It's time for the latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft from Audacy Sports. This week - for the first time this year - we've introduced trades, with a slew of notable teams involved in first-round transactions.
Texans select edge rusher who compared himself to Jadeveon Clowney
Kayvon ThibodeauxSteph Chambers - Getty Images1.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson - Edge Rusher - Michigan
2.) Detroit Lions: Travon Walker - Edge Rusher - Georgia
3.) Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux - Edge Rusher - Oregon
4.) New York Jets: Ikem Ekwonu - Offensive Tackle - N.C. State
5.) New York Giants: Evan Neal - Offensive Tackle - Alabama
Eight years after the Texans used the No. 1 overall pick on edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney, they manage to land a similar talent who has already compared himself to one of the best defensive players in the franchise's brief history. Thibodeaux - who recorded 19 sacks and 35.5 tackles for a loss during three seasons at Oregon - called himself "Jadeveon Clowney 2.0" during his media session at the NFL Combine.
Jets, Giants swap second first-round picks
Garrett WilsonEmilee Chinn - Getty Images6.) Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett - Quarterback - Pittsburgh
7.) New York Jets (trade up with New York Giants): Sauce Gardner - Cornerback - Cincinnati
8.) Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Hamilton - Safety - Notre Dame
9.) Seattle Seahawks: Jermaine Johnson - Edge Rusher - Florida State
10.) New York Giants (trade down with New York Jets): Garrett Wilson - Wide Receiver - Ohio State
While the Giants probably wouldn't mind taking the draft's top cornerback at No. 7, their focus should be on giving Daniel Jones whatever he needs to succeed, and setting up his potential successor if things don't work out in the final year of his rookie contract. At No. 5, the Giants select Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal, a monster talent capable of improving any offensive line he joins. Here, the Giants trade down with the Jets - who are said to have interest in cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner - and still land arguably the top receiver in this year's class. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has Wilson ranked as his No. 5 overall prospect, comparing him to former All-Pro Stefon Diggs.
Steelers trade up in hopes of finding next franchise quarterback
Malik WillisJonathan Bachman - Getty Images11.) Pittsburgh Steelers (trade up with Washington Commanders): Malik Willis - Quarterback - Liberty
12.) Minnesota Vikings: Derek Stingley - Cornerback - LSU
13.) Houston Texans: Charles Cross - Offensive Tackle - Mississippi State
14.) Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis - Defensive Tackle - Georgia
15.) Philadelphia Eagles: Drake London - Wide Receiver - USC
While Mitchell Trubisky might be a nice bridge option, the Steelers run the risk of being left in the dust both in their own division and the AFC, as a whole, if they don't find a quarterback with a high ceiling. Just within their own division, they'll now face Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson twice a year. If the Steelers hope to win their seventh Super Bowl at any point in the next decade, they need to develop a quarterback that can go blow-for-blow with some of the very best the sport has ever seen. Willis is not certain to be that guy, but he is believed to have the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this year's class. Last month, a report surfaced the Steelers were "smitten" with Willis. Even after trading up, Willis might still benefit from sitting behind Trubisky for at least part of 2022.
Bills, Packers trade up for wide receivers
Jameson WilliamsKevin C. Cox - Getty Images16.) Buffalo Bills (trade up with Philadelphia Eagles): Jameson Williams - Wide Receiver - Alabama
17.) Los Angeles Chargers: Devin Lloyd - Linebacker - Utah
18.) New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave - Wide Receiver - Ohio State
19.) Green Bay Packers (trade up with Philadelphia Eagles): Treylon Burks - Wide Receiver - Arkansas
20.) Washington Commanders (trade down with Pittsburgh Steelers): Kenyon Green - Guard - Texas A&M
The Eagles have three first-round picks, but without being certain if Jalen Hurts is their long-term answer at quarterback, it would behoove Howie Roseman to keep the cupboard stocked for the next few years in case they decide to trade for an established star at that position.
Enter, the Bills and Packers.
While his status for Week 1 is unclear after tearing his ACL in the National Championship Game, Jameson Williams totaled 79 catches for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns in his junior year at Alabama. The prospect of adding Williams to a loaded Bills receiving corps featuring Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Isaiah McKenzie and Jamison Crowder makes this a risk worth taking.
The Packers, meanwhile, have two first-round picks at their disposal after trading All-Pro receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this month. There's a case to be made for using both picks on wide receivers, especially when you consider their top two pass-catchers right now are Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb. The Draft Network compares Treylon Burks to former Chicago Bears and Eagles star Alshon Jeffrey, which is a good place for the Packers to start in rebuilding their receiving corps.
Eagles trade down, find Jason Kelce's successor
Tyler LinderbaumMichael Hickey - Getty Images21.) New England Patriots: Andrew Booth Jr. - Cornerback - Clemson
22.) Seattle Seahawks (trade back into first round, Philadelphia Eagles trade out): Nakobe Dean - Linebacker - Georgia
23.) Arizona Cardinals: Skyy Moore - Wide Receiver - Western Michigan
24.) Dallas Cowboys: Trevor Penning - Offensive Tackle - Northern Iowa
25.) Philadelphia Eagles (trade down with Buffalo Bills): Tyler Linderbaum - Center - Iowa
26.) Tennessee Titans: David Bell - Wide Receiver - Purdue
All-Pro center Jason Kelce is returning for his 12th season in 2022, but he turns 35 in November and has weighed retirement the past few offseasons. Eventually, he's going to walk away, and the Eagles don't want to be left empty-handed.
While you typically want your first-rounders to see the field immediately, the Eagles have enough picks - and also aren't likely to compete for a Super Bowl in 2022 - to take a flyer on Tyler Linderbaum, who may end up having a red-shirt rookie season. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has Linderbaum ranked as his No. 11 overall player and calls him "one of the best center prospects in recent memory."
Doug Pederson, Jaguars trade back into first round for safety compared to Malcolm Jenkins
Jahan DotsonScott Taetsch - Getty Images27.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zion Johnson - Guard - Boston College
28.) Green Bay Packers: Devonte Wyatt - Defensive Tackle - Georgia
29.) Kansas City Chiefs: Trent McDuffie - Cornerback - Washington
30.) Jacksonville Jaguars (trade back into first round, Kansas City Chiefs trade out): Jaquan Brisker - Safety - Penn State
31.) New York Jets (trade back into first round, Cincinnati Bengals trade out): Jahan Dotson - Wide Receiver - Penn State
32.) Detroit Lions: Christian Watson - Wide Receiver - North Dakota State
While we're projecting Kansas City to trade out of, what would be, the second of consecutive first-round picks, they won't be falling too far. The Jacksonville Jaguars have the first pick of the second round, but in our latest mock draft, we have them trading up for Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker. Doug Pederson won a Super Bowl with Malcolm Jenkins as the heart and soul of his defense, and that's exactly who Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network compares Brisker to.
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