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.
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Now, with the NFL franchise tag deadline come and gone and two massive pieces of QB news hitting the wire — Aaron Rodgers staying in Green Bay, Russell Wilson on his way to Denver — some mock drafts felt the aftershock of the moves.
Here’s how five of the latest mock drafts — from TSN’s Vinnie Iyer, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler — stack up:
Vinnie Iyer’s mock draft (The Sporting News)
Iyer’s latest mock draft was released March 8:
Noteworthy:
— The Seahawks waste no time replacing Russell Wilson, selecting Malik Willis with the No. 9 overall pick, formerly of the Broncos.
— Carson Strong, first-round pick? The cannon-armed passer is the heir apparent to Tom Brady in Tampa, heading to the Bucs at pick No. 27.
— In all, five first-round QBs are selected, one shy of tying the NFL record of six.
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 on March 9:
Noteworthy:
— In McShay’s mock draft, he has the Falcons trading back into the first round to take Matt Corral as the team’s passer of the future.
— With Tyrann Mathieu potentially moving on from Kansas City, the Chiefs replace him with Dax Hill, the standout Wolverine safety.
— The Packers finally draft a first-round wide receiver: They take Penn State’s Jahan Dotson with the No. 28 pick.
Dane Brugler’s mock draft (The Athletic)
Brugler’s latest mock draft was released on March 8:
Noteworthy:
— Brugler has Kenny Pickett, even post-NFL Combine, as the first QB off the board, with Malik Willis falling all the way to No. 18.
— The Cowboys (preemptively) replace Amari Cooper with Treylon Burks at No. 24. Burks had a less-than stellar combine, perhaps fueling the fall.
— From Bearcats to big cats: At the back end of the first round, the Lions take Desmond Ridder with Pick No. 32. That feels about right for the Bearcat QB, who some believe is a lock for the second round.
