NFL Draft 2022: Giants, Jets, Eagles make blockbuster trades; Kayvon Thibodeaux or Aidan Hutchinson No. 1? Latest 1st round m

[time2rock]

NFL Draft 2022: Giants, Jets, Eagles make blockbuster trades; Kayvon Thibodeaux or Aidan Hutchinson No. 1? Latest 1st round mock

 

Updated: Dec. 20, 2021, 2:32 p.m. | Published: Dec. 20, 2021, 6:30 a.m.

By Chris Franklin | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

 

 

There is a mad dash going on in the NFL with teams trying to jockey for position for a potential postseason run. Meanwhile, at the race to the bottom, a lot of eyes are on who commissioner Roger Goodell will announce as the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

 

After a surprising upset Sunday afternoon, the draft has taken a new shape, changing the complexation and outlooks for the draft order with three weeks remaining in the regular season. Teams at the top of the draft will focus on defense, bypassing the several quarterback options that will be available.

 

With the way the draft board shapes up, the Eagles, Giants and Jets move around to collect and spend the picks they have collected to maneuver around the board and get their targeted players.

 

Based on the standings after Sunday’s games, here is the latest mock draft for the upcoming 2022 NFL Draft:

 

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon

The Lions use the first pick to select the disruptive pass rusher from Oregon. Thibodeaux uses his size (6-foot, 5-inch, 258 pounds) and quickness to become a threat coming off the edge. Thibodeaux, who had seven sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 49 total tackles, and two forced fumbles, will instantly make the Jaguars pass rush, which is among the bottom 10 in sacks this year, more potent.

 

2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

Hutchinson, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, will remain in the state of Michigan. Hutchinson is athletic enough to play outside linebacker in the Lions’ 3-4 defense, rushing the passer from the edge while being able to drop back into the flat area of hook/curl section of a zone in defense. Hutchinson would be a wise pick by the Lions, who will look to get to at least .500 next season.

 

3. Houston Texans: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

After missing out on the best pass rushers in the draft, the Texans look to fill another need: Cornerback. Stingley is a very athletic corner with the potential to have the moniker "shutdown” placed in front of him. Stingley does well in press coverage, throwing receivers off their route and disrupting the timing routes. Stingley also has the speed to keep up with the faster receivers in the league.

 

4. Jets: Evan Neal, T, Alabama

The Jets have to protect Zach Wilson if they ever want to hope he turns out to be a franchise-type quarterback. Adding Neal to be one of their cornerstone tackles would go a long way to making that happen. At 6-feet, 7-inches tall and 350 pounds, Neal could start at right tackle, replacing Morgan Moses next season before moving to left tackle in 2023.

 

5. Giants: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Wanting to improve the backend of their secondary, the Giants take the very versatile safety out of Notre Dame. Hamilton can line up in the box, playing well against the run. Hamilton can also against tight ends and even slot receivers, applying tight coverage on them. Hamilton could be an impact player for the Giants for the next decade.

 

Trade: The Giants send their 2022 first-round pick (via the Chicago Bears, No. 6) to the Atlanta Falcons for their 2021 first-round pick (No. 9 overall), 2022 third-round pick (No. 73 overall), and a 2023 first-round pick

 

6. Atlanta Falcons (via Giants via Chicago Bears): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

Would the Giants take a chance on another Ole Miss quarterback in Matt Corral, hoping that he could be the next Eli Manning? Maybe if they lose out on a trade for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. However, they have to focus on other needs picking up extra draft assets from the Falcons.

 

Looking to find their eventual replacement for Matt Ryan and worried that the Carolina Panthers would take Corral, the Falcons move up to ensure they get their guy. Corral meshes well with the offensive philosophy of Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, throwing the ball accurately but using his athleticism to move around the pocket and pick up yards when things break down around him.

 

7. Carolina Panthers: Ikem Ekwonu, OL, NC State

Not able to get the quarterback they wanted and not receiving a trade offer they like, the Panthers stand pat and decide to solidify their offensive line and protect quarterback Sam Darnold. Ekwonu will travel two and a half hours to Charlotte to play either guard or tackle for the Panthers.

 

8. Jets (via Seattle Seahawks) George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue

The Jets use their second first-round selection to add some talent to the defensive end position, selecting Karlaftis out of Purdue. Karlaftis had 4.5 sacks and 39 total tackles for the Boilermakers this season and will improve the Jets’ pass rush.

 

9. Giants (via Atlanta Falcons) Charles Cross, T, Mississippi State

The Giants felt comfortable trading down knowing they would get one of the offensive linemen they coveted. The Giants take Cross, who could start at right tackle because the Giants will not want to give up on former first-round pick Andrew Thomas.

 

10. Eagles: Ahmad "Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Gardner has not allowed a touchdown to be thrown his way and locked down his side of the field since he had played at Cincinnati. With the uncertainty of Steven Nelson returning next year because he is a free agent, selecting Gardner makes sense, making him the other outside option.

 

11. Minnesota Vikings: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

12. Washington Football Team: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pitt

13. Las Vegas Raiders: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

 

Trade: The Eagles trade their 2022 first-round pick (14th overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2022 first-round pick (No. 16 overall) and a 2022 fourth-round pick (No. 135 overall), and a 2023 second-round draft pick

 

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (via Eagles via Miami Dolphins) Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

The Eagles trade down a couple of spots to pick up another fourth-round pick this year, but an important first-round selection next year, taking advantage of the Steelers’ need to get a quarterback. The Steelers are willing to give up the assets necessary to get their replacement for Ben Roethlisberger.

 

15. Denver Broncos: David Ojabo, DE, Michigan

16. Eagles (via Pittsburgh Steelers): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

 

After getting the extra picks (one they can flip to acquire a veteran wide receiver later in the draft), the Eagles pass on, adding an insurance policy for right guard Brandon Brooks by taking Kenyon Green. However, the Eagles will take a linebacker In the first round for the first time since 1979. Lloyd has shown an ability to diagnose plays quickly and is fast enough to chase down ball carriers in the hole. Lloyd has eight sacks, 106 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and four interceptions. Lloyd’s ability to play in coverage would be worth the pick alone.

 

17. Cleveland Browns: DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A & M

18. Baltimore Ravens: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A & M

19. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

20. Buffalo Bills: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

21. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco 49ers) Darian Kinnard, OL, Kentucky

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

 

Trade: The Eagles trade their 2022 first-round draft pick (No. 23 overall) to the Jets for a 2022 second-round pick (No. 35 overall), a 2022 fourth-round pick (No. 115 overall), and a 2023 first-round pick

 

23. Jets (via Eagles via Indianapolis Colts) Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

Already picking twice in the first round, the Eagles want to get more draft capital, securing another first-round pick in 2023 by flipping the selection they received in the Carson Wentz trade. The trade allows the Eagles to move up if they want to make a big splash in next year’s draft. For the Jets, adding McCreary at cornerback means they will be getting a player with size that can help their struggling secondary.

 

24. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams) Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

25. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

26. Tennessee Titans: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

27. Arizona Cardinals: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

28. Dallas Cowboys: Travon Walker, DT, Georgia

29. New England Patriots: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State

32. Green Bay Packers: Nicholas Petit-Frere, T, Ohio State

 

https://www.nj.com/eagles/2021/12/nfl-draft-2022-eagles-giants-make-big-first-round-trades-jets-get-o-line-help-for-zach-wilson-1st-round-mock.html

[EaglesAddict]

While I wouldn't actually mind this scenario because drafting an impact CB and LB would be good, there is no way in hell the Eagles are leaving round 1 without a DE.

[time2rock]

32 minutes ago, EaglesAddict said:

While I wouldn't actually mind this scenario because drafting an impact CB and LB would be good, there is no way in hell the Eagles are leaving round 1 without a DE.

In that mock scenario it is a bit unfortunate that Ojabo goes directly after the pick we trade (and just before our new pick).  But that seems like a typical Howie situation ... rolling the dice and losing (similar to this year's draft round 3 missing out on McNeill who they reportedly wanted because he traded down a couple of slots and McNeill was picked by Detroit with the pick just before ours).  

[EaglesAddict]

21 minutes ago, time2rock said:

In that mock scenario it is a bit unfortunate that Ojabo goes directly after the pick we trade (and just before our new pick).  But that seems like a typical Howie situation ... rolling the dice and losing (similar to this year's draft round 3 missing out on McNeill who they reportedly wanted because he traded down a couple of slots and McNeill was picked by Detroit with the pick just before ours).  

Ha, yep...that would be something that would happen.  But, we'd pick Ojabo with our 1st pick in that scenario.  Hell, screw that last trade and if we came out of Round 1 with Ojabo, Gardner and Lloyd, I'd be ecstatic.  (Well, I can't say I've studied these particular players yet, but position-wise...absolutely)

[time2rock]

57 minutes ago, EaglesAddict said:

Ha, yep...that would be something that would happen.  But, we'd pick Ojabo with our 1st pick in that scenario.  Hell, screw that last trade and if we came out of Round 1 with Ojabo, Gardner and Lloyd, I'd be ecstatic.  (Well, I can't say I've studied these particular players yet, but position-wise...absolutely)

That would be one helluva haul no doubt!  

[Procus]

Have any of the pundits EVER successfully predicted a trade during the draft.

What would make for really interesting reading would be a piece comparing mock drafts from the past with actual draft results.  But nobody will do that because people would see how utterly off base the mock drafts are in the first place.

[hoosierdaddy]

5 hours ago, EaglesAddict said:

While I wouldn't actually mind this scenario because drafting an impact CB and LB would be good, there is no way in hell the Eagles are leaving round 1 without a DE.

or a lineman of some sort

[eglz1]

25 minutes ago, hoosierdaddy said:

or a lineman of some sort

Center? I don't know if they'll pick one in the first round but they need to get Kelce's replacement soon.

[weko]

Eagles netting a 4 and a 2 next year for going from 14 to 16?  Uh no.  The cost there would be between a 3 and a 4 this year.  Jets trading up their number 1 next year for the 22nd pick?  Uh no.  Joe Douglas knows that could be the 1st pick of the draft in 23.  He would never trade that pick.  You only trade future 1s for a franchise QB.  Whoever wrote this should learn more about draft pick value