23 Arizona Cardinals George Karlaftis EDGE Purdue
24 Dallas Cowboys Kenyon Green OG Texas A&M
25 Buffalo Bills Kaiir Elam CB Florida
26 Tennessee Titans Jahan Dotson WR Penn State
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Lewis Cine S Georgia
28 Green Bay Packers Drake Jackson EDGE USC
29 Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) Christian Watson WR North Dakota State
30 Kansas City Chiefs Boye Mafe EDGE Minnesota
31 Cincinnati Bengals Logan Hall DL Houston
32 Detroit Lions (from LAR) Malik Willis QB Liberty

Noteworthy:

— Twin Drakes: Brugler mocks USC's Drake London (receiver) and Drake Jackson (edge) in the first round of the draft at 11 and 28, respectively.

— A surprising drop for Garrett Wilson, presumed to be the top receiver available in the draft following Jameson Williams' injury; he falls to 13th overall to the Texans.

— Speaking of Houston, it takes no offensive tackle help, electing instead to take Derek Stingley Jr. third overall.

Peter King, NBC Sports

Peter King's mock draft was released on Monday, April 25.

Pick Team Player Position School
1 Jacksonville Jaguars Travon Walker DL Georgia
2 Detroit Lions Aidan Hutchinson EDGE Michigan
3 Houston Texans Ikem Ekwonu Ot NC State
4 New York Jets Sauce Gardner CB Cincinnati
5 New York Giants Charles Cross OT Mississippi State
6 Carolina Panthers Evan Neal OT Alabama
7 New York Giants (from CHI) Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
8 Atlanta Falcons Drake London WR USC
9 Houston Texans (from DEN via SEA) Garrett Wilson WR Ohio State
10 New York Jets (from SEA) Jameson Williams WR Alabama
11 Washington Commanders Chris Olave WR Ohio State
12 Minnesota Vikings Derek Stingley CB LSU
13 Seattle Seahawks (from CLE via HOU) Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE Oregon
14 Baltimore Ravens Trevor Penning OT Northern Iowa
15 Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) Jordan Davis DT Georgia
16 New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) Treylon Burks WR Arkansas
17 Los Angeles Chargers Trent McDuffie CB Washington
18 Green Bay Packers (from NO via PHI) Jahan Dotson WR Penn State
19 New Orleans Saints (from PHI) Devonte Wyatt DT Georgia
20 Pittsburgh Steelers Kenny Pickett QB Pittsburgh
21 New England Patriots Bernhard Raimann OT Central Michigan
22 Philadelphia Eagles (from GB) Devin Lloyd LB Utah
23 Arizona Cardinals Jermaine Johnson EDGE Florida State
24 Dallas Cowboys Tyler Linderbaum C Iowa
25 Buffalo Bills Zion Johnson OL Boston College
26 Tennessee Titans Tyler Smith OT Tulsa
27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers David Ojabo EDGE Michigan
28 Green Bay Packers Arnold Ebiketie EDGE Penn State
29 Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) Christian Watson WR North Dakota State
30 Kansas City Chiefs Lewis Cine S Georgia
31 Cincinnati Bengals Trey McBride TE Colorado State
32 Atlanta Falcons (from LAR via DET) Matt Corral QB Ole Miss

Noteworthy:

— Three first-round trades: The Falcons trade back into the first round to get Matt Corral at No. 32 overall, the Packers trade up for Jahan Dotson and the Texans jump up to get Garrett Wilson at No. 9.

— A precipitous fall for Kayvon Thibodeaux, who goes to the Seahawks at No. 13.

— The Patriots take tackle Bernhard Raimann at No. 21. Raimann has a very wide draft variance, with some believing he could be a late Day 2 pick.