2. Detroit Lions – ED Kayvon Thibodeaux 

Kayvon Thibodeaux is just what Detroit needs in order to ascend in the direction of a winning team. The Dan Campbell hire was specifically made to get the culture in Detroit turned around for the better which has worked out well for that purpose so far, but to reach an elite-level culture that can make playoff runs, you need elite game-changing players like what Thibodeaux could become. While drafting a developmental QB to sit behind Goff would be ideal in this situation, there is simply no QBs this year that warrant the second overall pick, and Thibodeaux paired Jeff Okudah would make it easy to build an elite defense over time. Some would say Hutchinson is more worthy of this pick, but given this team won’t be competing for a super bowl next season, it’d be smarter to draft the higher upside player which would be Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux has elite quickness and speed paired with incredible raw strength which gives him the upside you look for in this high of a pick. While he still has to improve his run defense and continue to develop his pass rush moves, he has a solid floor entering the league with his natural get-off ability and raw strength, and I can see him quickly being able to convert speed to power at a high level. He has plenty of things to improve upon, but this should not shy teams away from taking him over Hutchinson; it is simply not worth it to pass up this rare type of potential with the position the Lions are in.

3. Houston Texans – CB Derek Stingley Jr.

This pick wouldn’t be as easy as it may seem at first glance for Houston, as there are many needs on the Texans roster and multiple good options to choose from. I can’t argue that Aidan Hutchinson wouldn’t be worth this pick but I would just personally rather have Derek Stingley Jr in the situation Houston is in. While the secondary was the primary reason for their struggles in 2021, the pass rush seemed to be the one bright side on defense as Lovey Smith got multiple players in the front 7 to play above expectations. Considering this is one of the worst QB classes in a long time, and this team will likely be playing for a pick next year as well, their best strategy is to acquire the best possible upside and aim for getting a QB next year assuming they are unable to get Deshaun Watson to stay. While Stingley has missed a lot of time in college and still needs time to prove his value in the NFL, he has the versatility to play well in any scheme and is capable to play at a high level from the very start. Stingley has everything you’d want in a true number-one corner from his size, athletism, ball skills, and refined press technique. This pick may not immediately pay dividends the same way Hutchinson would, but this would very likely be better long-term value.

4. New York Jets – ED Aidan Hutchinson

The Jets are in a great position in this year’s draft compared to most of the other teams picking high, and they also are fortunate to have Hutchinson available as I’ve seen other people trade up to get him in their mock drafts. In addition to having two top-ten picks, the Jets already have their answer at QB and just need to do a good job of building around him. The defense was a major disappointment in 2021 and Hutchinson will immediately give this team a spark and a borderline elite defensive front. While Stingley would be undoubtedly a massive upgrade at corner, getting Hutchinson while also landing a sweet corner at the 10th spot would be a best-case scenario. The reason I am lower on Hutchinson compared to other players is he simply doesn’t have elite upside, despite being a dominant college player. Hutchinson is extremely polished and consistent but doesn’t have elite power or great speed which is needed to play at an elite level in the pros. The good thing about drafting Hutchenson compared to someone like Stingley or Hamilton, is you feel confident he will immediately play at a pro-bowl level or close to it in his first year; that doesn’t happen very often with edge rushers in the draft.

5. New York Giants – OT Charles Cross

The giant’s biggest issue in 2021 on offense besides the play-calling was pass protection and while they already have Andrew Thomas at LT who had an impressive season, moving him to RT and plugging Charles Cross in at LT would give them a potential elite Tackle duo. While Thomas is a stud as a run blocker, Cross increases the balance of the O-line by giving them a stellar pass protector. Cross is a prototypical pass protecting Tackle and faced serious competition at Mississippi State and held his own which isn’t easy by any means. Given the Giants also have pick seven, it allows them to sure up the O-line and also gets a young QB to develop. The skill positions on this offense are already well above average, and on defense, there are two good safeties in place so there’d be no purpose to getting Hamilton, but even though fifth overall is a bit early for Cross, he will be a crucial part of the offense in New York for many years.

6. Houston Texans (Trade w/ Car) – SA Kyle Hamilton

The Texans in the mock draft get the 6th overall pick among other later/future picks in return for QB Deshaun Watson, which allows them to take another elite prospect in the secondary being, Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton is likely the second-best player in this draft right behind Thibodeaux but because he is a SA, his value is diminished. Hamilton is a rare prospect for his position with incredible athleticism and a 6’4″, 220 lb frame; while listed as a safety he is incredibly versatile and played the majority of his snaps in the slot his last year at Notre Dame and also played in the box safety position. He has good coverage instincts and plays the run with physicality and with development, will be able to play multiple positions at an elite level. While an elite edge rusher would give this pass rush a massive advantage, Lovie Smith got the pass rush to play above expectations in 2021, and without trading up this will give him two potential elite players in the secondary who’d both be able to excel at different roles.

7. New York Giants – QB Matt Corral

After Hiring Brian Daboll, it’s time for the Giants to attempt to upgrade from Daniel Jones and Matt Corral would be a great fit in the scheme Daboll ran in Buffalo. Corrall wouldn’t have to start his first year and it could potentially get Jones to step up and play very well which could lead to a trade for him in the future. Corral has the athletism and arm talent needed to play well in this vertical-style passing offense that Daboll runs. While having good playmaking skills, his processor and accuracy is good enough to work with at his age. In a year when Corral is ready to start, he’ll have a very good surrounding core, and as long as he is a hard worker and has a good enough character, I don’t see why he couldn’t live up to the expectations of the seventh overall pick. After a great head coach hire, if the Giant’s first two picks pan out, they will finally be back to competitive football.

8. Atlanta Falcons – ED George Karlaftis

While an O-lineman could certainly help here, I think the edge position is a more glaring need for Atlanta, and George Karlaftis has an elite upside that doesn’t always come available at pick eight. What gives him such high upside is his combination of size at 275 lbs, his incredible strength, his get-off, and his consistency. In his final year in college, he won nearly 24% of his pass-rush snaps and displayed an ability to use a variety of pass rush moves including a spin move. His effort as a pass rusher is better than what any coach would ask for and it won’t be long till he is playing like a high-end number one pass rusher. It would help him a lot to have Grady Jarret on the interior as that would give opposing O-lines two players that should be double teamed in which case would give them lots of sack opportunities. He’ll probably be a non-factor as a run defender early on like he was in college but he certainly can stand his ground when he’s prepared for it, but he has plenty of time to develop and become elite in both pass rush and run defense. 

9. Denver Broncos – QB Malik Willis

Assuming the Packers retain Aaron Rodgers, under the impression that the Green Bay front office is doing everything possible to bring a good team together for him to stay, Denver must get a QB with good potential as this roster doesn’t have any other big holes. While it’s disappointing knowing you passed on Justin Fields and didn’t land Rodgers if it works out Malik Willis will be close to as good as those two players if not as good as Fields can be. Denver would have to start Teddy Bridgewater for at least his rookie season as Willis is still far away from being a good player, despite him having absurd physical traits. This isn’t because of his accuracy but is because he is very poor at reading defenses, has the tendency to bail from clean pockets, and occasionally makes very costly decisions. I know it is redundant to take another developmental QB in Denver, but Bridgewater is a good guy to learn behind and the surrounding core is very good, so the chances of him succeeding aren’t bad at all.

10. New York Jets – CB Sauce Gardner

Although Sauce Gardner isn’t guaranteed to be available in the real draft by this point, picking him at ten makes the Hutchinson pick even better as you fill the desperate need of this number two corner spot for next season while giving this defense an elite unit. Gardner will be a great fit in the scheme Robert Saleh runs with his size and physical playstyle that is great for press heavy schemes. He has the physical prototype and aggressive mindset that is needed to be great at the corner position in the NFL. After a disappointing season from this Saleh lead defense, he’ll surely be very pumped to get these guys in the building to hopefully build a legit culture in New York.

11. Washington Commanders – QB Sam Howell

Howell at only 21 years old is a very good athlete and has a great arm, but with that being said his accuracy needs to improve but he has good enough decision-making to start under good circumstances. He has a realistic upside as a high-end starter and given the talent this offense already has, Howell could make this a very competitive team down the road. The biggest thing Howell will need to improve is his processing and accuracy as that clearly held him back in college and will only be worse in the NFL. As long as he is a hard worker and has a good enough character, I don’t see why he couldn’t live up to the expectations of the 11th overall pick.

12. Minnesota Vikings – LB Devin Lloyd

What this pick ends up being, largely depends on the direction the franchise chooses to move forward with as they are in a position where it wouldn’t be stupid to sell the majority of the team’s older talent so they can fully rebuild. Whether they decide to trade Eric Kendricks or not, Devin Lloyd would be a great long-term option as the mike linebacker. While his upside isn’t the greatest, he has plenty of athleticism to be a good cover player and it is very difficult to hit on good off-ball linebackers in the modern NFL as it has become of the most difficult to play and develop at. Devin Lloyd will be a quality starter on day one at the very least and could learn behind one of the best linebackers if they keep Kendricks. 

13. Cleveland Browns – WR Garrett Wilson

A receiver is the obvious number one need for Cleveland this offseason and Garrett Wilson would be the best one available as well as a good scheme fit for the offense in Cleveland. Wilson would fill the role Odell Beckham played before his departure and could ultimately be a better long-term solution. He is a very quick and agile player and is a very solid deep threat, but he is best at getting yards after the catch on a consistent basis. Even if Wilson wasn’t available here, I believe you’d have to go somewhere on offense as you really want to get the best possible answer to if Baker Mayfield is the long-term option in Cleveland.

14. Baltimore Ravens – CB Kaiir Elam

The Ravens don’t have many draft needs and that is mostly because they have done such a good job the past few drafts at getting great value all across the board. I can’t argue that Ikem Okwonu wouldn’t be better value here, but considering he would have to start as a guard in Baltimore, I’d rather just take the opportunity to secure the future of the corner room as there have been so many players among their defense that have either moved elsewhere or have aged out over the past few seasons. While Kair Elam will have to improve his man coverage skills at the next level, he has the physical prototype that Baltimore likes at Corner, and also wouldn’t be immediately thrust into covering top-end receivers.

15. Philadelphia Eagles – LB Nakobe Dean

Considering Philadelphia has three of the next five picks, this pick cannot get any easier as Nokobe Dean is not only a plug-in-play starter who fits their scheme but the biggest need on this roster happens to be an off-ball linebacker. Dean is a smaller linebacker at only 6’0″ 225 lbs but he fills a very important role in this man-heavy defense that’ll require him to run with the best of halfbacks and TEs. Philadelphia has a very good defensive front which will minimize his weakness in defense as a smaller player. Regardless of what his testing numbers are, he plays very fast on film and has the aggressive mentality you look for at the position. 

16. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Chris Olave

The Eagles can get a true first-round talent at receiver in Chris Olave who I believe to be slightly underrated by some draft analysts. Olave doesn’t have elite speed but has good enough to be a deep threat while he has very good acceleration and smooth agility. He not only has very reliable hands but is a very good route runner as well and plays with intelligence. Having Olave as well as DeVonta Smith for whoever the long-term QB ends being to throw to combined with a stellar all-around offensive line, puts Philadelphia in a great position.

17. Los Angeles Chargers – CB Trent McDuffie

The Chargers couldn’t go wrong with picking either Trent McDuffie or Jameson Williams here but with two great receivers already there and with a good amount of value at receiver likely to still be available in the second, McDuffie would be great value at 17. This secondary struggled in 2021 and another corner is needed to play next to Asante Samuel Jr in this quarter’s heavy system heading into next season. McDuffie would fit that role perfectly with his quickness, instincts, and ball skills, while his smaller size will not hinder him as he won’t be required to play press coverage. This would complete the Charger’s secondary for the most part and the rest of their team needs are rather easier to fill in the mid-rounds.

18. New Orleans Saints – WR Jameson Williams

Jameson Williams is a true deep threat, which is what New Orleans could use most on offense, although this would change if Michael Thomas ends up getting traded. Whatever the offensive scheme ends up being in New Orleans as well as whoever ends up the starting QB, will surely appreciate having a vertical element to their offense and Jameson Williams at 6’2″ combined with elite speed is the best vertical threat in this class. He isn’t just tall and fast as he played against the best competition possible in the SEC playing for Alabama and also has surprisingly good agility and change of direction. He is a very thin player at only 189 lbs and doesn’t win very many contested balls but that won’t stop him from beating plenty of average speed corners in the NFL. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in the championship game which will give him a slow start in his rookie season, but since the Saints will be rebuilding, it doesn’t make much of a difference.

19. Philadelphia Eagles – QB Carson Strong

Jalen Hurts truthers will surely hate this mock pick, but not only is it what I would do, but I really could see Howie Roseman making this pick in real life as well. Carson Strong would easily be QB-one if it weren’t for his knee injury that may plague his career; I won’t explain the actual medical case in detail but he got surgery to hopefully bring back the cartilage in his knee but there is a small-moderate chance (don’t take my word for it) that it gets rejected by his body which would practically ruin his career/ make it extremely difficult. In case you’d like to learn the details of the injury situation, this article “The Doctor Is In: What To Make Of Carson Strong’s Knee Issue” written by Melanie Friedlander, does a great job of that. This mock pick is with the anticipation the Philadelphia medical staff feels confident he’ll recover well from surgery. Strong is a player more similar to Carson Wentz than Hurts in regards to their strengths and weakness, and drafting him would not only give much higher upside than what Hurts has, but would also give them an option to switch to if Philadelphia is struggling and needs a spark mid-season.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Ikem Ekwonu

Mike Tomlin no doubt would be popping champaign to this pick, as this would be one of the best first-round picks he has ever had. While he is just the third-best tackle in this class, Ekwonu is by far the best run-blocker. With all-around elite physical traits, he uses them to his best when it comes to the run game as this trait is world-class for a college prospect. It would be great to get a QB if you’re Pittsburgh but if they can get Jimmy Garoppolo for a third, it would give them time to be patient and eventually trade up when there is a good chance and a good QB worth trading up for is available. Taking Ekwonu would greatly help their run game and allow Jimmy G to be a good game manager if they get him.

21. Atlanta Falcons (Trade W/ NE) – WR Jahan Dotson

I think the Falcons will trade Calvin Ridley to the Patriots for NE’s 2022 first-round pick in return. This allows them to find a solid replacement in Jahan Dotson who has multiple nice traits. Although he doesn’t have great top-end speed, he has a borderline elite first step and runs very smooth routes. To go with that he has great hands as he not only doesn’t drop it very often but can make some pretty spectacular catches at only 5’11”. Not everyone views him as a first-round kind of guy but he has the kind of traits that will work very well in the offense Arthur Smith runs and could eventually play to the level Ridley was playing at.

22. Las Vegas Raiders – IDL Devonte Wyatt

There wouldn’t be any better way to maximize this pass rush than landing a potentially elite pass rusher in Devonte Wyatt as the new defensive coordinator from the giants, Patrick Graham takes over in Las Vegas. A fast receiver like Treylon Burks would be great, but there are going to be good vertical receivers available in every draft while Devonte Wyatt has upside you typically don’t have available at pick 22. This would ultimately give this defense a dominant element to build around being the pass rush and Patrick Graham would excel at creating good opportunities for these pass rushers. Wyatt has the physical prototype to dominate from the interior as a pass rusher with elite get-off and very good strength; he pulled of some incredible pass rush moves at the senior bowl and has elite agility for his size which could benefit him in certain types of blitzes. He has a lot of room to improve as a run defender, but could easily end up being a top-three defensive tackle someday.

23. Arizona Cardinals – OC Tyler Linderbaum

If any team gets Tyler Linderbaum in the second half of the draft, it will be a steal, that is because there usually aren’t elite prospects available at Center in the draft. The Cardinals are ready to win now and Linderbaum would be a great fit in this offense and play at a high level from the get-go. They’d likely play him at Center and have Rodney Hudson play guard which would greatly help Kyler Murray considering how small he is. Linderbaum is an elite athlete, always being very quick to get off the snap, and will immediately be a great run blocker for this team. There isn’t a great chance he’ll be available in the actual draft but if he makes it past the top ten picks, no teams drafting beyond then really need a center and have other positions of need, but this would make every bit of sense for Arizona. 

24. Dallas Cowoys – ED David Ojabo

The Cowboys can go multiple directions here, from either Secondary, D-line, or even O-line but I see Edge being the most important for multiple reasons and David Ojabo would be a great fit on this defense. As great as Micah Parsons was as a pass rusher last season, Demarcus Lawrence is getting up in age and I’d rather see Parsons play as an off-ball linebacker who occasionally blitzes rather than him being a full-time Edge. Ojabo has a solid floor as a pass rusher with great potential and fits this 4-3 scheme pretty well too. Picking Ojabo is more or less planning for the future but there simply aren’t any players available at this point who’d add an immediate benefit to this team.

25. Buffalo Bills – CB Andrew Booth Jr.

Not only was the depth poor at this position last season which was made evident after superstar corner Tre’Davious Whit went down, but Levi Wallace is likely gone next season and no one good is in here to take his place. Andrew Booth would certainly be a very solid long-term option and could potentially be a good number two option his rookie year, but even if he isn’t ready it isn’t hard to sign a veteran to a league-minimum deal to start one season. Booth is a very smooth and all-around good athlete, with great agility and short-area burst and good size and strength. He’d pair very nicely on the outside with White and would certainly give them a better chance down the road against teams like the Chiefs and Bengals.

26. Tennessee Titans – OG Kenyon Green

The Titans are one of those teams this year who don’t have a ton of needs to fill but it is important to ensure this O-line is capable of consistently run-blocking well and Kenyon Green is very good value in the late first. I’m hopeful the Titans feel confident in Dillon Radunz starting at RT while Green will be able to start at RG in the case it all pans out well, would give them one of the best run-blocking O-lines in the league paired with Derrick Henry. While this wouldn’t be a slam dunk pick by any means, this would certainly help ensure success on the offense for the future.

27. Green Bay Packers (Trade w/ TB) – WR Drake London

If I was the GM in Green Bay and was able to get Rodgers to stay, I wouldn’t want to waste the value of a guy like Jordan Love by sitting him even longer and I would personally take Jordan Love for a first if I was in the position of Tampa Bay; I have my reasoning for why I think Love is still a promising talent despite his single underwhelming performance so far but I won’t get into it. Green Bay can’t overthink this pick in real life as they’ve remained to be stubborn with drafting receivers for so long and can’t miss the opportunity to easily get a good long-term option at the second receiver spot. Drake London would bring an improved element to this offense that wasn’t here last season, as Allen Lazard was mediocre, to say the least, and is also now off the team.

28. Green Bay Packers – ED Drake Jackson

It seems as though this team is going to have to move on from Za’Darius Smith so they have cap space to keep Rodgers next season and would eventually need a replacement otherwise. Drake Jackson is a very good all-around athlete and while he didn’t show much power in college, he is very capable of it but leaned primarily on his bend and finesse. He’ll immediately bring a speed threat from the edge this team doesn’t exactly have and could very well be one of the best number two edge rushers in a few seasons. If the PAckers manage to get two first-round picks and nail them, they could be just as good as they were last season if not better.

29. Miami Dolphins – CB/SA Daxton Hill

I tried to find a good team for Miami to trade down with, but there were no teams that I’d want to trade up with and while Daxton Hill may be a bit of a reach in the first, he would make a noticeable impact to this team from the get-go. The good thing about drafting Hill is he is extremely versatile and can either fill the role of the nickel corner position or play deep free safety. While he primarily played nickel in college, he has the type of elite speed to be great as a free safety and while Bobby McCain is solid, Hill could eventually be a game-changer for this defense.

30. Kansas City Chiefs – WR Treylon Burks

Drake Jackson would’ve been the guy I am looking for in the shoes of Kansas City, but with him gone, I may as well add another vertical weapon to this offense as Mecole Harmon isn’t the greatest second option and neither is the depth behind him. Burks doesn’t have the greatest speed but will definitely be fast enough to make big plays downfield in this offense and also brings another good RAC threat to this offense. Not only does this give them a better group of receivers next season, but will also allow this team to not be in a position where they feel desperate to give Mecole Harmson an extension.

31. Cincinnati Bengals – OG Zion Johnson

As long as a guy like Zion Johnson is still available for Cincinnati, this is an obvious no-brainer pick as the offensive line was the one glaring weakness of this team in 2021. They would be very lucky to have a player who is as pro-ready as Johnson is to be available here as he would be a quick and clear upgrade to what they had last season. Either signing a solid RT in free agency or playing Jackson Carman at RT if he’s ready would put this offense in an even better spot than last year which says a lot for a team that made the super bowl.

32. Detroit Lions – WR John Metchie III

A receiver is an obvious need for Detriot and while George Pickens might be a better all-around player, I think John Metchie would be a better pairing with Amon-Ra St. Brown as Metchie is a better overall athlete and would complement the skillset of Jared Goff very well. Because Detroit also has another selection of two picks later, they could very well just take Pickens there as well or take a solid defensive tackle. No matter what they do, as long as this team ends up with Thibodeaux and a good receiver, Dan Campbell and the Detroit front office couldn’t be happier with the start to their draft.