2022 NFL Mock Draft - RD1 Picks 17-32

Patching one of the few holes in their spiffed-up roster, the Chargers let the draft bring them OG Zion Johnson of Boston College, the most plug and play guard prospect in this year's crop. Johnson is huge at 6-5 and 312, and offers deluxe power and strength and advanced technique to anchor the inner line. After playing some tackle at BC, Johnson moves well for a guard and should help keep Justin Herbert clean from inside rushers.

The Los Angeles Chargers pick Boston College Guard Zion Johnson at No. 17 overall.

84.4 PFF grade in 2021 (2nd among ACC Guards) ?? pic.twitter.com/vZDc2VAxJA

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 29, 2022

Tom Telesco has enjoyed great success sitting tight and picking up stars at need positions, and Johnson may well keep his run alive. Grade: A-

--Jud Branam, Chargers Analyst

Out with the old and highly paid, in with the new rookie deal. The Tennessee Titans took bold action to get younger at big wideout, shipping out A.J. Brown and his $100 million second contract for the rookie deal of Arkansas star Treylon Burks. Burks and Brown both weigh 225 pounds and turn sub 4.5 40s, while Burks is an inch taller at 6-2.

#Titans take Treylon Burks at 18...but no A.J. Brown to pair with. Kid is about to walk into an absolute shit storm

— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) April 29, 2022

Burks is not as measurably athletic as Brown, but he has a gift for winning contested balls and making leaping catches downfield. PFF graded him highest among active SEC receivers at year end. This will be an interesting salary cap gambit to follow. Grade: B+

Northern Iowa's Trevor Penning is a massive and physical run-blocker who is not afraid to get nasty. He will He dominated his MVFC opposing competition with regularity. PFF graded him a 99.9 run-blocking grade. Click here to check him out at the NFL combine, where he scored the fifth-fastest 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash among linemen (1.65), despite weighing in at 325 pounds. Players his size should not move the way Penning can. He has an excellent pre-snap bend to set up his initial poo on contact to win leverage. At this stage, fleur-de-lis fans should not expect Penning to be the next Terron Armstead. He needs to work on his technique and reduce his holding penalties. But, with the all QBs on the draft board, the Saints - and let's face it, a Drew Brees replacement would be nice - were excited to grab the OT.

Grade: C

~DatBudMan, Saints Analyst

The Steelers kicked the tires on the top 6 quarterbacks in this class, travelling to Pro-Days across the nation to end up picking the kid next door. Pickett's first few seasons weren't in line with a draftable QB, let alone a RD1 guy. However, much like Frampton, Pickett came alive in the 2021 season, leading the Panthers to an 11-3 record, posting 42 TDs to 8 INTs.

He impressed at the Senior Bowl as the most pro-ready prospect. Practicing in the same facility and having a former Steeler coach as an OC gave the Steelers the inside track on Pickett's evaluation. He has the athleticism needed to run the wrinkles that OC Matt Canada would like to fit into the Steelers offense. His limitations are primarily of a physical nature giving the team further confidence in the evaluation.

Grade: B+

One draft day rumor was that the Chiefs were attempting to trade up for CB Kiaar Elam. With both Charvarius Ward (49ers) and Mike Hughes (Lions) gone via free agency, the KC needed to fill the void at CB. I believe the team was surprised that Trent McDuffie, who was ranked higher than Elam, fell to pick 21. We all know how GM Brett Veach loves to trade up when he sees the guy he wants. Thus, the deal with the Devil (Bill Belichick) was made.

McDuffie is a tier-1 athlete, a versatile defender who can play in play in multiple schemes and positions . In his three-year career with the Huskies, McDuffie had 2 INTs, 8 passes deflected, and 3 forced fumbles. He tallied 35 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss last year. He is a tough defender against the run and a physical tackler. McDuffie will line up on the line of scrimmage and play fast and blitzes with speed and aggression.

Why did the Chiefs choose CB when one of the top Edge targets (Jermaine Johnson) was on the board? The answer is simple: Gabriel Davis would have scored 5 TDs if the new overtime rules were in effect last season. Hopefully, McDuffie is next Marcus Peters.

Grade: B-

~KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst

Quay Walker was a noted riser, often listed as a surprise first-round pick, before being mocked to Green Bay by several national outlets earlier today. This shouldn't be a total shock, but it still feels like it is. Green Bay historically devalued the ILB position before giving De'Vondre Campbell a lucrative extension and now investing an RD1 selection in Walker. The Packers are betting on Walker's athleticism (9.63 RAS) over college production (5 sacks and 11 TFL on his career). With some talented pass rushers on the board and a huge need at WR, this feel like a reach.

Grade: C-

The Green Bay Packers pick Georgia LB Quay Walker at No. 22 overall.

ZERO touchdowns allowed in 548 career coverage snaps ?? pic.twitter.com/zerCJO6pwt

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 29, 2022

The Bills have been mocked Breece Hall throughout the process, with many draft pundits claiming he'd be the missing piece to this offense. I never believed that Brandon Beane, who is solid with analytics, would take a RB in the first round. Why would he? The roster has gaping holes (yes, plural) at CB. The addition of Kaiir Elam, who was projected to be a top four CB, will be a welcome one as he will immediately start opposite Tre White. Elam, White, and Taron Johnson could form a formidable group of starting CBs with an elite pair of safeties on the back end. This defense is built to contend with an insanely powerful AFC and this move keeps the Super Bowl window firmly open.

Grade: A

-Kennedy Paynter, Senior Draft Analyst (@Kennedy_Paynter on Twitter)

While Tyler Smith has tempting upside, the Cowboys had their heart set on an offensive lineman and simply reached. I'm sure they tried to move down, but if you can't find value with the pick. This isn't it. I have my doubts about him playing tackle, and believe his best position is guard, once he takes a significant step with his development. If he plays as a rookie, expect the Cowboys to lead the NFL in penalties, which was a possibility without him. Grade C-

~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

The road to pick 25 was a complicated, but fruitful, one for the Ravens. Firstly, Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown, and a third-round pick, were shipped to the Cardinals for pick 23. The Bills then moved up to 23 to select Kaiir Elam; the Ravens got 25 and a fourth-round pick (130.) The disappointing Brown is not much of a loss; Hollywood reunites with his Oklahoma QB, Kyler Murray.

We have often mocked Tyler Linderbaum to the Ravens at pick 14 so to get him at 25 represents more outstanding work by the front office. Linderbaum is slightly undersized, but he's an excellent player. The O-line suddenly looks much stronger as Linderbaum slots in to replace Bradley Bozeman who signed for the Panthers in Free Agency.

Grade: A

Joe Douglas is like a Draft assassin, regularly making moves up and down to find quality additions and yet again he looks to have pulled off a masterstroke to move back up into RD 1 to find the Pass Rusher their Defense needed, Jermaine Johnson. Johnson is an every-down player that represents fantastic value here and will be a perfect foil to play opposite Carl Lawson.

Most fans would have been happy to take Johnson at 10 so hats off to Joe Douglas for moving up to add another Day 1 starter. The Jets had plenty of inside information on Johnson, getting a close up view at the Senior Bowl. Jet fans will be hoping that he can have as big an impact as his 12 Sack final season for the Seminoles, but leaving RD 1 with a Trio of talented picks will keep fans smiling and GM Douglas firmly in their good books.

Rich Tinley, Jets Analyst

Grade: A+

The Jaguars traded picks 33, 106 and 180 to snag Devin Lloyd at pick 27. Lloyd is pretty much unanimously considered the top LB in this year's class. A former safety and receiver, Lloyd saw time at both "Mike" and "Will" at Utah. He has sideline-to-sideline range and solid closing speed to deliver the tackle on ball carriers whatever running route they choose to take. He is also a smart and instinctive commander on the field. In 14 games last season, Lloyd tallied 111 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 4 INTs, 6 pass deflections, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and 2 defensive TDs.

Lloyd is this year's version of Micah Parsons. Add in top pick Travon Walker and the Jaguars' front seven just got a whole lot better. For the value alone, I actually like this pick better.

Grade: A

The Packers are apparently trying to re-create the Georgia Bulldogs defense. Green Bay has now taken CB Eric Stokes, LB Quay Walker, and DL Devonte Wyatt with their last three RD1 picks. Wyatt is going to be a tremendous addition to Green Bay's front seven. Wyatt has exceptional burst and agility, with a pass-rush win rate of 13.1% and a run stop rate of 11.5% that are both elite. Though WR has gotten all the buzz this offseason, GM Brian Gutekunst appears to have assembled a championship-caliber defense.

Grade: A

Welcome to the #Packers, Devonte Wyatt!

Wyatt has great speed for a guy his size to go along with plenty of power. This run defense is gonna be SCARY!

Career stats:

- 113 tackles
- 12 TKFL
- 5 sacks
- 2 FF
- 9.6 RAS

How do YOU feel about the pick? pic.twitter.com/TGhVXOHrgj

— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) April 29, 2022

No surprise that Bill Belichick traded back from pick 21. Despite the inevitability of the move, the Pats left some good prospects on the board. I would have liked to see Bill resist the temptation of a trade and select a CB (McDuffie/Elam) or a LB (Walker/Lloyd.) McDuffie was, ironically, the player selected by the Chiefs at 21.

The O-line needs help, but selecting Cole Strange represents a massive reach. Strange is versatile, and can play OG or OC, but he'll need to be coached up quickly. With incumbent Center, David Andrews, 1 year into a 4-year contract, Strange may need to start his NFL career fighting for the RG spot. Wherever he lines up, this is an underwhelming selection.

Grade: D-

Once listed at a top-5 pick prospect in the draft, George Karlaftis tumbled down the draft board. He is limited in his bend and is not the type of edge that runs around offensive tackles. A powerful and explosive behemoth, Karlaftis has strong hands and good technique to drive linemen backward. He amassed 29 tackles for loss, including 14 QB sacks, during his career for the Boilermakers. A nose for the football, he force 3 fumbles and recovered 4 fumbles, including one for a TD.

Karlaftis fits the profile of a Steve Spagnuolo Defensive End, but he can also lineup inside. Karlaftis plays hard on every down and is one of the better run stoppers at his position. I would not be surprised if the Chiefs add an additional Edge on Day 2, one that more fits the speed rusher profile. Frank Clark, who has a history of knucklehead legal concerns will haul in to $26.3M against the cap next season. He also has underproduced. The Chiefs have made their first step to move on from the expensive Clark contract.

Grade: B+.

~KCBudMan, Chiefs Analyst

The Bengals only have only two Cornerbacks signed past 2022, Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton. Ther brought back Eli Apple and signed Tre Flowers on one year deals. They could use some help at the position. The team saw four Cornerbacks go before there pick but still found a really good player for their secondary.

Daxton Hill lined up in the slot nickel the majority of his snaps in Michigan's defense. He has good size at 6'0" 191 with 32 1/4" arms. He ran a 4.38 forty and had an incredible 6.57 3 cone time. He was #27 on the Drafttek Big Board so it is good value.

The team also has their two starting safeties in the last year of their deals. Maybe this is insurance in case they cannot reach agreements on extensions although they will likely figure it out with Jessie Bates III.

Grade: A

The Vikings traded down from #12 all the way to #32 with their division rival who took Jameson Williams. They got back #34 and #66 but had to give #46. The trade is universally disliked although some of the newer trade models consider it good value. It is difficult to see a drop down 20 spots in the first to move up 12 spots in the second round and picking up a high third as a good deal no matter what newer models claim. But Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has an analytics background and even though he tried to downplay it in his introductory news conference, he showed his true beliefs in this deal.

The team took safety Lewis Cine with the 32nd pick who was ranked 35th on the big board so not too much of a reach. Cine is 6'2" 202 with 32 1/2" arms. He ran a 4.37 forty had a 37" vertical and a 11'1" broad jump. He is a two year starter at Georgia playing free safety. He has good range with his speed and is a more than willing tackler. He is an excellent pick when you consider Harrison Smith is 32 years old and Camryn Bynum only has two starts under his belt.

Grade: C due to the trade value gained.