There is no consensus top edge-rusher in the 2022 NFL Draft. Some teams will love Aidan Hutchinson. Others will be enamored with the perceived potential of Kayvon Thibodeaux. Don't be surprised if we get a late riser like Purdue's George Karlaftis, Michigan's David Ojabo, Penn State's Arnold Ebiketie, or San Diego State's Cameron Thomas either.
In this mock, Thibodeaux sinks slightly because he's not super polished. He won around the corner at Oregon mostly due to his supreme physical gifts and length.
If he falls to the Falcons at No. 8, let's see how that impacts the rest of the first round.
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NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Evan Neal
OL
Alabama
• Soph
• 6'7"
/ 340 lbs
Neal may not be the clear-cut "best" prospect in this class, but he has mammoth size, insane athleticism, and the Jaguars have to protect Trevor Lawrence a lot better in 2022 than they did in his rookie season.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Michigan
• Soph
• 6'7"
/ 268 lbs
Hutchinson feels like a Dan Campbell selection, and he's got all the tools to be a All-Pro type on the edge.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Notre Dame
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 224 lbs
Nick Caserio was in New England during the prime of the Devin McCourty era, and Hamilton can provide a similar caliber impact on Houston's defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Mississippi State
• Soph
• 6'5"
/ 311 lbs
Cross is a smooth operator with effortless movement skills and anchor. The Jets have to get better in the trenches.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Malik Willis
QB
Liberty
• Soph
• 6'1"
/ 225 lbs
Willis has the most magnificent traits in this draft class, and the Giants could keep him on the sideline for at least half a season with Daniel Jones still under contract.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Pittsburgh
• Soph
• 6'3"
/ 220 lbs
Pickett has ties to Matt Rhule, and we know how much Rhule loves former recruits and players. The Panthers have to fix their quarterback spot.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 7
Ikem Ekwonu
OT
NC State
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 320 lbs
Ekwonu is a nasty but balanced blocker who will start at right tackle for the Giants.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Kayvon Thibodeaux
EDGE
Oregon
• Soph
• 6'5"
/ 258 lbs
Thibodeaux to the Falcons would be a tremendous get for Atlanta at No. 8 overall. The Falcons need more edge-rushing help -- a lot of it -- and Thibodeaux has rare attributes at his size.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Purdue
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 263 lbs
Karlaftis is an NFL-ready, three-down defensive end who can help keep the Broncos pass rush afloat.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 10
LSU
• Soph
• 6'1"
/ 195 lbs
Stingley falls a bit, and the Jets are elated to land him. He has All-Pro traits at the outside cornerback spot.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Matt Corral
QB
Ole Miss
• Soph
• 6'2"
/ 205 lbs
Corral needs polish, but the quick release and athleticism make him an worthwhile quarterback choice here for the Washington Football Team.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
Ohio State
• Soph
• 6'0"
/ 183 lbs
Wilson is a bouncy speedster who'd be an instant star in an offense with Justin Jefferson.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Arkansas
• Soph
• 6'2"
/ 225 lbs
Burks is a horse in the open field due to his size and chiseled frame, rebounds it well down the field, and isn't a stiff route runner.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Cincinnati
• Soph
• 6'3"
/ 190 lbs
Gardner is the smooth, no-nonsense cornerback the Ravens will love to add to their man-heavy defense.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 15
Nakobe Dean
LB
Georgia
• Soph
• 5'11"
/ 231 lbs
Dean is a missile at linebacker and diagnoses run plays in an instant. The Eagles have to get more athletic at linebacker.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 16
Iowa
• Soph
• 6'2"
/ 314 lbs
Linderbaum is impeccable in the run and screen game, and with more weight to his frame can be tremendous in pass protection, too.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
David Ojabo
LB
Michigan
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 252 lbs
Ojabo is a raw rusher with high upside because of his explosive and bendiness around the corner. He'd be a perfect running mate alongside Joey Bosa in Los Angeles.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Chris Olave
WR
Ohio State
• Soph
• 6'0"
/ 187 lbs
Olave gets open frequently and is dynamite when he has to track the ball down the field. The Saints have to prioritize their receiver group this offseason.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Penn State
• Soph
• 6'2"
/ 250 lbs
Ebiketie is an explosive, bendy rusher who got better each season at Penn State. The Eagles have to address the outside of their pass rusher with youth.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
Kenyon Green
OL
Texas A&M
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 325 lbs
Green is a mauler at guard. Regardless of what the Steelers do at quarterback for the 2022 season, they have to get better in the trenches.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Drake London
WR
USC
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 213 lbs
London would give the Patriots more size at receiver, and the USC star can get open despite being around 6-foot-5. He's a high-point monster, too.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Kaiir Elam
CB
Florida
• Soph
• 6'1"
/ 191 lbs
Elam is a long, ultra-physical cornerback with good fluidity for a defensive back his size. The Raiders have to get stronger in their secondary.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Alabama
• Soph
• 6'1"
/ 180 lbs
Williams' torn ACL sinks him outside the top 20, but the Cardinals can't pass on him given the state of their receiver group heading into the 2022 season.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Georgia
• Soph
• 6'3"
/ 304 lbs
Wyatt has a lightning-quick first step, and the Cowboys have to get sturdier on the interior of their defensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Central Michigan
• Soph
• 6'6"
/ 303 lbs
Rainmann is bound to rise up boards after the Senior Bowl, when teams will get an up-close look at just how long and athletic he is on the edge.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 26
Kentucky
• Soph
• 6'5"
/ 322 lbs
Kinnard is a wide, high-energy blocker who'd help the Dolphins get more physical up front.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
Auburn
• Soph
• 5'11"
/ 190 lbs
McCreary was always around the football in the SEC with 29 pass breakups in his final three seasons at Auburn.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 28
David Bell
WR
Purdue
• Soph
• 6'1"
/ 212 lbs
Bell was a steady, high-producing presence on the outside over the past three years for the Boilermakers.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Clemson
• Soph
• 6'0"
/ 194 lbs
The Chiefs are happy to end Booth's fall to provide their secondary with a twitchy ball hawk on the outside.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Logan Hall
DL
Houston
• Soph
• 6'6"
/ 283 lbs
Hall is the long, versatile defensive lineman the Buccaneers love in the trenches. And Tampa Bay has to add more youth to that unit.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Washington
• 6'7"
/ 325 lbs
Kirkland is one of the more underrated blockers in this class, and the Titans need to fortify their group up front.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Trey McBride
TE
Colorado State
• Soph
• 6'4"
/ 246 lbs
Surprise! McBride is an athletic, pass-catching monster at the tight end position who'd be a welcomed addition in Green Bay, regardless of who the team's quarterback is next year.
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