By Jack McNicholas

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama:

Jacksonville has the No.1 Overall pick for the second year in a row. They could go after any pass rushers or pass protectors in this class. After planning to Franchise Tag Cam Robinson, the teams current Left Tackle. It would be good for them to bring Neal in on either side of the offensive line. Neal showed all season he can be effective in both pass protection and a mauler in the run game. With the investment this team put into Quarterback Trevor Lawrence it would only be right to invest in more protection.  

2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan:

The Lions are looking for hard-nose pass rushers to add to the Dan Campbell philosophy. After only playing in 2 games in 2020, Hutchinson put together one of the best college campaigns of 2021. 14 sacks were best in the big ten this year. At 6’6, 265lbs, he has the frame of an NFL defensive end and has shown leadership that this young Lions team can build around. 

3. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon 

Thibodeaux goes to a Texans team that was 3^rd worst when it came to getting after the quarterback. Thibodeaux has a very high ceiling and a talent level that could make him a potential number one pick. In three seasons with the Ducks he appeared in 30 games, he had 126 total tackles, 35.5 TFL and 19 sacks. The Texans desperately need a good defensive lineman with Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry in the division.

4.New York Jets: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, N.C State

The Jets made a lot of investments in their offense last season Quarterback Zach Wilson, Receiver Elijah Moore and Running back Michael Carter and have spent the first rounds of the last two drafts building the offensive line. Ekwonu is the perfect prospect at either the tackle or guard position. Many mocks had Ikem going first over Evan Neal, however in this case of draft the Jets improve their front with a top prospect.

5. New York Giants: Charles Cross, OT, Missisippi State:

The Giants may have more needs at more positions than most teams in the draft, however this is the first of their two picks in the top 10. With Cross as the pick here, the Giants solidify the right side of the offensive line a year after the Left Tackle Andrew Thomas had a breakout season in 2021. New York has the ability here to get a tackle before Carolina sandwiched in between picks. 

6. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh:

One thing we all learned last year is the Carolina Panthers have one position of need. Quarterback, after the Sam Darnold, PJ Walker and Cam Newton experiments did not work out. It is time for the Carolina to look to the future for a signal caller. Kenny Pickett is not a finished product but would fit well into this offensive system. As the NFC South QBs are uncertain for many teams the Panthers get Pickett here and use the rest of the draft to build around their new QB.

7. New York Giants (From Bears): David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan:

This is a great pass rusher class without a doubt. The Giants have secured a tackle on the offensive side of the ball and now find themselves in a position to get a top pass rusher. Many scouts are high on Aidan Hutchinson but the Wolverines produced two pass rushers with top 10 pick upside, the Giants had a breakout rookie in Azeez Ojulari last season and would love to pair Ojabo and his athletic ability off the edge. At 6’5, 250lbs it is hard to argue he does not have the NFL frame. 

8. Atlanta Falcons: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati:

A shutdown corner to play opposite of AJ Terrell who had a great season last year. The Falcons could go pass rusher here but they would love to secure the secondary when taking into account the passing weapons in the NFC South. With over 1,000 snaps played at Cincinnati he has never given up a touchdown. Atlanta would be smart to go with a high upside player like Gardner.

9. Seattle Seahawks (From Broncos, part of the Russell Wilson trade): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah:

Seattle now has ended the Russell Wilson Era, after a decade of Wilson the team will play the last season of Drew Lock’s contract and they could realistically go after a quarterback here. I believe they will go with Lock for 2022. Since Wilsons been traded its safe to assume Bobby Wagner could be on the move. Lloyd would serve as his replacement here in this draft and even if Wagner is not gone they do need youth at this position. 

10. New York Jets: (From Seahawks, part of the Jamaal Adams trade) Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State:

Garrett Wilson had shown in the rose bowl that he is not to be messed with, he has all of the skill of a pro level receiver, he has great run after catch ability that allows for him to create space and give Zach Wilson another passing target across from Elijah Moore. Wilson shows a lot of flashes in areas the Jets need to help build this offense and since they have secured the offensive line in the first round already. They go with the best receiver on the board.

11. Washington Commanders: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty:

The Commanders have a new name, and with that you would expect they are looking for a longer term option than their current QB Taylor Hinekie. Malik Willis has risen his draft stock throughout the offseason as teams see a raw product that they can mold into a franchise QB. Questions with small school quarterbacks are always interesting but his ceiling as a QB would allow for this team to give him time to develop and grow with weapons like Antonio Gibson and Terry McLaurin.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU:

Stingley has been dealing with injury the past two seasons but people cant help but notice that in 2019 he had one of the best college cornerback tapes you could imagine, Stingley goes here to the Vikings who would benefit from a shutdown receiver. Stingley has top 5 potential but due to his injury concerns he slips right in here at 12 and the Vikings get extra secondary help.

13. Cleveland Browns: Drake London, WR, USC:

The Browns and OBJ parted ways and if storylines are true the Browns could be without Jarvis Landry in 2022. Drake London has such a high upside however he did deal with injury concerns throughout the past season. He has scary mismatch potential and has a frame that would benefit Baker Mayfield in many scoring situations. The Browns need a goal line receiver and they get one here with London.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame:

The Baltimore Ravens had a disappointing season last year. Hamilton will provide support to a secondary that features Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey. He has the flexibility to play a Jamaal Adams type role for this team, both a linebacker and safety role. Hamilton is physical and the Ravens always love players who play hard and have a high motor. 

15. Philadelphia Eagles (From Dolphins): George Karlaftis III, EDGE, Purdue:

The first of three eagles picks for the first round they take the pass rusher with the highest ceiling, Karlaftis is a physical edge rusher and the Eagles find many of their top defensive lineman getting up there in age, you can pair Karlaftis with Derek Barnett and truly have a disruptive pass rush.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (From Colts, Part of the Carson Wentz Trade): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas:

The Eagles invested a top pick last year in wide receiver Davonta Smith. We saw high potential from him and Jalen Hurts but this team needs more as their offensive rushing game was the key to their success, Burks would add an element the Eagles have been missing. He is the top receiver on the board and with their second pick in the first round the Eagles take him to pair with Smith. 

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia:

Many players stocks raised at the combine but none more than Jordan Davis, in a class where the defensive tackle position is being underappreciated. Davis stands out. Watching any Georgia game this year you can see the disruption he causes. At 6’6, 340Lbs he ran a 4.78 40 yard dash at the combine. The Chargers could get him here to add to their young defense anchored by Joey Bosa.  

18. New Orleans Saints: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss:

New Orleans is one of the more interesting situations at the moment, the outlook for their franchise running back is uncertain, they no longer have Sean Payton at the helm, the team would be smart to take Corral here as he is the third quarterback selected and New Orleans may not have Jamies Winston at the helm next season. Matt Corral will show at his pro day that he can raise his draft stock and New Orleans can take this pick into the post Drew Brees era.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia:

The Eagles third pick here is a great talent, Nakobe Dean was on the National Championship Georgia team. We saw earlier in this draft the Eagles satisfied their needs at wide receiver and edge rusher, however on this third pick they go into the linebacker position of need. The Eagles can add a young talent to a defense that showed big flashes last season. The Eagles want to hit on all three picks after making the playoff run last season.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sam Howell, QB, UNC:

The Steelers saw their las season with long time quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. It is clear at the moment that the Steelers will even be willing to trade up for a quarterback in this draft. Sam Howell provides youth to an offense that feature is Najee Harris and Chase Claypool. The Steelers just watched AFC North opponents Cincinnati Bengals make a Super Bowl run with their young quarterback Joe burrow. Mike Tomlin would love to take the best quarterback available here at this pic and Sam Howell would fit well as a pocket passer in this offense. 

21. New England Patriots: Andrew Booth JR, CB, Clemson:

With JC Jackson becoming a star in New England the team will want to pair him with a young corner with a higher potential than Jalen Mills. Booth had a great season in 2021 and showed to get better as the season went on. The New England Patriots showed last season that their defense is the key to winning and Booth adds to that here at this pick.

22. Las Vegas Raiders: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State:

A four year starter at Ohio State the Raiders are looking to build off their playoff season in 2021. This team is in need of a receiver to add with Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow. Olave brings not only great route running but a deep threat to this office which would help them bring Josh McDaniels era into effect with a great potential.

23. Arizona Cardinals: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State:

The Cardinals just watched division rival Los Angeles Rams win the Super Bowl. A big part of that was due to their defense. The Cardinals defense was stout at many times last year but was missing a pass rusher opposite Chandler Jones. Johnson is a great pass rusher, can stop the run and would be a great addition to a Cardinals defense that would look to go on a deeper playoff run than we had seen this past season. Johnson is the best pass rusher on the board and this would give support to a defense with Budda Baker, Isiah Simmons and Chandler Jones.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa:

Linderbaum is the hey care for Dallas as they have not had a franchise center to anchor their offensive line since Travis Frederick retired. Iowa offense of lineman come with high potential upside and long-term success and many offensive tackles are going off the board early in this mock draft but Linderbaum has to be one of the more complete interior offensive linemen if he winds up playing guard or center he will find success blocking for Dak Prescott with this pick. 

25. Buffalo Bills: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington:

The Buffalo Bills use this pick here to add the missing piece to what could soon be a championship secondary. Washington brings in new secondary players every draft class and while many see McDuffie as undersized. I see a defense with Tre’Davious White, Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. McDuffie is a lockdown corner for deep threats and could be an excellent addition to this already impressive cornerback class.

26. Tennessee Titans: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama:

The Titans season was an overall success despite their first round playoff exit. Williams is blazing fast, transferring from Ohio State to Alabama last year. Amassing 1572yds averaging 19.9YPC. The Titans offense always seems to be missing that young deep threat. Julio Jones is not the long term answer for the Titans Williams would be an excellent addition for Tannehill. The Titans were the Number one seed and their defense has been heavily invested into in the draft in years past. This time they take a receiver with high upside once he recovers from his ACL surgery.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Green, OG, Texas A&M:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line has gone through some changes in just the last few weeks heading into the offseason. Ryan Jensen and Ali Marpet, both starting offensive guards will not be on the team. Jensen heading to free agency and Marpet retiring after the playoffs. Whoever is playing behind center now that Tom Brady is also retired. The Buccaneers need to invest in the best interior offensive linemen which here would be Green, who is great all around and athletic. This would be a great pick to help protect Kyle Trask.

28. Green Bay Packers: George Pickens, WR, Georgia:

Aaron Rodgers has received his contract, Devante Adams has not. While Adams is slated for the franchise tag there is a possibility he may not be wearing a Packers uniform next season. The Packers must do what’s right and get Aaron Rodgers a weapon that can truly support this offense. George Pickens from Georgia is the pick here who is the best receiver on the board and would bring not only size and great route running but also a wide receiver one mentality. Which is just what Green Bay might need if they don’t come out of free agency with a top target for the 200 Million Dollar Man.

29. Miami Dolphins (From 49ers): Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa:

If there was one player who wrote his stock at the combine outside of Jordan Davis it was Trevor Penning. Ran a 4.89 which impressed a lot of teams, a small school tackle but Miami has made it clear they are trying to prioritize free agents for the offensive line. Sitting at the back of the first round here an athletic tackle coming into this spot would benefit Miami and Tua Tagovailoa. 

30. Kansas City Chiefs: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia:

Whenever you think about the Kansas City Chiefs your mind goes right to their office and there was stellar weapons while you could argue that the Kansas City Chiefs could draft a wide receiver here. In this scenario, Trevon Walker is hard to pass up he has someone that could go in the top 15 or in the late half of the first round. Either way teams are getting a steal here with Walker, playing next to the two best defensive tackles in the draft can make you overshadowed but with the investment this team made in Nick Bolton last year in the first round. With Walker he can play in almost any defensive scheme. 

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Zion Johnson, OT, Boston College:

It is not hard for anyone dating back to last year to argue that the Bengals need more protection for their franchise quarterback. Zion Johnson is a shorter tackle prospect at 6’3 but he is very athletic and creates a lot of holes in the run game. Which would be great for a runner like Joe Mixon who was third in the league in rushing yards last season. If the Bengals want to go after the Superbowl once again, it will start with taking the best player available at the offensive line positions.

32. Detroit Lions (From Rams): Devonte Wyatt, DE, Georgia:

Earlier I had the Lions getting defensive line help. While Hutchinson has the upside to be a franchise player and he is hard not to take at number 2. Wyatt is the same. The Lions do not have a true nose tackle on the roster and this would solidify the defensive line and give this team a true pass rush threat all around. The Lions could go receiver with this pick if any true receivers are available. Wyatt has too high of upside not to take here.