Let’s just be brutally honest. Predicting the entire first round of the NFL Draft is one of the most difficult challenges to attempt. The odds of hitting 50% seem next to impossible. Last year, we actually witnessed the greatest mock draft of all time as Underdog Fantasy’s Josh Norris accurately predicted the first eight selections. He was able to correctly predict 15 total player-to-team landing spots. Truly amazing. I’m not expecting much, so with a great lack of confidence, here is my final mock draft…

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker EDGE – Georgia

Oh my gosh. This is actually happening… The meteoric rise of Travon Walker has no limits. The athletic freak will be the number one overall selection and I’ll be left in a state of utter disbelief. 

2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson EDGE – Michigan

People will continue to talk and try to act like this pick will be anything other than Aidan Hutchinson. No, they will not take Malik Willis here, no they will not take Sauce Gardner, no they will not trade down. Dan Campbell is getting his guy here. And if the “impossible” happens where Aidan goes one, the Lions would just happily scoop up Kayvon Thibodeaux at two.

3. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE – Oregon

Yeah… this is weird. I wasn’t referring to Kayvon going third despite the fact I believe he’s the number one player in the class. I’m saying it’s really weird that the top three picks are all edge rushers. This is my first “bold” pick. It’s truly unknown what the Texans will do at three as they’ve kept things on the extreme down low. There’s murmurs of Sauce, Derek Stingley Jr., Garrett Wilson, or an o-lineman here… I’m going with my gut. Houston takes the best player available.

4. New York Jets: Ikem Ekwonu OL – NC State

Rumors are swirling that Jermaine Johnson II is a very possible selection here at four. Wow. In my head, the Jets go with the offensive lineman they are most infatuated with. Many believe that Ikem Ekwonu is prepared to succeed in the NFL either at tackle or guard.

5. New York Giants: Evan Neal OT – Alabama

The Giants are heavily expected to take a tackle here at five. With Ekwonu off the board, it becomes a decision between Evan Neal and Charles Cross. The Giants opt for the player that will positively impact his team from day one and should have a stellar NFL career. My top offensive lineman in the class.

6. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett QB – Pitt

The heart says Malik Willis. The gut says Kenny Pickett. I believe that Carolina will trade down from six, but we cannot predict trades. I’ll try to score some points with the Panthers – Pickett connection and hope the pick occurs whether at six or somewhere else. I really do think they have a fascination with Pickett that can not be matched.

7. New York Giants (via CHI): Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner CB – Cincinnati

The G-Men are a strong candidate to move out of the seven spot. It’s very possible they do. However… Sauce Gardner is available at seven and should be a snap pick. In my eyes this pick comes down to three players if the Giants keep it: Sauce, Derek Stingley Jr., and Garrett Wilson.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson WR – Ohio State

The Atlanta Falcons receiver room is an abomination. Go add the best WR in the class and build around Garrett Wilson and Kyle Pitts.

9. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Derek Stingley Jr. CB – LSU

After much talk about possibly going third overall, Stingley Jr. goes right in the range we all expect. Seattle gets a monster talent at CB with true CB1 potential. Many will sharpie in Charles Cross here, but I dislike that fit. Pete Carroll runs the football a ton. Would the Seahawks really take a tackle from Mike Leach’s system at nine?

10. New York Jets (via SEA): Jameson Williams WR – Alabama

Jameson Williams and his bank account are loving all the talk about him rising up draft boards. With a strong desire to select a receiver and plenty of failure in the pursuit of attempting to land one, the Jets will take Jamo and pair him with Elijah Moore. Sheesh!

11. Washington Commanders: Chris Olave WR – Ohio State

When Ron Rivera attends a pro day, pay close attention. He doesn’t often make pro day trips, but he did for Ohio State. The Commanders have done extensive work on the Ohio State receivers and are high on both. ESPN’s John Keim told me that he believes Chris Olave is one of the top players on Washington’s board. I’ll attempt to be one of the few with Olave going No. 11 and hope the Commanders select him here or a few spots later after a trade down.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Hamilton S – Notre Dame

Kyle Hamilton was once believed to be a top five pick in this draft. After an average combine performance, he falls down boards and ends up going to Minnesota at 12. The Harrison Smith era is coming to a close. We might just see one Notre Dame star hand the keys to the Vikings defense to another Notre Dame star.

13. Houston Texans (via CLE): Charles Cross OT – Mississippi State

A job well done in Houston with this haul. Kayvon at three and one of the premier tackles in this class in Charles Cross at 13. A stud pass protector that is in prime position to be the Texans’ franchise left tackle.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Trent McDuffie CB – Washington

The Ravens could greatly benefit from a young corner with great upside. They opt for the toughness and versatility of Trent McDuffie.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): Jermaine Johnson II EDGE – Florida State

We see Jermaine Johnson II fall down the board here, and with a need for an edge rusher, Philly is able to scoop up the falling pass rusher.

16. New Orleans Saints (via PHI/IND): Jordan Davis DT – Georgia

With the first of two picks in the top 20, New Orleans rolls with the mountain that is Jordan Davis. The Saints secure him here with the Chargers on deck, who would’ve loved the run stuffer.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Daxton Hill DB – Michigan

With some of their top targets off the board, the Chargers must think on the fly. I’ve got them going with Michigan’s Daxton Hill. A versatile DB that will be used at nickel, corner, and safety.

18. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): Drake London WR – USC

I think the Eagles would be ecstatic to add Drake London to their team as they attempt to replenish a lackluster receiving core.

19. New Orleans Saints (via PHI): Treylon Burks WR – Arkansas

I guess. I’m still baffled that the Saints made that move to get another first in 2022, and with the second of their two firsts… Treylon Burks is the move. A talented receiver with a special combination of speed, size, and versatility. He could be falling down draft boards, and I understand why. The Saints gamble on a boom or bust player.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malik Willis QB – Liberty

Kevin Colbert makes a SPLASH in his final draft. I suspect that Colbert will move up to make this happen so we’ll try and dot the fit of Pittsburgh and Malik Willis. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers get their QB of the future in Willis. 

21. New England Patriots: Devin Lloyd LB – Utah

Everything about Devin Lloyd just screams New England. I believe Bill Belichick and company would jump at the opportunity to add Lloyd to their defense.

22. Green Bay Packers (via LV): Zion Johnson IOL – Boston College

Will Green Bay take a wide receiver in the first round? Not at 22. With the wide receiver class having great depth and the Packers picking at 28, they can afford to wait. Zion Johnson is the pick here at 22 as Green Bay solidifies the offensive line with a versatile player that has seen work at tackle, guard, and most recently center at the Senior Bowl.

23. Arizona Cardinals: Devonte Wyatt DT – Georgia

The Cardinals have some pretty significant needs but none of those can outweigh the importance of making Kyler Murray happy. They just saw all the top receivers go ahead of them and now pivot to the defensive side of the ball. Poor Kyler. I think that Kaiir Elam, Andrew Booth, and even Kyler Gordon are all in play here. Instead, they go for the multi-faceted DT in Devonte Wyatt.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Kenyon Green IOL – Texas A&M

There are rumors that Kenyon Green could slip out of the first round, and I’ll bravely pencil him in here at 24. Dallas should jump at the opportunity to draft a 21-year-old who played LT, LG, RG, and RT at a high level in the SEC.

25. Buffalo Bills: Kaiir Elam CB – Florida

Buffalo really needs to add a CB to this roster. The Bills do that with a baller in Kaiir Elam. He’ll be a 21-year-old rookie that has produced some great tape but struggled a bit in 2021.  He’s a lengthy corner that loves to initiate physical play with his arms. A straight up burner too, crazy speed. Oh, and I’ll be so disappointed if they take a RB here.

26. Tennessee Titans: Desmond Ridder QB – Cincinnati

Look, this pick might not even belong to Tennessee, but we’re banking on a QB here whether Tennessee keeps 26 or not. We’ll act as if the Titans hold on and draft Desmond Ridder. Rumors are heating up that Tennessee might just be considering Ridder. Ryan Tannehill will be 34 years old entering this season, and his contract has a potential out after this season. Tennessee would draft Ridder with the plan of sitting him and letting him start in 2023 as a 24-year-old sophomore.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Logan Hall DE – Houston

A trendy late first-round choice here as Logan Hall heads to Tampa Bay. Hall will be heavily sought after, and with the top interior offensive linemen off the board, Tampa makes the call of Hall. At 6-foot-6 and 283 pounds, Hall projects as a DE but has a DT background as well.

28. Green Bay Packers: George Pickens WR – Georgia

WHOA! Green Bay takes a receiver in the first round?? Preposterous! The Packers take a shot at George Pickens and give Aaron Rodgers a weapon with plenty of potential. A 21-year-old rookie who broke out as an 18-year-old in the SEC. Sheesh!

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via SF): George Karlaftis EDGE – Purdue

In my opinion, the Chiefs will likely trade one of these picks, and logic says to trade the first of the two. Rumors are swirling that George Karlaftis might just be sliding down the board come Thursday night. I don’t get it because I view Karlaftis as the third best EDGE in this class. I view the young, powerful pass rushing extraordinaire to be an absolute steal at 29.

30. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaquan Brisker S – Penn State

Let’s throw a dart here. The Chiefs get an enforcer and a playmaker in Jaquan Brisker. A really nice addition to a secondary that could use some much-needed depth. Brisker is being overlooked and I don’t get it.

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Linderbaum IOL – Iowa

About time. It’s about dang time we find a good spot to get Tyler Linderbaum off the board. The positional value of a center hurts his stock a lot more than it helps. Ted Karras will move to guard and the Bengals will be ecstatic to cement their center position with Linderbaum.

32. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Quay Walker – Georgia

If Sam Howell is the pick here, I will not be one bit surprised. But I’ll opt for a player that I believe excites Dan Campbell. Quay Walker is trending heavily as the second linebacker to be taken, and betting odds prove that. He’s +170 to be the second LB drafted, and Nakobe Dean is +700. I’ll trust Vegas and send Quay to Detroit. A big, instinctive linebacker that should show great consistency in the NFL.