The 2022 NFL Draft has taken a back seat to NFL free agency for a little while. Before teams around the league settle on their prospect rankings and round-by-round plan of action in late April, many have gotten a good start addressing their needs going into next season and beyond in mid March. Others have taken more personnel hits.
The two biggest changes involve the Packers and Texans, as well as the Raiders and Browns. While Green Bay and Houston are now picking twice after the Davante Adams and Deshaun Watson trades, neither Las Vegas nor Cleveland will go on the clock on April 28.
Before expanding back into two and three rounds again, that means Sporting News has to reset the mock draft table with updated first-round projections based on the recent developments involving re-signings, signings and trades. Here’s how SN now sees things going from No. 1 to No. 32:
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NFL Mock Draft 2022
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14)
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Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan (6-6, 260 pounds)
The Jaguars have been very aggressive rebuilding their defense on every level in free agency, which is definitely setting up having Hutchinson’s relentless and explosive pass-rushing as their cornerstone to make everyone else better.
2. Detroit Lions (3-13-1)
- Ickey Ekwonu, OT/G, NC State (6-4, 310 pounds)
The Lions have a pretty strong line with Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai and 2021 first-round Penei Sewell. They could field the best front five in the league by getting Ekwonu to upgrade over Jonah Jackson inside. He is a strong, powerful, nasty athlete who can dominate at left guard before replacing Decker at left tackle at some point.
3. Houston Texans (4-13)
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Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame (6-4, 220 pounds)
The Texans are keeping Laremy Tunsil on a restructured contract so they can table left tackle and also know they have a second first-rounder available this year after trading Watson. Here they can get a dominant all-around cleanup man against run and pass for defensive-minded coach Lovie Smith’s secondary.
MORE: Each team’s worst NFL Draft regret
4. New York Jets (4-13)
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Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon (6-4, 254 pounds)
The Jets should be thrilled if Thibodeaux slips here to become the explosive cornerstone pass-rusher for coach Robert Saleh, which will remind him of having Nick Bosa powering his defense in San Francisco. This makes great sense as the follow-up high first-rounder to quarterback Zach Wilson.
5. New York Giants (4-13)
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Evan Neal, OT, Alabama (6-7, 337 pounds)
The Giants have hacked away on their offensive line by getting new interior starting options in Matt Gono, Jon Feliciano and Mark Glowinski. They also parted ways with Nate Solder. They need a rock of an all-around tackle to complement the edge blocking of first-rounder Andrew Thomas. Neal fits the bill for former Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
6. Carolina Panthers (5-12)
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Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State (6-5, 307 pounds)
The Panthers may opt to not to take a quarterback early and instead address their biggest offensive weakness overall. Cross 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)
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Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU (6-1, 195 pounds)
Stingley is in play for this pick with the rumors the Giants are trying to move James Bradberry and his big contract under new GM Joe Scoen. Stingley is a big and long dynamic cover man and elite on-ball playmaking skills in the Jalen Ramsey mold.
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
- Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State (5-11, 183 pounds)
The Falcons need to address wide receiver early now with Calvin Ridley suspended for 2022 and Russell Gage gone in free agency. Wilson will give Atlanta a bona fide new No. 1 wideout with his smarts, quickness, route-running and hands
9. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos)
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Malik Willis, QB, Liberty (6-0, 219 pounds)
Willis proved he should be a top-10 pick for a QB needy team, which the Seahawks suddenly became after the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade that yielded this pick in return. Willis can be their new version of Wilson with a strong arm, fine athleticism and overall toughness.
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10. New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks)
- Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati (6-2, 190 pounds)
Saleh, should Thibodeaux land in New York to be his next Bosa, can also get his version of Richard Sherman on the field in this nasty, fearless and now extremely speedy cover man. He would be a nice starting complement to new addition D.J. Reed.
11. Washington Commanders (7-10)
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Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa (6-7, 325 pounds)
The Commanders are reshuffling the line at guard with Andrew Norwell replacing Brandon Scherff and Ereck Flowers being released. Left tackle Charles Leno Jr is coming off a strong season and Sam Cosmi is a good candidate to be either a strong swing backup or prepare to take over for Flowers. Penning, with natural strength and power for right tackle, also wowed with athleticism at the Combine and would be the best player available to boost new QB Carson Wentz.
12. Minnesota Vikings (8-9)
- Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa (6-2, 296 pounds)
The Vikings must accept that Garrett Bradbury, who was benched last season, is a big bust at center. After hitting on left tackle Christian Darrisaw in last year’s first round, Linderbaum makes good sense for new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and offensive-minded head coach Kevin O’Connell. Linderbaum can dominate run blocking for Dalvin Cook and also connect well snapping to Kirk Cousins as a young leader of the offensive line.
13. Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns)
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Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia (6-5, 272 pounds)
Walker has proved to be versatile and explosive coming off a superstar Combine. He can line up anywhere on Houston’s front for new defensive coordinator Smith and can be downright disruptive. This would be a great use of the pick acquired in the Watson trade.
14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
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David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan (6-5, 250 pounds)
The Ravens love Odafe Oweh, their late first-rounder from 2021 and Ojabo is his best friend and also inspired by his explosive, relentless play in getting after the quarterback, a reason why he rose up boards fast through the Combine before suffering a leg/ankle injury at his pro day. Baltimore can stash Ojabo for the future as an impactful situational pass rusher at first.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins)
- Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State (6-0, 187 pounds)
The Eagles look like they hit on DeVonta Smith but they already made a big speed and quickness whiff on Jalen Reagor in the first round. They can make amends by getting the polished and smooth Olave to play off Smith and take the passing game to a much higher level with Jalen Hurts.
MORE: The biggest steals in NFL Draft history
16. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis Colts)
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George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue (6-4, 266 pounds)
The Eagles have some issues at defensive end with Brandon Graham coming off a torn Achilles’ at 33, Josh Sweat being ineffective and Derek Barnett not re-signed as a free agent. They can put this different “Greek freak” in green to boost their versatile front after adding Haason Reddick as a linebacker hybrid in free agency.
17. Los Angeles Chargers (9-8)
- Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia (6-6, 340 pounds)
The Chargers need to upgrade their run defense big time. Their entire front three struggled in that capacity. Coach Brandon Staley was used to having Aaron Donald as his 3-4 linchpin with the other Los Angeles team. Davis is a massive player who disrupts plays with great quickness for his size and is a good complement to new addition Sebastian Joseph-Day.
18. New Orleans Saints (9-8)
The Saints may be thinking differently about QB with concerns about Jameis Winston coming off a major knee injury and Taysom Hill’s passing limitations and wide receiver isn’t so big of an issue with Michael Thomas back in the fold. Pickett has the right solid all-around arm, accuracy, makeup and athleticism to fare well in Pete Carmichael’s system as the true successor to Drew Brees.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (9-8)
- Devonte Wyatt, DE/DT, Georgia (6-3, 304 pounds)
The Eagles might bring back released Fletcher Cox on a restructured contract but they also know he’s 31 and will start to fade as an impact player up front soon. Wyatt’s hybrid nature of being able to play all line positions fits their need to a tee.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7-1)
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Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati (6-3, 211 pounds)
The Steelers cannot mess around with Mitchell Trubisky being more than a veteran bridge contingency and upgrade over Mason Rudolph. They could think offensive line here, but Ridder’s experience, leadership, strong arm and sometimes dazzling athleticism provides the ideal makeup for Mike Tomlin’s next playmaking leader to replace Ben Roethlisberger.
21. New England Patriots (10-7)
- Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia (5-11, 229 pounds)
Dean has rangy athleticism that allow him fly sideline-to-sideline to make plays. He has coverage and blitz versatility to please Bill Belichick as his replacement defensive leader for Dont’a Hightower.
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22. Green Bay Packers (from Raiders)
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Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama (6-1, 179 pounds)
The Packers need to be on high alert for wide receivers after the shocking Davante Adams trade to the Raiders that got them this second, earlier first-rounder. Williams is a technically sound No. 1 with good hands and flat-out big-play ability to play well off Aaron Rodgers’ big arm.
23. Arizona Cardinals (11-6)
- Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State (6-5, 254 pounds)
The Cardinals didn’t re-sign Chandler Jones so this would be a nice pivot to maintain the strength of their pass rush. Johnson has flashed some welcome freakish qualities but more have gotten to see the all-around substance to his game.
24. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
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Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M (6-4, 323 pounds)
The Cowboys needed to let Connor Williams leave in free agency and also release La’el Collins. Green would be the ideal strong and athleticism replacement for their scheme to support Tyler Biadasz and Zack Martin inside.
25. Buffalo Bills (11-6)
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Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington (5-10, 193 pounds)
The Bills need a good No. 2 corner to Tre’Davious White after losing Levi Wallace in free agency and White will be coming off a torn ACL for his Age 27 season. With limited weaknesses as Super Bowl contenders and armed with Von Miller in the edge pass rush, they should look for a direct replacement for Wallace outside. McDuffie can offer great explosiveness and quickness for Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier.
26. Tennessee Titans (12-5)
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Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota (6-3, 261 pounds)
The Titans re-signed Harold Landry before he got to free agency but could use a strong complement opposite him to upgrade from disappointing former Steeler Bud Dupree. Mafe has been an astronomical riser because of recent showcases of his explosiveness as a pass rusher with top-flight athleticism.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4)
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Lewis Cine, S, Georgia (6-1, 200 pounds)
The Buccaneers were in line to reach a little for.a quarterback had Tom Brady stayed retired, but now with Brady back they can go after a replacement for free-agent departure Jordan Whitehead next to Antoine Winfield Jr. Cine can smack around players and intimidate, but he also has underrated coverage skills along with ace athleticism.
MORE: Packers’ best options to replace Davante Adams in draft, free agency
28. Green Bay Packers (13-4)
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Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas (6-2, 225 pounds)
The Packers should think about doubling down on wide receiver early and the combination of Williams and Burks can make Rodgers very happy after losing Adams. Burks is a huge target with reliable big hands to match. He profiles a little like Adams but a lot more like Deebo Samuel.
29. Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco 49ers)
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Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah (6-3, 237 pounds)
The Dolphins need to upgrade their second level with more reliable playmaking. Lloyd is like Dean in the fact he covers a lot of ground but it’s his special skills vs. the pass that stand out as both a cover man and blitzer.
30. Kansas City Chiefs
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Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida (6-2, 191 pounds)
The Chiefs, even after signing Justin Reid for safety, need to address their secondary given Charvarius Ward left in free agency and Tyrann Mathieu isn’t returning. Elam is a big, efficient corner with nice length to cover bigger receivers and displays explosive athleticism at times.
31. Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)
- Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson (6-0, 194 pounds)
The Bengals have Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton at cornerback but need to keep building young depth there after seeing Eli Apple’s struggles in coverage. Booth’s size, strength and aggressive would give them more big-play potential on the back end.
32. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams)
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Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss (6-1, 212 pounds)
After getting Ekwonu to make their offensive line dominant, the Lions should turn their attention toward addressing franchise QB. Corral makes the most sense here with Ridder off the board.
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