NFL training camps have commenced preparations for the 2021 NFL season. Several teams are expected to be in heavy contention for Super Bowl LVI. Other teams are going to use the 2021-2022 NFL season to find the strengths and weaknesses of their team for future title contention. The process for the 2022 NFL Draft has already begun with player evaluations and analyzing what each team’s biggest concern is moving forward. The order of this mock draft is determined by the projected records of each NFL team this season by CBS Sports’ John Breech.
2022 NFL Draft – 2021 NFL Training Camp Edition
1. Houston Texans (1-16) – Quarterback Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma)
Whether or not Deshaun Watson plays this season for the Texans, it is time to move on with a new franchise quarterback. Rattler would be the third Sooners quarterback drafted first overall and the first since Kyler Murray in 2019.
2. Detroit Lions (4-13) – Quarterback Sam Howell (North Carolina)
There is speculation that the Lions want to start over at the quarterback position as they question if Jared Goff is the answer.
3. New York Jets (5-12) – Offensive Tackle Evan Neal (Alabama)
Now that the Jets have their franchise quarterback, they will need to protect him. Neal will be a stellar tackle opposite from Mekhi Becton.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-12) – Edge Rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
The Jaguars barely addressed their pass rush after accounting for only 18 sacks last season (second-to-last). They will need the best pass rusher available to fix this concern on the Jaguars defense.
5. Atlanta Falcons (6-11) – Quarterback J.T. Daniels (Georgia)
Matt Ryan is 36-years old with a potential out in 2022. Even if Ryan returns, the Falcons need a young future franchise quarterback once Ryan is gone.
6. Carolina Panthers (8-9) – Defensive Tackle/Defensive End DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M)
The Panthers need more defensive stars. They can select one of the most talented defensive linemen in this 2022 NFL Draft outside of Thibodeaux.
7. New York Giants (via Chicago Bears) – Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU)
NFC East teams are preparing more explosive passing offenses; the Giants will need as many elite caliber players in the secondary as possible.
8. New York Giants (8-9) – Edge Rusher Drake Jackson (USC)
The Giants are covered in the interior defensive line with Leonard Williams returning, but they will be bare at the edge. Jackson will be the solid, main pass rusher from the defensive line going forward.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (8-9) – Quarterback Kedon Slovis (USC)
While the Eagles are confident in the leadership and abilities of Jalen Hurts this season, he may not be the franchise quarterback moving forward.
10. Las Vegas Raiders (8-9) – Cornerback Kaiir Elam (Florida)
The Raiders have been avoiding the man coverage secondary in every way possible. Last season, the Raiders were ranked 26th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (263.2).
11. New England Patriots (9-8) – Wide Receiver John Metchie III (Alabama)
Despite some decent veteran additions at wide receiver, the Patriots will not have a reliable number one receiver.
12. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8) – Offensive Tackle Charles Cross (Mississippi State)
Even though the Bengals drafted a reliable offensive tackle in the second round, the team still need more consistent pass protectors for quarterback Joe Burrow.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (9-8) – Cornerback Josh Jobe (Alabama)
Los Angeles will have a solid starting cornerback opposite Chris Harris Jr. as they will consistently battle against the best passing offenses in the AFC.
14. Denver Broncos (9-8) – Quarterback Malik Willis (Liberty)
The Broncos lucked out on the potential trade for Aaron Rodgers multiple times. They are moving on at the starting quarterback this upcoming off-season.
15. Minnesota Vikings (9-8) – Safety Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)
Minnesota will select the best defensive player available this deep into the draft. Hamilton will play an area of the secondary that lacks overall efficiency.
16. New Orleans Saints (9-8) – Wide Receiver Chris Olave (Ohio State)
This off-season has been a nightmare for the Saints as they were forced to release key receivers. Now they will be without Michael Thomas for a while. They need more high-caliber options.
17. Arizona Cardinals (10-7) – Cornerback Sevyn Banks (Ohio State)
The secondary for the Cardinals continue to be upgraded as they continually face Russell Wilson, Matthew Stafford, and now Trey Lance III.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami Dolphins) – Inside Linebacker Christian Harris (Alabama)
One of the biggest concerns for the Eagles’ defense is their lack of leadership. Harris will be a quick answer to this concern for Philadelphia.
19. Washington Football Team (10-7) – Wide Receiver Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)
Washington could reach for a quarterback or they can get another high-valued former Buckeyes receiver.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) – Offensive Tackle Zion Nelson (Miami)
Pittsburgh’s offensive line play might suffer significantly enough to keep them out of the playoffs. This will ensure that the team acquires a talented and efficient tackle.
21. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams) – Edge Rusher George Karlaftis (Purdue)
While the Lions have made significant moves upgrading the interior defensive line, they have left the edge bare of pass rusher talent.
22. Indianapolis Colts (10-7) – Wide Receiver Justyn Ross (Clemson)
The marriage between the Colts and T.Y. Hilton is set to expire after the end of this 2021 NFL season; they will need another receiver.
23. Tennessee Titans (11-6) – Edge Rusher Zach Harrison (Ohio State)
Last season, Tennessee was ranked 30th in the league in sacks accounted for (19). The Titans will need more impact pass rushers outside of newly acquired Bud Dupree.
24. Miami Dolphins (via San Francisco 49ers) (10-7) – Guard Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)
The Dolphins had several young players at the offensive line last season, but most of them are shifting to the tackles. They need more solidity in the interior of the offensive line to protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
25. Green Bay Packers (11-6) – Tight End Jalen Wydermyer (Texas A&M)
The Packers need to consider giving quarterback Aaron Rodgers more efficient weapons. A solid and reliable pass-catching tight end will help the unstable relationship between the team and future Hall of Fame quarterback.
26. Cleveland Browns (11-6) – Edge Rusher Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)
This off-season, the Browns acquired Jadeveon Clowney to their defensive line for one year. They will need depth, insurance for injuries, and time to develop young talent.
27. Dallas Cowboys (12-5) – Safety Bubba Bolden (Miami)
Last season, the Cowboys had one of the worst defenses in the league, especially against deep coverage play. The safety position was the weakest area of their secondary.
28. Baltimore Ravens (12-5) – Safety Jordan Battle (Alabama)
Baltimore needs solid depth among several areas of their defense, but the safeties of their secondary are their most concerning.
29. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks) – Cornerback Trent McDuffie (Washington)
The Jets defense ranked 28th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (275.6) this past season. The team did not address the secondary concerns round five of the 2021 NFL Draft.
30. Buffalo Bills (14-3) – Defensive Tackle Perrion Winfrey (Oklahoma)
Buffalo continues to upgrade their defensive line by drafting a superior run-stopper and pass-rushing nose tackle.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-5) – Running Back Breece Hall (Iowa State)
Although the Buccaneers have several reliable running backs in their arsenal, adding Hall will give Tampa Bay more speed, youth, and a future starting option at running back.
32. Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) – Guard Cade Mays (Tennessee)
The Chiefs added some key tackles for the 2021 season, but they need depth and long-time starters in the interior offensive line for the dynamic Chiefs offense.
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