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Mock Draft

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Peter Schrager 2022 NFL mock draft 3.0: Eagles, Packers trade up for wide receivers

With the 2022 NFL Draft set to begin at 8 p.m. ET from Las Vegas, here's my final look at Round 1.

Pick
1
Travon Walker
Georgia · DL · Junior

It feels like Walker is the guy. But hours out from the start of Round 1, it sounds like this is hardly a consensus, slam-dunk pick (that's inside the building, apparently, too).

Pick
2
Aidan Hutchinson
Michigan · Edge · Senior

It's simple. The Lions can't go wrong with Hutchinson.

Pick
3
Ickey Ekwonu
N.C. State · OT · Junior

Earlier this week, I heard from folks around the league that Derek Stingley Jr. could be the pick. Now the winds have changed direction to Ickey. 

Pick
4
Sauce Gardner
Cincinnati · CB · Junior

If Ekwonu, Hutchinson or Walker fall to the Jets at No. 4, it could be any one of them. As of Wednesday evening, I heard it would be Gardner over Kayvon Thibodeaux, Derek Stingley Jr. or a receiver.

Pick
5
Charles Cross
Mississippi State · OT · Sophomore (RS)

I've been hearing Cross to the Giants for weeks now. Nothing has happened that would change my tune.

Pick
6
Evan Neal
Alabama · OT · Junior

Kenny Pickett or Evan Neal? Evan Neal or Kenny Pickett? In the end, Carolina goes with the massive offensive tackle and rolls the dice with Sam Darnold -- or perhaps, Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo -- in 2022.

Pick
7
New York Giants
(from CHI)
Derek Stingley Jr.
LSU · CB · Junior

Wink Martindale's defense values the cornerback position even more than pass rusher. Stingley over Kayvon Thibodeaux may be a head-scratcher, but I can see it happening.

Pick
8
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Oregon · Edge · Junior

I think the Falcons go edge rusher no matter what. If it's Jermaine Johnson II over Thibodeaux here, then it's a matter of preference.

Pick
9
Seattle Seahawks
(from DEN)
Jermaine Johnson II
Florida State · Edge · Senior (RS)

The Seahawks get great value at No. 9, as they pick up yet another promising pass rusher for their front seven.

Pick
10
New York Jets
(from SEA)
Garrett Wilson
Ohio State · WR · Junior

The first wideout off the board, Wilson is able to contribute from Day 1 for the Jets. Many believe he is the surest thing at the position in this year's draft class. That's exactly what the Jets need.

Pick
11
Drake London
USC · WR · Junior

Washington gets a big (6-foot-4, 219 pounds), physical receiver who can make tough plays in traffic.

Pick
12
Kyle Hamilton
Notre Dame · S · Junior

Minnesota has needs throughout the defensive backfield, and Hamilton can make an immediate impact from Day 1 learning from Harrison Smith.

Pick
13
Philadelphia Eagles
(from CLE)
Jameson Williams
Alabama · WR · Junior

PROJECTED TRADE WITH HOUSTON TEXANS


I think the Eagles get aggressive -- trading away Pick Nos. 18 and 51 overall to Houston in exchange for No. 13 -- to ensure they get the wide receiver they covet. Williams is the burner of this receiver group and, when healthy, would join former Alabama teammate DeVonta Smith.

Pick
14
Chris Olave
Ohio State · WR · Senior

PROJECTED TRADE WITH BALTIMORE RAVENS


Green Bay panics over the possibility of whiffing on a wide receiver in this round and moves up (giving Baltimore Pick Nos. 22 and 53 overall) to get Olave before the expected WR drop-off.

Pick
15
Philadelphia Eagles
(from MIA)
Jordan Davis
Georgia · DT · Senior

The Eagles boost their defensive interior with the mauling big man who is a unicorn at defensive tackle.

Pick
16
New Orleans Saints
(from IND through PHI)
Trevor Penning
Northern Iowa · OT · Senior (RS)

Penning is an angry, nasty road-paver who joins an already-strong offensive line. He's not Terron Armstead. Yet.

Pick
17
Kenyon Green
Texas A&M · IOL · Junior

I think the Chargers would love Ohio State wideout Chris Olave -- a San Diego guy and perfect complement to what they already have -- falling to them at No. 17. But I don't see it happening.

Pick
18
Houston Texans
(from NO)
Trent McDuffie
Washington · CB · Junior

PROJECTED TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA EAGLES


The Texans scoop up the third-best corner in the draft and get another second-round pick (No. 51) from Philly in the process.

Pick
19
New Orleans Saints
(from PHI)
Jahan Dotson
Penn State · WR · Senior

Dotson is a burner who saved his best for big moments while at Penn State. He'll be a solid complement to Michael Thomas, who the Saints hope will return to his old form in 2022.

Pick
20
Malik Willis
Liberty · QB · Senior (RS)

The first quarterback finally comes off the board, and it's Willis over local guy Kenny Pickett. The Steelers sent many folks to Liberty's pro day and, needless to say, liked what they saw.

Pick
21
Quay Walker
Georgia · LB · Senior

The Patriots get a freakish athlete with a versatile skill set that allows him to play all over the field. Bill Belichick (and offensive assistant Joe Judge) love Kirby Smart-coached players.

Pick
22
Baltimore Ravens
(from LV)
Daxton Hill
Michigan · S · Junior

PROJECTED TRADE WITH GREEN BAY PACKERS


New defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald gets one of his former Wolverine stars for his Ravens D. Hill's versatility allows him to play both cornerback and safety.

Pick
23
Zion Johnson
Boston College · IOL · Senior

Whip-smart with a graduate degree in computer science, Johnson can play either center or guard in Arizona.

Pick
24
Tyler Linderbaum
Iowa · IOL · Junior (RS)

Great player, former wrestler and nasty son of a gun who not only can play right away, but upgrades the Cowboys' O-line. 

Pick
25
Breece Hall
Iowa State · RB · Junior

 I'm told Buffalo is going either running back or defensive back with this pick. Comped to Matt Forte, Hall is the choice.

Pick
26
Tyler Smith
Tulsa · OT · Sophomore (RS)

Only 21 years old and a redshirt sophomore last season, the Tulsa product is just getting started. I'm hearing from sources around the league that he'll go late in the first round.

Pick
27
Lewis Cine
Georgia · S · Junior

With this selection, I will have had Tampa taking a safety in back-to-back mock drafts. Cine is everything Todd Bowles loves in a player -- smart, dependable and versatile with a hint of mean.

Pick
28
Devin Lloyd
Utah · LB · Senior (RS)

Lloyd's a great player who'll slip because of the position he plays, but he'll be a Day 1 contributor no doubt.

Pick
29
Kansas City Chiefs
(from SF through MIA)
Kaiir Elam
Florida · CB · Junior

Elam's going to sneak into the first round after not making it into my first two mock drafts. There's too much buzz around him of late. 

Pick
30
Treylon Burks
Arkansas · WR · Junior

The Chiefs wait patiently and nab Burks -- one of the more versatile wide receivers in this draft -- near the end of the first round.

Pick
31
Trey McBride
Colorado State · TE · Senior

With the offseason departure of C.J. Uzomah, McBride gives Joe Burrow another weapon.

Pick
32
Detroit Lions
(from LAR)
Kenny Pickett
Pittsburgh · QB · Senior (RS)

It's Pickett to Detroit, where he'll battle Jared Goff for the starting gig. May the best man win.

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