2022 NFL Mock Draft – Round 1 (17-32) – Charlie Campbell

The Chargers take a right tackle upgrade to protect Justin Herbert.

Penning impressed advance scouts and earned a favorable projection entering the 2021 season. The 6-foot-7, 329-pounder has good speed and athleticism to go along with his massive size. Penning had a quality week at the Senior Bowl, mauling a lot of defenders. He could be a force as a run blocker and a reliable edge protector after he gets adjusted to the NFL.

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There is a lot of chatter in the scouting community and in the media that the Eagles are high on Jordan Davis. Perhaps that is a smoke screen, but given the age and contract status of Fletcher Cox, it makes sense that Philadelphia is targeting youth for the interior of the defensive line. Wyatt has more interior pass-rush ability, so he would be a more fitting understudy for Cox.

Wyatt was an effective interior disruptor for Georgia in 2021 and functioned well next to mammoth nose tackle Jordan Davis. As a senior, Wyatt totaled 39 tackles with 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass batted. The 6-foot-3, 315-pound has quality quickness and could fit as a three-technique in a 4-3 defense. Playing next to large nose tackle would help Wyatt hold up as a pro.

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From what I heard last night, I think Kyle Hamilton could be in play for the Saints, but I’m not confident he gets to either of their picks. Another direction New Orleans could go would be linebacker, because Demario Davis is 33 and nearing the end of his contract. I could see the Saints taking an understudy who rotates in 2022 and becomes a starter in a year’s time. Walker is the type of linebacker New Orleans likes to draft with his special combination of size, speed and athleticism.

Walker was a quality linebacker for Georgia in 2021, doing some dirty work and helping to lock down the middle of the field. He totaled 63 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two passes defended on the year. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Walker is big linebacker with enough speed and athleticism to potentially develop into a difference maker as a three-down starter. Walker has a lot of talent and big upside.

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The Steelers reach a little here, but they badly need a quarterback of the future.

In 2021, Willis completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,857 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also had 13 rushing touchdowns and 878 yards on the ground. Willis broke out in 2020, completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,260 yards, 20 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for 14 touchdowns and 944 yards on the ground. Willis started out his career at Auburn before transferring to Liberty.

For the NFL, Willis has a good skill set and talent to work with. His dangerous mobility makes him a threat to make plays off schedule, plus he is tough to sack. Willis really helps his offensive line with his escapability and is a tough runner. He also can throw a good deep ball, showing impressive strength, touch and placement. Team sources say Willis has issues with his height and gets blinded some times by the line. They feel Willis is a second-day pick, but a team could fall in love with his arm and mobility and take him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He also has good intangibles and interviewed well with teams at the combine, according to sources.

As a passer, Willis needs development with his mechanics. He throws flat-footed at times, and his footwork can lead to inconsistency with placement. For his football development, it would have made sense for Willis to go back to school and get better, but considering the 2022 NFL Draft is weak at quarterback, it was probably worth it for Willis to declare.

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I could see the Patriots taking Devin Lloyd if he gets to this pick because they could use a young talent at linebacker. If Lloyd is off the board, Quay Walker could fit as he is big, physical and fast.

Lloyd was a monster for the Utes in 2021, leading their tough defense. In 2021, he had 111 tackles, eight sacks, one forced fumble, four interceptions and six passes defended. In 2019, he collected 91 tackles, 6.5 sacks, one interception and two passes broken up. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder was a heat-seeking missile flying around the field in 2021, showing the ability to be a three-down starter in the NFL.

Team sources like Lloyd, saying he is big, long and athletic. They feel he has good instincts, but is not overly twitchy. He is physical and has good length to get off blocks. This season, Lloyd made some impressive plays in coverage and as a rusher. He has a quality skill set and looks like a safe pick to be a quality starter. Lloyd should at least be a high second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he might receive late first-round consideration.

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After the Davante Adams trade, the Packers could draft multiple receivers to give Aaron Rodgers some weapons to work with. Thankfully for Green Bay, the organization could land some good receiver values in the first and second rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. Burks could be a plug-and-play contributor and has the grittiness to be a playmaker and run-after-the-catch possessional receiver.

Burks totaled 66 receptions for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021. In 2020, he made 51 receptions for 820 yards and seven touchdowns. Burks is a big possessional wideout for the next level. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder is tough, physical, and dangerous after the catch. Burks is a phenomenal jump-ball receiver who uses his height, strength and frame to get good position while showing an innate ability to high point the ball with strong hands to make acrobatic leaping grabs.

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Christian Kirk left in free agency, and the Cardinals could use a replacement. DeAndre Hopkins turns 30 this year, and his contract is set to balloon. Hence, it could make sense for Arizona to add more young receiving talent for Kyler Murray.

Dotson provided some huge plays to lead Penn State to the road upset over Wisconsin to open 2021, but it would have been a prolific game if Dotson had a competent quarterback to work with. He was wide open for would-be touchdowns of over 80 yards, 70 yards and 60 yards, but terrible passes by Sean Clifford blew those opportunities. Dotson’s stat line of five receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown does not tell the story of how phenomenal he was. He made string of acrobatic leaping grabs to help beat Auburn as well. In 2021, Dotson totaled 91 receptions for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Team sources compared Dotson to Elijah Moore as a late first-round or early second-round talent. “I see Jahan similar to Elijah Moore,” said an AFC director of college scouting. “He’s not quite as short-area explosive or as long-speed fast as Jaylen Waddle, but Jahan is a good player.”

Dotson had an impressive 2020 season, hauling in 52 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns over nine games. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder can provide some big plays to his offense. In 2019, he had 27 catches for 488 yards and five touchdowns.

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The Cowboys could use a guard upgrade, and that is why they let Connor Williams walk. Here’s a plug-and-play improvement for Dallas.

Johnson had a solid senior year. He then since capped it off with an impressive week at the Senior Bowl and an excellent combine workout. While Johnson (6-2, 314) is a little short and has only 33.88-inch arms, he is a good athlete with quickness who is very strong for his size. Johnson has very good technique that makes him a reliable pass protector and a consistent contributor to the rushing attack. Sources say that while Johnson’s tape might be more of a second-rounder, he is a plug-and-play starter who could go late in Round 1 based off his excellent postseason.

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The Bills could use more cornerback talent, and Booth would be a superb No. 2 to go with Tre White.

Booth (6-0, 195) generated some buzz in the scouting community after a 2020 season that saw him produce 35 tackles, three interceptions and four passes broken up. Because Derion Kendrick left the program over the offseason, Booth was the Tigers’ No. 1 corner in 2021. Booth got off to a good start against easy competition, and he remained consistent with his usual production. His skill set could be enough for him to be a potential early-round pick. Booth was solid in 2021, recording 37 tackles, three interceptions and three passes broken up.

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The Titans could use help at guard in the immediate future, and Smith could be a force on the inside. After some development, Smith could kick out to left or right tackle in the years to come.

Some area scouts have been super high on Smith, feeling he had the potential to be a high riser in the leadup to the 2022 NFL Draft. Smith broke into the starting lineup in 2020 and played left tackle for Tulsa over the past two seasons. Smith is an excellent athlete with quickness to go along with big size and strength. He has a ton of upside to develop.

Here’s what one area scout texted me awhile ago about Smith, “If Tyler Smith blows up his combine and workouts, he could go top 10. He’s more gifted than the other offensive tackles in this class besides the N.C. State kid. Smith is 6-foot-5, 325 pounds with 34-plus-inch arms. As violent as he plays and the fact he can play guard also, I could see someone pushing him up because he’s only 20 and smart also.”

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The Bucs were put in a position to replace both of their guards. After trading for Shaq Mason, they still need one more guard to finish off the interior of their offensive line.

Green will enter the NFL having started three straight seasons for the Aggies. Injuries forced him to play some left tackle in 2021, and while he wasn’t terrible there, he was clearly better at guard. In 2020 and 2019, Texas A&M had a lot of success running behind Green, and he was steady in pass protection for Kellen Mond. Green (6-4, 325) has a good skill set and a lot of experience, so he has the potential to quickly become a starter as a pro. Green is a solid run blocker, a steady pass protector, and a very safe pick to be a quality lineman. With his skill set and experience, Green should be a plug-and-play starter this coming fall.

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Green Bay needs a pass rusher to replace Za’Darius Smith. Ebiketie is a speed demon and a good scheme fit.

Some team sources have compared Ebiketie to Yannick Ngakoue, as they are similarly sized speed rushers off the edge. In 2021, Ebiketie totaled 9.5 sacks, 62 tackles and two forced fumbles. In 2020, he had 42 tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles. Ebiketie (6-3, 256) is undersized and has some stiffness, but he is fast off the edge.

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The Chiefs need more edge-rushing talent.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Mafe is a quick edge rusher who flashed serious pass-rush ability for the Gophers. Mafe had 34 tackles, seven sacks and one forced fumble in 2021. He also played well in the shortened 2020 season, totaling 27 tackles with 4.5 sacks and two passes batted. While Mafe has some size limitations, he has real speed off the edge and could be a good fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He helped himself with a good week at the Senior Bowl.

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The Chiefs grab a playmaking receiver for Pat Mahomes, and they have shown a lot of interest in Pickens.

After suffering a torn ACL in Spring 2021, Pickens didn’t play until late in the 2021 season, notching five receptions for 107 yards for his year. Team sources are high on his skill set of size, speed and athleticism. In 2020, Pickens had 36 receptions for 513 yards and six touchdowns. He played well as a freshman for Georgia, catching 49 passes for 727 yards and eight touchdowns. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder possesses the upside to be better as he gains experience.

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The Bengals could use more edge-rush talent, and they would be thrilled to land Karlaftis late in the first round.

Karlaftis totaled 36 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two passes broken up and two forced fumbles in 2021. He recorded four tackles and two sacks in 2020 while missing time with a leg injury and COVID-19. Karlaftis broke out for the Boilermakers in 2019, totaling 54 tackles and 7.5 sacks. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Karlaftis has the upside to get better. He is a quality athlete with a closing burst, excellent hands, and has a non-stop motor. The relentless Karlaftis is a dangerous pass rusher who could stand to improve his run defense for the NFL.

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The Lions need a third receiver to go with D.J. Chark and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The Tampa, Florida native Watson was a good player for the Bison, but he set his draft stock on fire with an excellent Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 211-pounder showed good speed and run-after-the catch ability to go along with mismatch size. In 2021, Watson caught 43 passes for 800 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown with 114 yards on 15 carries. Watson showed big-play ability in 2020 – 24.3 yards per catch – and 2019 – 21.5 yards per catch.

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