Nearly all of the league’s 32 teams are now in their offseason faze as the conference championship round of the NFL playoffs are set. The journey for 28 teams to become a final four contender during the 2022 season varies, but the priority to improve is the same. The best opportunity for most teams to take a step forward now and long-term is through the NFL Draft.
Welcome to Complex Sports’ first mock draft of the offseason. Free agency, which commences in March, will absolutely change our projections as team needs fluctuate. But for now, it’s clear where teams are lacking.
The draft order for the first 28 picks has already been decided. The remaining four teams are in order of best odds to win the Super Bowl, per DraftKings. We’ll hold off on trades until closer to the draft and we have more clarity on what direction teams may go.
Let’s jump in and see where the top college football players could land in the 2022 NFL Draft.
1. Jaguars - Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
2. Lions - Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
3. Texans - Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
4. Jets - David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
5. Giants - Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
6. Panthers - Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
7. Giants (via Bears) - George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
8. Falcons - Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
9. Broncos - Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
10. Jets (via Seahawks) - Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
11. Washington Football Team - Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
12. Vikings - Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
13. Browns - Drake London, WR, USC
14. Ravens - Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
15. Eagles (via Dolphins) - Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
16. Eagles (via Colts) - Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
17. Chargers - Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
18. Saints - Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
19. Eagles - Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
20. Steelers - Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Size: 6’3”, 290 pounds
We don’t often see a first-round center, so the player must be quite special to make it into the first 32 picks as an interior offensive lineman. Linderbaum is a fantastic center and could go even higher than the 20th pick come April. Here, the Steelers get lucky to land their next stalwart in the middle of their line.
Of course, Pittsburgh needs a quarterback to take snaps from the athletic Linderbaum. They appear better suited for a veteran than a rookie, though. Linderbaum would immediately help resuscitate a line desperately needing his run blocking skill.