RotoHeat Team 2022 NFL Mock Draft

RotoHeat Team 2022 NFL Mock Draft

Welcome to the RotoHeat Team 2021 NFL Mock Draft! Rather than doing a series like last year on what I think each team will do in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft I got a little help from my friends and our team will be posting what we would if we ran each team. Each pick will list the drafting team, player taken, reasoning, and who on the team made the picks. There will be no trades in this mock.

With that said, let’s get to it and see how the Jacksonville Jaguars are starting off the draft!

Pick 1 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan

This could easily have been Tavon Walker or Kayvon Thibodeaux, but I think an organization coming off one of the most dysfunctional seasons ever would be better off going with the player that I believe is the safest player.  The upside is still there but I am more confident in Hutchinson making a difference, and not completely busting, when compared to the other two.  Jacksonville needs that right now. Pick made by: Rick (@RotoHeatRick)

Pick 2 – Detroit Lions: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

I keep hearing they love Thibodeaux, and edge rushers are always more important than basically everything other than quarterback (which we’re pretty sure there’s no top five QB choice in this draft). I love that Hamilton could slide in and be there starter from Day 1 and lock down that safety spot for years to come. He’s smart enough to lead the defense and with them still being in their rebuild, give me safe players; with Aidan going #1, I think Hamilton’s the next safest choice. Pick made by: Brad (@RotoHeatBrad)

Pick 3 – Houston Texans: Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia

I mentioned Walker at the 1.01 and wish one of Walker or Thibodeaux went at 1.02 so this was easier.  If I am picking here 10 times, I honestly probably go Walker five times and Thibodeaux five times.  But the Walker pick here gives Houston a high upside edge presence that they are missing in a Lovie Smith defense. Pick made by: Rick (@RotoHeatRick)

Pick 4 – New York Jets: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon

Brad threw a monkey wrench into the draft with the Kyle Hamilton pick, especially for teams picking in the top 10. It’s between Thibodeaux and Gardner for me here who could BOTH be the best overall player in this entire draft. Joe Douglas is all about the trenches and if it’s not one of the previous players mentioned (they’re both taken) it’s OT. Ikem Ekwonu is the guy I’m thinking, if it’s not Kayvon or Sauce. Pick made by: Cody (@off_theschneid)

Pick 5 – New York Giants: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Listen, the Giants have had a tough front seven the past couple of years though they slipped a decent amount in 2021 compared to 2020.  If Brian Daboll’s offense can sustain more drives, I believe that will help them versus the run. In 2020 they were bottom five in passing yards against and in 2021 they were middle of the pack.  Sauce could help create a formidable defense for the Giants as the best cornerback in the draft. Pick made by: Rick (@RotoHeatRick)

Pick 6 – Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekonwu, OT, NC State

Quarterback is an obvious need. LT is an extremely obvious need. Which position has no questions asked, day 1 NFL starters in the draft pool? If disaster should occur and Ekwonu, Neal and Cross, in that order, are gone? I would rather reach for Trevor Penning than select a QB! The Panthers cannot leave this draft, in the position that they’re at, without a starting LT. Pick made by: Cody (@off_theschneid)

Pick 7 – New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

I know people were screaming at the 1.05 that Giants have to go offensive line and that is not wrong.  Fortunately the draft fell in a way that both Ekonwu and Neal were on the board which allowed them to lock-in Sauce at 1.05 and they knew they were getting one of these two at 1.07. Ekonwu going sixth makes this pick easy.  Similar to the edge players available at 1.03, if I had to make this pick 10 times, I would probably go Ekonwu five times and Neal five times, so it didn’t really matter who was left available here. Pick made by: Rick (@RotoHeatRick)

Pick 8 – Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

The Falcons have a lot of holes but after the suspension of Calvin Ridley, wide receiver is a huge, huge hole. Right now their wide receiver depth chart looks like this; Olamide Zaccheaus, Damiere Byrd, KhaDarel Hodge, Auden Tate, Frank Darby, Chad Hansen. Ummmm… Kyle Pitts is by far the most dangerous player in the passing game and they need someone to alleviate attention.  Enter my favorite wide receiver of the class, Garrett Wilson. Pick made by: Rick (@RotoHeatRick)

Pick 9 – Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State

The Seattle Seahawks are one of the toughest picks to predict, but if Charles Cross falls to them at #9 they’ll have little choice but to make him their selection. Cross is a highly technical, athletic left tackle. While he does come in a little lean, Cross plays with a high motor and loves nothing more than to finish the play in dominating fashion. He’s a fantastic pass blocker with quick feet and explosive hands. Cross plays with great balance and never seems to get his feet crossed. He appears to have a high football IQ and quickly identifies stunts, preventing defenses to scheme him out of position or off balance. Cross should be able to anchor the left or right tackle position and will be a nice addition for any offensive line in need. Pick made by: Austin (@Infamous_IDP)

Pick 10 – New York Jets: Drake London, WR, USC

While it is concerning that he elected not to run a 40-yard dash at his pro day, speed was never the allure. Drake plays with fierce energy and toughness whenever he has the ball in his hands. His 6’ 5” 220 lb frame makes for a great red zone target and would be a perfect compliment to the speedy Elijah Moore. London does a nice job of being able to find holes in the defenses and has strong hands. His best attributes are his ability to make contested catches and his RAC ability. Drake frequently uses his size and physicality to punish defenders who attempt to bring him down. Pick made by: Austin (@Infamous_IDP)

Pick 11 – Washington Commanders: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Washington needs to find a quarterback of the future; sorry Carson Wentz but you are not it, we have seen you wear our your welcome in two places now. The coach and GM are on the hot seat in Washington and taking a guy like Willis to let him it for the first half of the season and learn, then take over and see what you have in him can save your job for another season. There is a lot of potential on this team, and with head coach Ron Rivera comparing Willis to Cam Newton I believe in the fit. Pick made by: Kraig (@RotoHeatKraig)

Pick 12 – Minnesota Vikings: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia

With a new coaching staff in place it’ll be interesting to see what they value most in the draft. They kept the offense pretty much intact so I figured defense would be the direction they go early. Wyatt is a cornerstone piece to a defense; he contributed all four years at Georgia and you can see a difference maker that continued to grow each season. They don’t have a difference maker in the middle of that defensive line today, so give me Wyatt all day! Pick made by: Brad (@RotoHeatBrad)

Pick 13 – Houston Texans: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

This team needs everything. If I’m rebuilding a team I start in the trenches so give me the left tackle of the future. They could do something similar to what the Lions did with Penei Sewell and start him on the right side, or if they move Laremy Tunsil during the draft Penning could start on the left side on day one. Pick made by: Brad (@RotoHeatBrad)

Pick 14 – Baltimore Ravens: Derek Stingley Jr, CB, LSU

This was a no-brainer. He’s an exceptional athlete with special talents when it comes to playing arguably one of the toughest positions in the NFL. The 6’1” 195-pound cornerback is the perfect selection for the Ravens and their scheme. Stingley is very skilled at locking down wide receivers on any given play and is a very sure tackler with his tough and gritty play style. Stingley did have some concerns due to his foot injury causing him to play in 10 games in the last two years. But that was quickly erased after a great pro day. Running a 4.37 forty-yard dash, 38.5 vertical, 10.2 broad jump, and looking explosive and smooth in the individual drills only solidified that he was fully recovered. Stingley is one of my favorite players in this draft and would love to see him as a Raven. He plays day one on this defense. Pick made by: Desi (@DezDeuce)

Pick 15 – Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

The Eagles loves to strengthen their lines, and it has been their bread and butter for the last decade. Jason Kelce is back for one more season, but being able to take a his eventual replacement here is an easy choice for the Eagles. Linderbaum has Pro Bowl upside and has already been compared to Jason Kelce, so it is easy to see the fit, as he is widely considered a can’t miss prospect by many draft analysts. Pick made by: Thomas (@MadsenThomas)

Pick 16 – New Orleans Saints: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

We know that speed in and by itself is an incredibly strong weapon in the NFL, and it is something that NFL teams covet. Jameson Williams has that in spades. But that is not all. Because he had a hard time getting on the field when he began his college football career at Ohio State, Williams has had to hone his craft, in order to show that he belonged on the field. After transferring to Alabama he proved that he is so much more than just speed. Although he has absolutely elite speed he is also good route-runner with a solid route-tree, who can win at all levels of the field with speed, quickness, and ability to separate. The Saints have the little Deonte Harty as a deep threat already but Williams is an upgrade in every way. Williams would do well as Jameis Winston’s deep threat, which something Winston has shown he likes using. Pick made by: Thomas (@MadsenThomas)

Pick 17 – Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

The Chargers have made moves to improve defensive front but could still use some help at defensive tackle; boy, do they get it here. Jordan Davis is a mountain of a man at 6’6″, 341 lbs he ran a 4.78 40 yard dash. He is the most athletic defensive tackle ever studied according to his Relative Athletic Score (RAS). Putting Davis in the middle with Sebastian Joseph-Day, with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack rushing from the edge, a weakness for several years is now a strength. They will need to have an impactful defensive line for the division they are in. Pick made by: Kraig (@RotoHeatKraig)

Pick 18 – Philadelphia Eagles: Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida State

Although the Eagles could be in the market for another WR, their pass rushing depth is quite lackluster despite the signing of Haason Reddick. Brandon Graham played in just two games last season and is getting old (34). Derek Barnett did sign a new two-year deal with the Eagles but he had just two sacks in 2021 and is averaging fewer than five sacks per season in the league. He shouldn’t be much more than a rotational piece. Josh Sweat has been a good find, but now it is time to get some length and production from the edge of the defensive line. Enter Jermaine Johnson. Johnson needs to refine his pass rush and his technique but he has tremendous upside as an explosive pass rusher with a high motor. The Eagles will also like that Johnson is already one the best edge players in this class against the run. Pick made by: Thomas (@MadsenThomas)

Pick 19 – New Orleans Saints: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan

Terron Armstead is no longer a Saint and that leaves a huge gap at tackle for the New Orleans Saints. Before the Saints start looking for their quarterback of the future they decide to plug that gap with the Austrian, Raimann out of Central Michigan. Raimann does not have a ton of experience at tackle, but in his 12 starts in 2021, Raimann earned All-Mac honors, showing his potential as a future NFL starter at the position. As a former TE Raimann has good feet and mobility, but still needs to develop his game. He is coachable as he showed by how well he managed to transition from tight end to tackle, and the Saints are going to love that. Pick made by: Thomas (@MadsenThomas)

Pick 20 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M

Green feels like a very Steelers-esque choice; a lineman that can play multiple positions depending on team need. This team is trying to retool on the fly and they desperately need to lock down the offensive line because it’s been a problem for a minute now. Pick made by: Brad (@RotoHeatBrad)

Pick 21 – New England Patriots: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

Devin Lloyd is a do-it-all, three-down linebacker that the Patriots have not had in a while. Since Bill Belichick became the Patriots head coach in 2000 Jerod Mayo (10th in 2008) and Dont’a Hightower (25th in 2010) are linebackers that were 1st round picks, so there is some precedence for the Patriots doing this. Lloyd seems like the only sure fire first round pick, although I think Nakobe Dean is likely one as well. Pick made by: Kraig (@RotoHeatKraig)

Pick 22 – Green Bay Packers: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

I think it is much more likely that Burks goes in the latter half of the first than the first half, and I think Green Bay would be thrilled if they fell to them. I have Burks as a clear top four wide receiver in this draft and he goes 4th here. Burks can develop into an alpha WR1 for the Packers, and he plays faster and bigger than he tested. Pick made by: Kraig (@RotoHeatKraig)

Pick 23 – Arizona Cardinals: George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue

Devon Kennard and Markus Golden are the top two edge players for Arizona with Chandler Jones taking his talent to Vegas. Getting pressure on quarterbacks will be paramount for a defense with a suspect set of cornerbacks. Karlaftis wouldn’t have to focus on coverage much with Zaven Collins and Isaiah Simmons as athletic, coverage-able inside linebackers. Karlaftis is a throwback power rusher that could make an immediate for Arizona. Pick made by: Kraig (@RotoHeatKraig)

Pick 24 – Dallas Cowboys: Zion Johnson, G, Boston College

Dallas must improve its once vaunted and now failing offensive line. Tyron Smith is great when healthy but turns 32 at the end of this season. Other than him and Zach Martin there is no one else I feel great about on that line. Zion can come in, play in a number of spots across the offensive line and start improving that protection for Dak immediately. Pick made by: Kraig (@RotoHeatKraig)

Pick 25 – Buffalo Bills: Andrew Booth Jr, CB, Clemson

The need at cornerback is quite obvious. The Bills lost Levi Wallace in free agency and Tre White is recovering from a late season torn ACL. They are currently looking at Dane Jackson and Cam Lewis/Nick McCloud as outside options to start the year. That’s a problem. There are medical concerns with Booth, but if the organization is comfortable with it I feel that Booth fits both BPA and need. He has top half of 1st talent. Pick made by: Jason (@jmeldred24)

Pick 26 – Tennessee Titans: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

Went a little different direction than what I would normally do. I like Olave over Dotson but I think the Titans will appreciate his competitive toughness and potential with YAC. I think he is a dream pairing with AJB and has alpha potential in my opinion if Brown leaves in FA next year.  Pick made by: Jason (@jmeldred24)

Pick 27 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa

The Bucs lost Ali Marpet to retirement and Alex Cappa in FA. The interior OL needs to be reworked and Smith is a nasty mauler who requires some refinement, but the physical traits are their to be a long term starter. I’d be all in on Smith here. Pick made by: Jason (@jmeldred24)

Pick 28 – Green Bay Packers: Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota

The Packers took Burks at 22, so they would be inclined to look at the other side of the hall. I definitely thought Olave to double dip, but predictively I can’t see them double dipping in Round 1. I would have preferred Olave at 22, but here we are. The Packers currently need depth help on the edge, and Mafe offers underdeveloped upside with immense physical upside. He’s raw, but has the traits to bet on here.  Pick made by: Jason (@jmeldred24)

Pick 29 – Kansas City Chiefs: Kairr Elam, CB, Florida

Kaiir would be a very nice addition to the Chiefs secondary. He’s effective in so many ways that it’s hard to think of many reasons to pull him off the field. Elam is a rare combination of physicality, length, and speed. His ball skills and anticipation are very quickly evident when watching his film. Elam has good closing speed, and his change of direction makes him a pesky defensive presence. His hips are fluid and he plays with great confidence, keeping his eyes up and processing the play while still feeling the game around him and not finding himself lost in the play. Elam could be able to find himself being moved around the field if used properly. His athleticism and excellent coverage skills make him a fascinating prospect that could really make an immediate difference. Pick made by: Austin (@Infamous_IDP)

Pick 29 – Kansas City Chiefs: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Shocked. That’s the feeling the Chiefs would have if somehow Chris Olave was to fall to them at 30^th overall. Olave is a tremendous route runner with quick feet, blazing speed, sure hands, violent breaks and elite start/stop. He uses these attributes to create separation in various ways, thus making him an incredibly difficult player to cover. Despite not having elite size Olave has the tools and attributes to force defenses to throw double coverage and bracketing at him in order to keep him contained. With Patrick Mahomes at the helm Olave could find himself in the conversation for OROY if he were to land in Kansas City. Pick made by: Austin (@Infamous_IDP)

Pick 32 – Cincinnati Bengals: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

This scenario would be a dream for me as a Bengals fan! I’m looking for a DT to replace Larry Ogunjobi in the platoon with BJ Hill. But, with a top 3 cornerback on the board there’s no hesitation shoring up another big need for this team. The Bengals may still look to add a veteran CB in free agency but it’s less of a concern if McDuffie is on the roster. Pick made by: Cody (@off_theschneid)

Pick 32 – Detroit Lions: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Truth be told, I love Sam Howell’s potential, I know he had a rough 2021 with a team that was very much in transition at UNC. The fifth year of eligibility plays heavily into my choice here because teams love that extra year at a discounted rate and what better position to target with all the elite edge rushers gone. When I watch Pickett I see a more explosive Jared Goff; he can move and make all the throws Goff makes, so why not? Pick made by: Brad (@RotoHeatBrad)

Thank you for reading RotoHeat Team 2022 NFL Mock Draft

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