In the NFL South, there's a Saints team trying to find itself offensively, Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, a Falcons squad that's rebuilding but not really, and a Panthers club running in circles trying to locate its quarterback -- quite the fascinating quartet of rival teams.
In this mock draft, the Falcons get a premier talent at corner while New Orleans finds a dynamic receiver for whoever's throwing passes in Sean Payton's offense in 2022. The Panthers go wideout too, and Tampa Bay adds even more beef to its defensive line.
Keep reading to see how the entire first round unfolds.
For a more extensive draft discussion beyond the mock drafts, check out our weekly show every Tuesday on YouTube!
One other thing, and this is important: now that we're past the midway point of the season, we're using the 2022 NFL Draft order (via tankathon, with results prior to Monday's game) to determine selections 1-32 below.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Hutchinson feels like a No. 1 overall pick, and he seems like a perfect fit on Dan Campbell's Detroit Lions. This feels more likely each day.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
If Urban Meyer keeps his job, he'll probably go with Neal, who'll get the "safe" label because of his size and college pedigree. And they have to do everything to protect Trevor Lawrence.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
I will not be shocked if Kenny Pickett is ultimately the first quarterback off the board, but we can't forget about Corral. He's a highly talented, productive SEC passer.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Jets run this pick to the podium. Thibodeaux has All-Pro upside because of his length and athleticism.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 5
Hamilton is special prospect at a position the Jets desperately need to address. He'll provide Robert Saleh with a variety of coverage options.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 6
The Giants start over at quarterback with Pickett, who's bound to fly up boards during the pre-draft process after a monster senior year at Pittsburgh.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Ekwonu is a masher who can play tackle because of his athleticism or move to guard because of his power.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
The Falcons would be thrilled for this scenario to unfold. They'd love to pair A.J. Terrell with someone as gifted as Stingley at corner.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
The Panthers are going to address quarterback this offseason. Doing so on the veteran market wouldn't surprise me. If that's the case, they should get him a premier weapon in the draft.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Booth has the ball-hawking skill to be the second cornerback off the board, and the Vikings need to address the position early.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Regardless of who the quarterback is, the Saints have to improve their receiver group, and Williams is flying up boards after a breakout season at Alabama. He wins at all levels of the field.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 12
The Eagles finally pick a linebacker in the first round. Dean is a missile with years of productivity at the second level in the SEC.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Going from Jason Kelce to Linderbaum is essentially the Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck progression for centers.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Karlaftis fills a glaring need opposite Bradley Chubb in the Broncos defense. He has legitimate three-down defensive end traits.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
The Raiders have to get stingier at the cornerback spot, and Gardner is the most in-your-face perimeter corner in this class.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Olave's experience, route-running skill and track-the-ball-in-the-air brilliance will make him a steadying force in Cleveland's pass game.
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From
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1 - Pick 17
Ojabo is a little raw but has double-digit sack upside because of his relative newness to the game of football, athleticism and high motor.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Let's assume Aaron Rodgers lands in Pittsburgh this offseason. Giving him better blocking will be vital. Penning is big, nasty, and powerful at tackle.
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From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 19
Green feels like one of the safer blockers in this class because of his natural power that will help him deal with the immense strength of NFL defensive linemen early in his career.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
How about a big-body target for... Taylor Heinicke? Yeah, let's see the Football Team do it.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Rhyan has excelled at tackle this season at UCLA but feels like someone with an NFL future at guard. He's nimble and strong.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Elam is a long, physical cornerback who'd bring some youth to the secondary for the Bengals.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
You wait -- Ebeketie is going to ascend boards over the next few months. He's a chiseled, twitched up rusher who's gotten better each season at Penn State.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 24
This is one of my favorite pairings in Round 1. Give Willis a genuine redshirt season and let him take over the starting gig in 2023.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
 
Daxton Hill
DB
Michigan
• Jr
• 6'0"
/ 195 lbs
Hill is a defensive coordinator's dream. He's comfortable in the slot and can play any role at safety.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Dotson does have some Mecole Hardman characteristics, but he's more reliable catching the ball in traffic.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
The athletic, high-upside blocker from Central Michigan would be a welcomed addition to Baltimore's offensive front.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
The "other" interior disruptor from Georgia, Wyatt provides more pass-rushing capabilities than Jordan Davis.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
This is the highest you'll see McBride mocked, but I love his suddenness at tight end. He'd slide into the Titans offense seamlessly.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
There are definitely Jordy Nelson vibes to London, a supremely talented rebounder of the football down the field with deceptive athleticism.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
The Patriots want to assert their will on opposing offensive lines and Davis can certainly do that.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
The Cardinals like big, versatile defensive linemen, and Hall fits that profile perfectly.
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