Jason Bantle's 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Final Mock 3 Rounds

Round 2

Jason Bantle follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: April 28, 2022.

33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quay Walker, 3-4 MLB, Georgia
    
    
    Jacksonville needs an immediate starter at 3-4 middle linebacker. Quay Walker is a player on Georgia's Championship team with good film. His over or under is 40.5 at the moment, and I believe he could end up being the next linebacker off the board after first round linebacker prospects Devin Lloyd and Nakobe Dean get selected.
    
    
    
34. Detroit Lions: Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
    
    
    Detroit gets a receiver to compliment Amon-Ra St. Brown. Heavy, Audacy, and Rotoballer all reported that the Detroit Lions have interest in Kentucky wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson. Wan'Dale Robinson's red zone target percentage of 40.7 percent is the second highest red zone target percentage of any receiver to enter the NFL Draft in the last twenty years trailing only Andre Johnson in 2003. His red zone target percentage in College was higher than Calvin Johnson's red zone target percentage of 40.1 at Georgia Tech. It took fifteen years for a receiver to have a higher red zone target percentage than Megatron.
    
    
    
    I'm not saying Wan'Dale Robinson will be Megatron, that's not a very realistic expectation to set, especially for Lions fans. I'm saying Wan'Dale Robinson could be a good receiver to compliment Amon'Ra St. Brown. Also, there's no over or under as far as odds go for Robinson.
    
    
    
    
    
35. New York Jets: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
    
    
    The New York Jets draft Devonte Wyatt here as a replacement to Foley Fatukasi. The Jets got to play against Wyatt in the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl and brought him in for a top 30 visit. A defensive tackle tandem of Quinnen Williams and Devonte Wyatt gives the Jets long-term stability at defensive tackle. Right now the over or under on Wyatt is 29.5 despite being accused of domestic violence. I'm taking the over, but expect Wyatt to go very early on day 2 as many have Wyatt as the consensus second best defensive tackle behind Jordan Davis.
    
    
    
36. New York Giants: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
    
    
    New regimes mean new quarterbacks. Don't be surprised if Desmond Ridder goes thirty sixth overall. His over or under is 30.5, and I'm taking the over here since he's a second round prospect. The thing with Ridder is he led Cincinnati to back-to-back 12-0 regular seasons. He didn't fare as well against SEC defenses, but he commands the respect of teammates in the locker room at Cincinnati, plus he's already a dad. Ridder can compete with Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor in New York's quarterback room.
    
    
    
    
    
37. Houston Texans: Nicholas Petit-Friere, LT, Ohio State
    
    
    Houston gets an offensive tackle that they can groom for the future, who will start out as a swing tackle. I got a feeling Houston will either move on from Laremy Tunsil or Tytus Howard in 2023 to save cap space. Nicholas Petit-Friere is raw, but with a year of development he could be a future starter at offensive tackle on either side. Two teams that had him in for Top 30 visits were the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills. He's a better fit for the Texans, but there are no odds for Ohio State's offensive tackle prospect.
    
    
    
38. New York Jets: Boye Mafe, RE, Minnesota
    
    
    New York gets their edge here after missing out on the top three edges in the second round. There wouldn't be as much pressure on Mafe to start right away if veterans Carl Lawson, John-Franklin Myers, and Vinny Curry are all healthy. However, I think Mafe can have an impact on the team that drafts him regardless of where he ends up. Boye Mafe's over or under is 30.5 and I'm taking the over with Mafe here.
    
    
    
    
    
39. Chicago Bears: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
    
    
    Chicago is getting either Alec Pierce or Christian Watson at 39. My guess i they take Alec Pierce here since Sports Mockery, Heavy, and Sports Illustrated all reported on the Bears interest in the Cincinnati receiver. There's no odds for where Pierce gets drafted at the moment.
    
    
    
40. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
    
    
    Matt Corral has good tape and traits of a first round quarterback, but his injury in the Sugar Bowl along with his character concerns bump him down to round 2. Matt Corral's current over or under as far as odds go is 33.5, and I'm taking the over. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll sat next to each other at the 2022 NFL Combine. If Corral makes it to 40 he's the pick. Honestly, I won't be surprised if Seattle trades up for Corral if he's still there at 27, but in this mock he falls to 40.
    
    
    
    
    
41. Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
    
    
    Seattle gets the top center in the 2022 NFL Draft as their new starting center after getting Ikem Ekwonu and Matt Corral with their first two picks. Tyler Linderbaum's over or under is 28.5, and I have the consensus first round center slipping out of the top 40. ESPN's Todd McShay also has him slipping out of the first round, but no link will be provided since McShay's content is behind a damn paywall thanks to ESPN+. The Utopia of Sports at Draft Utopia doesn't have paywalls and this is one big reason why we're better than the Worldwide Leader In Sports, but if ESPN actually links this mock draft first, then I'd be open to changing my mind by providing a link to McShay's report.
    
    
    
42. Indianapolis Colts: Bernard Raimann, LT, Central Michigan
    
    
    Chris Ballard has confidence in Matt Pryor as his left tackle. I don't, so I'm giving the Colts a Chippewa to replace former Central Michigan Chippewa Eric Fisher, so Matt Ryan and Jonathan Taylor have a competent blindside at the left tackle position. The over or under on Bernard Raimann is 37.5. Take the over on that.
    
    
    
    
    
43. Atlanta Falcons: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
    
    
    Atlanta gets their number one receiver here. Jahan Dotson is a consensus first round prospect with an over or under of 31.5. I expect him to go in the second round though.
    
    
    
44. Cleveland Browns: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
    
    
    Cleveland gets a replacement for Jarvis Landry here. Skyy Moore is a fast guy who can stretch the field vertically. He's literally the type of guy who will get a typical Browns fan in the mood for jumping jacks. Right now the over or under on Skyy Moore is 34.5, so I'm going with the over.
    
    
    
    
    
45. Baltimore Ravens: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
    
    
    Roger McCreary will start out in the nickel if both Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey recover from their injuries. The over or under for Roger McCreary is 47.5, so I'm going with the under here.
    
    
    
46. Minnesota Vikings: Ed Ingram, RG, LSU
    
    
    Minnesota doesn't feel confident in Wyatt Davis last years 2021 third round pick out of Ohio State as their long-term starter at right guard. Minnesota could draft the top second round guard in Ed Ingram who has experience at both left guard and right guard. This gives Minnesota an offensive line with Christian Darrisaw at left tackle, Ezra Cleveland at left guard, Garrett Bradbury at center, Ed Ingram at right guard, and Brian O'Neill at right tackle.
    
    
    
    
    
47. Washington Commanders: Jaquan Brisker, SS, Penn State
    
    
    The Washington Commanders were one of the teams that Jaquan Brisker visited. Washington needs multiple safeties, so after passing on Kyle Hamilton at 11 for Drake London, they make up for that by drafting their first safety at 47.
    
    
    
48. Chicago Bears: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
    
    
    The Bears use this second round pick from the Chargers in the Khalil Mack trade on a scond wide receiver for Justin Fields now to replace Anthony Miller. Chicago now has Alec Pierce and Christian Watson on the outside with Darnell Mooney last years number one receiver in the slot while Cole Kmet is at tight end. Fields may be able to succeed with these weapons if Chicago's second year offensive tackles Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom both improve on their rookie seasons. Christian Watson has an over or under at 39.5, after passing on Watson at 39, Chicago gets Watson at 48, so the over occurs.
    
    
    
    
    
49. New Orleans Saints: John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
    
    
    New Orleans drafts a wide receiver who can compliment Michael Thomas here. John Metchie III's got an over or under of 59.5, so I'm going with the under here.
    
    
    
50. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Pitre, SS, Baylor
    
    
    Kansas City drafts Jalen Pitre and grooms him as a replacement for Juan Thornhill who enters a contract year. Jalen Pitre had visits with the Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, and Kansas City Chiefs. New Orleans is really the only team in my mind that could keep the Chiefs from securing Jalen Pitre.
    
    
    
    
    
51. Philadelphia Eagles: Chad Muma, MLB, Wyoming
    
    
    Philadelphia will have Kyzir White starting at 4-3 right outside linebacker replacing Alex Singleton while T.J. Edwards remains at 4-3 middle linebacker following his 130 total tackle season while Hasson Reddick plays 4-3 left outside linebacker. Reddick will also be used as an edge rusher in nickel packages, but White and Edwards are in contract years. Drafting someone who has a shot to start over Edwards as a rookie like Chad Muma is a smart business decision here because Muma is a tackling machine like Edwards, except Muma is better in coverage than Edwards.
    
    
    
52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Logan Hall, 3-4 LE, Houston
    
    
    Stephon Tuitt enters a contract year with Pittsburgh. Tuitt had 11 sacks i 2020, but did not play at all in 2021. While Pittsburgh may feel encouraged about Tuitt's progress, he's going to be 29-years-old next month, and he'll be turning 30 shortly after his contract is up with the Steelers in 2023. Logan Hall's over or under is 36.5, so while I'm taking the over, it's pretty clear he's a top 50 prospect in this draft. I'm not sure Pittsburgh can pass on a top 50 player in the second round. The Steelers have Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Anthony Miller, and Miles Boykin at receiver. They don't have a plan B if Stephon Tuitt is still out after missing all of the 2021 NFL Season.
    
    
    
    
    
53. Green Bay Packers: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
    
    
    Green Bay has Jaire Alexander, Eric Stokes, and Rasul Douglas under contract at cornerback. Douglas was a journeyman before his breakout season in Green Bay. Kevin King, Josh Jackson, and Chandon Sullivan are gone. Most have Kyler Gordon as a top 6 cornerback in this draft, but I got him slipping here.
    
    
    
    The over or under on Kyler Gordon is 33.5. I'm taking the over on Kyler Gordon, and let me tell you that this would be a steal for Green Bay since Kyler Gordon went over 300 snaps without giving up a touchdown in 2021. Kyler Gordon went to the same college as Kevin King, but he's a better propsect. It's easy to see why this pick excites and frightens Packers fans at the same time.
    
    
    
54. New England Patriots: Marcus Jones, CB, Houston
    
    
    New England drafts a cornerback here, but not the one you'd expect them to take. New England drafts Marcus Jones who visited with the New England Patriots. Marcus Jones may not start as a rookie, but he'll have a role with New England by 2023 because nickel cornerback Jonathan Jones, Joejuan Williams, and Terrence Mitchell are all in contract years. New England can live with Malcolm Butler and Jalen Mills if Butler plays like he did when he first got to New England. Marcus Jones would probably play on special teams as a rookie starting out as a return specialist in 2022. By his second year, he'd be New England's nickel cornerback complimenting Butler and Mills.
    
    
    
    
    
55. Arizona Cardinals: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
    
    
    Arizona surprises many when they get the top running back in the 2022 NFL Draft as a replacement to Chase Edmonds. Hall's biggest weakness is pass blocking, but he does everything else well. He can start out as a backup and change of pace running back to James Conner. If Conner gets injured and Hall fixes his pass protection, this is a team where Hall could become a really good starter. Breece Hall in Arizona is a draft pick Dynasty owners will literally be drooling over.
    
    
    
56. Dallas Cowboys: DeMarvin Leal, DT, Texas A&M
    
    
    The Dallas Cowboys draft DeMarvin Leal who they had a top 30 visit with here. DeMarvin Leal lined up at both edge rusher and defensive tackle. While Dallas has some nice pieces at defensive tackle, they are thin at edge rusher. Leal's versatility to play both positions is why Dallas drafts him here.
    
    
    
    
    
57. Buffalo Bills: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
    
    
    Isaiah Spiller is the youngest player in the entire 2022 NFL Draft. Buffalo also brought him in for a top 30 visit. Devin Singletary and Duke Johnson both enter contract years while Zack Moss is more of a change of pace running back than a starter because he had more rushing yards then Johnson, but still has to compete with Johnson for the number two running back job. Buffalo has other players in contract years like Dawson Knox, Tremaine Edmunds, Jordan Poyer, and Micah Hyde that are far more valuable to the organization than Singletary.
    
    
    
    The other thing you have to look at is Spiller had 1,000 total yards in all three seasons at Texas A&M. Singletary finally reached 1,098 total yards in 2021, but he'd have to finish in the top 5 in rushing yards or lead running backs in receiving yards next year to convince Buffalo he's worthy of an extension when you factor in other contributors on the team. Drafting the youngest player in the draft who doesn't turn 21 until the middle of August is the smarter business decision period.
    
    
    
58. Atlanta Falcons: Christian Harris, 3-4 MLB, Alabama
    
    
    Atlanta did a lot of research on Alabama middle linebacker Christian Harris. He's a guy that Atlanta can groom to be a starter next to Deion Jones. He'd be a backup to Rashaan Evans during his rookie year, and would start next to Jones once he fixes his coverage or once Evans gets injured.
    
    
    
    
    
59. Green Bay Packers: Samori Toure, WR, Nebraska
    
    
    Green Bay may have sent their scouts to East Lansing for the Nebraska VS Wisconsin regular season game prior to his top 30 visit. Toure had 5 100 yard games in 2021 against Fordham, Nebraska, Buffalo, Ohio State, and Wisconsin. The Packers are very high on Toure and could end up drafting him much earlier then where most draft pundits are projecting him to go.
    
    
    
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jamaree Salyer, LG, Georgia
    
    
    Tampa Bay needs a left guard with Ali Marpet retiring. Drafting Georgia left tackle Jamaree Salyer who projects as a guard in the NFL makes sense here. This gives Tampa Bay an offensive line with Donovan Smith at left tackle, Jamaree Salyer at left guard, Ryan Jensen at center, Shaq Mason at right guard, Tom Brady's right guard in New England replacing former Buccaneer, now current Bengal, Alex Cappa, and Tristian Wirfs at right tackle. Tampa Bay will have the best offense in the NFC South once again with that type of protection for Tom Brady.
    
    
    
    
    
61. San Francisco 49ers: Dohnovan West, RG, Arizona State
    
    
    San Francisco gets an upgrade at right guard. San Francisco's starting right guard is the weak link on their offensive line, and the 49ers can cut their current starting right guard to save cap space since he's got no dead cap penalty on his contract.
    
    
    
62. Kansas City Chiefs: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
    
    
    Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was on my BFFL Championship team in 2020. The biggest reason I didn't use a keeper on him in 2021 was because I was afraid he'd decline at the age of 32-years-old. That didn't happen though. Travis Kelce is under contract until 2026, but his contract is team friendly with the Chiefs having the ability to release him at any point once he declines. Travis Kelce can remain the starting tight end for 2022 while mentoring Trey McBride, the top tight end in the 2022 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    Cutting Kelce in 2023 before he turns 34 saves $10,450,000. Keeping Kelce until 2024 before he turns 35 saves $13,600,000. Waiting until 2025 before Kelce turns 36 to move on from Kelce, while giving the top tight end in this draft two years of mentorship under Kelce saves Kansas City $17,250,000 in cap space in 2025. I'd argue that drafting Trey McBride at 62 if he slips that far is a great business decision because you could get similar production to Kelce without having to pay as much as you pay Kelce.
    
    
    
    Kansas City could get McBride at 29 or 30 and use a fifth year option on McBride putting the successor to Kelce under contract until 2027, but drafting a tight end in the first round would cause too much backlash from Chiefs fans. The value McBride provides at this spot is fantastic, and I honestly can't see the Chiefs taking a tight end in the first round unless its a guy who checks off every box like Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer in the 2023 NFL Draft. McBride is the top tight end in this draft, and having him get mentored by Travis Kelce will only make him better down the road.
    
    
    
    
    
63. Cincinnati Bengals: Myjai Sanders, LE, Cincinnati
    
    
    Cincinnati has scouted a lot of local players. I think Cincinnati could draft a third edge rusher for depth here with Myjai Sanders who would be an insurance plan if Trey Hendrickson at 4-3 right end or Sam Hubbard at 4-3 left end ever got injured. I could even entertain the idea of plugging in Sanders as a situational defensive tackle behind B.J. Hill on the depth chart to blitz on some plays from the inside.
    
    
    
64. Denver Broncos: Lewis Cine, SS, Georgia
    
    
    Georgia strong safety Lewis Cine has an over or under of 34.5. My final over or under will be at some point in the third round, but Denver drafts Lewis Cine here to push Caden Sterns, Denver's 2021 fifth round pick out of Texas for the starting strong safety job.