The Lions are trending toward a top 3 selection, and fortunately, due to the Matthew Stafford trade, they'll make two picks in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Normally, when a team has that two-pick luxury, it will lean toward picking its quarterback of the future first then grab a prospect at another position later.
Not in this mock for Detroit.
Alright, let's get to all 32 picks.
The draft order below was determined using SportsLine's Super Bowl odds but in reverse order.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Neal is a mammoth blocker on the edge with freaky athletic traits and All-Pro upside. Easy selection for Jacksonville.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 2
Thibodeaux went superhero against California last week with 11 pressures on 22 pass-rushing snaps. The only way he doesn't go No. 1 is if the Jaguars land the first pick.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 3
Hutchinson is having an enormous final season at Michigan and was No. 1 on Bruce Feldman's Freak's List that was published in the summer. He's going to be selected very high in late April.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 4
Hamilton is a freaky, do-it-all prospect who can play anywhere in the back seven and create big plays for the defense.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 5
The way it's trending now, the Giants will probably have a new GM and QB next year. Willis is raw but has major upside.
| |||
From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 6
Leal and Javon Hargrave will create a seriously disruptive interior of the defensive line in Philadelphia.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 7
Corral has the athleticism and arm to land early in Round 1, and while he can be overaggressive at times, he's pretty accurate too. Washington has to address the quarterback spot.
| |||
From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 8
Stingley has been penciled into the top 10 for years now. He and James Bradberry would be the longest outside cornerback tandem in the NFL. And quite talented.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 9
How about more offensive weaponry in Atlanta. Why the hell not? Matt Ryan's probably playing in his final season with the Falcons in 2022, so Wilson will help him make the most of it.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 10
Elam is a lengthy, athletic, super-physical cornerback who'd help to round out the Eagles secondary.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 11
The Panthers have to get more dynamic in their receiver room. Olave isn't close to the freakiest first-round receiver over the past few years, but he's one of the most polished route runners with high-end ball skills.
| |||
From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 12
Linderbaum will provide interior protection for Zach Wilson for a long time and boost the efficiency of the Jets run game.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 13
Karlaftis feels like the oversized, versatile defensive end Bill Belichick will adore come draft time.
| |||
From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 14
Howie Roseman bucks the trend and goes linebacker in Round 1. Dean flies around with serious energy and range.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 15
I know, I know. Davis is a nose tackle. But he's different -- he can rush the passer! -- and Derrick Brown went in the top 10 in 2020.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 16
Green would add more physicality to the Bengals offensive front. It's needed.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 17
Burks would step into the slot position likely vacated by Juju Smith-Schuster leaving in free agency next March.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 18
McDuffie would provide Mike Zimmer with a multi-dimensional defensive back with elite-level athletic traits.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 19
Enagbare and Maxx Crosby would be one frightening edge-rushing tandem in Las Vegas for years to come.
| |||
From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 20
Ekwonu is pretty darn close to being NFL strong which will speed up his transition to the professional level.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 21
London lands with Jameis Winston and the Saints to give New Orleans a big body in the slot.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 22
The Titans have to prioritize more defensive back help early in the 2022 draft. Gardner fits the mold Tennessee wants in its corners in that he's a man-coverage specialist.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 23
The Chargers have their franchise left tackle in Rashawn Slater. They get Petit-Frere here in Round 1 to solidify their right tackle position. He's very talented.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 24
Williams is listed at 6-foot-2 and he glides around the football field. He'll be a riser during the pre-draft process.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 25
The safety spot in Dallas is somewhat of a patchwork group right now. Battle can be another playmaker behind Trevon Diggs in that secondary.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 26
Wydermeyer is trending toward being the top tight end prospect in this class. His work in the trenches and pass-catching prowess would be welcomed in Green Bay.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 27
Given the age of some of the edge rushers in Arizona, the Cardinals go with the young, hyper-talented Anderson here, who has All-Pro upside.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 28
The Ravens add a tall, rangy linebacker to their disruptive defense. He'll be a movable chess piece for Wink Martindale.
| |||
From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 29
Insane value for the Lions here with Strong. He's quietly had a strong senior season and will enter the NFL with loads of experience.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 30
The Chiefs have to get more dynamic off the edge, and Jackson has serious ability to tightly bend the corner.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 31
 
Breece Hall
RB
Iowa State
• Jr
• 5'11"
/ 217 lbs
The Buccaneers had a high-caliber talent to their running back position with Hall.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 32
Rhyan really gets after it in power situations and has legitimate guard/tackle flexibility. He'll start his career in Buffalo inside.
|
