Welcome to my annual NFL Mock Draft. This is one of the deepest classes in a long time, but it lacks standout names at the top. For the first time since 2018, we cannot be sure who is going #1 overall. Many believe it is between edge rushers Travon Walker and Aidan Hutchinson, but is that really true? Keep reading to find out who I have at 1 and how it will affect the rest of the first round. I have also included a Patriots mock for Rounds 2-7 below.
| # | Team | Player | Position | College | Why |
| 1 |  | Ikem Ekwonu | OL | NC State | Many are projecting the Jaguars will take an edge rusher with this pick due to the strength of this class at that position. I have also heard whispers about d-lineman/edge rusher hybrid Travon Walker, but I feel this might be a bit early for him despite his recent rise up draft boards. Jacksonville already has a solid edge rushing duo in Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson though. I see them giving Chaisson more time to develop and opting for an offensive lineman here. The Jags have worked to improve the line already this offseason, but a better blindside protector for Trevor Lawrence can’t hurt, and it gives the team flexibility to move Jawaan Taylor or Cam Robinson inside. Doug Pederson reportedly liked Ekwonu and I see them taking him here. |
| 2 |  | Aidan Hutchinson | EDGE | Michigan | The Jaguars may pass on Hutchinson, but I cannot see him falling any further. Edge rusher is not Detroit’s biggest direct need, but the defense could use help overall. Hutchinson was a Heisman finalist and he should be an instant playmaker wherever he goes. I can’t see the Lions passing on this Michigan hometown hero. |
| 3 |  | Derek Stingley Jr. | CB | LSU | Stingley has been a playmaker since the Joe Burrow era at LSU, even though he was only a freshman at the time. While the 2021 season initially hurt his draft stock, his name has gained steam in the last couple weeks. The Texans have a decent secondary, but they lack a truly dependable #1 corner. I think they’ll trust Stingley, the longtime LSU standout, with that role over the other rising name at corner in this class, Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner. |
| 4 |  | Kayvon Thibodeaux | EDGE | Oregon | Prior to this season, Thibodeaux was seen as a generational talent. Much like Stingley, I doubt he falls very far. The Jets have been in the market for star wide receiver Deebo Samuel, but if they want to contend their priority should be on fixing up this defense. While the Jets could consider a top corner in Gardner here, it’s hard to pass on Thibodeaux with a need at edge rusher. Gardner is also more likely to fall to the Jets’ next first rounder at #10. |
| 5 |  | Evan Neal | OL | Alabama | I honestly think Neal is the best tackle in the class, and he would be a huge help for QB Daniel Jones. Andrew Thomas and Matt Peart are a decent duo of tackles, but with all the injuries the Giants suffered last year, this o-line clearly was not cutting it. Ekwonu gives the Giants skill players a higher chance of staying healthy and the team a better chance of success. |
| 6 |  | Kenny Pickett | QB | Pittsburgh | The Panthers may claim they’re sticking with Sam Darnold at starting QB, but it may be time for a change after Darnold’s inconsistencies last year. Pickett is one of the most NFL ready QBs and is a safer bet to perform at a starter quality level out of the gate. With strong QB play, the Panthers have a window of opportunity for contention, and Pickett could help them get there. |
| 7 |  (TRADE) | Travon Walker | DL | Georgia | I don’t see the Giants staying in this spot as they would be reaching to fill needs. Walker might very well be the hottest name in this draft class and as they have multiple holes to fill on this defensive line, I feel the Ravens would be willing to make a move for him. Walker has the versatility to play defensive line or edge rusher and should be a staple of this Baltimore defense for years to come alongside star corner Marlon Humphrey. While I don’t buy the Walker rumors at #1, I don’t think he falls much further than this. |
| 8 |  | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State | It’s up in the air as to whether WR Calvin Ridley will ever play again, and if he does, it probably won’t be for the Falcons. While Atlanta is left with star TE Kyle Pitts, they won’t be able to get by with Damiere Byrd and Olamide Zacchaeus as their best receivers. Wilson was splitting targets with Chris Olave at Ohio State, but he is a huge upgrade over any receiver the Falcons have and should be an instant alpha dog receiver in Atlanta. |
| 9 |  | Malik Willis | QB | Liberty | While Pickett offers a safer floor, I’d argue Willis has the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this class. The Seahawks will likely roll with QB Drew Lock in the short term, but I see Willis as a strong long term replacement for Russell Wilson. Like Russ, Willis has a nice combo of arm talent and mobility. This isn’t Seattle’s year, but Willis could help them speed up the process of their rebuild and put them in position to contend a couple years down the line. |
| 10 | | Ahmad Gardner | CB | Cincinnati | Why don’t you look at that, between the slide of Travon Walker and the run of offensive players, Gardner makes it back to the Jets at #10. This would be a steal for them, as the combo of Gardner and Thibodeaux would immediately change the narrative on this Jets defense. |
| 11 |  | Kyle Hamilton | S | Notre Dame | While Washington isn’t necessarily a Super Bowl contender, they are a fairly well rounded team with very few holes. The safety position is one exception. The signing of Landon Collins did not work out so well, and it leaves the Commanders with unproven options to start at safety. Hamilton is seen as one of the most talented safety prospects in a long time, and he would provide a major boost to a struggling Commanders secondary. |
| 12 |  | Charles Cross | T | Mississippi State | I’d like to think Minnesota’s defensive struggles had more to do with coaching than personnel. The offensive line is just as big of a concern as the defense. The Vikings miss out on Neal and Ekwonu, but Cross, who has been a rumored top 10 selection, still provides good value here. I expect him to make an immediate difference opposite last year’s first rounder, Christian Darrisaw. |
| 13 | | Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama | Brandin Cooks’ name has been floating around in trade rumors, and even if Cooks sticks around, the Texans lack depth at receiver behind him, and I think that takes priority over another defensive first rounder. Williams was putting up insane stats at Alabama before tearing his ACL late into the season. His recovery is also reportedly going faster than expected. While I personally prefer guys like Drake London or Chris Olave over Williams, it would be surprising to see him fall much further than this, and the Texans are a strong fit. Williams could have the opportunity to shine alongside Cooks. It really comes down to whether they have a competent QB. |
| 14 | (TRADE) | Devin Lloyd | LB | Utah | The Giants could use some more help at linebacker beyond Blake Martinez. Lloyd twould provide that immediately and should still be available for the Giants at this spot, making the trade down worth it. I see the Giants choosing the Utah product, who has gained momentum on draft boards, over Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean. |
| 15 |  | Andrew Booth | CB | Clemson | This may be a slight reach for Booth, but the Eagles are in dire need of some more corners alongside Darius Slay. In the two years since the departure of A.J. Terrell, Booth has had a total of 44 tackles and 5 interceptions. He quickly established himself as a top corner in Clemson’s defense and should be able to fit right in immediately in Philly. |
| 16 |  | Jordan Davis | DL | Georgia | Many have the Saints focusing on offense in Round 1, and I expect that to be the case at #19. However, the Saints could definitely use another defensive lineman next to David Onyemata. Walker will be off the board here, but he has two teammates in Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt that joined Walker in a historic Georgia Bulldog defensive line. All three have a good amount of draft stock, and Davis and Wyatt are definitely reasonable options here. I give Davis, once touted as the top d-lineman in the class, the slight edge. |
| 17 |  | Trevor Penning | OL | Northern Iowa | The Chargers added Rashawn Slater and Corey Linsley last offseason, but this offensive line still has a lot of holes. With the top tier of offensive linemen off the board, Penning seems like a logical pick here. While he’s not on par with Neal or Ekwonu, he is capable of starting opposite Slater from day one. |
| 18 | | Tyler Linderbaum | OL | Iowa State | Jason Kelce is likely nearing retirement. At one point he had even retired and unretired. As the top interior lineman in the class, Linderbaum is a fitting long term replacement for Kelce, and could even see some reps at guard in the meantime. |
| 19 | | Drake London | WR | USC | While I do have the Saints starting off this draft on the defensive side of the ball, it would be shocking to see them ignore the offense with both their first rounders. London is a physical, big-bodied receiver who would make for a great complement to Michael Thomas. Even if Thomas left New Orleans or missed time, London would be fine. He has the talent to thrive as a #1 receiver for a team if necessary. |
| 20 |  (TRADE) | Jermaine Johnson II | EDGE | Florida State | Many have Johnson going even earlier than this, but not many teams have a need for an edge rusher. The Chiefs are one exception to that predicament, and I feel they will trade up for Johnson. Johnson may be taken simply as the best player on the board if he falls too far, so the Chiefs need to make a move if they want him. |
| 21 |  | Trent McDuffie | CB | Washington | With Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson on the outs, the Patriots need their star corner of the future. Bill Belichick has never been shy drafting corners, so I expect him to take care of business in Round 1. Washington has produced some of the Pac-12’s all time best DBs like Budda Baker. The Huskies have also produced many other NFL starters like Byron Murphy and Kevin King. Groomed by the same staff as these successful NFL players, McDuffie has posted a strong college career and should be ready for NFL action from the beginning, which the Patriots are looking for. |
| 22 |  | Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State | The Packers have been hesitant to draft WRs for Aaron Rodgers in early rounds, but with Davante Adams on the outs, they do not have much of a choice. As long as they want to contend this year, they’ll need some new receivers. Olave was already a top college receiver for a handful of QBs including Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields. and C.J. Stroud. Rodgers should help elevate his game to a high level in the NFL. |
| 23 |  | Roger McCreary | CB | Auburn | The Cardinals may have a decent secondary, but much like the Patriots they lack a true standout corner. McCreary is no guarantee at that, but likely a safer bet than anyone else on the roster, in free agency, or remaining on the draft board at this slot. |
| 24 |  | Tyler Smith | OL | Tulsa | The Cowboys are on the lookout for a La’el Collins replacement. One option is to move Connor Williams to tackle and find another guard. However, Smith could be a smart selection here as it keeps everyone in place on this Dallas offensive line. I honestly think he’s just as good a pick here as someone like Kenyon Green or Zion Johnson. |
| 25 |  | Nakobe Dean | LB | Georgia | The Bills may have a great LB in Tremaine Edmunds but lack depth behind him. I don’t think it would be as huge of a problem if they made it a solid duo by adding Nakobe Dean. Dean has the potential to make this the best LB corps in the league, and even at his floor he’ll provide a rotational option for in Buffalo. |
| 26 |  | DeMarvin Leal | DL | Texas A&M | Devonte Wyatt is a popular pick for the first round, but I have the Titans deviating from the Georgia d-line and taking Leal, the Texas A&M product. Leal may be the best non-Georgia d-lineman in this class, and he could make for a great duo with Jeffery Simmons at the line of scrimmage. |
| 27 |  (TRADE) | David Ojabo | EDGE | Michigan | This is a very deep draft class, so there is little reason to trade up. However, with the excess of top level edge rushers compared to teams who need them, I expect a couple edge rusher needy teams to make a move for a safe player at the position. The Bears have a lot of needs, but Ojabo would definitely be a good start for the rebuild of this defense after the departure of Khalil Mack. |
| 28 | | Chad Muma | LB | Wyoming | With Lloyd and Dean gone, I have the Packers dipping into the next tier of linebackers to fill their need at the position. Muma has been touted as an early 2nd round option, and with a lack of proven linebackers on the inside, I don’t see any reason why the Packers can’t reach a little and snag him here. I could also see Quay Walker in this spot, but I give Muma the slight edge. |
| 29 |  (TRADE) | Kyler Gordon | CB | Washington | Gordon, another Washington corner, has fallen down draft boards as McDuffie, his teammate, rises. That doesn’t mean Gordon has lost his ability to become a successful NFL corner. Gordon is almost as talented if not just as talented as McDuffie, and they put up similar numbers this past year. If all goes well, look for Gordon to take Joe Haden’s spot as Pittsburgh’s new top corner. |
| 30 |  | Treylon Burks | WR | Arkansas | Burks may not have the tape of guys like Wilson and Olave, but that’s to be expected considering he played for Arkansas. Compared to other Razorback receiving options, he put up impressive numbers this past season. The Chiefs are in need of an outside complement to free agent addition JuJu Smith-Schuster. Burks could definitely fill that role. |
| 31 |  | Travis Jones | DL | UConn | Jones may have gone to UConn, but he stood out within this Husky defense. Jones totaled 8 sacks over his final two years at UConn. He is a versatile defensive lineman with strong pass rushing ability. While the Bengals already have two excellent edge rushers, they are in need of a long term replacement on the inside for Geno Atkins. Jones could be their guy, and I think he has the upside for even more. |
| 32 | | Matt Corral | QB | Ole Miss | I’m far from Corral’s biggest fanboy, but QB Jared Goff was not meant to be Detroit’s franchise guy. I don’t see what other QB the Lions would take here, and if they wait too long they could miss out on the QBs with any potential at all. |
Patriots Round 2-7 Mock
54. Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
85. Sean Rhyan, OL, UCLA
127. Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
158. Jordan Williams, DL, Virginia Tech
170. Abram Smith, RB, Baylor
210. Kellen Diesch, OL, Arizona State
That’s all for this year’s mock draft. However, I will be live streaming tomorrow with my cousin, Michael Philipkosky on The Master Plan YouTube, so check that out.
Toronto Blue Jays
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New York Yankees (Wild Card 2)
Tampa Bay Rays
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Seattle Mariners (Wild Card 3)
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