NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Final predictions for picks 1-16

We have now officially reached draft day, people. The first round of the 2022 NFL draft is set to get underway on Thursday night at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. CT). The annual event is being held in Las Vegas, Nevada this year, which is already creating a lot of buzz and excitement that goes beyond just the draft.

By now, you’ve heard my story.

For the last eight months, I’ve exclusively covered Alabama football for BamaOn3. Prior to joining On3, I covered college football and the NFL draft for various outlets, including OutKick and Athlon Sports. So even though this is exclusively an Alabama site, I’ve moved my annual mocks here.

Below, you’ll find all of my final predictions for picks 1-16. The second half (picks 17-32) of this mock draft will be released in the next few hours. This is it, folks. I’m locking these picks in, so let’s see where I have all these former college stars ending up, shall we?

Note: This is the first of a two-part NFL mock draft. Click here to see picks 1-16.

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1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

Previous pick: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

In my last mock, I had Jaguars GM Trent Baalke going with production over traits. There’s been a lot of smoke around Walker being the No. 1 pick over the last week, so I’m going to pivot. Hopefully, I don’t regret that decision as much as I did when I finally gave in and mocked Mac Jones to the 49ers at No. 3 overall last year.

Walker is a 6-foot-5, 275-pound defender with the athleticism (4.51 40-yard dash; 35.5-inch vertical) to match his size. That being said, he only had 9.5 career sacks during his three seasons at Georgia. This pick isn’t about where Walker is at currently; it’s more about where he can be.

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2. Detroit Lions – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

Previous pick: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia

In a lot of ways, Detroit fans will probably be thrilled with Jacksonville electing to take Walker over Hutchinson. The former Wolverine was a lot more productive (14 sacks) this past season, and it keeps the in-state product home. As I mentioned in my previous NFL mock, the Lions finished last season ranked No. 30 in the NFL in sacks (30). Romeo Okwara and Charles Harris are simply not enough.

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3. Houston Texans – Ickey Ekwonu, OT, NC State

Previous pick: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

I slightly pivoted with this pick, but at least I kept the same position. Personally, I’d take Neal over Ekwonu, but the growing belief is that teams prefer the NC State tackle. As long as they’re securing more protection for second-year quarterback Davis Mills, I can get behind the decision. The front office needs to find out if the Stanford product is the long-term answer. Ekwonu has the versatility to play right tackle or even guard if the team wants to keep Laremy Tunsil on the left side.

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4. New York Jets – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Previous pick: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

I don’t see a reason to change up this selection. Sure, Neal is a possibility, but I believe Gardner would be a perfect schematic fit for coach Robert Saleh’s defense. This decision does put pressure on New York to get quarterback Zach Wilson more help on offense with its second first-round pick coming up, whether that be along the offensive line or at wide receiver. The team has been rumored to be targeting 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel with the No. 10 pick.

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5. New York Giants – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

Previous pick: Ickey Ekwonu, OT, NC State

Giants coach Brian Daboll left Alabama in 2018, and Neal got to Tuscaloosa in 2019. Still, there’s enough of a working relationship between Daboll and Nick Saban that I believe there’d be an inside track on the mammoth tackle. Granted, there’s not much more to learn. What you see is what you get. Neal is a fantastic player and an even better person. He’ll be an instant starter at right tackle opposite 2020 first-round pick Andrew Thomas.

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**TRADE: NYJ trade pick No. 10, 69 and a 2023 third-round selection to CAR for pick No. 6.**

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6. New York Jets – Drake London, WR, USC

Previous pick: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

Prior to this trade, the Jets were sitting behind the Giants and the Falcons. Those teams are linked to the top receivers in this draft, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see New York make a move ahead of both of them in order to get their pick of the pass-catchers. I could see it being a number of guys, but London’s towering size (6-5, 219) makes him a nightmare in contest catch situations and in the red zone. Wilson will be pleased with his new weapon.

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7. New York Giants – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Previous pick: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

In my last NFL mock, I said “the Giants walking away with Ekwonu and Thibodeaux feels like a home run.” That’s a statement I’ll stand by, even if Ekwonu is being replaced by Neal. In fact, I think it’s even more of a home run for New York, as Neal is a much better option for Daniel Jones in pass protection. Plus, Thibodeaux playing opposite former Georgia pass rusher Azeez Ojulari will finally give this franchise a chance to put consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

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8. Atlanta Falcons – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

Previous pick: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

There are a total of four players I believe Atlanta would seriously consider at this pick. One is obviously Wilson. The other three are Malik Willis, Jermaine Johnson II and Jameson Williams. At the end of the day, I can’t get off the Falcons upgrading at wide receiver. The team’s current crop led by Olamide Zaccheaus, Auden Tate, Damiere Byrd and Khadarel Hodge leaves a lot to be desired, even if Kyle Pitts is technically the passing game’s No. 1 option.

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9. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN) – Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State

Previous pick: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

The Seahawks should take Johnson. Will they? Heck, I don’t know. I never know what this franchise is up to come draft time, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. I could also see them choosing to trade down, but finding a dance partner could be difficult. Johnson fills a huge need and could lead the defense in sacks as a rookie. Carlos Dunlap is currently a 33-year-old free agent after leading the team with 8.5 in 2021.

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10. Carolina Panthers – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt

Previous pick: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt

This is the perfect scenario for Carolina. In my last NFL mock, I had them taking Pickett at No. 6 overall. First off, that always felt a little rich to me. Secondly, the Panthers are lacking picks after making a move for Sam Darnold last season. This trade allows them to recoup some of that draft capital. Pickett has an established relationship with coach Matt Rhule, and he’s the most pro-ready quarterback of this draft class.

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11. Washington Commanders – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

Previous pick: Drake London, WR, USC

Washington is banking on Carson Wentz being a viable quarterback in 2022. For that to happen, he needs to be surrounded by as many weapons as possible. With London no longer available, the Commanders elect to take Williams. Not a bad consolation prize, right? Yes, the Ohio State transfer suffered a late-season knee injury, but the team does have Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, Dyami Brown and even Cam Sims to hold them over until he’s recovered.

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12. Minnesota Vikings – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

Previous pick: Derek Singley Jr., CB, LSU

Some draft evaluators believe this is too low for a talent such as Stingley. He’s been recently mocked as high as No. 3 to the Texans. Others believe this is too high considering we haven’t seen the LSU cornerback perform at a high level since 2019. Personally, I think it’s the perfect range. He’s a top-5 talent at his best and might not even be worth a Day 1 pick at his worst. That boom-or-bust risk becomes worth it once you get outside of the top 10 picks.

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13. Houston Texans (via CLE) – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Previous pick: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

As I said last week, Hamilton is a top-10 talent in this draft class. But as we saw in the cases of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Derwin James a few years ago, being a top-10 talent doesn’t always equate to being drafted in the top 10 when you’re a safety. Hamilton’s loss is Houston’s gain, as the franchise is in desperate need of a talent overhaul. With former starter Justin Reid now in Kansas City, the Texans secure a more than capable replacement option.

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14. Baltimore Ravens – Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia

Previous pick: Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State

Baltimore would’ve loved Johnson falling into their laps, but there’s a growing belief that he isn’t making it out of the top 10. I could see GM Eric DeCosta going with a tackle such as Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning or Mississippi State’s Charles Cross here, but Davis just feels like a Raven. This is a franchise that loves those massive interior defensive linemen such as Haloti Ngata, Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce. Davis is a lot more like Ngata than those other two though.

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15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Previous pick: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

In my last NFL mock, I said the Eagles adding another wide receiver for Jalen Hurts can wait. Now, I’m beginning to rethink that. This team has plenty of defensive needs (cornerback, safety, edge rusher, off-ball linebacker and an interior defensive lineman), but the safest bet is to put your franchise quarterback in the best position to succeed. Olave and former Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith are similar players, and both should wreak havoc on opposing defenses.

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16. New Orleans Saints – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

Previous pick: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

The Saints are desperate to fill two needs early in this draft: offensive tackle and wide receiver. With Olave just going off the board, the decision to take a falling Charles Cross becomes that much easier. In my last NFL mock, New Orleans didn’t even have Penning available. Now, they’ll get to pass on him to make the Mississippi State product their heir apparent for longtime left tackle Terron Armstead. It’s amazing how quickly things can change.

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NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Picks 17-32