NFL: 2022 Mock Draft 1.0

The 2022 NFL Draft is scheduled to start just under a year from now on Thursday, April 28 in Las Vegas. Check out of initial mock draft headlined by elite defenders Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon), Derek Stingley (LSU), Christian Harris (Alabama), and Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), and talented quarterbacks Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma) and Sam Howell (North Carolina). There's also a number of impact offense tackles like Zion Nelson (Miami) and Evan Neal (Alabama).

1. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE/Oregon): Thibodeaux was the highest ranked player in California coming out of high school and he's only lived up to the hype in two years at Oregon, compiling 77 total tackles, 12 sacks, three pass deflections, and one forced fumble in 20 games. Houston might be in need of a quarterback depending on Deshaun Watson's trade request but it would be difficult to pass on Thibodeaux, who has solidified himself as the top prospect.

NFL Comp: Danielle Hunter (MIN)

2. Detroit Lions: Spencer Rattler (QB/Oklahoma): Rattler will certainly be in the mix for the first quarterback drafted a year from now but there's a few other options like Sam Howell, Malik Willis, and Kedon Slovis. We're going to go with the Oklahoma QB after he threw for 3,031 yards, 28 touchdowns, and seven picks on a 67.5% completion rate. According to OddsShark, Rattler is the 2021 Heisman favorite and Detroit could very well be looking for Jared Goff's replacement.

NFL Comp: Kyler Murray (ARZ)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derek Stingley Jr. (CB/LSU): Stingley was an absolute ballhawk in his freshman year before struggling with injuries in a shortened 2020. He's racked up 65 total tackles, 20 pass deflections, six interceptions, and two fumble recoveries in 22 games with the Tigers. Jacksonville looked to improve their offense in the 2021 draft, selecting Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Walker Little, and Luke Farrell. The 6'1 cornerback could be an addition to the other side of the ball.

NFL Comp: AJ Bouye (CAR)

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Zion Nelson (OT/Miami): Nelson is a 6'5, 240-pound tackle out of South Carolina. In two years at Miami, Nelson hasn't allowed a single sack in 24 games. He has extremely quick hands and feet, and will look to protect D'Eriq King this upcoming season. We saw the Bengals pass on protection for Joe Burrow by selecting Ja'Marr Chase with the 5th pick over Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater. It's likely they'll be looking to fill that gap at some point in the near future.

NFL Comp: Terron Armstead (NOS)

5. New York Jets: Evan Neal (OT/Alabama): Neal becomes the second offensive tackle off the board behind Nelson but the two are virtually interchangeable. According to 247 Sports, Neal was the top ranked OT in the class of 2019 and Alabama certainly has a great track record of getting linemen drafted in the first round. New York spent their first pick on Zach Wilson in late April and Evan Neal could be another protector for their 21-year-old franchise quarterback.

NFL Comp: Jonathan Ogden (BAL)

First Round Picks:

6. NYG: Sam Howell (UNC)

7. LVR: Drake Jackson (USC)

8. PHI: Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)

9. CAR: Christian Harris (Alabama)

10. WFT: Malik Willis (Liberty)

11. ATL: Justyn Ross (Clemson)

12. PIT: Charles Cross (Miss State)

13. NYG: DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M)

14. DEN: Kaiir Elam (Florida)

15. MIN: Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)

16. NEP: Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma)

17. NOS: Josh Jobe (Alabama)

18. LAC: Chris Olave (Ohio State)

19. ARZ: Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)

20. IND: George Pickens (Georgia)

21. DAL: Nik Bonitto (Oklahoma)

22. PHI: Breece Hall (Iowa State)

23. NYJ: Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati)

24. TEN: Tyler Davis (Clemson)

25. MIA: Ikem Ekwonu (NC State)

26. CLE: Jordan Davis (Georgia)

27. GBP: Kedon Slovis (USC)

28. BAL: Ventrell Miller (Florida)

29. DET: John Metchie III (Alabama)

30. BUF: Jalen Wydermyer (Texas A&M)

31. KAN: Jalen Green (Texas)

32. TBB: George Karlaftis (Purdue)

Top-40 Prospects:

1. Kayvon Thibodeaux (DE)

2. Derek Stingley Jr. (CB)

3. Spencer Rattler (QB)

4. Christian Harris (LB)

5. Zion Nelson (OT)

6. Kyle Hamilton (S)

7. Evan Neal (OT)

8. Drake Jackson (DE)

9. Sam Howell (QB)

10. Kaiir Elam (CB)

11. Justyn Ross (WR)

12. DeMarvin Leal (DL)

13. Perrion Winfrey (DL)

14. George Pickens (WR)

15. Charles Cross (OT)

16. Josh Jobe (CB)

17. Garrett Wilson (WR)

18. Aidan Hutchinson (DE)

19. Malik Willis (QB)

20. Ahmad Gardner (CB)

21. Chris Olave (WR)

22. Breece Hall (RB)

23. Tyler Davis (DL)

24. Kedon Slovis (QB)

25. Ventrell Miller (LB)

26. Jordan Davis (DT)

27. Nik Bonitto (DE)

28. John Metchie III (WR)

29. Jalen Wydermyer (TE)

30. Ikem Ekwonu (OT)

31. George Karlaftis (DE)

32. JT Daniels (QB)

33. Kingsley Enagbare (DE)

34. Rasheed Walker (OT)

35. Brenton Cox (DE)

36. Jalen Green (CB)

37. Zach Harrison (DE)

38. Isaiah Spiller (RB)

39. Treylon Burks (WR)

40. Desmond Ridder (QB)

Photo Credit: Bleacher Report.