Tony Mario's 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 4

Tony Mario follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: April 28, 2022.

106. Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
     
     
     Jacksonville has Shaquill Griffin at field cornerback, Tyson Campbell their 2021 second round pick at boundary cornerback, and Darious Williams at nickel cornerback. Griffin is under contract until 2024 with Campbell and Williams under contract until 2025. The problem is Jacksonville has no depth behind those top three cornerbacks if one were to be injured. Cam Taylor-Britt provides cornerback depth for Jacksonville in the fourth round.
     
     
     
107. Houston Texans: Kyle Phillips, WR, UCLA
     
     
     Houston drafts a long-term slot receiver. The top two wide receivers on Houston's depth chart with Brandin Cooks and Nico Collins are the only long-term starters at wide receiver. Kyle Phillips is a good long-term slot option to compliment Cooks and Collins giving the Texans a fifth day 1 starter.
     
     
     
     
     
108. Houston Texans: Troy Andersen, MLB, Montana State
     
     
     Troy Andersen is talented enough to be a day 1 starter at 4-3 left outside linebacker, however I have him going to Houston as a 4-3 middle linebacker since Andersen is a significant upgrade over the injury prone Christian Kirksey giving the Texans as many as six day 1 starters with their first seven picks.
     
     
     
109. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Cross, FS, Maryland
     
     
     The Seattle Seahawks are gonna have to pay both strong safety Jamal Adams and free safety Quandre Diggs $18.1-million in 2023 with Adams under contract until 2026 and Diggs under contract until 2025. However, Seattle can cut Diggs in 2023 to save $9.9-million in cap space. They cannot move Adams until 2024 if the Seahawks want to save cap space. Maryland free safety Nick Cross has great range and zone coverage. He's raw, but Seattle is one team that can develop Cross so that he's able to turn his weaknesses into strengths by 2023 or 2024 when he's needed to replace Diggs.
     
     
     
     
     
110. Baltimore Ravens: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
     
     
     Baltimore opted to cut Miles Boykin. A receiver for depth behind Marquise Brown is needed. Rashod Bateman has Tylan Wallace for depth behind him while Devin Duvernay has James Proche II for depth behind him. Alec Pierce would be a good depth receiver that the Ravens could add with their fourth round pick.
     
     
     
111. New York Jets: Matthew Butler, DT, Tennessee
     
     
     New York grabs a developmental defensive tackle for depth in the fourth round. Every defnesive tackle on this depth chart outside of Quinnen Williams, the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft is in a contract year. New York can have Butler as a third string defensive tackle during his rookie year, and then give him a first or second team role in 2023.
     
     
     
     
     
112. New York Giants: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
     
     
     The New York Giants need a starting tight end and get a top 5 tight end as a day 1 starter. New York has now drafted six different players, all of which are day 1 starters.
     
     
     
113. Washington Commanders: Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada
     
     
     Washington drafts their second day 1 starter here, and perhaps their third if the top tight end in this draft Trey McBride beats out the injury prone Logan Thomas for the number one tight end role since Carson Wentz loves using two tight end sets. I gave Washington Kenyon Green as a starting right guard to replace Brandon Scherff and the top tight end in this years draft Trey McBride who was my second round pick. Washington finally drafts a receiver in the fourth round.
     
     
     
     Washington now has a wide receiver trio of Terry McLaurin, Romeo Doubs on the outside complimenting McLaurin, and Dyami Brown last years third round pick in the slot. Regardless of whether Carson Wentz or Taylor Heinicke starts in 2022, whoever ends up as Washington's quarterback will have far more weapons in the passing game rather than just depending on McLaurin.
     
     
     
     
     
114. Atlanta Falcons: Haskell Garrett, 3-4 LE, Ohio State
     
     
     Atlanta needs a day 1 starter next to Grady Jarrett at 3-4 left end. Haskell Garrett could be that guy for Atlanta.
     
     
     
115. Denver Broncos: Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis
     
     
     Denver drafts a ninth wide receiver with eight receivers under contract until 2024. With Marcus Jones playing nickel cornerback, Calvin Austin III becomes the Denver Broncos return specialist.
     
     
     
     
     
116. Denver Broncos: Damone Clark, 3-4 MLB, LSU
     
     
     Damone Clark can provide depth at 3-4 middle linebacker as early as 2023 when he returns from spinal fusion surgery. Clark would be a day 2 pick without that surgery. If none of the three linebackers in Josey Jewell, Baron Browning, and Alex Singleton can take the next step in 2022, then Clark could be starting on Denver's defense in 2023.
     
     
     
117. New York Jets: Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
     
     
     New York gets a third tight end for depth behind C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin here. Isaiah Likely may be the best receiving tight end in this draft just based on his athleticism and pass catching, but he sucks as a blocker. The Jets cannot move on from Uzomah until 2024 while the Jets also cannot move on from Conklin until 2023. Sure, the Jets could cut Conklin in 2023, but they'd get less then 1-million back in cap space, which means Uzomah and Conklin will be the top two tight ends on the Jets for the next few years.
     
     
     
     In this situation, Isaiah Likely starts out as a third string tight end until he improves his blocking. Put Likely in a situation where he has a chance to improve as a blocker, and he could be a really nice starter down the road.
     
     
     
     
     
118. Cleveland Browns: Akayleb Evans, CB, Missouri
     
     
     Cleveland adds a replacement to M.J. Stewart here. Akayleb Evans can play cornerback, strong safety, and free safety with his versatility.
     
     
     
119. Baltimore Ravens: Justin Shaffer, LG, Georgia
     
     
     Baltimore has no depth at guard behind starting left guard Ben Powers their 2019 draft pick out of Oklahoma who enters a contract year and the Ravens also have no depth behind starting right guard Kevin Zeitler. If Baltimore's not committed to extending Powers, they may spend one of their fourth round picks on a left guard to replace him. Baltimore also saves $6.5-million in cap space if they cut Zeitler in 2023, so Shaffer will be a swing guard for depth in 2022, but he's drafted as a left guard here who could start at left guard as early as 2023.
     
     
     
     
     
120. New Orleans Saints: Brandon Smith, MLB, Penn State
     
     
     Pete Werner had an okay rookie season, but depth could be added at middle linebacker. Brandon Smith would provide depth to Pete Werner without giving Werner the impression that his job as the starting middle linebacker is in jeopardy.
     
     
     
121. Kansas City Chiefs: Marquan McCall, DT, Kentucky
     
     
     The Kansas City Chiefs draft a second 4-3 defensive tackle for depth here. Remember Kansas City lost both Jarran Reed and Derrick Nnadi to Free Agency. I was going to put D.J. Dale here before he went back to school. Kentucky defensive tackle Marquan McCall takes his place.
     
     
     
     
     
122. Indianapolis Colts: Braxton Jones, LT, Southern Utah
     
     
     Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard said that he has confidence in last years backup left tackle Matt Pryor being the starting left tackle. Eric Fisher is gone, and the Colts need to bring in another body to push Pryor for the starting job. This is where Braxton Jones comes into play.
     
     
     
123. Los Angeles Chargers: James Cook, RB, Georgia
     
     
     The Chargers have Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley under contract until 2024 along with Larry Rountree III under contract until 2025. However, James Cook is too good to pass on at this point in the fourth round. The Chargers can stash him for depth. I'd argue James Cook is better than Kelley in pass protection, and Kelley is ahead of Rountree on the Chargers depth chart despite the fact that Rountree is beter than Kelley in pass protection. The Chargers can save $5,750,000 in 2023 if they cut Austin Ekeler before his contract is up meaning Cook would probably be the starter with Kelley and Rountree III continuing to push each other for carries in a running back by committee. I don't see the Chargers cutting Ekeler in 2023 unless he gets injured in 2022, since he stayed healthy for the most part in 2021.
     
     
     
     
     
124. Philadelphia Eagles: Leo Chenal, MLB, Wisconsin
     
     
     Philadelphia Eagles middle linebacker T.J. Edwards enters a contract year in 2022. Instead of giving Edwards an extension, a better idea would be to replace him with another Wisconsin middle linebacker in Leo Chenal.
     
     
     
125. Miami Dolphins: Bubba Bolden, SS, Miami FL
     
     
     Eric Rowe enters the final year of his contract. He's not projected to start at safety this year. Brandon Jones and Jevon Holland, two of Miami's day 2 draft picks in the 2020 and 2021 NFL Drafts are projected to start at safety. Bubba Bolden would be a nice safety for depth that Miami could add.
     
     
     
     
     
126. Las Vegas: Bailey Zappe, QB, Western Kentucky
     
     
     Both Nick Mullens and Garrett Gilbert enter contract years. Bailey Zappe went 55/56 at Western Kentucky's Pro Day in 20 degree weather having the best Pro Day of any quarterback in the entire 2022 NFL Draft. It's also worth pointing out that Derek Carr's contract is front loaded with all the dead cap on Carr's new contract being tied into the 2022 NFL Season.
     
     
     
     It's also worth pointing out that the Raiders can save $29,250,000 in 2023 if they cut Carr, $40,125,000 in 2024 if they cut Carr, and $41,300,000 if they cut Carr in 2025 with this team friendly deal that extends Carr until 2026. Personally, I don't see Carr getting cut and gave the Raiders Bailey Zappe strictly as a backup to Derek Carr as both Carr and Zappe would be under contract with the Las Vegas Raiders until 2026.
     
     
     
127. New England Patriots: Zyon McCollum, CB, Sam Houston State
     
     
     New England gets their number one field cornerback for the future here securing their fourth starter in Zyon McCollum. New England is probably going to take a combination of left guard, wide receiver, 3-4 middle linebacker, and cornerback in the first four rounds hoping to find future starters at those positions before looking for depth players with their remaining selections.
     
     
     
     
     
128. Baltimore Ravens: Otito Ogbonnia, NT, UCLA
     
     
     Otito Ogbonnia is a good pick here. He provides depth behind Michael Pierce at 3-4 nose tackle for the Baltimore Ravens.
     
     
     
129. Dallas Cowboys: Charlie Kolar, TE, Iowa State
     
     
     Dallas cut Blake Jarwin and extended Dalton Schultz shortly after giving him the franchise tag. Charlie Kolar will thrive in a number two tight end role in Dallas with Dak Prescott getting him the football while run blocking for Ezekiel Elliott.
     
     
     
     
     
130. Buffalo Bills: Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
     
     
     The Buffalo Bills add one more wide receiver for depth here. Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross is a third round prospect and at one point had a chance to be the first receiver picked in the 2021 NFL Draft before an injury kept him out for all of the 2021 NFL Season. He was the best receiver Trevor Lawrence had during his first two seasons at Clemson and now goes to a much better situation in Buffalo with one of the leagues established quarterbacks in Josh Allen.
     
     
     
131. Tennessee Titans: Aqeel Glass, QB, Alabama A&M
     
     
     Tennessee gets a backup for Ryan Tannehill. I really like Aqeel Glass at this spot in the fourth round.
     
     
     
     
     
132. Green Bay Packers: Cade Otton, TE, Washington
     
     
     Green Bay adds a tight end for depth behind Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis. Cade Otton could start as early as 2023 for Green Bay.
     
     
     
133. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Paschal, 3-4 ROLB, Kentucky
     
     
     Tampa Bay adds a 3-4 outside linebacker for depth here. Josh Pascal would be a good rotational pass rusher for a team lke the Tampa Bay Buccaneers here. Remember, Shaq Barrett started out as a rotational pass rusher in Denver with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb before he got his opportunity to start with Tampa Bay.
     
     
     
     
     
134. San Francisco 49ers: Tycen Anderson, SS, Toledo
     
     
     San Francisco needs to replace Tartt at strong safety. San Francisco gets a potential day 1 starter in Tycen Andersen which would make four day 1 starters for San Francisco in this draft despite not having a first round pick.
     
     
     
135. Kansas City Chiefs: Zach Tom, LT, Wake Forest
     
     
     Zach Tom can play all five spots on the offensive line at left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, and right tackle with his versatility. He ran a sub 5.00 40-time at the 2022 NFL Combine while keeping Jermain Johnson II in check.
     
     
     
     Kansas City drafts a left tackle for depth behind Orlando Brown Jr. If Kansas City cannot secure Orlando Brown Jr. to a long-term contract, then Zach Tom could take over as the blindside to quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2023. If Orlando Brown Jr. gets extended, then Zach Tom becomes his bookend at right tackle in 2024 when Lucas Niang's rookie deal is up.
     
     
     
     
     
136. Cincinnati Bengals: Thomas Booker, DT, Stanford
     
     
     Cincinnati gets a 4-3 defensive tackle for depth with Larry Ogunjobi gone. Thomas Booker was a captain on Stanford's defense last year and he's also got experience on special teams.
     
     
     
137. Carolina Panthers: Kellen Diesch, LT, Arizona State
     
     
     Carolina gets a blindside at left tackle for quarterback Kenny Pickett. Kellen Diesch is an absolute steal at this point in the fourth round as Arizona State's left tackle ran a sub 5.00 40-time. He's good enough to beat out Cameron Erving and Brady Christensen for the left tackle job.
     
     
     
     
     
138. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jaylen Watson, CB, Washington State
     
     
     The Pittsburgh Steelers got this compensation pick at 138 for losing their 2015 first round pick Bud Dupree, who left Pittsburgh to sign a long-term contract with the Tennessee Titans. Alvin "Bud" Dupree nicknamed Bud Dupree only had 3 sacks in his first season with the Tennessee Titans, despite being a productive pass rusher, Dupree never had 10 sacks at Kentucky or in the NFL.
     
     
     
     Pittsburgh has Levi Wallace and Cameron Sutton competing for the number one field cornerback job with two number two corners pushing each other to be the number one corner. Wallace gained some experience as a number one corner with the Bills when Tre'Davious White went on injured reserve while Sutton was Pittsburgh's best corner down the stretch. Ahkello Witherspoon is back at nickel too.
     
     
     
     Justin Layne, Jaylen Watson, and James Pierre would be the depth corners on Pittsburgh. Watson provides Pittsburgh depth at cornerback.
     
     
     
139. Baltimore Ravens: Brian Asamoah II, 3-4 MLB, Oklahoma
     
     
     The Baltimore Ravens got this compensation pick at 139 for losing their 2016 fifth round pick Matt Judon, who left Pittsburgh to sign a long-term contract with the New England Patriots. Matt Judon had a career high 12.5 sacks in 2021. Baltimore may have made the wrong decision by letting Judon walk, but at least they got a compensation pick for losing Judon.
     
     
     
     Baltimore grabs a 3-4 middle linebacker for depth behind Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison. Brian Asamoah II is a good depth piece here..
     
     
     
     
     
140. Green Bay Packers: John Ridgeway II, 3-4 LE, Arkansas
     
     
     The Green Bay Packers got this compensation pick at 140 for losing their 2014 fifth round pick Cory Linsley, who left Green Bay to sign a long-term contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. Corey Linsley gave Justin Herbert a center he could depend on in Los Angeles while Green Bay reloaded at center when they drafted Josh Myers out of Ohio State with their 2021 third round pick, which was the same college Linsley went to.
     
     
     
     Green Bay only has Jarran Reed on a one year prove it deal. John Ridgeway II could easily be starting at 3-4 left end in a year from now.
     
     
     
141. Baltimore Ravens: Mario Goodrich, CB, Clemson
     
     
     The Baltimore Ravens got this compensation pick at 141 for losing Yannick Ngakoue, who left Baltimore to sign a contract to the Las Vegas Raiders. Las Vegas traded Yannick to the Colts this season for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.
     
     
     
     The Baltimore Ravens draft the guy who may be the best run stuffing cornerback in the 2022 NFL Draft for depth. Mario Goodrich is a solid additio here..
     
     
     
     Pierre Strong Jr. had 240 carries, 1,686 rushing yards, and 18 rushing touchdowns in 2021. Pierre Strong Jr. has the ball carrier vision and pass blocking that you want a starting running back to have. Pierre Strong Jr. corrected his pass catching at the 2022 NFL Combine where he dominated the Gauntlet drill after running a 4.37 40-time.
     
     
     
     
     
142. Los Angeles Rams: Dohnovan West, C, Arizona State
     
     
     The Los Angeles Rams got this compensation pick at 142 for losing their 2017 third round pick John Johnson III, who left Los Angeles to sign a contract with the Cleveland Browns. John Johnson III had a career high 73 solo tackles, 32 assisted tackles, and 105 total tackles with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 during his contract year before signing with Cleveland. While John Johnson III didn't match his total number of tackles in 2021, he had 3 interceptions with the Browns compared to the 1 pick he had with the Rams in 2020.
     
     
     
     The Los Angeles Rams add a center for depth behind Brian Allen. Dohnovan West is a nice addition here.
     
     
     
143. Tennessee Titans: Jeffrey Gunter, 3-4 ROLB, Coastal Carolina
     
     
     The Tennessee Titans got this compensation pick at 143 for losing their 2017 first round pick Corey Davis, who left Tennessee to sign a contract with the New York Jets. Tennessee drafted Davis with the 2017 first round pick they got from the Rams in the Jared Goff trade, before realizing he was expendable despite showing promise as a number two target. He showed he could be a number one target when A.J. Brown was injured in his contract year. He underperformed and suffered a season ending injury with the New York Jets in his first season, so the Titans made the right call by letting Davis walk.
     
     
     
     Tennessee adds depth behind Bud Dupree and Harold Landry at 3-4 outside linebacker. Jeffrey Gunter is a nice addition to the Tennessee Titans for depth with this final pick in the fourth round.