Each year on The Sports Stove Podcast, Vince releases an NFL Mock Draft episode the week of the draft. Here is the 2022 Sports Stove mock draft, this is a prediction of what will happen on Thursday night.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Edge Aiden Hutchinson – Michigan: Considered by most to be the best player in this draft. Hutchinson will team up with Josh Allen to create a pass-rushing duo that will wreak havoc in the AFC South.
2. Detroit Lions
Edge Travon Walker – Georgia: Dan Campbell does not want Thibodeaux, so the Lions will take a swing and go after a high upside edge rusher.
3. Houston Texans
OL Evan Neal – Alabama: Texans need talent at every position, but Evan Neal is the top player on their board still available.
4. New York Jets
CB Sauce Gardner – Cincinnati: The Jets could go a number of positions at four, especially since they pick again at ten, but the size and ability they can get in Gardner is too hard to pass at this pick.
5. New York Giants
OL Ikem Ekwonu – North Carolina State: Protecting the QB is the most important thing in New York and they get what many believe is the best offensive lineman in the draft.
6. Carolina Panthers
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux – Oregon: A quarterback is an option here, but Thibodeaux is an intriguing talent that could be a steal for the Panthers.
7. New York Giants
WR Garrett Wilson – Ohio State: After protecting the QB, the Giants have to get some weapons for the QB. They missed last year, so this year they will go with the safest WR pick and that is Wilson.
8. Atlanta Falcons
QB Malik Willis – Liberty: Willis needs some time and the Falcons can offer that with Marcus Mariotta behind Center. Malik Willis has the highest ceiling of the QBs, and Atlanta gets their QB of the future.
9. Seatle Seahawks
CB Derek Stingley Jr. – Louisiana State University: Like Thibodeaux, Stingley has a lot of questions, but talent is not one of those questions. Seatle adds a great piece to their secondary at number nine.
10. New York Jets
WR Drake London – Southern California: The Jets cannot pass on WR too long, they add top talent to help Zach Wilson.
11. Washington Commanders
S Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame: The Commanders get a player that will step in as a starter on day one, and strengthen a talent-laden defense.
12. Minnesota Vikings
CB Trent McDuffie – Washington: The Vikings could go several directions here, but McDuffie fills a large need for a team that faces Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields twice per season.
13. Houston Texans
Edge Jermaine Johnson Jr. – Florida State: Johnson has been linked in the top ten by some, and Houston gets great value for him at thirteen.
14. Baltimore Ravens
DL Jordan Davis – Georgia: Baltimore has been known for defense, and Davis brings his dynamic talent to the Raven’s D-Line.
15. Philadelphia Eagles
LB Nakobe Dean – Georgia: The Eagles will wait for next year’s QB class, so they bolster their defense with this Georgia talent.
16. New Orleans Saints
QB Kenny Pickett – Pittsburgh: Pickett has been linked to New Orleans by many. The Saints might trade up, but I think they can hold tight and still get their guy.
17. Los Angelas Chargers
OL Charles Cross – Mississippi State: Just like last year, the Chargers will have a day one starting offensive lineman fall in their lap.
18. Philadelphia Eagles
WR Jameson Williams – Alabama: Williams could be the best WR in the draft, and although he will miss some time, the Eagles get a steal.
19. New Orleans Saints
OL Kenyon Green – Texas A&M: After locking up their QB of the future, the Saints begin to protect him.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
OL Tyler Linderbaum – Iowa: The Steelers make this pick simply because Linderbaum is too good to pass on at twenty.
21. New England Patriots
LB Devin Lloyd – Utah: No one knows what NE will do, so I’ll put Lloyd here and wait and see.
22. Green Bay Packers
DL Devonte Wyatt – Georgia: Everyone says WR here, but GB will plan to get that later. Wyatt adds to an already strong DL for the Packers and would be a great pick here.
23. Arizona Cardinals
CB Kaiir Elam – Florida: The Cardinals desperately need a CB, I do not know how they rank them, but I love what Elam can bring to this young D.
24. Dallas Cowboys
OL Trevor Penning – Northern Iowa: Not that long ago Dallas had the best OL in the league, but they are far from it now. They will look to add help up front.
25. Buffalo Bills
WR Chris Olave – Ohio State: There are a couple of options here, could be Burks here also, but I like Olave’s fit in Buffalo.
26. Tennessee Titans
QB Desmond Ridder – Cincinnati: Ryan Tannehill “ain’t it” so the Titans take the third QB off the board with the ubertalented Ridder.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
CB Andrew Booth – Clemson: TB does not have many needs, but CB is a place they can improve on.
28. Green Bay Packers
WR Treylon Burks – Arkansas: If Treylon Burks is still on the board, I just do not know how Green Bay can pass on him.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Edge George Karlaftis – Purdue: With back-to-back picks KC has a chance to add important pieces to their defense.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
DB Daxton Hill – Michigan: After letting Honey Badger go, they need help in the secondary, and Hill can play CB or Safety.
31. Cincinnati Bengals
LB Quay Walker — Georgia: The Bengals addressed OL in free agency, and could still get OL help here, but bolstering the defense is crucial in the AFC North, and Walker would be a strong addition.
32. Detroit Lions
QB Matt Corral – Ole Miss: If they are going to take a QB it makes sense to get the fifth year on the contract. They take Corral over Howell as the fourth QB in round one.
Catch more NFL Draft talk and other sports opinions on the Sports Stove Podcast and follow Vince on Twitter, and let him know what you think about his NFL Mock Draft. Find more great content from several writers on Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy.
