The Super Bowl is here, but for the teams looking forward to their first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Senior Bowl was the biggest event of the past two weeks. Many of the best prospects were on display in Mobile, including all the quarterbacks vying to go first off the board in April.
The
Ted Williams Jersey picks, before trades, are still set from No. 1-30 after the conference championship round of the playoffs, just waiting on the result between the Bengals and Rams (whose first-rounder belongs to the Lions).
Keeping in mind the fluctuating player stock and knowing nine teams now have new head coaches, here are Sporting News' latest projections:
MORE 2022 NFL Draft:
NFL Mock Draft 2022
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14)
Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon(6-5, 258 pounds)
The Jaguars already have their franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence to work with new offensive-minded head coach Doug Pederson, so they should go for the best player on the board vs. an offensive lineman. On top of the being the most athletic anddisruptive pa s rusher in this cla s, Thibodeaux is versatile enough to be effective dropping back. He can thrive in Mike Caldwell Buccaneers-styled front seven.
2. Detroit Lions (3-13-1)
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan (6-6, 265 pounds)
The Lions, with Thibodeaux off the board, should simply get a different kind of elite pa s rusher for their defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn. Hutchinson plays with great energy and power and is still developing his already-strong pa s-rush moves. He might be ideal for a 4-3 end, but he's shown he can wreak havoc in any front.
3. Houston Texans (4-13)
Ikem Ekwonu, G, NC State (6-4, 320 pounds)
Should the Texans dump the big contract of Laremy Tunsil this offseason,
Blank Jersey it would make sense to a potential left tackle with the athleticism to hold up well in pa s protection. Ekwonu also is a powerful run blocker with the type of nasty streak that'sneeded to dominate.
MORE:
4. New York Jets (4-13)
Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame (6-4, 220 pounds)
The Jets were smart to move on from Jamal Adams and now that Marcus Maye is a free agent, they should think about a big-time cleanup playmaker for Robert Saleh's defense. Hamilton flies around in run support, but also handles himself nicely in coverage and can get to the quarterback. He's a Derwin James-type game-changer.
5. New York Giants (4-13)
Evan Neal, OT, Alabama (6-7, 350 pounds)
Neal has fallen a bit behind Ekwonu but he's still a top-flight tackle prospect in every which way with great pedigree as the anchor of an explosive college offense. The Giants need to upgrade the offensive line for coach Brian Daboll and Neal would be a fine bookend opposite Andrew Thomas to help Daniel Jones.
6. Carolina Panthers
Charles Cro s, OT, Mi si sippi State (6-5, 310 pounds)
The Panthers may opt to not addre s quarterback
Craig Kimbrel Jersey early in this draft and instead go after addre sing their biggest offensive weakne s overall. Cro s is a similar strength-power prospect to Ekwonu with his own mean and nasty blocking style. He has untapped upside with his footwork and agility.
7. New York Giants (from Chicago Bears)
Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa (6-3, 290 pounds)
The Giants, should they eschew replacing Jones, should think about doubling down up front for Daboll. After getting Neal to lock down the outside, it would make sense to shore up the inside. Linderbaum, an intelligent rock of an interior blocker and a perfect long-term line leader,would be a great fit as a major upgrade from Billy Price.
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU (6-1, 195 pounds)
The Falcons have found a gem at cornerback A.J. Terrell but could use another dynamic playmaker for the back end of Dean Pees 3-4 pre sure defense. They will also be ready to land Hamilton, but either way they should be ecstatic to upgrade their secondary with a can't-mi s well-rounded player.
9. Denver Broncos (7-10)
Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah (6
Boston Red Sox Jersey -3, 235 pounds)
The Broncos should be strongly considered in play for Aaron Rodgers after hiring former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their head coach. So for now, until that situation is settled or not during the free agency period, it would make sense to pivot to the rangy, active Lloyd, given both Alexander Johnson and Josey Jewell are pending free agents.
MORE:
10. New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks)
George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue (6-4, 275 pounds)
The Jets shouldn't mind loading up on pa s defense for Saleh after getting Hamilton to upgrade the back end in a big way. They need to target an ideal 4-3 end who can remind Saleh a little of Nick Bosa (6-4, 266 pounds). Karlaftis po se ses elite athleticism for his size and is still tapping into his immense pa s-rush potential.
11. Washington Commanders (7-10)
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty (6-1, 215 pounds)
Ron Rivera found some good succe s attaching himself to another former Auburn quarterback, Cam Newton, more than a decade ago with the Panthers. Willis is another big-armed and athletic pa ser in a more compact but Ru sell Wilson-like well-built package. He stood as the best QB at the Senior Bowl, showing his small-school transfer only raised his ma sive game. He will fit well in Scott Turner's offense.
12. Minnesota Vikings (8-9)
Garrett
Wade Boggs Jersey Wilson, WR, Ohio State (6-0, 188 pounds)
The Vikings, with Adam Thielen about to enter his 32 season coming off an ankle injury, need to upgrade No. 2 wide receiver for new offensive-minded coach Kevin O'Connell. Wilson is a little safer
Matt Barnes Jersey than Alabama's Jameson Williams for that purpose.Wilson would be a dynamic after-the-catch complement to the amazing Justin Jefferson with his smarts, quickne s, route-running and hands.
13. Cleveland Browns (8-9)
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama (6-2, 189)
Williams is coming off a torn ACL but he has still seen his stock stay up because of his hands, route-running and his best a set, flat-out field stretching speed as a future NFL No. 1. The Browns need that kind of player, regardle s of who's starting for them at quarterback to push them forward from the Odell Beckham Jr. me s.
14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson (6-0, 200 pounds)
The Ravens ended the season with an injury-riddled me s at cornerback. They need to rejuvenate their coverage to boost their blitzing scheme. Booth has fine size, strength and aggre sivene s, combining that well with big-play ball skills.
The Super Bowl is here, but for the teams looking forward to their first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Senior Bowl was the biggest event of the past two weeks. Many of the best prospects were on display in Mobile, including all the quarterbacks vying to go first off the board in April.
