2022 NFL Draft Goals – Picks 17-32

Posted April 22, 2022.
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What does every team need to accomplish in the 2022 NFL Draft? We’ll look at each team’s goals on this page, as well as possible selections for each squad. Also see how the goals are being addressed in the 2022 NFL Mock Draft (will be updated tomorrow).

Back to 2022 NFL Draft Goals: Picks 1-16.

Los Angeles Chargers:
The Chargers did a great job of bolstering their roster in free agency, but they still have some weak spots. This includes right tackle and cornerback. Those positions must be plugged. Otherwise, the Chargers can take the best player available.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
17. Trevor Penning, OT
79. Tariq Woolen, CB
123. Amare Barno, DE
New Orleans Saints:
The Saints traded away a 2023 first-round pick to obtain another selection this April, so they’re going all in for some reason. The Saints’ roster is weaker than it was last year, so they have more needs to fill. Primary, New Orleans must find a left tackle and a receiver to strengthen the offense.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
16. Drake London, WR
19. Tyler Smith, OT
49. Alec Pierce, WR
98. Jelani Woods, TE
120. DeAngelo Malone, DE
Philadelphia Eagles:
The Eagles traded away one of their three first-round picks for a 2023 opening-round selection, so they’ll rebuild over these two offseasons. The Eagles have plenty of needs, including receiver and interior offensive line. They’ll need to address these areas so that they’ll know for sure if Jalen Hurts is the long-term solution.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
15. Jordan Davis, DT
18. Chris Olave, WR
51. Roger McCreary, CB
83. Ed Ingram, G
101. Velus Jones, WR
124. Tyler Badie, RB
Pittsburgh Steelers:
The Steelers want Malik Willis, but there’s a growing possibility that he won’t fall to them. The Steelers may trade up for him. If not, they’ll have to figure out which quarterback they want to pick in the second round. They’ll also need to bolster their offensive line to make sure this new signal-caller has all the protection he needs.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
20. Malik Willis, QB
52. Ed Ingram, G
84. Abraham Lucas, OT
138. Romeo Doubs, WR
New England Patriots:
The Patriots traded for DeVante Parker, so they’re not hurting for receiving help like they were entering the offseason. Still, they could stand to add a wideout and a new blocker. Otherwise, the Patriots will have to fill some needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
21. Devin Lloyd, LB
54. Alontae Taylor, CB
85. Zach Tom, OT/C
127. Coby Bryant, CB
Las Vegas Raiders:
The Raiders made a huge splash move this offseason, trading their first-round pick for Davante Adams. They have just two selections in the top 163, and none until No. 86. They won’t be able to improve their roster very much as a result, but they can still use a third- or fourth-round choice to improve the offensive line.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
86. Chasen Hines, G
126. Spencer Burford, OT
Arizona Cardinals:
The Cardinals have way more holes now than they did last year at this time, thanks to some key players leaving via free agency. They’ll need to replace Chandler Jones, Christian Kirk and Chase Edmonds. They also have their regular weak spots that must be filled, including guard and cornerback.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
23. Trent McDuffie, CB
55. Ed Ingram, G
87. Amare Barno, DE
Dallas Cowboys:
The Cowboys lost some important players this offseason, as Amari Cooper, La’el Collins, Connor Williams and Randy Gregory are all gone. These players will need to be replaced somehow. Fixing the offensive line is especially important, as we’ve seen Dak Prescott struggle when he’s missing personnel up front.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
24. Zion Johnson, G
56. Skyy Moore, WR
88. Tariq Castro-Fields, CB
129. Jeffrey Gunter, DE
Buffalo Bills:
The Bills arguably have the best roster in the NFL, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have needs. Cornerback, guard and linebacker are problem areas Buffalo will need to address in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
25. Trent McDuffie, CB
57. Ed Ingram, G
89. Chad Muma, LB
130. Phidarian Smith, DT
Tennessee Titans:
The Titans know that Ryan Tannehill isn’t the answer. The problem is that they are probably not in a position to draft a quarterback. Unless Kenny Pickett falls to them, Tennessee will have to just continue to strengthen their roster by adding to their pass rush and receiving/tight end corps. Tennessee will have to find a quarterback at some point as well.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
26. Kenny Pickett, QB
90. Nik Bonitto, DE/OLB
131. Cade Otton, TE
143. Justyn Ross, WR
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
The Buccaneers didn’t lose a single starter last offseason. That’s not the case this time, as Tampa Bay will need to find replacements at guard, receiver, defensive tackle and outside linebacker. Tampa Bay is all in now, so it makes no sense to make picks for the future (i.e. a successor at quarterback).

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
27. Zion Johnson, G
60. Drake Jackson, DE/OLB
91. James Cook, RB
133. Bryan Cook, S
Green Bay Packers:
The Packers almost have to address their receiving corps, right? There are no excuses this time, as Green Bay has two first-round picks in a class that features some talented wideouts. Otherwise, Green Bay must fill needs in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
22. Trevor Penning, OT
28. Christian Watson, WR
53. Travis Jones, NT
59. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR
92. Jeremiah Moon, LB
132. Jeremy Ruckert, TE
140. Jack Jones, CB
San Francisco 49ers:
The 49ers have one of the best rosters in the NFC. They’ll need to strengthen their secondary, pass rush and interior offensive line. Otherwise, they can go with the best player available because they don’t have many needs.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
61. Boye Mafe, DE
93. Akalyeb EVans, CB
105. Haskell Garrett, DT
134. Kingsley Engabare, DE
Kansas City Chiefs:
The Chiefs took a step backward in the AFC arms race when they traded Tyreek Hill. They already had some needs to fill – primarily pass rush and cornerback – but now they’ll have to somehow replace Hill’s production. One of the team’s two first-round picks will be used to try to do that.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
29. Christian Watson, WR
30. Daxton Hill, CB/S
50. Skyy Moore, WR
62. Logan Hall, DE
94. Perrion Winfrey, DT
103. Max Mitchell, OT
121. Brian Asamoah, LB
135. Zyon McCollum, CB
Cincinnati Bengals:
Prior to free agency, it was thought that the Bengals would use many of their picks to fix the offensive line. Cincinnati has already done that with some great signings in the open market, so the team must now focus on strengthening the defense at all levels.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
31. DeVonte Wyatt, DT
63. Christian Harris, LB
95. Josh Thompson, CB
136. Kingsley Engabare, DE
Los Angeles Rams:
The Rams don’t have any picks in the top 100, but they own eight picks the rest of the way. Perhaps they’ll be able to package some of these selections to move up in order to draft someone who can make an impact in 2022, which will be crucial because the Rams’ Super Bowl window won’t be open very long.

Ideal 2022 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
70. Drake Jackson, DE/OLB (trade up)