2022 NFL Mock Draft: Lions surprise with George Karlaftis at No. 1, first round sees receivers galore

2022 NFL Mock Draft: Lions surprise with George Karlaftis at No. 1, first round sees receivers galore
2022 NFL Mock Draft: Lions surprise with George Karlaftis at No. 1, first round sees receivers galore

Round 1 - Pick 1

Purdue • Jr • 6'4" / 275 lbs

Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
6th
POSITION RNK
2nd

Early November is the appropriate time for a mock draft surprise. And this would amount to one. However, Karlaftis, like Kayvon Thibodeaux, is a freaky athlete who's actually younger than the Oregon star and has more of an NFL body.

Round 1 - Pick 2

Oregon • Soph • 6'5" / 258 lbs

Projected Team
Houston
PROSPECT RNK
1st
POSITION RNK
1st

Thibodeaux might be more of a project than people are thinking right now, while the Texans are years away from contending. Perfect match. He does have All-Pro upside.

Round 1 - Pick 3

Notre Dame • Jr • 6'4" / 219 lbs

Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
POSITION RNK
1st

The Eagles get a monster playmaker in Hamilton, who will boost the back seven in Philadelphia in a major way.

Round 1 - Pick 4

Alabama • Jr • 6'7" / 350 lbs

Projected Team
N.Y. Jets
PROSPECT RNK
27th
POSITION RNK
4th

Neal falls into the Jets lap, and they couldn't be happier with the thought of Mekhi Becton and Neal protecting their quarterback for years to come.

Round 1 - Pick 5

LSU • Jr • 6'1" / 195 lbs

Projected Team
Jacksonville
PROSPECT RNK
2nd
POSITION RNK
1st

The Jaguars did have a tremendous defensive effort in Week 9 but are still in need of an alpha at the corner spot. Stingley can be that guy.

Round 1 - Pick 6

Ole Miss • Jr • 6'2" / 205 lbs

Projected Team
Washington
PROSPECT RNK
3rd
POSITION RNK
1st

The Football Team isn't gettijng a marquee, high-end prospect here, but Corral presents the best combination of NFL-readiness and upside.

Round 1 - Pick 7

Michigan • Sr • 6'6" / 265 lbs

Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
21st
POSITION RNK
3rd

With Derek Barnett set for free agency and Brandon Graham nearing the end of his career, this is a no-brainer for the Eagles.

Round 1 - Pick 8

Georgia • Jr • 6'0" / 225 lbs

Projected Team
N.Y. Giants
PROSPECT RNK
37th
POSITION RNK
6th

Dean is a big-time athlete who can run, hit, and cover like some of the best linebacker prospects we've seen over the past three or four draft classes.

Round 1 - Pick 9

NC State • Soph • 6'4" / 320 lbs

How about more protection for Daniel Jones up front? Ekwonu can play tackle in the NFL despite his shorter arms because of his outstanding balance and power.

Round 1 - Pick 10

Iowa • Jr • 6'3" / 290 lbs

Projected Team
Miami
PROSPECT RNK
19th
POSITION RNK
4th

The Dolphins might end up with a top 10 pick after all, given the 49ers' recent downward spiral. And how about a sure thing along the offensive line for Miami? That's what they'd get with Linderbaum.

Round 1 - Pick 11

Washington • Soph • 5'11" / 195 lbs

Projected Team
N.Y. Jets
PROSPECT RNK
POSITION RNK

McDuffie is a majorly gifted athlete with fantastic instincts in coverage. He's the type the Jets need in their secondary.

Round 1 - Pick 12

Liberty • Jr • 6'1" / 195 lbs

Projected Team
Minnesota
PROSPECT RNK
29th
POSITION RNK
5th

The Vikings finally part ways from having an exact type at the quarterback spot -- see: Kirk Cousins -- with the selection of Willis, a raw but immensely high upside quarterback prospect.

Round 1 - Pick 13

Texas A&M • Jr • 6'4" / 325 lbs

Projected Team
Carolina
PROSPECT RNK
10th
POSITION RNK
2nd

The Panthers have to get nastier inside. Green is the definition of a mauler, and while he's played multiple positions at Texas A&M, his best NFL position will be guard.

Round 1 - Pick 14

Mississippi State • Soph • 6'5" / 310 lbs

Projected Team
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
59th
POSITION RNK
12th

As such a young prospect, Cross is a bit of a project, but he's played like a first-round pick this season and has All-Pro potential given his smooth athletic traits.

Round 1 - Pick 15

Pittsburgh • Sr • 6'3" / 220 lbs

Projected Team
Denver
PROSPECT RNK
14th
POSITION RNK
1st

GM George Paton was in Minnesota for the Vikings' draft selection of Teddy Bridgewater and signing of Kirk Cousins. With Pickett, he'd get another multi-year college starter with a strong resume inside the pocket.

Round 1 - Pick 16

Cincinnati • Jr • 6'2" / 188 lbs

Projected Team
Cincinnati
PROSPECT RNK
18th
POSITION RNK
3rd

Gardner is a physical, in-your-face cornerback who would be a welcomed, youthful addition to the Cincinnati defensive backfield.

Round 1 - Pick 17

Ohio State • Jr • 6'0" / 192 lbs

Projected Team
Cleveland
PROSPECT RNK
7th
POSITION RNK
1st

With Odell Beckham Jr. gone, the need for receiver in Cleveland is clear-cut. Wilson is a twitched up speedster bound for Round 1.

Round 1 - Pick 18

Alabama • Jr • 6'2" / 189 lbs

Suddenly, I think we're realizing the Chiefs might need secondary weapons on offense. Williams is sudden and excels after the catch. He'll be a riser during draft season.

Round 1 - Pick 19

Texas A&M • Jr • 6'4" / 290 lbs

Projected Team
Atlanta
PROSPECT RNK
8th
POSITION RNK
1st

Huge value selection for the Falcons here with Leal, who can win at any defensive line position.

Round 1 - Pick 20

Penn State • Sr • 5'11" / 184 lbs

Given his juice to get open down the field, great ball skills, and craftiness underneath, Dotson would fit perfectly in New England.

Round 1 - Pick 21

USC • Jr • 6'5" / 210 lbs

Projected Team
New Orleans
PROSPECT RNK
60th
POSITION RNK
10th

London plays to every inch of his 6-foot-5 frame but has the quickness to get open.

Round 1 - Pick 22

Florida • Jr • 6'2" / 196 lbs

Projected Team
Pittsburgh
PROSPECT RNK
19th
POSITION RNK
4th

Elam would be a glorious fit in Pittsburgh's man-heavy coverage scheme because of his length and physicality at the line.

Round 1 - Pick 23

Georgia • Sr • 6'0" / 190 lbs

Projected Team
Las Vegas
PROSPECT RNK
12th
POSITION RNK
1st

Kendrick would be a high-floor cornerback for the Raiders. Exactly what that secondary needs.

Round 1 - Pick 24

Utah • Jr • 6'3" / 235 lbs

Projected Team
Dallas
PROSPECT RNK
49th
POSITION RNK
7th

With Micah Parsons destined to play mostly on the edge and Leighton Vander Esch a free agent, the Cowboys dip into the off-ball linebacker well again with Lloyd, a sizable and rangy 'backer.

Round 1 - Pick 25

Auburn • Sr • 6'0" / 190 lbs

Projected Team
Buffalo
PROSPECT RNK
65th
POSITION RNK
3rd

The Bills have a major hole at guard but can't pass on the SEC-tested McCreary, who plays the ball awesomely in the air and has an NFL body that will allow him to thrive against the run.

Round 1 - Pick 26

Arkansas • Jr • 6'3" / 225 lbs

Burks would be a tremendous complement to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in Los Angeles.

Round 1 - Pick 27

Penn State • Sr • 6'1" / 200 lbs

Projected Team
Tampa Bay
PROSPECT RNK
POSITION RNK

Brisker has been a steady producer at Penn State for years and would add more youthful talent to Tampa's secondary.

Round 1 - Pick 28

North Carolina • Jr • 6'1" / 225 lbs

Projected Team
Detroit
PROSPECT RNK
5th
POSITION RNK
2nd

Howell hasn't been as dynamic as he was in 2020, but he's done a good job of late elevating those around him. He can be a project-type in Detroit.

Round 1 - Pick 29

Georgia • Soph • 6'6" / 330 lbs

Projected Team
Baltimore
PROSPECT RNK
POSITION RNK

The Ravens love oversized defensive linemen, and that's precisely what Davis is. Brandon Williams is a free agent at the end of the season.

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