2022 NFL mock draft 4.0
By Brooks Kubena | April 23, 2022 | Updated: April 23, 2022 10:45 AM
The NFL draft is less than a week away, with the first round April 28.
For the first time since 2019, the Texans will be drafting in the first round, with picks at No. 3 and No. 13 after the Deshaun Watson trade.
In his fourth mock draft, Texans writer Brooks Kubena projects this year's first round.
1. JACKSONVILLE
Travon Walker, Georgia, DE
Comment: Jaguars GM Trent Baalke has a history of selecting the athletic freak over the “sure thing” prospect, which is why we’ve had Jacksonville taking Travon Walker since our first mock draft. This is still the top choice from a very deep group of edge rushers. Walker’s 6-5, 272-pound frame, his impressive NFL combine workout and schematic versatility as both a pass-rusher and a run-stopper add up to an upside that makes him the favorite here.
2. DETROIT
Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan, DE
Comment: Nope, still don’t see the Lions passing on a potential home state hero. Hutchinson’s 16½ tackles for loss and 14 sacks in 2021 had him finish as the Heisman runner-up, and we still think he could potentially go No. 1 overall. If he does, Detroit would be taking an unnecessary risk selecting a quarterback over the second available pass rusher. Their lacks run deeper than Jared Goff, who played consistent enough last season.
3. HOUSTON
Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State, OT
Comment: GM Nick Caserio discussed versatility in general on Thursday, saying just because one player fulfilled multiple roles for his college team, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be able to do the same in Houston’s scheme. Even if Ekwonu’s time at guard in North Carolina State’s offense doesn’t completely translate to the Texans, his prowess as a run-blocker still makes him an elite option at offensive tackle. The Texans must fix their run-game issues, and selecting an O-lineman also invests in second-year quarterback Davis Mills and newly promoted offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.
4. N.Y. JETS
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon, DE
Comment: We’ve gone cornerback the last two weeks here, both with Ahmad Gardner and Derek Stingley. Both players could still be selected here, but it shouldn’t be discounted that the defensive minded Robert Saleh would value a premier pass rusher for his front. Thibodeaux, a unanimous All-American, is one of the top talents in this draft despite falling due to reported questions about his hustle.
5. N.Y. GIANTS
Evan Neal, Alabama, OT
Comment: Giants co-owner John Mara said they’ve done “everything possible” to “screw up” their No. 6 overall pick in 2019, quarterback Daniel Jones, and we still think it’s a no-brainer to invest in protecting him after getting sacked 105 times in three seasons. Neal is the remaining top offensive lineman in this situation, but if Ekwonu were available, expect him in New York, too.
6. CAROLINA
Malik Willis, Liberty, QB
Comment: Panthers coach Matt Rhule is on the hot seat in Year 3 and by picking Willis, he attempts to stop the franchise’s quarterback carousel. Carolina also swung and missed at trying to land former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in a potential trade. That would’ve cost them at least three first-round picks. They get Willis with just one.
7. N.Y. GIANTS (FROM CHICAGO)
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, Cincinnati, CB
Comment: Newly hired Giants general manager Joe Schoen supplied the offense with a core lineman at No. 5. Now, he gets a potential lockdown corner at No. 7 in Gardner, who some still consider the top cornerback in the draft. Schoen says he’s not closing the door on keeping Pro Bowler James Bradberry, which could influence whether the Giants pick a corner here. But the 6-2, 190-pound Cincinnati star could still give New York another lengthy defender on the perimeter.
8. ATLANTA
Kenny Pickett, Pitt, QB
Comment: The draft’s run on quarterbacks has begun. The rebuilding Falcons could be desperate enough to leap the Panthers so they can select their top choice at quarterback. But Caserio said Thursday he expects few teams will be willing to trade up to No. 3. Maybe Atlanta is one of those few. The Falcons hold two second-round picks and two third-round picks.
9. SEATTLE (FROM DENVER)
Charles Cross, Mississippi State, OT
Comment: The rebuilding Seahawks need to think about drafting cornerstones. And coach Pete Carroll may decide he’s content at quarterback after signing Geno Smith in the wake of their franchise-resetting trade of quarterback Russell Wilson to the Broncos. They don’t immediately need to start chasing a new quarterback, especially in a draft that isn’t deep at the position. It makes more sense to pick an offensive tackle who can protect Smith or Drew Lock, brace for a spotty 2022, then be in position to use some of the Wilson draft capital to select a QB in a deep 2023.
10. N.Y. JETS (FROM SEATTLE)
Garrett Wilson, Ohio State, WR
Comment: The Jets secured a cornerback to bolster the back end of their defense, and now they’ll equip quarterback Zach Wilson with the go-to target that he needs at wide receiver. New York addressed the need in the second round last year with Ole Miss receiver Elijah Moore, and they’ll add the speedy Wilson (4.38 at the NFL combine) to boost offensive productivity.
11. WASHINGTON
Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame, S
Comment: It will be tough for Washington GM Martin Mayhew to deny his defensive-minded coach, Ron Rivera, the opportunity to create a havoc-forcing unit that maximizes former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young’s impact by adding a playmaker like Kyle Hamilton on the back end. The 6-4, 220-pound safety is a versatile defensive back that Rivera, a Lovie Smith disciple, can use in multiple ways.
12. MINNESOTA
Derek Stingley Jr., LSU, CB
Comment: If Stingley falls this far, it’d be a surprise. There may be a team that’d be willing to trade up to pick the former All-American. Maybe the Texans are that team. His season-ending Lisfranc surgery in 2021 is less of a concern since he posted a 4.37 at LSU’s pro day, and the Vikings, which need a cornerback, could pair Stingley with fellow LSU alumnus Patrick Peterson.
13. HOUSTON (FROM CLEVELAND)
Jameson Williams, Alabama, WR
Comment: Caserio provided a little insight into the Texans’ thinking when it comes to injured draft picks like Williams, who suffered a torn ACL in January’s national championship game. “You’re worried about this year,” he said, but clarified part of his job is to “worry about the long-term position of the franchise and try to put ourselves in the best position possible.” The electric Williams would add another explosive option beyond Brandin Cooks, whose 134 targets more than doubled anyone else on the roster last season, and could elevate a vertical passing game that was all too lacking in 2021. Other teams might be interested in trading up for Williams, too.
14. BALTIMORE
Jermaine Johnson, Florida State, DE
15. PHILADELPHIA (FROM MIAMI)
Jordan Davis, Georgia, DT
16. NEW ORLEANS (FROM INDIANAPOLIS VIA PHILADELPHIA)
Chris Olave, Ohio State, WR
17. L.A. CHARGERS
Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa, OT
18. PHILADELPHIA (FROM NEW ORLEANS)
Drake London, USC, WR
19. NEW ORLEANS (FROM PHILADELPHIA)
Devin Lloyd, Utah, LB
20. PITTSBURGH
Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati, QB
21. NEW ENGLAND
Trent McDuffie, Washington, CB
22. GREEN BAY (FROM LAS VEGAS)
Treylon Burks, Arkansas, WR
23. ARIZONA
George Karlaftis, Purdue, DE
24. DALLAS
Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa, C
25. BUFFALO
Devonte Wyatt, Georgia, DT
26. TENNESSEE
Zion Johnson, Boston College, OG
27. TAMPA BAY
Kenyon Green, Texas A&M, OG
28. GREEN BAY
Travis Jones, Connecticut, DT
29. KANSAS CITY (FROM SAN FRANCISCO VIA MIAMI)
Daxton Hill, Michigan, S
30. KANSAS CITY
Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State, DE
31. CINCINNATI
Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan, OL
32. DETROIT (FROM L.A. RAMS)
Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Photos: Associated Press, Getty Images
