Most teams that are in contention for the playoffs are starting to find a complete identity. However, some teams are failing to catch up to the top teams in the AFC and NFC and look to have losing seasons. The process for the 2022 NFL Draft is underway, and player evaluations are already forming. Here is the latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft halfway through the 2021-2022 NFL season.
2022 NFL Mock Draft: Midway Point of 2021 Season
Detroit Lions (0-8) – EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
The Lions are the only winless team in the league and clearly lack any significant talent. They need the best in the draft, regardless of position.
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Houston Texans (1-8) – QB Matt Corral (Ole Miss)
The situation with Deshaun Watson is not proving to find a resolution. Therefore, it is time for Houston to move on with a new franchise quarterback.
Philadelphia Eagles (2-7) via Miami – OT Evan Neal (Alabama)
The Eagles need some stability at the offensive line. Even if the offensive tackles are secured, Neal has experience playing guard, which the Eagles need.
New York Jets (2-6) – S Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)
The Jets have last ranked total defense (408.1 total yards allowed) and scoring defense (31.4 points allowed). They need leadership and the best defensive player available.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) – CB Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU)
Defensively, Jacksonville ranks 26th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (272). They need a cornerback they can actually keep for more than a few seasons.
Washington Football Team (2-6) – QB Malik Willis (Liberty)
The loss of Ryan Fitzpatrick in the first game of the season showed that Washington should have been more serious about acquiring a franchise quarterback earlier.
Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) – DT Demarvin Leal (Texas A&M)
There is uncertainty with defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and his long-term status on the team. Regardless, they can get another stud on the defensive line.
New York Giants (3-6) – DE Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)
The Giants have several great run-stoppers, but they need more support in the pass rush. Essentially, they can afford to reshuffle the defensive line as well.
New York Giants (3-6) via Chicago – OT Charles Cross (Mississippi State)
One pick later, the Giants need to address the lackluster offensive line that has allowed 20 sacks and not established a superior run game.
Miami Dolphins (3-6) via San Francisco – OT/G Kenyon Green (Texas A&M)
The Dolphins possess one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL and it is not even close. According to Pro Football Focus, they have allowed 152 total pressures on their quarterbacks.
New York Jets (2-6) via Seattle – OLB Devin Lloyd (Utah)
New York needs to keep selecting dynamic and versatile talent on the defensive side of the ball.
Minnesota Vikings (3-5) – CB Kaiir Elam (Florida)
A lack of efficiency in the defensive backs continues to be the biggest issue on the team. As a result, their defense ranks 27th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (383.6).
Carolina Panthers (4-5) – C Tyler Linderbaum (Iowa)
While quarterback is a huge area of concern, the Panthers need stability on the offensive line. They are currently starting an undrafted center, who was on the practice squad at the beginning of the season.
Philadelphia Eagles via Indianapolis – WR Drake London (USC)
The Eagles do not have a solid option at receiver outside of rookie DeVonta Smith. Having two dynamic receivers in Smith and London will accelerate the offense.
Denver Broncos (5-4) – OT Trevor Penning (Northern Iowa)
Garett Bolles looks like he is finally progressing at offensive tackle, but the other tackle is struggling. The Broncos have given up 29 sacks this season, tied for second-most in the league.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-4) – CB Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati)
The Bengals need some youth in their man coverage cornerbacks. Gardner would be a great option for them with some proper development.
Cleveland Browns (5-4) – DT Jordan Davis (Georgia)
The interior defensive line is the biggest area of concern for Cleveland. Getting Davis would be an absolute steal this deep into the draft.
Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) – DE Cameron Thomas (San Diego State)
Kansas City needs some youth in their pass rushers along the defensive line. The defense has only accounted for 12 total sacks this season.
Atlanta Falcons (4-4) – EDGE Drake Jackson (USC)
Following the Chiefs in the least amount of sacks accounted for this season are the Falcons (11), who again has the least productive pass rush.
New England Patriots (4-4) – WR Jameson Williams (Alabama)
With the Patriots needing more weapons, Bill Belichick will turn to his former assistant in Nick Saban for a key weapon of the offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) – QB Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh)
It is beyond time for the Steelers to get a new franchise quarterback. A local player with an explosive arm is an instant pick.
New Orleans Saints (4-3) – WR Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)
It has been a rollercoaster of events involving Michael Thomas and the Saints. Even if Thomas and the Saints reconcile, they need more options in their passing game.
Las Vegas Raiders (5-3) – ILB Nakobe Dean (Georgia)
With general manager Mike Mayock making the decisions on players, he will look to get an all-around defender to lead the Raiders.
Dallas Cowboys (6-2) – OT/G Ikem Ekwonu (NC State)
Injuries and inconsistencies have plagued the offensive line of Dallas. They need insurance for their star quarterback Dak Prescott.
Buffalo Bills (5-3) – G Darian Kinnard (Kentucky)
Buffalo needs more consistency in the interior offensive line as they need support in the rushing game.
Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) – WR Jahan Dotson (Penn State)
With the Chargers trying to be a more explosive and dynamic passing offense, they could use a dynamic route-runner such as Dotson.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2) – DE George Karlaftis (Purdue)
The Buccaneers need more youth and explosiveness at the line of scrimmage. Ndamukong Suh will be 35-years old in January.
Detroit Lions via Los Angeles Rams – WR Chris Olave (Ohio State)
The Lions might look to give quarterback Jared Goff one more year with no elite quarterback prospects this late in the draft. Olave can be their number one receiver moving forward.
Baltimore Ravens (6-2) – EDGE Kingsley Enagbare (South Carolina)
Baltimore has only accounted for 15 total sacks this season, which is tied for 26th in the league.
Green Bay Packers (7-2) – WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)
It has clear that Aaron Rodgers wants more weapons outside of Davante Adams. Burks can be the #2 moving forward.
Tennessee Titans (7-2) – CB Trent McDuffie (Washington)
The Titans have been decimated in the secondary this season before the season-ending injury to Caleb Farley. They allow an average of 265.8 passing yards per game.
Arizona Cardinals (8-1) – OLB Braden Smith (Penn State)
The Cardinals need more consistency in their linebacker corps, outside of the pass rush. Smith is a player that can contribute to stopping the run and defending against the passing game.
