This year, any number of scenarios could unfold in the top 10 of the 2022 NFL Draft. With no surefire No. 1 overall pick (unlike in recent years), few analysts and experts agree on who could be the top selection.
With that in mind, these five prospects are near-locks to go in the top five: Michigan edge Aidan Hutchinson, Alabama tackle Evan Neal, Oregon edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton and N.C. State tackle Ikem Ekwonu.
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After that, it’s a total crapshoot. With the NFL Combine underway, prospects will rise and fall, as is the case in the month leading up to the draft.
Here’s how four of the latest mock drafts — from SN’s Vinnie Iyer, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah — stack up:
Vinnie Iyer’s mock draft (The Sporting News)
Iyer’s latest mock draft was released March 1:
Noteworthy:
— Quite the slide for Sauce Gardner: While some consider Gardner to be the top corner on the board, competing with Derek Stingley, Iyer has him mocked at No. 19 to the Eagles.
— Drake London, who some believe is the No. 1 wideout in this draft, falls all the way down to the Titans at No. 26.
— The Lions get their passer of the future, thanks in part to Jared Goff: With the No. 32 overall selection (via the Goff trade), Detroit nabs Matt Corral.
Mel Kiper Jr.’s mock draft (ESPN)
Kiper’s latest mock draft was released March 1:
Noteworthy:
— The Steelers find their successor to Ben Roethlisberger, and they don’t have to trade up to do it, landing Malik Willis at No. 20 overall.
— The Cowboys may get the steal of the draft, landing George Karlaftis at No. 24 overall.
— The Packers finally draft a first-round wide receiver, getting Alabama’s Jameson Williams at No. 28.
Daniel Jeremiah’s mock draft (NFL Network)
Jeremiah’s latest mock draft was released Feb. 22:
Noteworthy:
— There could be as many as six first-round tackles according to Jeremiah, with Trevor Penning moving all the way up into the top 10.
— Derek Stingley Jr. makes a short slide, going No. 14 overall. Some consider Stingley a top-10 lock and the best overall cornerback prospect on the board:
— More weaponry for Josh Allen: The Bills take Treylon Burks at No. 25 overall, adding to their already deadly passing attack.
Todd McShay’s mock draft (ESPN)
McShay’s latest mock draft was released Feb. 16:
Noteworthy:
— Would the Jets pass on a pass rusher? According to McShay, they might: Kayvon Thibodeaux falls past them and goes to the Gotham City-rival Giants at No. 5.
— In a mock trade with the Chargers, the Steelers move up to select Malik Willis, turning from immobile Ben Roethlisberger to an explosive successor.
— The pass rush in Dallas could be very scary, if the Cowboys opt to take Michigan edge rusher David Ojabo with the No. 24 overall selection.
