CommRadio 2022 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
With the NFL Draft quickly approaching, CommRadio gives its predictions as Jameson Kramer, Jake Hernick, Alex Rocco and Logan Bourandas attempt to be NFL general managers.
Here is how the first 32 picks turned out.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars- Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Many believe that Jacksonville will select Hutchinson here, but their number one priority should be protecting Trevor Lawrence and allowing him time to distribute to all of their weapons, and Evan Neal is the best tackle in this draft. - Jameson
2. Detroit Lions- Aidan Hutchinson DE, Michigan
With the Jaguars tending to their offensive line, the Lions will be happy to keep Hutchinson in Michigan. The Lions will get who many believe is the best player in the draft to give their defense an identity for many years to come. They get a star coming off the edge. - Jake
3. Houston Texans- Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
Thibodeaux has game-changing talents and, frankly, he's been all over the board in our mock drafts, mostly because teams have differing opinions on him. - Alex
4. New York Jets- Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The secondary is a big need for the Jets moving forward and is something the team addressed in free agency but can continue to improve on in the draft. Especially with Thibodeaux gone, this should make the choice even easier for the Jets here. - Logan
5. New York Giants- Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The Giants could go a number of ways with this pick due to the many holes in their roster. This season is likely Daniel Jones’ last chance to prove himself as a franchise qurterback, and Ekwonu will help protect Jones while allowing Barkley to run though some bigger holes. - Jameson
6. Carolina Panthers- Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Panthers run a pass-heavy offense and have been lacking an anchor to hold down the blindside, and that is Charles Cross. While the Panthers may look at the quarterbacks, Sam Darnold is still young, and bringing in Cross to give him more time in the pocket may lead to his ascension. - Jake
7. New York Giants (Via CHI)- Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
Walker is something of a tweener, which is odd to say about someone who stands 6-foot-5, and weighs 275 pounds. He can line up as a 3, 4 or 5-tech and that versatility, coupled with his non-stop motor and consistent playmaking ability. Walker is an attractive option for any team looking to bolster their defensive line. - Alex
8. Atlanta Falcons- Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
While quarterback could be an option here, the Falcons at least addressed that position in free agency with Marcus Mariota. The Falcons have no one outside of Kyle Pitts for him to throw to however so going with the best available receiver may be the best option. - Logan
9. Seattle Seahawks (Via DEN)- Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The Seahawks could certainly go quarterback here after the departure of Russel Wilson, but Kyle Hamilton might be the best overall player in the draft and would provide great value at pick number nine. - Jameson
10. New York Jets (Via SEA)- Jermaine Johnson II, DE, Florida State
After picking Ahmad Gardner, the Jets go back to back defensive picks with taking Jermaine Johnson II out of Florida State. Last year, the Jets finished 25th in sacks. An explosive 4.58 40-yard dash and a lengthy pass rusher is just what they need. - Jake
11. Washington Commanders- Drake London, WR, USC
At 6-foot-5, London was a high-point-catch machine before his '21 season ended prematurely with an ankle injury. He is similar to his former teammate at USC, Michael Pittman, and London has all the tools to be WR1. - Alex
12. TRADE: Pittsburgh Steelers (Via MIN)- Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
With both two quarterbacks on the board and a few quarterback needy teams coming up, the
Steelers waste no more time and trade up to have their pick of a franchise quarterback. - Logan
13. Houston Texans (Via CLE)- Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Texans are in all-out rebuild mode, and after adding a pass rusher in Thibodeaux, they go with a dynamic weapon to help quarterback Davis Mills, who is a great deep ball passer. - Jameson
14. Baltimore Ravens- Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
After an injury-plagued season, the Ravens gain some depth at the position by adding a corner with tremendous upside. Stingley only played three games in 2021 due to an injured foot, but his 2020 All-American season was enough to show that he is a lockdown corner. If they can stay healthy, the Ravens will have an elite cornerback room in Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters and Derek Stingley Jr. - Jake
15. Philadelphia Eagles (Via MIA)- Devon Lloyd, LB, Utah
Lloyd was impressive during the 2021 season and nothing changed at the combine. He's the prototypical off-ball linebacker in today's NFL. - Alex
16. New Orleans Saints (Via IND)- Mailk Willis, QB, Liberty
The Saints traded with the Eagles last week for this pick and you don’t make a move like that unless you’re thinking of doing something big. Willis could develop under Jameis Winston for a year or two before moving into the starting role in the Bayou. - Logan
17. Los Angeles Chargers- Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
The Chargers get maybe the biggest freak athlete in the draft, a 6’6 340 pound run-stuffer who impressed at the combine with a 4.78 40-yard dash. Davis will make the Chargers defensive line a force to be reckoned with, after adding Khalil Mack this offseason and keeping Joey Bosa. - Jameson
18. Philadelphia Eagles (Via NO)- Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
With a lot of wide receivers off the board, the Eagles address another need and double-dip on the defensive side and add Andrew Booth Jr. at cornerback. With Darius Slay on the outside and Avonte Maddox solidified in the slot, Andrew Booth Jr. would fit nicely in that second cornerback role. - Jake
19. New Orleans Saints (Via PHI)- Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The Saints gave up a lot to get an additional first-rounder this year and they could go in any number of directions. Adding a big-play wide receiver has to be high on the to-do list. - Alex
20. TRADE: Minnesota Vikings (Via PIT) - Boye Mafe, DL, Minnesota
Now having moved back, the Vikings can wait on addressing the secondary in the later rounds and focus on another big need on the defensive side of the ball. - Logan
21. New England Patriots- George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
The Patriots could certainly go with a wide receiver here, but history says they don’t value the WR position a whole lot, and they just added Devante Parker in a trade. Karlaftis has been falling down boards recently, but his upside is tremendous. - Jameson
22. Green Bay Packers (Via LV)- Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
The Packers finally break the trend and take a wide receiver for Aaron Rodgers. Burks has big shoes to fill with the departure of superstar Davante Adams, but he is next in line to develop chemistry with the reigning MVP. Burks looks to step into an immediate WR1 role as a physical receiver with great ball-tracking skills. - Jake
23. Arizona Cardinals- Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
McDuffie is one of the best cornerbacks in this class and feels like a natural fit in Arizona. - Alex
24. Dallas Cowboys- Bernhard Raimann, OL, Central Michigan
The offensive line has been a big issue for the Cowboys and this may be the best time to invest in that area with some big long-term investments at key positions on the offensive side of the ball. - Logan
25. Buffalo Bills- Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
The Bills really don’t have that many roster holes after their signing of former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller. However, after the departure of Cole Beasley, Buffalo's receiver room could use a boost. Jahan Dotson was one of the most electric wide recievers in college football this past season, and he catches everything thrown his way. - Jameson
26. Tennessee Titans- Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Last year, the Titans' defense couldn’t stop anything, and on top of that, they lost Jayon Brown. Dean is a versatile athlete that flies to the ball and can help out in the pass and run game. - Jake
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
Green can play outside or inside and at Texas A&M he lined up against some of the best defensive linemen and edge rushers in the country. - Alex
28. Green Bay Packers- Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
The Packers are another team who just spent big money to keep their franchise quarterback so doing whatever you can to protect him is key. - Logan
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from SF through MIA)- Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State
The Chiefs grab one of the biggest risers on draft analysts’ big boards with the first of their two consecutive picks. Arnold Ebiketie will help their pass rush opposite Frank Clark and will allow Chris Jones to play inside. - Jameson
30. Kansas City Chiefs- Dax Hill, S, Michigan
With back-to-back picks, the Chiefs add a hybrid defensive back to their arsenal. The Chiefs love using nickel packages with many defensive backs on the field. With Tyrann Mathieu on his way out, Hill and Justin Reid will try to fill that void. - Jake
31. Cincinnati Bengals- Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Penning plays with an edge and the sole intent is to prove any remaining doubters wrong. He had a strong season and a dominant-at-times Senior Bowl week, and he could end up going in the top half of the first round when all is said and done. - Alex
32. Detroit Lions (Via LAR)- Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
This is a future pick for the Lions. Jared Goff is serviceable but this is a perfect opportunity to draft someone who can learn behind him and take over when the Lions roster is ready to take the next step. - Logan
Jameson Kramer is a third-year student majoring in sports journalism. To contact him, email jek5650@psu.edu
Jake Hernick is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jrh6589@psu.edu
Logan Bourandas is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.
Alex Rocco is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email afr5646@psu.edu
