2022 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Kyle Odegard’s Final Predictions

It’s finally here. The NFL draft is on Thursday, with the Jacksonville Jaguars set to be the first team on the clock.

It can be a challenge separating fact from fiction the day before the draft, but luckily I’ve figured it all out. Here’s my final mock draft heading into the real thing.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: DL Travon Walker, Georgia

Odds Walker goes No. 1, via BetMGM: -300

Last time: Edge Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

It has been a meteoric rise for Walker, who was projected as a mid-to-late first-round pick before the Combine. Now he is the odds-on favorite to go No. 1, supplanting Hutchinson. The Jaguars seem likely to take a pass-rusher, and Walker’s upside is hard to ignore.

2. Detroit Lions: Edge Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan

Odds Hutchinson goes No. 2: -200

Last time: Edge Kayvon Thibodeuax, Oregon

The Lions should be happy with the way this turns out. Hutchinson is a high-floor player who should be able to help immediately on defense. Detroit is slowly rebuilding and finding elite players at premium positions is a big key. 

3. Houston Texans: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

Odds Thibodeaux goes No. 3: +700

Last time: CB Sauce Gardner, Cincinnati

LSU CB Derek Stingley has +200 odds to go to Houston at No. 3, which would be a big departure from all the mock drafts that have pass-rushers and pass protectors going early. The belief here is that the Texans stick with Thibodeaux, who has the ability to disrupt games off the edge.

4. New York Jets: CB Sauce Gardner, Cincinnati

Odds Gardner is the first cornerback selected: -145

Last time: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

The Jets are likely to decide between Gardner and tackle Ikem Ekwonu with this pick. New York has decent offensive tackles right now and Gardner could be a plug-and-play impact starter from Day 1, which pushes me in that direction.

5. New York Giants: T Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State

Odds Ekwonu is the first offensive lineman selected: -200

Last time: OT Evan Neal, Alabama

The Giants will have their pick of offensive tackles if the draft plays out this way. Evan Neal reportedly has injury concerns, which would make Ekwonu the logical choice to pair with Andrew Thomas in New York.

6. Carolina Panthers: QB Malik Willis, Liberty

Odds Willis is the first quarterback selected: -175

Last time: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

It’s not a great quarterback class, but the Panthers desperately need one, and Willis has the most upside of the bunch. Carolina coach Matt Rhule could be tying his fortunes to whichever signal-caller the Panthers choose, and Willis is the best bet.

7. New York Giants: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Last time: Edge Travon Walker, Georgia

The Kadarius Toney situation is already troublesome, and if the Giants move on, they would be well-served to find a new dynamic young wideout. Wilson fits that bill.

8. Atlanta Falcons: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama

Last time: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama

The Falcons need elite playmakers, and Williams is certainly one of those. Atlanta is not going to be good in 2022 so Williams won’t need to rush back from his torn ACL.

9. Seattle Seahawks: T Evan Neal, Alabama

Last time: T Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State

The Seahawks could seriously consider cornerback Derek Stingley, edge rusher Jermaine Johnson or a quarterback here, but the line has been an issue for a long time, and fortifying it with a player like Neal would help kickstart a rebuild.

10. New York Jets: WR Drake London, USC

Last time: CB Derek Stingley, LSU

If the Jets grab a defensive player at No. 4, it seems likely they go with a wideout here. With Wilson and Williams off the board, London makes a lot of sense. There is also chatter the Jets could deal this pick for Deebo Samuel, though I would prefer the lower cost of a rookie.

11. Washington Commanders: T Charles Cross, Mississippi State

Last time: S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

The Commanders would have some intriguing options if the draft plays out like this. Cross has a lot of top-10 buzz and if he falls out of it, Washington could beef up its line with this pick.

12. Minnesota Vikings: CB Derek Stingley, LSU

Last time:  CB Trent McDuffie, Washington

The Vikings would likely be pretty happy if Stingley lasts until No. 12. It would fill an immediate need and give the team a player with some of the highest upside in the draft.

13. Houston Texans: S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

Last time: WR Drake London, USC

Hamilton’s slide finally ends at No. 13. He’s a terrific player, but a safety with a so-so 40-yard-dash time could keep teams away in the early portion of the draft. The Texans would likely be pretty happy with this scenario.

14. Baltimore Ravens: DT Jordan Davis, Georgia

Last time: DT Jordan Davis, Georgia

I’ve stuck with this pick for awhile because Davis really matches up well with the Ravens, and he seems likely to be around at No. 14. Davis would immediately upgrade the Baltimore interior.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

Last time: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

The Eagles could use another dynamic pass-catcher alongside DeVonta Smith, and Olave would be a nice complement. Philadelphia has a pair of first-round picks and seems likely to spend one on a wide receiver.

16. New Orleans Saints:  T Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

Last time: QB Malik Willis, Liberty

The Saints lost Terron Armstead in free agency and would love to find a talented young tackle in the draft. Penning is a polarizing prospect but the Saints may like what they see.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington

Last time: T Charles Cross, Mississippi State

The Chargers have revamped their defense this offseason and could continue down that path by adding a talented corner. McDuffie, J.C. Jackson and Asante Samuel would be a nice trio.

18. Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Jermaine Johnson, Florida State

Last time: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah

The Eagles signed Haason Reddick in free agency but could still add to the group if Johnson falls this far and they have a positive evaluation.

19. New Orleans Saints: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah

Last time: T Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

The Saints have a great defense but some of the mainstays are getting long in the tooth. Lloyd would help inject the unit with some young potential.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

Last time: QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

The Steelers could have their pick of several different quarterbacks when they go on the clock in the first round. Pickett seems like a good pick for a win-now roster.

21. New England Patriots: CB Kaiir Elam, Florida

Last time: Edge Jermaine Johnson, Florida State 

New England has lost Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson, and needs to replenish the cornerback position. Elam is a solid prospect with athleticism and upside.

22. Green Bay Packers: OLB George Karlaftis, Purdue

Last time: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

The Packers lost Za’Darius Smith in free agency, and as much attention is being paid to the wide receiver group, the pass-rush also needs improvement. Karlaftis’ stock seems to be dropping but this is a worthy gamble in the latter half of the first round.

23. Arizona Cardinals: C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

Last time: Edge George Karlaftis, Purdue

It would be a dream scenario for one of the top four receivers to fall, but it seems unlikely. The Cardinals’ interior offensive line was bludgeoned by the Rams twice last season and needs to be bulked up. If the Cardinals believe Linderbaum can play guard before eventually replacing Rodney Hudson at center, this would be a logical fit, and it would give an aging group some new blood. 

24. Dallas Cowboys: LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia

Last time: LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia

The Cowboys could look at Zion Johnson in this spot, but Dean would help build up a defense that made major strides last season. Dallas could be one of the more well-rounded teams in the NFC next season and Dean would help that.

25. Buffalo Bills: RB Breece Hall, Iowa State

Last time: RB Breece Hall, Iowa State

It’s not en vogue to draft a running back in the first round, but Hall has the traits of a special player. His value is much fairer here than in the top-5 like a Leonard Fournette or Saquon Barkley, and the Bills could plug him in immediately and get production.

26. Tennessee Titans: G Zion Johnson, Boston College

Last time: G Zion Johnson, Boston College

The Titans have a throwback offense which is dependent on the running game and a strong offensive line. Therefore, it would not be a surprise to see them go with Johnson here to supplement that group.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia

Last time: CB Kyler Gordon, Washington

Wyatt has dropped because of reported character concerns, but the Bucs could decide to take a chance. The roster is already Super Bowl-ready, and Wyatt could be in line to replace Ndamukong Suh in Tampa.

28. Green Bay Packers: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Last time: DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia

The Packers need to find some players who can make things happen with the ball in their hands, and Burks fits that bill. He won’t be a polished product out of the gate, but Aaron Rodgers will be able to help maximize his abilities as a rookie.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State

Last time: WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Watson is a toolsy yet inconsistent player. Like Burks in Green Bay, this would put the onus on coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes to get the most out of him. It’s not a bad risk to take.

30. Kansas City Chiefs: Edge Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State

Last time:  DE Boye Mafe, Minnesota

Kansas City badly needs to boost its pass-rush. There are some different options available, and while Ebiketie won’t be great against the run, he projects as an intriguing sack artist.

31. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Andrew Booth, Clemson

Last time: CB Andrew Booth, Clemson

The Bengals could go a number of different ways here after making the Super Bowl, but cornerback still makes the most sense. Booth and Kyler Gordon are both intriguing options for Cincinnati. 

32. Detroit Lions: QB Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

Last time: S Lewis Cine, Georgia 

The Lions may forgo the quarterback class and keep building slowly. However, if they like any of the signal-callers still on the board, this is a great spot to take one, because it is cheap and gives the team the fifth-year option possibility for being a first-round pick.