Mello's Final 2022 Mock Draft
Welcome to Draft Week 2022! In what has been one of the wildest draft seasons I’ve ever been a part of (two top 10 locks falling) we’ve finally made it to draft week. This is my final prediction for the first two rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. At the bottom you will find each team's selection.
Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
The Jaguars surprised everyone when they applied the franchise tag to left tackle Cam Robinson - and as soon as they did we all started mocking Aiden Hutchinson to Jacksonville. Not much has changed since then for the Jags and I’m fairly confident Hutchinson will be the pick come Thursday.
Hutchinson has been on the NFL’s radar for awhile now and after his 14 sack senior season he has skyrocketed up the draft boards. With a rare blend of size, athletic ability and production, Hutchinson is a “safe” pick but also has boom potential.
Lions: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
The Detroit Lions could go in numerous directions with the NO. 2 pick but they desperately need some pass rush help. Quarterback is a need but it’s not an immediate need with Jared Goff under contract, offensive tackle offers great value but they just took Penei Sewell last year and corner is a need but positional value comes into play there. All that to say Travon Walker is going to be the pick.
Walker didn’t have great production at Georgia but he was a top player on one of the greatest college defenses I've ever seen. At 6’5”, 272 pounds, Walker ran an outstanding 4.51 in the 40 yard dash and showed exceptional athletic ability. Check out his testing numbers here.
Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Much like the Lions, and every team drafting at the beginning of the draft, the Texans have a ton of needs. One of those needs, the quarterback, doesn’t seem to be something the Texans want to address. With Davis Mills on roster and the Texans seeming to love him, we can rule out QB.
The Texans top pass rusher in 2021, Jonathan Greenard, had just eight sacks and the Texans haven’t done much to address the pass rush. That leads us to Kayvon Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux checks a lot of the physical boxes but his interest off the football field have led some to question his drive. I remember hearing similar things about Justin Herbert, which is why I’m not worried about Thibodeaux.