CHASE PETERSEN MOCK DRAFT 1.0
By Alex Chinery
It’s that time of year again. Both the NFL and College Football seasons are over, and the hardware has been lifted. Now, our attention turns to #DraftSZN…
Welcome to the first edition of my 2022 NFL Mock Drafts. In this scenario, I act as an NFL overlord, controlling all 32 teams. As a result, this is what I would do if was GM for every franchise:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2021 Record: 3-14
Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Neal provides the highest upside of all the OT’s in this class. The main priority of the Jags should be to get Trevor Lawrence to his fullest potential, and I believe Neal is the player here that can best help with that.
2. Detroit Lions
2021 Record: 3-13-1
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
After an absurdly dominant senior season the Michigan pass rusher gets to stay in state. Dan Campbell and co. proved in the draft last year that they want to build up the trenches, and Hutchinson helps them do that.
3. Houston Texans
2021 Record: 4-13
Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
For a roster as deprived of talent as Houston’s is, they need to just take the best football player available. That to me is Derek Stingley. If he is able to lock down one side of the field like he has shown the ability to do, the Texans defense has a cornerstone building piece.
4. New York Jets
2021 Record: 4-13
Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Another spot where helping the QB is objective #1. Cross played for Mike Leach, so he’s as proven in pass pro as they come. Adding Cross to Mekhi Becton and Alijah Vera-Tucker gives the Jets 3 very good OL pieces to play with moving forward.
5. New York Giants
2021 Record: 4-13
Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The Giants’ OL has been a problem for a very long time now. If Brian Daboll only has one season in house to evaluate Danny Dimes, everything needs to be thrown on the table to help him – much like was done in Buffalo for Josh Allen.
6. Carolina Panthers
2021 Record: 5-12
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
With the OL class being so stacked at the top, Thibodeaux slips out of my top 5. Luckily for the Carolina Panthers, they’re here to snatch him up. The combo of Brian Burns and Thibodeaux would be a scary athletic one, wreaking havoc on every play.
7. New York Giants (via Chicago)
2021 Record: 4-13 (Bears 6-11)
Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Arguably the most talented player in the entire draft, stuck at a lower valued position. This is a player though that I believe could play any spot on the field and be damn good at it. Add 10 pounds to play LB? Easily. Add 30 to be an EDGE rusher? Sure, if he’d agree. He’s that talented.
8. Atlanta Falcons
2021 Record: 7-10
Drake London, WR, USC
Is Calvin Ridley ever going to take another snap as a Falcon? Even if he does, pairing him and London up will make the next era QB’s growing pains much easier. This team needs to start looking at the Post-Ryan plan, so load up the WR room right now while he’s still in town.
9. Denver Broncos
2021 Record: 7-10
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Absolutely my favorite player in the class. His tape is a roller coaster, and I love roller coasters. Denver’s roster allows him to come into a great situation, with an offensive minded HC, playing 8 games a year a mile high in the sky, where Willis could probably launch it 85 yards.
10. New York Jets (via Seattle)
2021 Record: 4-13 (Seahawks 7-10)
Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Repeat what I said for the last Jets pick. This time it’s a target for Zac Wilson, and one that can create a ton of separation. The Jets roster is littered with WR2s and 3s. Wilson could come in and be a dynamic duo with Elijah Moore.
11. Washington Commanders
2021 Record: 7-10
Ahmad 'Sauce' Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
William Jackson wasn’t everything this team dreamed of last year, and while they need a QB, word is they’re going to go after one of the veterans. Gardner gives them a lockdown CB opposite Jackson, and just allows that front 7 to have more time to do their work.
12. Minnesota Vikings
2021 Record: 8-9
George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
My favourite Minnesota Vikings need a ton of help on defense. We pray that Danielle Hunter remains healthy, and now team him up with a one man wrecking crew. If Hunter can stay on the field, and Karlaftis lives up to what he put on tape at Purdue, this could, totally unbiased opinion here, be the best EDGE rush duo in all of football.
13. Cleveland Browns
2021 Record: 8-9
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Browns have the OL, have the ground game, have a WR2, they just need THAT guy. Treylon Burks can be that guy for them. For whatever reason OBJ didn’t work out here, you hope Burks makes you forget all about it.
14. Baltimore Ravens
2021 Record: 8-9
David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
The Ravens do a fantastic job developing EDGE talent, and that’s exactly what Ojabo needs. The Ojabo-Oweh pairing could be a lethal one for a long time coming. Hall of fame nickname potential for that duo as well.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami)
2021 Record: 9-8 (Dolphins 9-8)
Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Back to back Eagles picks here and the first one is Devin Lloyd. The best LB in the class, and he can play a multitude of roles. This pick fills a huge need in the middle of the Eagles defense.
16. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis)
2021 Record: 9-8 (Colts 9-8)
Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
This second Eagles pick was a tough choice. I wanted a QB, WR, or EDGE here, but didn’t like the fits of the guys left. I decided to take the best CB available because it’s a high value position, and McDuffie is the overall BPA at this point.
17. Los Angeles Chargers
2021 Record: 9-8
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Whether the Chargers re-sign Mike Williams or not, this would be my favorite pick of the draft. Being able to watch Justin Herbert uncork 60 yard bombs to Jameson Williams over the next half decade would be amazing. You have to score to beat the Chiefs and win the AFC West, so get as many elite weapons as possible.
18. New Orleans Saints
2021 Record: 9-8
Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Finally another quarterback, this time to a team in desperate need of one. Corral is the QB2 in this class in my opinion, and his dual threat game allows the Saints to keep some of the Taysom Hill-QB run stuff in the offense.
19. Philadelphia Eagles
2021 Record: 9-8
Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
The third and final 1st rounder for the Eagles shores up the OL. Jason Kelce isn’t getting any younger, so here’s his replacement. In the meantime he can kick over to guard and learn from the old timer.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
2021 Record: 9-7-1
Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Another team that really needs help with the ball thrower. Word is Pittsburgh loves Malik Willis, but in this mock he didn’t fall to 20, and there’s no trades. Instead they take Sam Howell, who similarly has a big arm and the ability to make some plays on the ground.
21. New England Patriots
2021 Record: 10-7
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
I really love this fit. Giving Bill Belicheck a guy with this amount of athleticism should almost be illegal. Dean in the NE defense would be used all over the place, and would most importantly be a nightmare for opposing QBs.
22. Las Vegas Raiders
2021 Record: 10-7
Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
After striking out on their 1st Round OT last year, they’re back to the drawing board. With rumours the Raiders plan to extend Derek Carr, it would be in their best interest to get him some protection.
23. Arizona Cardinals
2021 Record: 11-6
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
If Kyler Murray really is upset with the Cardinals, give him another awesome weapon to smooth it over. Olave will probably never be a true WR1, but may end up being the league’s best WR2 for a long time.
24. Dallas Cowboys
2021 Record: 12-5
Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
Dallas is a roster with a ton of talent, but a lot of assets invested in low value positions. Lots of money spent on RBs, and lots of picks used on off ball LBs. So now they get a guy who can play outside at tackle, but could also be a monster on the inside and replace Connor Williams.
25. Buffalo Bills
2021 Record: 11-6
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
The Bills basically had the #1 everything statistically this season, and this isn’t a roster with a whole lot of holes. So they opt to go OT because it’s high value, and if anything on the roster needs upgraded, it’s the OL.
26. Tennessee Titans
2021 Record: 12-5
Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
One of the biggest winners from the Senior Bowl finds himself firmly in the 1st round. Tennessee needs to attempt to build off last season around Tannehill, AJ Brown, and King Derrick Henry. Johnson helps them maintain that hard nose, run it down their throat football that Mike Vrabel loves.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2021 Record: 13-4
Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
The Bucs shoot for the moon with their first pick post-Brady. Kyle Trask shouldn’t just walk into the starting job next year, and unless the Bucs make a move for another vet, they have to get the QB with the highest upside available. Insert, Desmond Ridder.
28. Green Bay Packers
2021 Record: 13-4
Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
Once again no receiver for the Packers, there’s just no first round WRs left in my opinion. So instead Jermaine Johnson is the pick because the Packers cap situation may force them to move on from some veterans. Johnson and Rashan Gary could create a forceful tandem.
29. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco)
2021 Record: 9-8 (49ers 10-7)
Devontae Wyatt, IDL, Georgia
Wyatt was the best player on the Georgia defensive front last year, while Jordan Davis got all the credit. People shouldn’t move the way this guy does at his size. The Dolphins need to upgrade the O-Line, but with the earlier run on offensive linemen taking the talent off the board, they pass.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
2021 Record: 12-5
Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
The Chiefs corners press a ton, and that’s where McCreary thrives. He goes to a defense that needs help, and fits what they do. Perfect pick in my opinion.
31. Cincinnati Bengals
2021 Record: 10-7
Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
I know, I know, the OL in Cincy is awful. But eight of them are already off the board in this mock, so they take another high value position. They have the QB, the WRs, their #1 pass rusher, now this pick is a chance to load up the CB room as well.
32. Detroit Lions (via LA Rams)
2021 Record: 3-13-1 (Rams 12-5)
Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
The Lions have been building up the trenches, now it’s time to help out the back end. This team moved on from Quandre Diggs for whatever reason a few years ago, and they haven’t had a dawg like that in their secondary since. Brisker is similar to Diggs in that there is no role that he cannot fit. However Aaron Glenn wants to use Brisker, he’s more than capable.
CHASE PETERSEN
NFL DRaft ANALYST
From just outside Kansas City Missouri, Chase has been obsessed with the NFL Draft for as long as he can remember. An avid Minnesota Vikings and Texas Longhorns fan, connect with Chase on Twitter @SportsTalkCenter