Five weeks remain in the NFL regular season. At that point, fans will know the majority of the 2022 NFL Draft order and the playoffs will commence. In the meantime, whet your whistles with weekly mock drafts from CBSSports.com and our coverage of the college football bowl season to expose yourselves to the NFL stars of tomorrow.
In today's thought exercise, we explore a few teams that may consider moving on from incumbent starting quarterbacks in favor of youth.
The 2022 NFL Draft order was determined with the updated strength of schedule and win-loss records, via Tankathon.com.
For a more extensive draft discussion beyond the mock drafts, check out our weekly show every Tuesday on YouTube!
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
I understand the appeal of projecting Aidan Hutchinson to remain in Michigan and continue dominating as a football player but Thibodeaux offers more upside. In an ideal situation, Detroit is able to trade back a few spots but zero quarterbacks warrant that kind of reaction right now.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
I do not think it is out of the question that Jacksonville would consider an edge rusher but a defensive back seems unlikely based on last offseason's investment. Neal is a player that allows them to move on from Cam Robinson or slide one to guard.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
The last time Houston took an edge rusher out of the Big Ten, it worked out pretty well. Hutchinson is constantly working towards the quarterback and is not going to be a liability in the run game.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
General manager Joe Douglas has a philosophy when it comes to building a roster. It begins with the offensive line and the team has already added who they hope is the quarterback of the future -- Zach Wilson. A few of the other premier positions are edge rusher and cornerback. New York is about to address both, beginning with Stingley.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 5
Karlaftis is a strong, mature player that is no stranger to playing through chips and double teams. With Carl Lawson, Quinnen Williams and Karlaftis on the same defensive line, teams will not be able to double team them all. High tides raise all ships.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 6
Ekwonu has the capability to play offensive tackle but he can be a special interior player. New York has struggled to find an interior rotation that works for them but Ekwonu can provide some of the solution. He is a road paving monster that is continuously learning in pass protection.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Hamilton can replace Jabrill Peppers as that safety asked to play downhill and make plays in the box. The Notre Dame product is long, fast, physical and smart. Either directly or indirectly, he is going to force turnovers at the next level.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Realistically speaking, Atlanta is not going to get out of Matt Ryan's contract this offseason but they can bring in his successor to learn. The Falcons had an opportunity to add a franchise quarterback last year but punted the chance. If they do not get someone in the door soon, they are going to waste the rookie contract window of the tight end they were so eager to draft a year ago.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Few would argue with Carolina's shortlist of needs: quarterback and offensive line. It sounds like an offseason where the quarterback carousel is in operation and it is anyone's guess where those veterans will land.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
After losing to Detroit, one would think that Mike Zimmer is toeing the line of employment. It might be time for a change in Minnesota and that often is a domino effect. It is not unrealistic the team might want to bring in a quarterback with a higher ceiling than Kirk Cousins. After all, they were interested in trading up for one last year.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Michael Thomas or no Michael Thomas, New Orleans needs help at wide receiver. Garrett Wilson has elite body control and is capable of making big plays down the field. The Saints just need to get healthy and find a solution at quarterback. The significant rise in salary cap could make them a player for a veteran.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 12
Philadelphia has historically not invested in the linebacker position but that is part of the problem. With top edge rush targets off the board, the Eagles address the second line of defense with Lloyd, who is great getting off blocks and improving daily in pass coverage.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
The Eagles made the right decision to be aggressive in pursuit of Devonta Smith. He has been sensational when given the opportunity but they need more. In the event that Smith is unavailable, would the team be comfortable with Jalen Reagor and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside? I am torn on the idea of adding another wide receiver to such a run heavy team that has struggled to get the ball to Smith in recent weeks but something has to give long-term.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Von Miller is gone but Bradley Chubb is effective when healthy. Jonathon Cooper and Malik Reed give that team some developmental options on the edge but it would benefit them to add a fast, mean off-ball linebacker like Dean. Dean will take on the responsibility of doing the dirty work and blowing up blocks to free up those edge rushers.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
DeSean Jackson has been a value addition at this point in the season but it is not a sustainable plan. Chris Olave gives Derek Carr a reliable outlet in addition to Darren Waller. What Waller has been able to do in the absence of a decoy is nothing short of spectacular but it does not have to be that way.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Linderbaum lasting to this point in the first round is not some sort of statement that I do not believe in the talent. He is No. 3 overall on my personal big board. However, centers have historically not been taken higher than No. 18 overall. Linderbaum could put that to the test.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 17
In previous iterations of these mock drafts, I have pretty consistently had Philadelphia taking a cornerback and/or safety. In this version, they make it out of the first round without spending a first-round pick on either position. The thought process is that because of their heavy zone scheme, it might make more sense to funnel assets to other positions. Man cover corners are the players that warrant premier selections and that might be too rich for a zone team.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Pittsburgh could go in a number of directions as a team that feels like it will undergo a transition of power this offseason. Ben Roethlisberger is moving on so a viable long-term fit at the position is essential. The offensive line still needs a lot of work and it would benefit them to create a succession plan for veteran defensive linemen and cornerback.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 19
Miami's defensive front becomes more versatile with the selection of Walker, who can line up on the edge or condense inside.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
The idea of Washington taking a quarterback becomes more controversial each week as Taylor Heinicke gains support. I doubt that is sustainable and the coaching staff said as much when they made an effort to sign and start Ryan Fitzpatrick.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Buffalo's run defense has been called into question this week. This pick does not necessarily help that conundrum but it does give the Bills a viable lockdown cornerback opposite Tre'Davious White.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Cincinnati has historically invested in cornerbacks through the draft but it has been awhile. They were aggressive in signing Trae Waynes last offseason but the team needs to return to the well and draft a lockdown cornerback.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Few NFL teams are consistently able to stop the run and the Chargers are on the opposite end of the spectrum. They are getting gashed on a weekly basis. Davis allows them to plug the leak up the middle and can offer a bit of pass rush when on the field in third down situations.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 24
Detroit needs an alpha wide receiver. Outside of George Pickens, Burks may have the best chance to be that player even though it is not exactly how he has been used in Fayeteville. He is a big-bodied wide receiver with great speed. Amon-Ra St. Brown has stepped up recently and inspired hope for the future but the Lions need one more big contributor.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
When I watched Hall last year, I saw the impressive physical stature that had so many buzzing but he was an incomplete player. Over the past year, he has made big strides and is a player that should be under consideration in the latter half of the first round.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Kansas City is just adding confusion to defenses with the addition of Dotson. Tyreek Hill and Dotson give the Chiefs the option to run one short and the other deep on any given play. The speed of those two players on the field at once will stretch the defense to its limits.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Baltimore is committed to its identity as a run first team. Kinnard is a run blocker first and foremost, but he has steadily improved in pass protection. Although listed as a tackle, he is best suited to kick inside at the next level. When a healthy J.K. Dobbins returns, the Ravens could be a force on the ground.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Tampa Bay is just throwing more darts at the board in hopes that something sticks. Cornerback is a position where they have either found inconsistent play or poor injury luck in recent years. As the franchise looks for long-term salary stability, Kendrick can be an aid.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Julio Jones has played in exactly half of the team's games resulting in 21 receptions for 336 yards. He missed seven games last season. Tennessee saves little by trading to get out from under his contract this offseason but the following year is not unrealistic. Drake London can be a more consistent presence for that team alongside A.J. Brown.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Za'Darius Smith has been injured for most of the season and he outperformed Preston Smith in recent years. It is not crazy to think the team might want to go in a different direction for salary cap purposes. Ojabo is flexible at the waist and shows the bend that often translates into production in the NFL.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
McCreary is not a flashy player but he has made steady improvement. Bill Belichick values competitive toughness and the Auburn product has that in spades. His exposure to zone and man coverage will make him even more appealing to New England, who likes having the option of switching the plan up on a weekly basis to counter an opponent.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
The desert has been a rejuvenation center for pass rushers recently with Haason Reddick and Markus Golden. Jackson is athletically gifted and would come on a cost controlled deal. Arizona went all in on a potential Super Bowl run this year and the bill is going to come due at some point. They have to begin preparing for that reality soon.
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