Starting now and going up until the NFL Draft on April 28, Talking Points Sports will have you covered with full NFL Draft coverage. On a personal note, NFL Draft season is my favorite time of year (outside week 1 of the regular season, of course). Throughout the next several months, I will be putting out several NFL mock drafts in preparation for the NFL Draft. I will not be including trades in my mock drafts until my final mock draft, which will arrive on April 27th, the night before the draft.
Enough chit chat. It is time to roll on with Bird’s Mock Draft Version 1.0.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14) – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
This has everything to do with one thing, and one thing only. The Jacksonville Jaguars have to do everything in their power to protect prized asset Trevor Lawrence, and they do it here with Neal. While Neal is not my top player overall (more on that in a minute), Neal fits what the Jaguars need to do with this pick like a glove. Neal is a mammoth of a human being, clocking in at 6-foot-7, and weighing 350 pounds. Neal would be a starter for the next 10 years in Jacksonville.
2. Detroit Lions (3-13-1) – Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
The top player on my board, and with good reason. Hutchinson is a freak of nature, posting 14 sacks and 62 total tackles this year for the Wolverines. The Lions have struggled for years now to get to the passer, and would fix that issue immediately with Hutchinson. The Lions also keep Hutchinson in the state of Michigan, where he was raised.
3. Houston Texans (4-13) – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
This is a prime trade back spot for the Texans. They need assets, desperately. I do not expect the Texans to make this pick, unless they are truly enamored with one of the passers here. For this exercise, they keep the pick and select Ekwonu. Ekwonu graded out as the best run-blocking tackle in the entire country last year. I believe Ekwonu is a much better guard at the next level, but can get it done at tackle if need be.
4. New York Jets (4-13) – Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
Where the New York Jets defense is set up to succeed is the ability to get to the quarterback without having to blitz. That is textbook for Robert Salah’s scheme. Thibodeaux is a do it all defensive player, even displaying some surprisingly solid coverage skills this year for the Ducks. The only issue I have with Thibodeaux is his knack for disappearing in big games, which happened a few times this year. Thibodeaux will be a bit of a project, but has all the tools to be the best player in this class by a sizable amount.
5. New York Giants (4-13) – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
After passing on Micah Parsons a year ago, the Giants make up for that blunder here with Lloyd. The Giants haven’t drafted a linebacker in the first round since 1984, and Lloyd deserves a solid look here. Lloyd can be exactly what Parsons has been at the next level, a do-it-all linebacker who is a good pass rusher, great against the run, and fantastic in coverage.
6. Carolina (5-12) – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
One of the most dominant pass protectors from this year, Cross fits in perfectly with Carolina. The Panthers offensive line was a disaster this season, and now have the opportunity to take Cross here. I expect this pick will be floated around in trade talks for a potential quarterback, so the Panthers may not even make this pick.
7. New York Giants from Chicago Bears (6-11) – George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
While the Giants could look at offensive line here, I think it is too early for the Giants after missing out on Cross. Karlaftis gets the nod without an offensive lineman in range. The former Boilermaker gets it done with a high motor coming off of the edge, and elite power. Karlaftis registered 7.5 sacks this year with 54 tackles, and would fill one of the many immediate needs for the Giants.
8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10) – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
I struggle with this one personally. Stingley Jr. has top-five talent, but has been absolutely plagued with injuries. Stingley Jr. had a massive drop off in 2020 from his 2019 season, where he was arguably the best defensive back in college football en route to a National Championship with the Tigers. This past season, Stingley missed all but three games due to a foot injury. If Stingley Jr. can stay healthy, he could be an absolute star for the Falcons who desperately need help at the back end of their defense.
9. Denver (7-10) – David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan
Another team that could very easily draft a quarterback, I am going with Ojabo here instead. The most likely scenario for Denver is they trade for a top end starter, i.e. Rodgers or Watson, or sign a veteran to bridge the gap. Ojabo was a late bloomer for the Wolverines, but was a force to be reckoned with this past season. 11 sacks and 5 forced fumbles could be enough for Ojabo to crack the top-10.
10. New York Jets from Seattle Seahawks (7-10) – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
A player that has a real case to be a top-five pick, Hamilton slides a bit to the Jets at number 10. The Jets need help in their secondary, specifically at safety with pending free agent Marcus Maye potentially leaving town. If he does, this pick makes even more sense. If not, the Jets would still have the option to pair Maye with Hamilton and give them a very formidable safety duo.
11. Washington Commanders (7-10) – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
My favorite passer in a very, very, weak class of passers. Pickett was sensational for the Pitt Panthers this year, totaling over 4300 yards passing and 42 touchdowns. Pickett took a massive leap this year, and it all comes from a much better understanding of defenses and their coverages. Pickett excels in looking defenders off, progressing through all of his reads, and making plays with his legs when necessary. My understanding is Pickett will be given real top-10 consideration when he meets with teams, as he will simply blow teams away with his overall football intelligence.
12. Minnesota Vikings (8-9) – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
After signing Patrick Peterson and Bashaud Breeland to one year deals, it is expected the Vikings will need two new corners in free agency this March (Breeland was cut mid-season by the team). The Vikings history of drafting corners isn’t good, with the team selecting four corners in the first round since 2013. Not a single one is currently still with the team. Corner is a particularly deep position in this year’s class, so it is possible the Vikings could draft a quarterback at this spot. However, the value of Gardner here is too good to pass up for a team with a glaring need at cornerback.
13. Cleveland Browns (8-9) – Drake London, WR, USC
The Browns have to get their hands on a playmaker this off-season for Baker Mayfield. After the failed Odell Beckham Jr. experiment, Cleveland get their hands on the best wideout in this class. A big, sturdy, physical receiver, London led the nation in contested catches a year ago in just 8 games for the Trojans with 19. The Browns desperately need a game changer in their receiving corps, and London could be just that if he can stay healthy at the next level.
14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9) – Tyler Linderbaum, OL, Iowa
I fully expect the Ravens to go with the best available on their board for this pick. That is what they historically do, to great success mind you. The Ravens built their team around a run heavy offensive scheme, so why wouldn’t they look to get more bodies on their offensive line? The Rimington Trophy winner, for best center in college football, would slot in very nicely on the Ravens line and be an every snap starter for 10-15 years.
15. Philadelphia Eagles from Miami Dolphins (9-8) – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
When studying the film, Dean’s tape stood out as one of my personal favorites. The Eagles have a pressing need at linebacker. Enter the reigning Butkus Award Winner to Philadelphia. A match made in true heaven, Dean would be a fan favorite in the City of Brotherly Love given his hard-nosed style of play. Dean excels as a blitzer, and possesses above average coverage skills.
16. Philadelphia Eagles from Indianapolis Colts (9-8) – Jermaine Johnson, Edge, Florida State
Johnson is a prospect that is raw, but pair him on a defensive line that already features the likes of Fletcher Cox and you have the potential to land a very solid player. Johnson made his money as a Seminole with his skills as an elite run stuffer, yet has some work to do as a pass rusher. He does have the upside to be a three-down player at the next level, and the Eagles have to replenish their defensive line.
17. Los Angeles Chargers (9-8) – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Will the Chargers finally address their issues against the run? The defensive unit allowed 4.8 yards per carry this season, and are set to lose Linval Joseph to free agency this spring. Enter Davis, an absolute monster of a man standing at 6’6, weighing 340 pounds. He plugs an immediate need for the Chargers, and offers some pass rushing ability as well. Good luck to any offensive lineman that tries to block him.
18. New Orleans Saints (9-8) – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
The Saints will be starting with a clean slate in 2022, with a new head coach coming to town. That means, the coach will get his guy at the quarterback position. Corral is an undersized passer, but makes up for it with elite arm strength and poise. His medicals could be a red flag for some teams, but has had negative results on X-rays for his ankle injury suffered in the Sugar Bowl loss to Baylor.
19. Philadelphia Eagles (9-8) – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Not only do the Eagles dive back into the wide receiver well yet again, they dive back into the Alabama wide receiver well. After drafting Devonta Smith a year ago, the Eagles go back to the Crimson Tide and select Williams. Williams would be a top-10 pick in this draft if not for the torn ACL in the National Championship loss to Georgia. If all checks out with Williams’ medicals, he will still be one of the top wideouts taken. The Eagles have to get more weapons for Jalen Hurts, and why not get a guy that can take the top off of any defense.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7-1) – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Willis is a project, there is no doubt about it. I do not see Willis coming in as a day one starter for the Steelers, but they have to get a quarterback here with the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. Willis may turn out to be the best quarterback in this class, but there are things that concern me when watching his film. Willis faded in a big way in the second half of 2021. Some may point to the lack of quality talent at Liberty, and that may be fair. But Willis has a cannon of an arm, can make plays outside of the pocket, and is a leader in every sense of the word from sources I have talked to. The only thing Willis will have to clean up is his footwork and his accuracy, which can get erratic at times.
21. New England Patriots (10-7) – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
After taking Mac Jones in the first round last year, the Patriots now give him a shiny new toy for 2022. Wilson offers the Patriots a ton of versatility, with the ability to play both outside and slot receiver positions. Wilson might be the best pure route runner in this class, and has great after the catch abilities as well. Wilson racked up over 1200 yards on 70 catches a year ago, with 12 touchdowns to boot as well.
22. Las Vegas Raiders (10-7) – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
New Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels may opt to draft offensive here given his background, but I can’t see the Raiders passing up on Elam. Elam fills a massive need for the Raiders right from the jump. He boosted his stock quite nicely during his junior year, and makes a living on top-end speed and physicality. Very rarely do you see a cornerback with both assets in his back pocket.
23. Arizona Cardinals (11-6) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
A slam dunk pick for the Cardinals, who have to get more weapons for Kyler Murray. With DeAndre Hopkins’ injury woes a year ago, and the slow progression of Rondale Moore after his rookie year, the Cardinals get another pass catcher for Murray. Olave is a masterful route runner with spectacular hands. Olave made the right decision to return to Ohio State a year ago, and this year he could even crack the top-20.
24. Dallas Cowboys (12-5) – Arnold Ebiketie, Edge, Penn State
The Cowboys go back to the Penn State well and select Temple transfer Ebiketie. He was sensational this year for the Nittany Lions with 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. On film, it was Ebiketie’s violent hands and quick first step that jumped off the page. With Dallas needing to make a decision on pending free agent Randy Gregory, this is an easy pick.
25. Buffalo Bills (11-6) – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Another team that I can see going best available player, the Bills opt to shore up their offensive line with Penning. The 6’7 tackle is raw, but given his size he will be a problem for edge defenders at the next level. Charge him with keeping Josh Allen upright, Penning has the potential to be a quality starter at the next level.
26. Tennessee Titans (12-5) – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
The Titans have got to draft a corner here. After the season-ending injury to last year’s first round pick Caleb Farley, the Titans pass defense fell apart. Booth Jr. is as consistent as they come in college football, given his fantastic press-coverage prowess. Booth Jr. and Farley would make a stellar tandem, and would have the Titans covered at the position.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4) – Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
Quarterback is an option here with the retirement of Tom Brady, yet the value here with Walker is exceptional. Walker is just another of Georgia’s fantastic defensive prospects in this draft, yet doesn’t have the same clout as the others (yes, I just used clout). Walker is severely underrated as a prospect, and has every chance of being the best defensive player to come out of Georgia in this draft.
28. Green Bay Packers (13-4) – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Please, please, please, Green Bay. Do yourselves a favor and keep your best player happy, and in town for that matter. The Packers have Davante Adams at their disposal, pending his return, yet do not have that out-and-out second option for Aaron Rodgers. Enter Burks, who can do it all. He has the speed, size, and after the catch ability, to become one of Rodgers’ premier threats in Green Bay IF Rodgers returns.
29. Miami Dolphins from San Francisco (10-7) – Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
The Dolphins have got to address the offensive line via the draft and free agency. Green has the position flexibility to be either a guard or a tackle at the next level. I see him more as a guard, but can definitely get the job done at tackle if need be. The Dolphins have to keep Tua Tagovailoa upright, and Green helps in that area.
30. Kansas City Chiefs (12-5) – David Bell, WR, Purdue
Corner is a need for the Chiefs, and I do expect them to get a few in free agency and even the draft. However, the value of Bell here is too good for the Chiefs to pass up. He would fit right into this offense of yards after the catch beasts, and gets to catch passes from Patrick Mahomes. Not a bad spot if you are Bell.
31. Cincinnati Bengals (10-7) – Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
Gordon is a fringe prospect that will have to test well at the combine to get real round one consideration. On tape, Gordon did stand out as a fantastic ball defender, with two picks and seven passes defended a year ago. It is his positional versatility that will get him the first round consideration however, as Gordon can line up both at outside corner and in the slot.
32. Detroit Lions from Los Angeles Rams (12-5) – Sam Howell, QB, UNC
The Lions get their guy for the future in Howell. Howell will walk in and serve as the understudy to Jared Goff, and I think that will do wonders for him. Already an elite thrower of the football and an underrated playmaker, Howell simply is a victim of heightened expectations that he did not live up to on 2021. The Lions will be elated to land Howell here. The Los Angeles Rams. The Cincinnati Bengals. Super Bowl LVI on February 13. What a game it will be for both teams, for the Rams it is a chance to show their full send for a championship has paid off. For the Bengals, this is their moment to show the world they too can be perennial threats in the AFC and the NFL as a whole for years to come.
What also is going on right now, you may ask? Well, voice of public opinion, we are in full Senior Bowl season. With all Senior Bowl practices occurring last week, and the Senior Bowl taking place this previous Saturday, this is the ultimate showcase for draft prospects to audition for NFL teams. It is the practices however where the prospects for this year’s upcoming NFL Draft get the opportunity to show their stuff. This is a legitimate opportunity for players to get a boost in their draft stocks for the draft, where lives will be changed forever.
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