Tuesday, we learned that Aaron Rodgers is staying put with the Green Bay Packers, which triggered a domino effect where the Denver Broncos traded for nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson, using the No. 9 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft as part of their trade package. With 50 days until the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock, here's our latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft:
Even After Tagging Cam Robinson, Jaguars Still Go With OT at No. 1
Evan Neal heads to the Jaguars in our latest NFL Mock Draft.
(Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal - Offensive Tackle, Alabama
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson - Edge Rusher, Michigan
3. Houston Texans: Ikem Ekwonu - Offensive Tackle, N.C. State
4. New York Jets: Kyle Hamilton - Safety, Notre Dame
5. New York Giants: Travon Walker - Edge Rusher, Georgia
Some took the Jaguars' decision to tag left tackle Cam Robinson for a second consecutive year as a sign that Trent Baalke, Doug Pederson and company plan to use the No. 1 overall pick on Aidan Hutchinson or another edge rusher.
And perhaps they do. But Pro Football Focus had Robinson rated as the 48th-best offensive tackle in 2021, and barring a long-term extension, he'll become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. As you attempt to protect Trevor Lawrence, tagging Robinson shouldn't prevent the Jaguars from continuing to bolster their offensive line.
Neal could shift to right tackle for a year, or he could become the left tackle and the Jaguars could have Robinson play right tackle. Either way, by selecting an offensive tackle -- whether it's Neal or Ekwonu -- the Jaguars would be shoring up one of the five most important positions on their football team for the foreseeable future.
Giants Select Cornerback Who Shined at NFL Combine
Sauce Gardner heads to the Giants in our latest NFL Mock Draft.
(Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
6. Carolina Panthers: Charles Cross - Offensive Tackle, Mississippi State
7. New York Giants: Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner - Cornerback, Cincinnati
8. Atlanta Falcons: Kayvon Thibodaeux - Edge Rusher, Oregon
9. Seattle Seahawks: Jermaine Johnson - Edge Rusher, Florida State
10. New York Jets: Trevor Penning - Offensive Tackle, Northern Iowa
While the Giants unquestionably have needs across their offensive line, we're currently projecting that Joe Schoen will have a heavy defensive focus in his first NFL Draft as a general manager.
Two picks after taking edge rusher Travon Walker, the Giants become the first team in this year's NFL Draft to select a cornerback, selecting Cincinnati's Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner.
Gardner shined at the NFL Combine, with Michael Nania of Jets X Factor noting that his 4.41 40-yard dash time was the quickest ever for a cornerback with his length, both in terms of height (6-foot-2) and arm length (33 1/2 inches).
With veteran James Bradberry seeming like a very real candidate to be traded or released, Gardner would be an ideal selection at No. 7, assuming the Giants keep both of their top-10 picks.
Unable To Attract Veteran QB, Commanders Select Kenny Pickett
Kenny Pickett heads to D.C. in our latest NFL Mock Draft.
(Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
11. Washington Commanders: Kenny Pickett - Quarterback, Pitt
12. Minnesota Vikings: Derek Stingley - Cornerback, LSU
13. Cleveland Browns: Jordan Davis - Defensive Tackle, Georgia
14. Baltimore Ravens: Kenyon Green - Guard, Texas A&M
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Nakobe Dean - Linebacker, Georgia
The Commanders have an established head coach, an elite wide receiver, an impressive young running back and a defense loaded with young talent, all while playing in one of the weaker divisions in the NFL.
And yet, as long as the cloud of Daniel Snyder hangs over their franchise, the guess here is they are going to have a very difficult time attracting any veteran quarterbacks with options. Russell Wilson serves as the latest example of that.
That may back Martin Mayhew and Ron Rivera into drafting a quarterback if they want a chance to have someone with legitimate upside.
Liberty's Malik Willis unquestionably has the highest ceiling of the quarterbacks in this year's class, though he's raw enough that you could certainly envision a scenario where he doesn't pan out at the NFL level. So we've projected that the Commanders take Kenny Pickett out of the University of Pittsburgh, hopeful that he has more of a Joe Burrow-type ceiling, rather than Andy Dalton.
Steelers Select QB That They Are Apparently ‘Smitten’ With
Malik Willis is selected by the Steelers in our latest NFL Mock Draft.
(Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
16. Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Olave - Wide Receiver, Ohio State
17. Los Angeles Chargers: DeMarvin Leal - Defensive Tackle, Texas A&M
18. New Orleans Saints: Jameson Williams - Wide Receiver, Alabama
19. Philadelphia Eagles: David Ojabo - Edge Rusher, Michigan
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malik Willis - Quarterback, Liberty
NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah reported last week that the Steelers "seem to be smitten" with Willis, which makes sense if Mike Tomlin is indeed interested in a quarterback with mobility.
The guess here is that Willis wouldn't be a Week 1 starter, with the Steelers instead forced to use Mason Rudolph at least to open the season. But for as raw as Willis is as a passer, he would immediately become one of the biggest threats as a rusher at the quarterback position.
It's possible -- if not probable -- that the Steelers will ultimately have to trade up if they covet Willis. But there's seemingly too much smoke here to ignore.
Patriots Use First Rounder in Attempt To Replace J.C. Jackson
Trent McDuffie is selected by the Patriots in our latest NFL Mock Draft.
(Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
21. New England Patriots: Trent McDuffie - Cornerback, Washington
22. Las Vegas Raiders: Garrett Wilson - Wide Receiver, Ohio State
23. Arizona Cardinals: George Karlaftis - Edge Rusher, Purdue
24. Dallas Cowboys: Jaquan Brisker - Safety, Penn State
25. Buffalo Bills: Drake London - Wide Receiver, USC
While they could still ultimately re-sign him, New England's decision not to franchise tag J.C. Jackson Tuesday leaves you with the feeling that the former Pro Bowler may have played his last game the Patriots.
McDuffie -- who told Mike Dussault of Patriots.com that he had a positive meeting with New England at the NFL Combine -- could be a potential replacement.
"It was cool, getting to know Bill Belichick is a DB Dude," McDuffie said. "You could see all their DBs, their defense. That's a defense that is a lot of fun. One of my old teammates, Myles Bryant, plays for them. [He] just has had an amazing experience being there. He's learned so much football knowledge. Just talking to them was really cool, just being able to sit there and being in the presence of the Patriots and all of these defensive-minded players."
There's a good chance that the Patriots will use their first-round pick on the defensive side of the ball, whether it's at cornerback, safety or linebacker.
Titans Add Promising Receiver for Ryan Tannehill
Purdue wide receiver David Bell heads to the Titans in our latest NFL Mock Draft.
(Justin Casterline/Getty Images
26. Tennessee Titans: David Bell - Wide Receiver, Purdue
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kaiir Elam - Cornerback, Florida
28. Green Bay Packers: Devonte Wyatt - Defensive Tackle, Georgia
29. Miami Dolphins: Devin Lloyd - Linebacker, Utah
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill - Safety, Michigan
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Zion Johnson - Guard, Boston College
32. Detroit Lions: Jahan Dotson - Wide Receiver, Penn State
While they may have flirted with Aaron Rodgers, it appears that Ryan Tannehill will return as the starting quarterback for the Titans in 2022, after the team was upset by the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Round this past season.
Julio Jones failed to replace the production of Corey Davis in the Titans' offense, as the future Hall of Famer had just 31 catches for 434 yards in 10 games this past season. While Jones' contractual status makes it unlikely that the Titans will move on from him, banking on him to stay healthy and perform at an elite level at this stage of his career would seem to be a mistake.
So at No. 26, we've projected that the Titans select Bell -- not to be confused with the manager of the Cincinnati Reds -- to serve as the No. 2 receiver to A.J. Brown.
Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network says that "play-action concepts and MOF targets are most likely to be his best ticket to high production." With that in mind, the Titans would seem to be the perfect fit for the former Purdue star.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
