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

Round 3

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

65. Jacksonville Jaguars: Daniel Faalele, RT, Minnesota
    
    
    A right tackle to challenge current starter Jawaan Taylor at right tackle is needed. Daniel Faalele could be an upgrade over Taylor and by taking him in round 3, you're getting him without reaching for him. Faalele pushed back Arnold Ebiketie during one of the practices at the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl. Jacksonville now has Cam Robinson and Walker Little as their left tackles with Jawaan Taylor and Daniel Faalele as their right tackles. My guess is Cam Robinson wins the left tackle job and that Faalele actually ends up beating out Taylor to win the right tackle job.
    
    
    
66. Detroit Lions: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
    
    
    D'Andre Swift cannot stay healthy. Jamaal Williams turns 27-years-old and saves Detroit $3-million in cap space if they release him. Williams is nothing more than a change of pace back in his contract year. Craig Reynolds the undrafted running back out of Kutztown failed to get a single touchdown in 2021, but is somehow still on this roster because he had over 500 rushing yards for a third string running back. Jermar Jefferson, Detroit's 2021 seventh round pick only had 74 rushing yards on 15 carries, but still managed to muster 2 rushing touchdowns.
    
    
    
    Kenneth Walker III, a local in state player, may end up being an upgrde over all four running backs which is why Detroit gambles on Kenneth Walker III here because Detroit hasn't had a signature running back who can consistently get 1,000 rushing yards since Barry Sanders retired. That's got to end if the Lions want to turn this team into a contender if the plan is to roll with Jared Goff at quarterback.
    
    
    
    
    
67. New York Giants: James Cook, RB, Georgia
    
    
    New York had a predraft visit with Georgia running back James Cook. Cook is the perfect insurance policy at running back if Saquon Barkley gets injured for a third year in a row.
    
    
    
68. Houston Texans: Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
    
    
    Houston needs a better backup then Jeff Driskel even if Davis Mills led the NFL with completions of 20 yards or more as a rookie. Carson Strong gives Houston a viable backup as well as a quarterback with a higher ceiling then Mills. Strong is the only quarterback left in this draft who could end up developing into a starting quarterback, but he will start out as a backup in Houston.
    
    
    
    
    
69. New York Jets: Leo Chenal, MLB, Wisconsin
    
    
    New York needs depth at linebacker for their nickel defense despite having two quality starters in Quincy Willliamson at 4-3 right outside linebacker and C.J. Mosley at middle linebacker whose under contract until 2025. Williamson enters a contract year in 2022 while C.J. Mosley finally stayed healthy in 2021 after two season ending injuries with the New York Jets in 2019 and 2020. Leo Chenal is a great value pick in the third round that New York can add for depth. Also, cutting Mosley in 2023, saves the Jets $15.5-million in cap space.
    
    
    
70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Perrion Winfrey, 3-4 LE, Oklahoma
    
    
    Remember how Chris and Tony suggested that Jacksonville drafts Travon Walker as a five technique? Well, because the Jaguars took Walker as an edge rusher at one, they end up drafting the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl MVP as a 3-4 left end where he compliments 3-4 right end Malcolm Brown and 3-4 nose tackle Foley Fatukasi.
    
    
    
    
    
71. Chicago Bears: Zamir White, RB, Georgia
    
    
    Chicago has a good running back in David Montgomery, but he's got to improve on his breakout 2020 season if he wants a contract extension after struggling in 2021. Khalil Herbert did a nice job with one 100 yard game while Chicago added Darryngton Evans Tennessee's 2020 third round pick as a replacement for Tarik Cohen after picking up Evans off of waivers. Chicago should roll the dice on White here in case the team decides they don't want to give David Montgomery a contract extension.
    
    
    
72. Seattle Seahawks: David Bell, WR, Purdue
    
    
    Purdue wide receiver David Bell would be a good replacement to D.K. Metcalf if Metcalf doesn't want to re-sign. Unless Metcalf is getting paid $30-million a year like Tyreek Hill, I can't blame him for wanting to leave Seattle after the organization traded Russell Wilson and cut Bobby Wagner.
    
    
    
    
    
73. Indianapolis Colts: Arnold Ebiketie, RE, Penn State
    
    
    The over or under for Penn State edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie is 31.5, and this is my final over or under as I'm taking the over. Yannick Ngakoue is in a contract year, but Kwity Paye who played 4-3 right end as a rookie is moving over to left end. Arnold Ebiketie starts out in Indianapolis as a third edge rusher, but could be starting next to Kwitty Paye in an year from now if he ends up in Indianapolis.
    
    
    
74. Atlanta Falcons: Bailey Zappe, QB, Western Kentucky
    
    
    Atlanta cannot go into next season with Marcus Mariota and Filipe Franks as the top two quarterbacks on their depth chart. Bailey Zappe may be a reach here, but Atlanta owes it to themselves ot bet on Bailey Zappe here. If he doesn't pan out, you can always get a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
75. Denver Broncos: Sean Rhyan, LT, UCLA
    
    
    Denver adds a fourth offensive tackle for depth. Garrett Bolles is the current starting left tackle with former Packer Billy Turner as his bookend right tackle. Denver also added a second right tackle Will Compton in Free Agency. Sean Rhyan would give Denver a backup to Bolles in the event Bolles got injured again.
    
    
    
76. Baltimore Ravens: Nik Bonitto, 3-4 ROLB, Oklahoma
    
    
    Baltimore will need edge rusher depth. Especially if the rumors about Odafe Oweh and Tyus Bowser missing playing time in 2022 happen to be true after both players at 3-4 outside linebacker suffered injuries late in the 2021 regular season last year.
    
    
    
    
    
77. Minnesota Vikings: Josh Paschal, 3-4 ROLB, Kentucky
    
    
    Minnesota has a good edge rusher tandem with Z'Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter. Like Baltimore, Minnesota needs edge rusher depth in case Smith or Hunter goes down at some point later in the season.
    
    
    
78. Cleveland Browns: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
    
    
    Cleveland has been looking at wide receivers, defensive ends, and defensive tackles since the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl. One defensive tackle who stood out in Mobile was Connecticut defensive tackle Travis Jones. He's a fit here, and could be an upgrade over both Jordan Elliott and Tommy Togiai here.
    
    
    
    
    
79. Minnesota Vikings: Abraham Lucas, RT, Washington State
    
    
    The Vikings use this third round pick from the Chargers in a trade I made earlier where the Chargers moved 17 and 79 to move up for Charles Cross. Abraham Lucas gives Minnesota depth at right tackle behind Brian O'Neill.
    
    
    
80. Houston Texans: Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
    
    
    Houston had a predraft visit with Tariq Woolen. I haven't mocked a number one cornerback to Houston yet, and Woolen was UTSA's top cornerback last season.
    
    
    
    
    
81. New York Giants: Zach Tom, C, Wake Forest
    
    
    New York Giants drafts Zach Tom, the best offensive lineman on Wake Forest. Jon Feliciano is good, but missed time with injuries last season which is the biggest reason he's no longer on the Bills. New York drafts a center here just in case Feliciano goes down with an injury.
    
    
    
82. Atlanta Falcons: Dylan Parham, LG, Memphis
    
    
    Atlanta has Jake Matthews at left tackle, Jalen Mayfield at left guard, Matt Hennessy at center, Chris Lindstrom at right guard, and Kaleb McGary at right tackle. Atlanta needs depth behind those five on thier offensive line. Dylan Parham is versatile enough to play all five positions on the offensive line at left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, or right tackle, so Atlanta drafts Parham just to bolster their depth on the offensive line.
    
    
    
    
    
83. Philadelphia Eagles: Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis
    
    
    The Philadelphia Eagles draft a receiver here. Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia's 2020 first round pick hasn't lived up to the hype. Something tells me Quez Watkins becomes the number two receiver next season while Calvin Austin III takes over for Reagor in the slot.
    
    
    
84. Carolina Panthers: Luke Goedeke, RT, Central Michigan
    
    
    Pittsburgh traded 20, 84, and a 2023 first rounder to get Malik Willis in my mock, so the Panthers are on the clock. Carolina needs to find a solution at left tackle, so I mocked them my top offensive tackle on the board in Luke Goedeke who was a former tight end and defensive end in High School before redshirting and converting to right tackle at Central Michigan.
    
    
    
    Right now Carolina has Cameron Erving as the starting left tackle and last years third round pick Brady Christensen as the backup left tackle. Meanwhile right tackle Taylor Moton is the teams best offensive tackle, but the Panthers have no depth behind him. Goedeke is the best offensive tackle on my board, and it wouldn't surprise me if Carolina took him with this third round pick the Panthers got from Pittsburgh.
    
    
    
    Carolina can address left tackle with one of their two 2023 first round picks if the Panthers still don't have a solution at left tackle by next season. By that point, Sam Darnold will be off the team and Sam Howell will be the starter. Carolina would have two first round picks next year, and I highly doubt the Panthers give up on Howell after one year unless one of those two first round picks turns into the first overall pick where they'd be able to select Alabama quarterback and Heisman Trophy Winner Bryce Young since Arizona got rid of Josh Rosen after his rookie season after drafting him tenth overall in 2018 only to replace him with Kyler Murray who went first overall in 2019.
    
    
    
    
    
85. New England Patriots: Brian Asamoah II, 3-4 MLB, Oklahoma
    
    
    New England drafts a 3-4 middle linebacker that can be a day 1 starter. Brian Asamoah II is one of the best coverage linebackers in this years draft. He's the perfect replacement for Dont'a Hightower.
    
    
    
86. Las Vegas Raiders: Kellen Diesch, RT, Arizona State
    
    
    The Las Vegas Raiders have been scouting offensive tackles like Luke Goedeke, Abraham Lucas, and Kellen Diesch. This tells me, the Raiders may end up taking the best offensive tackle on their board with their first pick in the third round. Kellen Diesch was a swing tackle at Texas A&M prior to transferring to Arizona State where he started at left tackle the last two years. Diesch ran a 4.89 40-time at the 2022 NFL Combine, so I think the Raiders would be open to replacing Brandon Parker with Kellen Diesch giving left tackle Kolton Miller a great bookend with Kellen Diesch at right tackle.
    
    
    
    
    
87. Arizona Cardinals: Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
    
    
    Arizona gets their number two receiver next to DeAndre Hopkins here. Adding Tolbert next to Hopkins allows you to put Rondale Moore in the slot. A.J. Green would only come in if Hopkins or Tolbert was injured, plus Arizona also still has Andy Isabella as a backup if something were to happen to multiple receivers on this roster.
    
    
    
88. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State
    
    
    Dallas brought in Ohio State tight end Jeremy Ruckert for a private workout via a top 30 visit. Dallas takes the second tight end in this draft and replaces Blake Jarwin with Jeremy Ruckert who plays the number two tight end role that Dalton Schultz played behind Jarwin for three years before finally stepping up and taking the starting tight end job in 2021.
    
    
    
    
    
89. Buffalo Bills: Verone McKinley III, FS, Oregon
    
    
    Buffalo's two Pro Bowl caliber safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are both in contract years in 2022. Poyer just turned 31, and Hyde will be 32 on New Years Eve. Verone McKinley III is versatile enough to play strong safety or free safety. He can learn behind Poyer and Hyde for a season before stepping into a starting safety role, assuming the Bills choose not to re-sign one of those two safeties. My guess is Buffalo brings back Poyer and grooms McKinley III to be Hyde's replacement while keeping Siran Neal in a depth role at safety.
    
    
    
90. Tennessee Titans: Jack Coan, QB, Notre Dame
    
    
    Tennesee needs a succession plan to Ryan Tannehill after Tannehill choked against my Bengals. Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan impressed me when watching him against Wisconsin. He also had the best performance of any quarterback in the 2022 East West Shrine game.
    
    
    
    
    
91. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dameon Pierce, RB, Florida
    
    
    Tampa Bay brought in local player Dameon Pierce for a team visit. He'd be a nice change of pace running back behnd Leonard Fournette on Tampa Bay's depth chart with Ronald Jones gone.
    
    
    
92. Green Bay Packers: Rasheed Walker, RT, Penn State
    
    
    The Green Bay Packers get their replacement to Billy Turner at right tackle here. Rasheed Walker played right tackle in High School before moving to left tackle at Penn State. Green Bay had a top 30 visit with Penn State offensive tackle Rasheed Walker. He can start out as a bookend to David Bahktiari, and if Bahktiari gets injured, an opportunity to become a blindside to Aaron Rodgers will open up.
    
    
    
    
    
93. San Francisco 49ers: Drake Jackson, LE, USC
    
    
    San Francisco needs a second edge rusher next to Nick Bosa who took over at 4-3 right end last season. San Francisco has a combination of Samson Ekubam, Kemoko Turay, and Dee Ford right now. Drake Jackson would give San Francisco that fourth edge rusher, and all of those edge rushers enter contract years meaning that Drake Jackson would be starting across from Nick Bosa by 2023 at the very latest after a redshirt season to develop in 2022.
    
    
    
94. Kansas City Chiefs: Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
    
    
    Kansas City needs a number one field cornerback with Charvarius Ward gone and they get one here at 94. Four teams sent multiple scouts to Nebraska's Pro Day, those teams were the Ravens, Buccaneers, Jets, and Chiefs. Every single team mentioned except Kansas City already took their cornerback in the first or second round of my mock draft. By process of elimination, this leaves Kansas City as the lone team of those four to take Nebraska's amazing press coverage corner here in the third round.
    
    
    
    
    
95. Cincinnati Bengals: Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
    
    
    Cincinnati gets a tight end here. Greg Dulcich, the same tight end that Chris Ransom mocked to the Bengals at 95 had a top 30 visit with the Bengals. He would start out as a third string tight end to Hayden Hurst and Drew Sample. After a year of developing, he'd take over as the starting tight end, because I honestly don't see Hurst or Sample as the long-term tight end option for our franchise quarterback Joe Burrow.
    
    
    
96. Denver Broncos: Troy Andersen, 3-4 MLB, Montana State
    
    
    The Denver Broncos get a middle linebacker for depth here to compliment Josey Jewell, Baron Browning, and Alex Singleton. Denver runs a combination of a nickel defense and a 3-4 base defense which features two outside linebackers as edge rushers and two inside linebackers. Troy Andersen is a day 2 pick if you look at his film. Mel Kiper Jr. has him as a first round prospect with other analysts like Todd McShay, Daniel Jeremiah, and Bucky Brooks giving him a second round grade. Chad Reuter of NFL.com mocked him to Denver with their first third round pick, so the Broncos end up taking Andersen here for depth at inside linebacker regardless of whether they operate a nickel or 3-4 base defense.
    
    
    
    
    
97. Detroit Lions: Logan Bruss, RT, Wisconsin
    
    
    The Detroit Lions got this compensation pick at 97 for losing their 2017 third round pick when former Northern Illinois wide receiver Kenny Golladay signed with the New York Giants. Golladay had 37 receptions, 521 receiving yards, and 0 receiving touchdowns with the Giants so it appears Detroit made the right call in letting him walk after his injury history with the Lions.
    
    
    
    Detroit uses their compensation pick to get a better backup right tackle. Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell will remain the starting offensive tackles with Decker at left tackle and Sewell at right tackle. However, if Decker gets injured again in 2022, Sewell will need a bookend right tackle and that's exactly what Wisconsin right tackle Logan Bruss brings to the table.
    
    
    
98. New Orleans Saints: Nick Cross, FS, Maryland
    
    
    The New Orleans got this comepnsation pick at 98 for losing 4-3 right end Trey Hendrickson to the Cincinnati Bengals in Free Agency. Trey Hendrickson was a huge addition for the Bengals and a big reason why they made Super Bowl 56.
    
    
    
    New Orleans has Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Daniel Sorenssen, and Marcus Maye as their top three safeties. Nick Cross needs to clean up his ability to wrap up tackles, but the range and center fielder zone coverage you want from a starting free safety. New Orleans adds Nick Cross to their core of safeties here and starts him by 2023 after having him improve his ability to wrap up tackles in 2022.
    
    
    
    
    
99. Cleveland Browns: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
    
    
    The Cleveland Browns got this compensation pick at 99 thanks to assistant general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah taking a General Manger job with the Minnesota Vikings. He was Andrew Berry's right hand man the last two years in Cleveland and now he goes to Minnesota to replace Rick Spielman. Andrew Berry has to use this compensation pick to find a future contributor for the Cleveland Browns.
    
    
    
    The Cleveland Browns grab a cornerback here to replace M.J. Stewart in a depth role here. Greedy Williams enters the final year of his rookie deal too. If Cleveland doesn't want to extend Williams, then Coby Bryant could develop in Cleveland for a year and take over as the Browns new nickel cornerback by 2023.
    
    
    
100. Baltimore Ravens: Phidarian Mathis, 3-4 RE, Alabama
     
     
     The Baltimore Ravens got this compensation pick at 100 thanks to wide receivers coach David Culley taking a head coaching gig with the Houston Texans. Culley is no longer with the Texans, but the Ravens have this pick now as this selection is the last of the two compensation picks the Ravens received from the Texans hiring David Culley. Last year the Ravens took Brandon Stevens a cornerback from SMU with their first compensation pick when there were better corners available.
     
     
     
     Baltimore has Calias Campbell at 3-4 right end, Michael Pierce at nose tackle, and Derek Wolfe at 3-4 left end. Phidarian Mathis is versatile enough to play anywhere on the defensive line whether it be at defensive tackle, nose tackle, or 3-4 defensive end on either side meaning he'd start out as a fourth defensive lineman for depth leading the second team defensive line while learning under the starters. Campbell and Wolfe's contracts run through 2024 while Pierce's contract runs through 2025. Baltimore would save $6.5-million in 2023 if they moved on from Campbell and $3.5-million if they moved on from Wolfe which is the biggest reason I mocked Mathis as a 3-4 right end.
     
     
     
     
     
101. Philadelphia Eagles: Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
     
     
     The New Orleans Saints got this compensation pick at 101 thanks to assistant general manager Terry Fontenot being hired by the Atlanta Falcons. Fontenot scouted with New Orleans for ten years from 2003-2012 before being promoted to director of Pro Scouting, a position he held for seven years before being promoted to assistant general manager and vice president of footbal operations. Atlanta hired Fontenot as General Manager in 2021. New Orleans picked at 105 last year and traded that first compensation pick to Denver who selected Baron Browning who went on to become a starter. New Orleans also traded this pick to Philadelphia coincidentally.
     
     
     
     Philadelphia Eagles fans are gonna be pissed if I don't give them a cornerback here. Martin Emerson can replace Steven Nelson at boundary cornerback here complimenting former Mississippi State cornerback Darius Slay while Avonte Maddox stays in the nickel.
     
     
     
102. Miami Dolphins: Cole Strange, C, Chattanooga
     
     
     San Francisco got this comepnsation pick at 102 for two reasons with the first reason being that San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh went to the New York Jets as their head coach. The second reason they got this pick was because Martin Mayhew got hired as General Manager in Washington. San Francisco traded their second compensation pick from those hires to Miami in the trade where San Francisco moved up for Trey Lance.
     
     
     
     Cole Strange played left guard at Chattanooga, but lined up at center during the 2022 Reese's Senior Bowl. Miami brought him in for a private visit, so they get Strange here as a potental replacement to center Michael Deiter who happens to be the weak link of Miami's offensive line.
     
     
     
     
     
103. Kansas City Chiefs: Kingsley Engabare, LE, South Carolina
     
     
     Kansas City got this compensation pick at 103 after assistant general manager Ryan Poles took a general manager position with the Chicago Bears. This is the first of two compensation picks that the Kansas City Chiefs will receive thanks to the Bears hiring Ryan Poles.
     
     
     
     Kansas City grabs a 4-3 left end to start next to Frank Clark here. Kingsley Engabare would be a good edge rusher to pair with Clark.
     
     
     
104. Los Angeles Rams: Max Mitchell, RT, Louisiana
     
     
     The Los Angeles Rams get this compensation pick at 104 because the Detroit Lions hired Los Angeles Rams director of football operations Brad Holmes as their general manager. Brad Holmes killed it for Detroit in the 2021 NFL Draft while the Rams reached for Ernest Holmes in the 2021 NFL Draft while Denver got a starter in Baron Browning. This is the second and final third round compensation pick that the Rams get from the Lions hiring Brad Holmes.
     
     
     
     Los Angeles grabs an offensive tackle for depth behind left tackle Joseph Noteboom and right tackle Rob Havenstein in the wake of former Bengal Andrew Whitworth who retired. I'm happy for Whitworth despite the lackluster officiating in Super Bowl 56.
     
     
     
105. San Francisco 49ers: Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
     
     
     The San Francisco 49ers get this compensation pick at 105 because San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel got hired by the Miami Dolphins as their new head coach. This is the first of two compensation picks that the San Francisco 49ers will get thanks to the Dolphins hiring Mike McDaniel.
     
     
     
     San Francisco may trade Deebo Samuel, but if John Lynch manages to re-sign him, I'd imagine that Brandon Aiyuk won't be getting a fifth year player option after his third year unless he balls out with Trey Lance. At this point, I cannot see San Francisco keeping both Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk so I am going with Justyn Ross here.