THE TOUCHDOWN ROUND TABLE MOCK DRAFT
By The TD Draft Team
Writing a mock draft is easy. But unlike the actual draft, individual mocks have all 32 teams working off the same big board. We wanted to add a dose of realism to our predictions, so we came up with something a little different…
The Touchdown brings you their ’round table’ mock draft; eleven writers share thirty-two randomly assigned picks. Teams with multiple selections will have the same writer each time acting as their GM. The gloves are off – let’s do this!
1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
GM: ALEX CHINERY
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
The laughing stock of the NFL, the Jaguars are a roster desperately crying out for leadership and character. In Aidan Hutchinson they add a dominant college edge rusher with a titanic off-field personality. Hutch is the kind of player who changes the course of a franchise.
2. DETROIT LIONS
GM: TAYYIB ABU
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The Lions’ anemic pass-rush needs an injection of talent. With Trey Flowers’ departure, there is a hole on the Lions’ defense. Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux has the athleticism and dynamism to turbocharge the Lions’ pass rush.
3. HOUSTON TEXANS
GM: THOMAS WILLOUGHBY
Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The Houston Texans are firmly in a rebuild, and the smartest way to build a winning side is from the trenches out. The Texans gave up 44 sacks in 2021, and that’s not exactly an environment for successful offensive play. With Neal, they add an extremely talented offensive lineman, who has the scope to become a dominant one as he beds into the NFL. A vital piece that should become a mainstay on the Texans for years to come, regardless of which QB he’s protecting.
4. NEW YORK JETS
GM: CALLUM SQUIRES
Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Jets have been – and continue to be – an absolute embarrassment. As Joe Douglas seeks to rebuild this roster and provide Robert Saleh and Zach Wilson with a platform to succeed, there are a plethora of holes they need to fill. WR is an obvious one, but we can come back to that later on in round 1. Defensively, the dream was either Hutchinson or Thibodeaux to fall into our laps if one of the top 3 went rogue, but with both of them off the board, we plump for the best CB in the nation, Cincy’s Sauce Gardner. He will be a lockdown ballhawk on the back end and try to help stem the tide of the Bills, Dolphins & Patriots offenses cumulatively throwing TDs down the Jets’ throat. Give me some Sauce.
5. NEW YORK GIANTS
GM: RORY-JOE DANIELS
Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The Giants need to give Daniel Jones sufficient protection to see if he really is the long-term answer at QB. The hope here is that Ekwonu can be a starting tackle opposite the improving Andrew Thomas. Worst case scenario Ekwonu can be a top quality interior lineman at the next level.
6. CAROLINA PANTHERS
GM: TRES VALENZUELA
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The wheels on the Sam Darnold experiment come to a halt as Carolina finally commits to a QB in the first round for the first time since Cam Newton. With many of the same attributes that once drew Panthers fans to Newton, Malik Willis is quite the intriguing QB prospect in a rather shallow QB class.
7. NEW YORK GIANTS
GM: RORY-JOE DANIELS
Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
Travon Walker is still on the board but can the Giants risk a pick on a player without serious production at the college level? Johnson may not have that type of ceiling but his 11.5 sacks at Florida State show that he knows his way to the QB. The Giants need some bite up front and Johnson should go some way to helping.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS
GM: THOMAS WILLOUGHBY
Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Atlanta are utterly bereft of talent across the board. For the second season in a row, positional value goes out the window in favour of a BPA approach. In Kyle Hamilton, the Falcons gain a safety capable of playing just about every position in the secondary. That versatility is exactly what Dean Pees covets, as they shift between single high, and split, safety looks. Atlanta aren’t in a position to turn down top-end talent, and Hamilton is just that. A franchise player lands in the ATL.
9. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
GM: LUKE RENTON
Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
After a solid pro day Stingley reminded us all why he’s one of, if not the best cornerback talents in this class. That kind of talent doesn’t just disappear – hopefully he can stay healthy! He’s a great addition in an area where the Seahawks have a real need.
10. NEW YORK JETS
GM: CALLUM SQUIRES
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Having added an elite defensive presence at #4, Robert Saleh now adds an elite receiving threat at #10. The Jets have been all over the WR market this summer, most notably missing out in the Tyreek Hill scramble. If we’re going to establish for certain that Zach Wilson is (or isn’t) the guy, we need to give him weapons to stand a chance. We’ve lost Jamison Crowder, but feel good about Elijah Moore. Adding another speedy threat here is essential, and we have our pick of the litter before the run starts. Without his ACL tear, I think Williams is the clear #1 WR in this draft. Do we take the risk on his recovery from injury? As the New York Football Jets, yes we absolutely do. Elite upside, though may miss the early part of the season recovering. We’re playing the long game here, and locking up a future Pro-Bowl receiver for years to come.
11. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
GM: PAUL MAINWARING
Drake London, WR, USC
After the controversial decision to obtain Carson Wentz, The Commanders need to improve their play making ability on offense. Drake London is a big bodied receiver who can win at the highest catch point, and will be great complimentary piece to Terry McLaurin.
12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
GM: CHASE PETERSEN
Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Vikings are in desperate need of CBs, but with my CB1 and CB2 off the board I decided to pass on the position and load up on young offensive weapons. Justin Jefferson is going to get $100M a year on his next contract, so the need for cheap and effective offensive talent is at an all time high.
13. HOUSTON TEXANS
GM: THOMAS WILLOUGHY
Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
Another case of targeting the trenches, and a surprise slide given some of the recent “first overall buzz”. The Texans managed a joint-fifth worst 32 sacks in 2021, and look to address that here. Travon Walker feels like something of a project, but his physical attributes absolutely pop. Some may question his college production, but you don’t enjoy a prominent role on that Georgia defense without having something. Walker’s roof is higher than an old cathedral spire, and Houston will hope he reaches those heights with them.
14. BALTIMORE RAVENS
GM: TRES VALENZUELA
Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Baltimore, lets not overcomplicate this; RUN THE DAMN BALL. Sure every franchise would love to be able physically dominate their opponent every week, but the reality is that only few posses the players and scheme. Baltimore is one of those teams, and has the ability to be an historic offense should Lamar Jackson stay healthy. With the selection of Charles Cross the Ravens put themselves in a position to get back to their old ways and move on from the disastrous Alejandro Villanueva.
15. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
GM: LUKE RENTON
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Despite upgrade in the off-season with Haasan Reddick, it’s no secret that linebacker is an area that the Eagles must improve. Dean would slot straight in for the Eagles, and bring some much needed leadership to the locker room – and a winning mentality after his standout performances for the best defense in college football. Very close between Lloyd and Dean as the overall LB1, but Dean’s ceiling is higher in my opinion.
16. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
GM: OLIVER HODGKINSON
Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
While the temptation to assume that the Saints will make a move for a QB in this class is obvious, with Jameis Winston signed for two years it feels more likely that they put him in a position to succeed rather than snag his successor.
Left tackle is the clear primary need, alongside wide receiver. With Trevor Penning still on the board, this would be a natural landing spot for most analysts. However, I feel Penning is overrated in this class. Boston College’s Zion Johnson brings left tackle experience as part of one of the most schematically and positionally versatile resumes in the class. He may lack the requisite size the NFL looks for but the length, smoothness of his pass sets, strong anchor and powerful demeanor make him an alluring prospect to protect Winston and carve open running lanes for Alvin Kamara.
17. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
GM: SIMON CARROLL
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Ten GM’s have all had at least one selection in this draft so far, and each one of them decided it was a good idea to let the terrifying deep threat of Chris Olave pair with the turbo-charged cannon for an arm of Justin Herbert. Receiver may not be as big a need as the interior of both the Chargers’ trenches, but how do you pass on the talent of Olave here? The AFC West is going to be absolute chaos, and I’m all in.
18. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
GM: LUKE RENTON
Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
I was initially thinking wide receiver here, but ultimately went for McDuffie as I’m happy taking him here with a view of selecting someone like Wan’Dale Robinson or Calvin Austin in the second round. The Eagles need a cornerback and a safety in this draft, and McDuffie’s versatility has the potential to bring both. Whilst he is a little smaller than others in the class he brings elite pace to blitz off the edge, and use his speed to get upfield from the back end to make tackles. Furthermore, he was also used at times as part of Washington’s returns unit – another area where the Eagles could improve.
19. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
GM: OLIVER HODGKINSON
Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
With a wide receiver room more bare than Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard, the second point of business for the Saints is giving Winston a big bodied pass catcher. New Orleans have some very specific requisites, with just two pass catchers drafted in recent years that measured under 6’0” and 200 pounds. Arkansas WR Treylon Burks hits those measurables, and is a player who can impact the game in multiple ways. Despite the combine 40-yard dash time, Burks can add after the catch value as a physical runner while possessing the body control, ball tracking and hands to get the job done in contested catch situations on the boundary.
20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
GM: CALLUM SQUIRES
Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Pittsburgh are in an intriguing spot. Lots of defensive talent (that they could look to add to), and a superstar running back, but holes on the offense all around him. Now that Broken Ben has finally gone, Mitchell Trubisky was signed as the heir apparent. Is he the long term solution? Probably not, but he’s serviceable and will win them enough games to not be an embarrassment, without getting them to actual championship contender status. Enter: the true heir. Desmond Ridder was electric for Cincinnati, leading them to the College Football Playoff in a truly incredible season. Is Ridder the finished product? No, but he has toughness, mobility, and an arm that can make all the throws Yinzers will enjoy. His rushing ability creates an intriguing backfield dynamic with Najee Harris, where QB run potential could open up lanes for the aforementioned back. Tomlin enjoys a project, and will let Ridder sit behind Trubisky, until the ascension becomes necessary, or undeniable. Pittsburgh takes their QB of the future here.
21. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
GM: OLIVER HODGKINSON
Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
With the departures of Stephon Gilmore and JC Jackson in the last 12 months, cornerback projects to be one of the biggest needs for the New England Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Here, they snag Clemson CB Andrew Booth Jr – who for me represents an absolute steal at 21st overall. Boasting decent size and length at the position, there are few players who play with Booth’s exceptional athletic ability. Fast, fluid, and full of energy, he flies to the ball in all phases of defense. An underestimated physical threat against the run, Booth’s highlight reel ball skills make him a disruptive coverage cornerback who has the potential to lock down NFL offenses for years to come.
22. GREEN BAY PACKERS
GM: ALEX CHINERY
Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst loves to draft players a year before their position becomes one of need. Savage and Amos have been spectacular at times in Green Bay, but dipped badly towards the end of last season. Adding a talent like Lewis Cine, a phenomenal athlete that could pop up in three different positions in the secondary, is a home run pick for a defense that is one or two pieces away from being an absolute force.
23. ARIZONA CARDINALS
GM: TAYYIB ABU
Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
The Cardinals’ pass-rushing stocks need an injection of raw talent and athleticism. With JJ Watt nearing the end, adding Boye Mafe with an eye on the long term could pay off. Mafe is an explosive athlete with tons of potential, but likely needs time to develop.
24. DALLAS COWBOYS
GM: TRES VALENZUELA
Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia
Every draft has a few jaw dropping prospects, most stemming from skill positions. But very rarely do lineman generate the buzz that Jordan Davis brings. Not only is Davis a dream prospect for Jerry Jones, but he also fills a major need in the Cowboys defense. With the departure of Randy Gregory the Cowboys need to add an impact player on the defensive line. Davis will provide an immediate boost in the run game and should attract double teams in passing situations, allowing Parsons and Lawrence better chances at meeting the QB.
25. BUFFALO BILLS
GM: CHASE PETERSEN
Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
I wanted to take Jordan Davis here, but he was sniped right in front of me. So, instead I landed on Kaiir Elam, because ESPN currently has Buffalo’s CB2 as someone named Siran Neal. Elam could hopefully come in and start day 1 opposite of Tre’Davious White.
26. TENNESSEE TITANS
GM: SIMON CARROLL
Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
We all know that Titans’ head coach Mike Vrabel absolutely loves a spot of shithousery, and Trevor Penning might just be his spirit animal. Tough, mean, and a little bit violent, he’ll slot in at right tackle from day one and form a fun and unruly tackle tandem with Taylor Lewan. Expect some teething problems, but Penning has the potential to be a ten year starter.
27. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
GM: CHASE PETERSEN
Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
I didn’t know where to go here. Tyler Linderbaum, Devontae Wyatt, George Karlaftis, and JaQuan Brisker we’re all options, but I landed on Skyy Moore. This team has to maximize TB12, and Moore is his type of guy that’s going to get open, and get open quickly. They also need some depth at WR until Chris Godwin is able to make his way back onto the field.
28. GREEN BAY PACKERS
GM: ALEX CHINERY
Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
He’s big, he’s strong, he’s quick and he’s used to playing in the cold. Christian Watson was born to be a Packer. His huge frame and above average athleticism are the perfect canvas for the Packer coaches to paint the next receiver masterpiece. One player won’t be able to replace Davante Adams, but Watson would begin to fill the hole!
29. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
GM: PAUL MAINWARING
George Pickens, WR, Georgia
Although he is very different to Tyreek Hill, Pickens will add a level of aggression to the Chiefs’ wide receiver corps. The ACL injury in 2021 could be a concern, but I expect Andy Reid to pick Pickens and turn him into a star.
30. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
GM: PAUL MAINWARING
Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
With all the QBs and offensive weapons in the AFC West, The Chiefs need to improve their pass rush – and Ebikete is the perfect fit for that at 30. He may only be a pass rush specialist in his first year, but expect him to be a full-time starter and a major contributor sooner rather than later.
31. CINCINNATI BENGALS
GM: RORY-JOE DANIELS
Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
The short arms will cause the Bengals to pause for thought, but the ability to put the cherry on top their offensive line moves was too much to ignore. Linderbaum is nasty and hellish athletic. Move new signing Ted Karras to guard and pop Linderbaum at center and Burrows’ protection is given the facelift it sorely needed.
32. DETROIT LIONS
GM: TAYYIB ABU
Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
The Lions need safety help. Michigan’s Daxton Hill provides solid pass-defense skills and versatility to help Aaron Glenn’s defensive backfield. The hybrid safety/nickel fits Detroit’s sub-package scheme perfectly.
THE TOUCHDOWN
NFL DRAFT TEAM
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