PFT’s One and Only 2022 NFL Mock Draft – ProFootballTalk

The draft begins Thursday. This means time is running out for fake drafts. Since everyone and their uncle’s postman cousin has a dummy draft, we’re still posting one as well.

I don’t like fake drafts. Some say they are a vehicle to frame conversations. They are actually a crutch. There’s got to be a better way to talk about the draft than to say, “Let’s pretend we know what’s going to happen and then talk about it.”

It gets even weirder when it comes to predicting transactions. The potential permutations extend to numbers that the human mind cannot comprehend.

But here we are. Our one and only draft of the year. I don’t care if any of the choices are good. I don’t care if you call it the “worst fictional draft ever”. (One or more of my past fictional drafts will be happy to lose this crown.)

We used to do countless versions of fake drafts. That was before I developed a deep and complete hatred towards them. In recent years, we’ve moved to a one-shot mock draft, with no concern for accuracy or pride in authorship. Especially since I have now exported the mission to a seasoned scout whose credentials would not be questioned if his name were to be mentioned.

I thought about tinkering with his selections. But then I realized I didn’t care. If either of these choices is correct, the anonymous, untethered scout with no skin in the game gets credit for it. For anything wrong, I will gladly take the blame.

Nothing is right here. Literally.

1. Jaguars: Travon Walker, defensive end, Georgia.

They thought about taking a tackle. Current thinking is that they will stick with a pass rusher.

2. Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, defensive end, Michigan.

It fills a need and its connection to Michigan is ideal for business. If he’s there, that’s for sure.

3. Texans: Evan Neal, tackle, Alabama.

A team with a lot of needs could go in many different directions here.

4. Jets: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, cornerback, Cincinnati.

The Jets migrate from Revis Island to Sauce City.

5. Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, tackle, NC State.

The offensive line is and has been a mess. Ekwonu begins the cleaning process.

6. Panthers: Charles Cross, tackle, Mississippi State.

They need a quarterback, but they might not like him enough to make him the sixth pick.

7. Giants: Drake London, receiver, USC.

I would personally go with Jameson Williams here, but I defer to whoever wrote this draft.

8. Falcons: Kyle Hamilton, safety, Notre Dame.

A potential generational talent becomes the anchor of a team that hopes to once again become a perennial contender.

9. Seahawks: Derek Stingley, Jr., cornerback, LSU.

They could trade, or they could grab a guy who could become one of the cornerstones of Legion of Boom 2.0.

10. Jets: Kavon Thibodeaux, point carrier, Oregon.

Anyone talking about Thibodeaux dropping out of the top 10 might be hoping he does, so they can draft him.

11. Commanders: Garrett Wilson, catcher, Ohio State.

A new Buckeye receiver could replace a current Buckeye receiver that they might not want to give a lot of money to.

12. Vikings: Jermaine Johnson II, point runner, Florida State.

Za’Darius Smith is a short-term move; they need pieces for their 3-4 defense.

13. Texans: Chris Olave, Ohio State wide receiver.

They no longer have a franchise quarterback. A good receiver could make his non-franchise player look much better.

14. Ravens: Trevor Penning, tackle, northern Iowa.

With Orlando Brown gone and Ronnie Stanley still a question mark, the Ravens need blockers.

15. Eagles: Jameson Williams, receiver, Alabama.

Don’t be surprised if he goes higher — or if the Eagles trade to take him higher.

16. Saints: Kenny Pickett, QB Pitt.

They wouldn’t have sued Deshaun Watson if they had been sold out entirely to Jameis Winston.

17. Chargers: Andrew Booth, Jr., cornerback, Clemson.

They’re doing what they have to do to keep up with the good attacks in the AFC West.

18. Eagles: Jordan Davis, defensive tackle, Georgia.

Fletcher Cox is nearing the end. They need someone who is just getting started.

19. Saints: Tyler Smith, offensive lineman, Tulsa.

The post-Payton offense needs more talent, and not necessarily a receiver.

20. Steelers: Malik Willis, quarterback, Liberty.

They can trade for it. They probably don’t intend to have an extended gap between franchise quarterbacks, like they did before drafting Ben Roethisberger.

21. Patriots: George Karlavtis, peak carrier, Purdue.

Best Player Available, an assessment informed by their struggles with receiver selection and development.

22. Packers: Treylon Burks, receiver, Arkansas.

They need a new number. 1 receiver, desperately. Don’t be surprised if they trade for him or someone else.

23. Cardinals: Demarvin Leal, defensive tackle, Texas A&M.

The defense needs to be strengthened. Leal could supply it.

24. Cowboys: Kenyon Green, guard, Texas A&M.

It’s time to take care of the offensive line again.

25. Bills: Trent McDuffie, cornerback, Washington.

They need help in the high school, especially with Tre’Davious White coming back from a torn ACL.

26. Titans: Jahan Dotson, receiver, Penn State.

Julio Jones didn’t work. They need a solid no. 2.

27. Buccaneers: Devin Lloyd, linebacker, Utah.

Another Diviner becomes Lavonte David’s successor.

28. Packers: Bernard Raimann, tackle, Michigan Central.

With Aaron Rodgers staying, they need people to keep him up.

29. Chiefs: Zion Johnson, Warden, Boston College.

They must draft and develop proficient blockers for Patrick Mahomes.

30. Chiefs: Daxton Hill, Security, Michigan.

Combined with the signing of Justin Reid, taking Hill could significantly strengthen the last line of defense.

31. Bengals: Tyler Linderbaum, center, Iowa.

Talented but undersized, the Bengals need to be looking for guys who can protect Joe Burrow.

32. Lions: Matt Corral, quarterback, Mississippi.

They could trade that pick to someone who wants to get a quarterback — and the final five-year contract in the 2022 draft — or they could go ahead and bring Corral here. He has the intangible assets the Lions need as they attempt to turn the page on three decades of employment.