Jason Bantle's 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Final Mock 3 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 1-16

The 2022 NFL Draft has an edge rusher run. We saw quarterbacks go 1, 2, and 3 a year ago. This time we'll see edge rushers go in the top 3.

Jason Bantle follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: April 28, 2022.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, 3-4 LOLB, Georgia
   
   
   Jacksonville is leaning towards Travon Walker at 1. The big question is he an edge rusher or a five technique. Travon Walker will be starting somewhere on Jackonsville's front 7 regardless of where he ends up since he's going to be the first overall pick. It's also worth pointing out that Walker (12/18) is younger than both Aidan Hutchinson (8/9) and Kayvon Thibodeaux (12/15). All three edges were born in 2000. I have Walker starting as an edge rusher across from Josh Allen rather than playing in the 5-technique as a 3-4 defensive end. Travon Walker's over or under is 3.5. Congrats if you took the under before Monday.
   
   
   
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, 3-4 ROLB, Michigan
   
   
   The Detroit Lions get a hometown player and the consensus number one prospect second overall. His over or under last week was 1.5, so if you took the under, you likely lot a bet. You have to go with the over on this bet with Walker now being favored at 1. I'm not as high on Hutchinson as others, but I cannot see Aidan Hutchinson slipping past the Detroit Lions at 2 because he'd give the Detroit Lions a day 1 starter at edge rusher.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, RE, Oregon
   
   
   Kayvon Thibodeaux gives Houston an edge rusher that is frankly my favorite prospect in the entire 2022 NFL Draft. I'm taking the under 5.5 for his draft odds. Kayvon Thibodeaux has a chance to be better than both former number one overall picks Mario Williams and Jadeveon Clowney.
   
   
   
4. New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
   
   
   New York gets a number one cornerback at 4 as I'm taking the under 6.5 for Gardner getting selected in the top 6 overall. Ahmad Gardner, nicknamed "Sauce" is going to make New York's cornerback tandem difficult to throw on. Bryce Hall is an effective number one cornerback, but Gardner is an upgrade over him, plus moving Hall into a number two cornerback role is gonna force teams to throw to New York's nickel cornerback, or the cornerback not named Gardner or Hall. Having that cornerback tandem also makes things easier for New York's safeties.
   
   
   
   
   
5. New York Giants: Evan Neal, RT, Alabama
   
   
   The New York Giants get a bookend to Andrew Thomas and I'm taking the over on Evan Neal's draft odds being listed as 4.5 for over or under. Evan Neal is the best offensive tackle in this draft and honestly, it's not even close despite the hype that Ikem Ekwonu and Charles Cross are receiving. The buzz for those two is warranted, but Evan Neal is just on a different level giving the New York Giants an immedidate asset as well as the best bookend to Thomas.
   
   
   
6. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
   
   
   The first of two trades in this mock draft takes place here at 6. Pittsburgh trades 20, 84, and a 2023 first round pick to move up for a quarterback. Right now the over or under for Malik Willis is 9.5, so I'm going with the under here. The Steel City gets get their future starting quarterback in Liberty quarterback Malik Willis at 6.
   
   
   
   
   
7. New York Giants: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
   
   
   New York grabs a number one cornerback at 7. Derek Stingley Jr. entered the preseason as a top 3 prospect. Despite missing time with injuries, his over or under is 12.5. Stingley's ceiling is 7 and his floor is 12 to Minnesota. If Ahmad Gardner is off the board, I see the Giants taking Stingley Jr. at 7.
   
   
   
8. Atlanta Falcons: Jermaine Johnson II, 3-4 ROLB, Florida State
   
   
   Atlanta gets an immediate impact edge rusher at 8. Right now the over or under with Jermaine Johnson II is 9.5, and I'm taking the under here.
   
   
   
   
   
9. Seattle Seahawks: Ikem Ekwonu, LT, North Carolina State
   
   
   Seattle gets their blindside here. Ikem Ekwonu's over or under 3.5. In this mock, he slips to nine and Seattle snags him hoping he can be just as good as Russell Okung before he peaked or Walter Jones. Ekwonu is the best run blocker in this draft and can open up running lanes for Rashaad Penny, if Penny can avoid injuries in 2022.
   
   
   
10. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
    
    
    The New York Jets get a number one receiver for Zach Wilson. Ohio State's Garrett Wilson is the consensus number one target. The over or under on Garrett Wilson is 10.5, so I'm taking the under.
    
    
    
    
    
11. Washington Commanders: Drake London, WR, USC
    
    
    Washington gets the youngest first round receiver here in Drake London. His ove or under is 10.5, so I'm taking the over. Terry McLaurin enters a contract year at 27-years-old.
    
    
    
12. Los Angeles Chargers: Charles Cross, RT, Mississippi State
    
    
    Los Angeles trades 17 and 79 to Minnesota for 12. Charles Cross is a top 10 player in a lot of mock drafts. His over or under from oddsmakers is 7.5, plus he is an upgrade over Storm Norton while being the best case scenario for a bookend offensive tackle to Rashawn Slater.
    
    
    
13. Houston Texans: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
    
    
    The Houston Texans get a second big body receiver allowing Brandin Cooks to play in the slot with Treylon Burks and Nico Collins on the outside. Right now the over or under on Burks is 22.5. I believe Houston takes Treylon Burks at 13.
    
    
    
14. Baltimore Ravens: Trevor Penning, LT, Northern Iowa
    
    
    Baltimore gets depth at left tackle in case Ronnie Stanley gets injured for a third year in a row as Lamar Jackson's blindside. Right now the over or under is 16.5 with most mocks placing Penning on the Chargers as a right tackle. I like the under, and believe Penning is a good insurance plan for Baltimore if Stanley cannot stay healthy in 2022 after suffering season ending injuries in 2020 and 2021. Baltimore could also play Penning at right tackle next to Ronnie Stanley and make Morgan Moses the right tackle they signed in Free Agency their swing tackle. Regardless of where Penning plays, a contingency plan in case Stanley gets injured again is needed.
    
    
    
    
    
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Hamilton, FS, Notre Dame
    
    
    The Philadelphia Eagles draft a free safety at 15. Kyle Hamilton's over or under was at 10.5, but it's now at 11.5. I'm taking the over. Kyle Hamilton can come in and start next to Anthony Harris right away as a free safety.
    
    
    
16. New Orleans Saints: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
    
    
    New Orleans moved their 2023 first round pick to get this selection. Jameis Winston has two years left on his contract while Andy Dalton has one. Pickett will come in and compete with those guys for the starting job in week 1. Pickett checks off most of the boxes that you want in a quarterback as Pickett's over or under is 12.5. I'm taking the over here.