ikem-ekwonu.jpg
getty images

The NFL never stops. Super Bowl. Senior Bowl. Combine. And then on Tuesday, we had an avalanche of enormous news that will have a direct impact on many things related to the 2022 season, including the draft in late April. 

This mock draft takes the Aaron Rodgers decision and Russell Wilson trade into consideration (of course), along with the widespread developments from the combine which suddenly feels like three weeks ago. 

OK, let's get to it. 

NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Alabama • Jr • 6'7" / 340 lbs
Projected Team
Jacksonville
PROSPECT RNK
4th
POSITION RNK
1st
The buzz for Neal will take off after his workout at the Alabama Pro Day.
Round 1 - Pick 2
Michigan • Jr • 6'7" / 268 lbs
Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
POSITION RNK
2nd
The Lions don't overthink it and pick Hutchinson to be their alpha rusher instantly.
Round 1 - Pick 3
Georgia • Jr • 6'5" / 272 lbs
Projected Team
Houston
PROSPECT RNK
15th
POSITION RNK
1st
Walker parlays an otherworldly combine to being a top 3 pick. The Texans bet on his upside.
Round 1 - Pick 4
Notre Dame • Jr • 6'4" / 220 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Jets
PROSPECT RNK
1st
POSITION RNK
1st
Hamilton is a home-run selection here for the Jets, a club in dire need of playmakers in its secondary.
Round 1 - Pick 5
Mississippi State • Jr • 6'5" / 311 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Giants
PROSPECT RNK
7th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Cross is a smooth operator on the outside and has immense upside given his age.
Round 1 - Pick 6
Pittsburgh • Jr • 6'3" / 220 lbs
Projected Team
Carolina
PROSPECT RNK
25th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Pickett is the first quarterback off the board given his recruiting ties to Matt Rhule.
Round 1 - Pick 7
Oregon • Jr • 6'5" / 258 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Giants
PROSPECT RNK
2nd
POSITION RNK
1st
Thibodeaux falls into the Giants' lap and they can't pass on him a second time.
Round 1 - Pick 8
Liberty • Jr • 6'1" / 219 lbs
Projected Team
Atlanta
PROSPECT RNK
23rd
POSITION RNK
2nd
Willis lands in Atlanta to be the heir apparent to Matt Ryan.
Round 1 - Pick 9
NC State • Jr • 6'4" / 320 lbs
Projected Team
Seattle
PROSPECT RNK
10th
POSITION RNK
4th
Regardless of who the quarterback is long-term in Seattle, he will need to be protected better than Wilson was.
Round 1 - Pick 10
Northern Iowa • Jr • 6'7" / 325 lbs
Projected Team
N.Y. Jets
PROSPECT RNK
42nd
POSITION RNK
9th
This may feel early for Penning, but he's checked all the boxes emphatically during the pre-draft process. The Jets have to get better up front.
Round 1 - Pick 11
Ohio State • Jr • 6'0" / 187 lbs
Projected Team
Washington
PROSPECT RNK
27th
POSITION RNK
5th
Olave has the speed, route-running chops, and ball-tracking skills to be a tremendous complement to Terry McLaurin.
Round 1 - Pick 12
Cincinnati • Jr • 6'3" / 190 lbs
Projected Team
Minnesota
PROSPECT RNK
5th
POSITION RNK
1st
Gardner would be an ideal replacement for Patrick Peterson in Minnesota. He has All-Pro upside on the perimeter.
Round 1 - Pick 13
Ohio State • Jr • 6'0" / 183 lbs
Projected Team
Cleveland
PROSPECT RNK
8th
POSITION RNK
1st
Wilson went to the same high school as Baker Mayfield, and the two Texas natives will be reunited in Cleveland.
Round 1 - Pick 14
Florida State • Jr • 6'5" / 254 lbs
Projected Team
Baltimore
PROSPECT RNK
29th
POSITION RNK
4th
Johnson is a sturdy run defender with the length and speed-to-power conversion to go this early.
Round 1 - Pick 15
Minnesota • Jr • 6'4" / 261 lbs
Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
37th
POSITION RNK
5th
Mafe is an ascending player because of his calculated pass-rush plans and big-time athleticism.
Round 1 - Pick 16
LSU • Jr • 6'0" / 190 lbs
Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
16th
POSITION RNK
3rd
The Eagles can't pass on Stingley with all of their first-round selections. He has too much upside and the position is a need in Phily.
Round 1 - Pick 17
Georgia • Jr • 6'6" / 336 lbs
Projected Team
L.A. Chargers
PROSPECT RNK
18th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Davis is the exact type of monstrous, run-halting presence the Chargers need on their defense.
Round 1 - Pick 18
Arkansas • Jr • 6'2" / 225 lbs
Projected Team
New Orleans
PROSPECT RNK
14th
POSITION RNK
4th
Burks is the big-bodied type who'd formulate an intimidating duo with Michael Thomas in New Orleans.
Round 1 - Pick 19
Iowa • Jr • 6'2" / 305 lbs
Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
6th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Linderbaum is one of the best center prospects we've seen, and the Eagles are likely going to need to replace Jason Kelce this offseason.
Round 1 - Pick 20
Cincinnati • Jr • 6'3" / 207 lbs
Projected Team
Pittsburgh
PROSPECT RNK
76th
POSITION RNK
5th
Ridder is the experienced, decently improvisational quarterback the Steelers will likely gravitate toward if they stay put at No. 20 overall.
Round 1 - Pick 21
Daxton Hill S
Michigan • Jr • 6'0" / 192 lbs
Projected Team
New England
PROSPECT RNK
19th
POSITION RNK
2nd
Hill feels like a do-everything secondary member Bill Belichick would love in his defense.
Round 1 - Pick 22
Georgia • Jr • 5'11" / 231 lbs
Projected Team
Las Vegas
PROSPECT RNK
21st
POSITION RNK
2nd
The Raiders get an instinctive playmaker at the second level of their defense in Dean.
Round 1 - Pick 23
Michigan • Jr • 6'4" / 265 lbs
Projected Team
Arizona
PROSPECT RNK
40th
POSITION RNK
6th
Ojabo won't be able to fully replace Chandler Jones himself, but he'll be part of the edge-rusher-by-committee approach in Arizona.
Round 1 - Pick 24
Utah • Jr • 6'3" / 235 lbs
Projected Team
Dallas
PROSPECT RNK
17th
POSITION RNK
1st
Lloyd didn't run quite as fast as people expected at the combine, but he would be a force behind Dallas' defensive front thanks to his range.
Round 1 - Pick 25
Clemson • Jr • 6'0" / 194 lbs
Projected Team
Buffalo
PROSPECT RNK
12th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Booth would give the Bills a springy complement to Tre'Davious White on the outside. That cornerback spot needs an upgrade.
Round 1 - Pick 26
Central Michigan • Jr • 6'6" / 303 lbs
Projected Team
Tennessee
PROSPECT RNK
24th
POSITION RNK
5th
Raimann is an older prospect but would be an instant starter on the right side of Tennessee's offensive front. The Titans need to be in win-now mode.
Round 1 - Pick 27
Boston College • Jr • 6'3" / 316 lbs
Projected Team
Tampa Bay
PROSPECT RNK
31st
POSITION RNK
8th
Johnson is a high floor, Week 1 starter at guard to fill the void created by Ali Marpet's retirement.
Round 1 - Pick 28
Purdue • Jr • 6'4" / 263 lbs
Projected Team
Green Bay
PROSPECT RNK
13th
POSITION RNK
3rd
Karlaftis would infuse some youth into the Packers front and give Rashan Gary a running mate on the outside.
Round 1 - Pick 29
Texas A&M • Jr • 6'4" / 323 lbs
Projected Team
Miami
PROSPECT RNK
30th
POSITION RNK
7th
Green can play every position up front and has NFL-caliber size and power -- exactly what the Dolphins need.
Round 1 - Pick 30
Baylor • Jr • 5'11" / 198 lbs
Projected Team
Kansas City
PROSPECT RNK
36th
POSITION RNK
4th
Pitre can be a Tyrann Mathieu replacement in Kansas City. He's that type of safety-slot defender prospect.
Round 1 - Pick 31
Minnesota • Jr • 6'8" / 380 lbs
Projected Team
Cincinnati
PROSPECT RNK
28th
POSITION RNK
6th
Faalele might not be a stud in his first month at tackle in the NFL, but the upside is tremendous because of his size and movement abilities.
Round 1 - Pick 32
Western Michigan • Jr • 5'10" / 195 lbs
Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
72nd
POSITION RNK
10th
The Lions stay local with Moore, an explosive and polished wideout ready to rock in the NFL as a rookie.