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2022 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions and Overlooked Prospects to Watch
April 1, 20222022 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions and Overlooked Prospects to Watch
Every year, the NFL draft brings first-round surprises. Sometimes, it involves a player sliding. Other times, a player goes much earlier than fans and those in the media anticipated.
The reality is that teams place their own values on draft prospects, and they don't always match what prognosticators have expected. When the Las Vegas Raiders used a 2021 first-round pick on Alabama lineman Alex Leatherwood, for example, few saw it coming.
Below, you'll find a look at three under-the-radar prospects who aren't widely considered to be first-rounders—whether because of injury, positional value or program status—but who could end up hearing their names called on opening night. First, though, let's take a look at an updated Round 1 mock.
Round 1 Mock Draft
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
2. Detroit Lions: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
3. Houston Texans: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
4. New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
5. New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
6. Carolina Panthers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
7. New York Giants (via CHI): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
8. Atlanta Falcons: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
9. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
10. New York Jets (via SEA): Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
11. Washington Commanders: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
12. Minnesota Vikings: George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
13. Houston Texans (via CLE): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
14. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): Drake London, WR, USC
16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
18. New Orleans Saints: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Arnold Ebiketie, Edge, Penn State
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
21. New England Patriots: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
22. Green Bay Packers (via LVR): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
23. Arizona Cardinals: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
24. Dallas Cowboys: Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College
25. Buffalo Bills: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
26. Tennessee Titans: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
28. Green Bay Packers: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from MIA, via SF): Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida State
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
32. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati isn't traditionally regarded as a marquee college program. However, this has changed in recent years, under the guidance of coach Luke Fickell. The Bearcats made the College Football Playoff in 2021, and NFL teams are paying attention.
Prospects like cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner and quarterback Desmond Ridder are potential first-round prospects. Wide receiver Alec Pierce could be, too, though he isn't getting a ton of Round 1 buzz.
Pierce—the 38th-ranked prospect on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board—has the physical tools and the versatility that scouts covet.
"Pierce is a very athletic, explosive receiver who aligned in the slot and outside in college," Nate Tice of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "He has good height and size and can win consistently versus press coverage because of his good foot quickness and balance."
If a team falls in love with Pierce or there's a deep run at receiver in Round 1, the Cincinnati prospect could wind up going within the first 32 selections.
Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
No one is sleeping on the top offensive linemen in this class. Prospects like Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu and Charles Cross are likely to be drafted early and are staples at the top of mock drafts. There's less of a consensus when it comes to the second tier of first-round linemen.
Texas A&M's Kenyon Green could slip into that conversation because of his versatility and experience. He's the 41st-ranked prospect on the Bleacher Report board, but teams may value him higher because he can fill multiple roles.
"Green is a third-year starter who came to Texas A&M as the top overall recruit in Texas and a 5-star offensive tackle," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "He has amassed 35 career starts at every position except center in a heavy inside-zone-run scheme and projects best as a guard in the NFL."
While Green best projects as a guard, he can provide depth at tackle, too, and that's a trait that will get a lineman drafted early. Teams are often willing to wait on drafting pure guards, but Green's market won't be limited to teams that need a guard only.
David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
Entering the pre-draft process, Michigan's David Ojabo was anything but an under-the-radar prospect. As a pass-rushing complement to potential No. 1 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, Ojabo was a difference-maker on the Wolverines defense.
Ojabo finished the 2021 season with 11 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 24 solo stops.
However, Ojabo suffered a torn Achilles at his pro day, which will cause him to be overlooked by some teams on opening day. There's no guarantee of when or if he'll be able to return to action in 2022.
Yet Ojabo could still wind up being a first-round pick if a team is willing to be patient. This is the approach that the Tennessee Titans took with defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons in 2019. Simmons tore his ACL in February before the draft but was still selected 19th overall. He appeared in nine games as a rookie and was a Pro Bowler by Year 3.
While Ojabo may be overlooked following his injury, no one should be shocked if a team takes the long-term approach and still snags him on opening night.