2022 NFL Mock Draft Picks, Predictions, Odds
The 2022 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, April 28 with the first round. As such, we'll provide Mock Draft 1.0 for the first 32 picks, with some betting information and other crucial nuggets.
This isn't your typical mock draft, however, as we also want you to not only be entertained, but also make some money off of this information. After all, that's what we're here to provide. The odds are provided by BetMGM.
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PICK 1 - JAGUARS - TRAVON WALKER, DE, GEORGIA
The word on the street is that general manager Trent Baalke has balked at picking Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson due to his lack of arm length. Walker has less experience, but fits the size requirements of the GM.
It's doubtful the Jaguars go any other way after picking QB Trevor Lawrence and RB Travis Etienne in the first round in 2021. The position of the Jaguars' first drafted player being a defensive lineman has soared to -1600.
PICK 2 - LIONS - AIDAN HUTCHISON, DE, MICHIGAN
The Baalke arm length issue means Hutchinson takes the short ride east on Interstate 94 from Ann Arbor to Allen Park for the hometown Lions. Hutchinson (-200) is the favorite for the 2nd Overall Pick, and the Lions can't possibly screw it up, can they? Well, they are the Lions, soooo...
PICK 3 - TEXANS - AHMAD GARDNER, CB, CINCINNATI
This one might raise a few eyebrows slightly, as LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr. (+225) is considered the slight favorite for the third pick, followed by NC State OT Ikem Ekwonu (+300). However, Gardner is a long cover man who will fit new head coach Lovie Smith's defense nicely, giving them a much needed stud on the back end.
PICK 4 - JETS - DEREK STINGLEY JR., CB, LSU
The Jets miss out on the Sauce, but they'll get Stingley Jr. to, yes, lessen the sting. DSJ is a tremendous cover man who will fit right in for a pass defense which ranked 30th in passing yardage allowed (259.4), while checking in dead-last in points allowed (29.6).
PICK 5 - GIANTS - IKEM EKWONU, OT, NC STATE
The Giants are going to have the pick of the litter at fifth overall, as there are several potential All-Pro tackles at the top of this draft. Ekwonu has been mentioned as even a possible No. 1 overall pick for the Jags, helping to protect fellow ACC alum Lawrence's backside. Playing OVER 4.5 (+100) at even money is a good play in terms of draft position. If he doesn't go in the first four picks, you win!
PICK 6 - PANTHERS - EVAN NEAL, OT, ALABAMA
Many feel that the Panthers will reach a little and take who the consensus feel is the best quarterback in the draft - Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett. I don't know if GM Scott Fitterer has a weird criteria about hand size like Baalke has about arm length, but I believe the Panthers stick it out with QB Sam Darnold with Neal available. Neal is a huge get.
The team badly needs help at OT, and Neal would be the team's best at the position since Jordan Gross retired in 2014. Drafting Neal might turn up the heat to get QB Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns, too, perhaps in a Day 2 or 3 trade.
PICK 7 - GIANTS - KAYVON THIBODEAUX, DE, OREGON
The Giants are about to get better quickly. The team added offensive-minded Brian Daboll as the head coach, and he'll get to help the team with a possible No. 1 overall player in Ickey at tackle, then swing back around in two picks and scoop up a player many believed was the best college player in the nation heading into 2021 before an early-season injury knocked him off the rails.
A player who models his game after Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware would give the G-Men some much-needed sandpaper on the defensive side of the ball. An OVER 4.5 (+140) draft position pick would help you cash in here.
PICK 8 - FALCONS - GARRETT WILSON, WR, OHIO STATE
The Falcons were hosed when the NFL slapped star WR Calvin Ridley with a one-year suspension for gambling, a ridiculous penalty. Then they also lost WR Russell Gage Jr. via free agency, to the division-rival Bucs, no less. Wilson will fill a huge hole, and might be the team's best wideout in 2022 right from the jump. Playing UNDER 9.5 (-120) for Wilson's draft position is the best bet. Wilson is also the heavy favorite as the FIRST WR SELECTED (-175).
PICK 9 - SEAHAWKS - CHARLES CROSS, OT, MISSISSIPPI STATE
The Seahawks might be bummed that Thibodeaux, a star in the Pacific Northwest during his college days, goes off the board early. But Cross is a tremendous backup plan for a team in needed of improvement along the O-line. Cross is the last of the Big Three up front before a big drop-off at the position. OVER 6.5 (+150) on Cross' draft position allows you to cash in. You can also double up if you select OFFENSIVE LINEMAN (+200) as the position of the Seahawks first drafted player.
PICK 10 - JETS - DRAKE LONDON, WR, USC
The Jets head to the offensive side of the ball for their second pick of the Top 10 after solidifying the secondary earlier. WRs Corey Davis and Elijah Moore are OK as complementary pieces, but they're not No. 1 options for QB Zach Wilson. London gives Wilson a nice target, as well as a solid blocking receiver when needed.
PICK 11 - COMMANDERS - JAMESON WILLIAMS, WR, ALABAMA
The Commanders (man, that's going to take time to get used to) need some pop on the offensive side of the ball, as WR Terry McLaurin could use some help to ward off double teams. Williams, originally at Ohio State, has speed to burn, and he'll join Scary Terry, a player who proceeded Williams with the Buckeyes by a year. WIDE RECEIVER (+150) as the position of the Commanders first drafted player pays off nicely. The team could also look at OSU's Chris Olave here, too.
PICK 12 - VIKINGS - KYLE HAMILTON, S, NOTRE DAME
The Vikings have a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball, but the defense has fallen off. In fact, the Vikes allowed 383.6 total yards to rank 30th, including 252.9 passing yards to rank 28th in 2021. Hamilton will pair with veteran SS Harrison Smith to shore up the back end. DEFENSIVE BACK (-110) as the position of the Vikings first drafted player is a good play.
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PICK 13 - TEXANS - CHRIS OLAVE, WR, OHIO STATE
The Texans went out and grabbed a defensive back with the third overall pick, now they'll work on getting QB Davis Mills some help in the pass game. Smith knows Olave from his days in the Big Ten, and this pick is going to upset the likes of the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles, who could get nervous and try to trade up for Olave.
PICK 14 - RAVENS - JERMAINE JOHNSON II, DE, FLORIDA STATE
The Ravens are going to be ecstatic that the needs of the teams immediately in front of them do not align with theirs. Johnson isn't on the same level of Hutchinson, Thibodeaux and Walker, but he is at the top of the second tier of EDGE rushers available in this draft. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN (+150) as the position of the Ravens first drafted player is a nice wager.
PICK 15 - EAGLES - TREYLON BURKS, WR, ARKANSAS
Yes, the Eagles traded up to add Jalen Reagor in 2020, and he has been a total bust. They added Heisman Trophy winner WR DeVonta Smith last season, and he paid big dividends. They'll dip back into the SEC well for Burks, perhaps reaching a little bit, but the GM Howie Roseman has been known to be unorthodox and raise plenty of eyebrows on Draft Day. WIDE RECEIVER (+200) as the position of the Eagles first drafted player is the favorite, just ahead of defensive lineman and defensive back (+225) each.
PICK 16 - SAINTS - KENNY PICKETT, QB, PITTSBURGH
The Saints are in the market for a quarterback, and they'll likely be ecstatic when the NFC South rival Panthers pass on Pickett at No. 6 overall for Neal. No other teams in the upper half are likely to pull the trigger on Pickett or Liberty QB Malik Willis, so the Saints will fill a need one way or the other here. Pickett is arguably the best QB prospect and most polished of the prospects. QUARTERBACK (+150) as the position of the Saints first drafted player is a good wager.
PICK 17 - CHARGERS - TRENT MCDUFFIE, CB, WASHINGTON
The Bolts spent big money in the offseason to bring in J.C. Jackson to help the back end of the defense, and they'll also add McDuffie for the new-look D. With QBs Derek Carr, Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson making this division the group of death in the NFL, teams cannot have enough stud DBs. You can double up by taking DEFENSIVE BACK (+200) as the Chargers first drafted player.
PICK 18 - EAGLES - JORDAN DAVIS, DT, GEORGIA
The Eagles will reach on Burks, but they'll make the fans happier with a selection of the run-stopper Davis. Play OVER 14.5 (+100) for draft position.
PICK 19 - SAINTS - TREVOR PENNING, OT, NORTHERN IOWA
The Saints need protection for the new QB Pickett, and Penning is a big body with a mean streak. This is a team looking to replace OT Terron Armstead, who bolted for Miami in free agency.
PICK 20 - STEELERS - MALIK WILLIS, QB, LIBERTY
It's not a certainty that the Steelers pick a QUARTERBACK (-125) as the first drafted player, but it's a good bet. Pickett won't be there, but Willis is a nice consolation prize. He'll study behind QB Mitchell Trubisky, who will basically be a bridge until head coach Mike Tomlin feels the dual-threat QB is ready.
PICK 21 - PATRIOTS - DEVIN LLOYD, LB, UTAH
The Patriots were rather sluggish at the linebacker position, so Lloyd gives them a big upgrade. Teams are a little concerned about his age (24), but head coach Bill Belichick will grab him to improve the team's athleticism and speed in the middle. If this is the pick, you can quadruple up by playing LINEBACKER (+425) as the Patriots first drafted player, too.
PICK 22 - PACKERS - GEORGE PICKENS, WR, GEORGIA
The Packers could potentially try and trade up once wideouts start flying off the board, as they really need a pass catcher after WR Davante Adams (Raiders) and WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Chiefs) bolted for the AFC West pass show. Pickens is a name not many are talking about, as he played sparingly in 2021 after recovering from a torn ACL. But the Pack won't let him fall to the Cardinals, a team also looking at the position, and Pickens is the most intriguing wideout behind the Ohio State duo, London and Williams.
Can they, will they, finally spend a first-round pick to get QB Aaron Rodgers a shiny new toy? WIDE RECEIVER (-145) as the Packers first drafted player is a good bet.
PICK 23 - CARDINALS - GEORGE KARLAFTIS, DE, PURDUE
It's a run on Georges! The Cardinals lost DE Chandler Jones (Raiders) in free agency, and Karlaftis gives them an immediate NFL-ready rookie to plug and play. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN (+400) as the Cardinals first drafted player is a good pick.
PICK 24 - COWBOYS - KENYON GREEN, OG, TEXAS A&M
The Cowboys were a train wreck on the offensive line in 2021, something very unusual to see in Big D. They'll star home in the Lone Star State for Green, who can be an immediate starter and upgrade at left guard. OFFENSIVE LINEMAN (-125) as the Cowboys first drafted player is the heavy favorite, and it would be shocking to see this pick be any other position.
PICK 25 - BILLS - KAIIR ELAM, CB, FLORIDA
The Bills could also look to bolster the skill positions to give QB Josh Allen some more weapons, but corner is more of a pressing need with Levi Wallace (Steelers) bolting in the offseason, and CB Tre'Davious White still rehabbing from a torn ACL sustained in November. DEFENSIVE BACK (+160) as the Bills first drafted player is a good play if you don't want to get specific, but target a position group instead.
PICK 26 - TITANS - ZION JOHNSON, OG, BOSTON COLLEGE
The Titans could use an upgrade along the offensive line, helping RB Derrick Henry see bigger holes in the middle. Enter Johnson. OFFENSIVE LINEMAN (+200) as the Titans first drafted player is the best best.
PICK 27 - BUCCANEERS - ANDREW BOOTH, JR., CLEMSON
And the rich get richer. The Buccaneers lost S Jordan Whitehead (Jets), so looking to either Michigan S Daxton Hill or Georgia S Lewis Cine wouldn't be a shocker, either. The Bucs can afford to bring a player along slowly, but the Bucs first drafted player as DEFENSIVE BACK (+225) is a good bet.
PICK 28 - PACKERS - TYLER SMITH, OT, TULSA
The Packers rolled the dice on wide receiver on their first pick, now add some toughness up front. A pick of Central Michigan OT Bernhard Raimann or Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum wouldn't be shocking to see here, either.
PICK 29 - CHIEFS - JAHAN DOTSON, WR, PENN STATE
The Chiefs could potentially make a splash by trading up and pairing 29 and 30 to move up the board. If they stay put, the Chiefs will be thrilled to see Dotson on the board at this juncture.
WIDE RECEIVER (-110) as the Chiefs first drafted player is a good bet, but be careful. The team has the next pick, too, and easily could go with another position at 29, and still grab Dotson at 30. If Dotson is nabbed earlier, watch out for North Dakota State WR Christian Watson here.
PICK 30 - CHIEFS - DAXTON HILL, S, MICHIGAN
Hill could really help out the back end of the defensive for the Chiefs, again, to help against AFC West QBs Carr, Wilson and Justin Herbert twice per season each. He is beast who could pair with offseason addition Justin Reid.
PICK 31 - BENGALS - TYLER LINDERBAUM, C, IOWA
The Bengals learned (the hard way) about having a top-flight quarterback and shabby O-line in 2020. QB Joe Burrow was knocked backward and flat early and often in his rookie season, and he didn't get through the initial campaign.
After improvements through free agency and the draft on the O-line, Burrow had more time, and he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance. Now, the Bengals pick second-to-last in the first round, but are pleasantly surprised to see Linderbaum. It's even money on OFFENSIVE LINEMAN (+100) as the Bengals first drafted player.
An outside possibility is Colorado State TE Trey McBride. The OVER 0.5 (+450) on total tight ends drafted in Round 1 is a long-shot, but possible if the Bengals get crazy.
PICK 32 - LIONS - QUAY WALKER, LB, GEORGIA
The Lions could use the pick they received from the Super Bowl champs for QB Matt Stafford on another Bulldog. Walker is a speedy linebacker who would fill a need. Or, the team could look at fellow national champ DT Devonte Wyatt, too. Either way, there is plenty of talent available for the final pick on Day 1.
If the Lions decide QB Jared Goff isn't the long-term answer (he isn't), a pick of Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder or Ole Miss QB Matt Corral makes sense here, too.
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