Change of heart
Who could motivate a trade back into 1st round?
In this 2022 first-round NFL mock draft, South Florida Sun Sentinel Dolphins columnist Omar Kelly looks at what each team will do based on their needs, the runs on certain positions, and where the strengths and weaknesses in the draft’s talent pool could lead each team when the first round begins on Thursday.
The Dolphins are without a first-round pick as their own was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles last year, and the one they acquired from the San Francisco 49ers was shipped to the Kansas City Chiefs in the trade for star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
1. Jaguars: Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson’s tenacity, character and impressive physical traits make him a favorite for the No. 1 overall pick. But he’s a safe selection, and might not have as much upside as some of the other top prospects. Top needs: Edge rusher, OT, OG/C, LB, S
2. Lions: Georgia DE Travon Walker
The Lions need a player who can create havoc off the edges, and that could potentially be Walker, whose physical traits indicate that he should be impactful in the league quickly. Like most teams, Detroit would probably rather trade down but would struggle to find a trade partner. Top needs: Edge, QB, S, WR
3. Texans: Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux
Thibodeaux is the type of versatile defender coach Lovie Smith would love to build his defense around because Thibodeaux is electric off the snap. HIs football intelligence sets him apart from the rest. Top needs: Edge, OT, CB, TE
4. Jets: Alabama OT Evan Neal
Neal is versatile enough to play guard or tackle, and his presence on the roster would provide the Jets some insurance in case Mekhi Becton, a 2020 first-round pick, can’t get his weight under control. Top needs: OT, WR, LB, CB
5. Giants: Notre Dame FS Kyle Hamilton
Hamilton has the skill set to be effective in a variety of roles, from linebacker to single-high safety because of the physicality he possesses and the amount of ground he can cover. Top needs: OT, Edge, S, LB
6. Panthers: Liberty QB Malik Willis
The Panthers desperately need a quarterback upgrade, so selecting Willis makes a ton of sense since the odds of Matt Rhule being fired as the Panthers’ head coach are high if he can’t turn quarterback Sam Darnold’s career around. Drafting Willis could potentially buy Rhule another season. Top needs: QB, OT, OG, CB
7. Giants (from Bears): Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson
If new Giants coach Brian Daboll is going to bring out the best in quarterback Daniel Jones he needs to provide him an explosive receiver like Wilson, who leaps and highpoints the ball effectively.
Top needs: OT, Edge, S, LB
8. Falcons: USC WR Drake London
London, a two-sport athlete for the Trojans, has rare athleticism and should provide a seamless replacement for Calvin Ridley, who is suspended for the season. He’s big, fast, strong and possesses reliable hands.
Top needs: QB, Edge, WR, S
9. Seahawks (from Broncos): LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.
Stingley has an outstanding combination of size (6-0, 190), speed and fluid athleticism. He thrives in press coverage, which makes him a perfect fit for Seattle’s scheme. If he didn’t struggle with injuries the past two years, he’d be a top-five pick. Top needs: OT, QB, Edge, CB
10. Jets (from Seahawks): Cincinnati CB Ahmad “Sauce”Gardner
Gardner is long (6-3, 190), fast and fluid, and has the skill set to play a variety of techniques. He has excellent ball skills (nine interceptions in three seasons), which indicates that he can become an All-Pro. Top needs: OT, WR, LB, CB
11. Commanders: N.C. State OT Ikem Ekwonu
Despite signing Charles Leno Jr. to a three-year, $37.5 million deal the Commanders have to think about their future at left tackle, so they should select Ekwonu, who has the versatility to play guard for a season or two. Top needs: WR, CB, S, TE
12. Vikings: Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning
Penning is a tone-setting type of blocker who will benefit a team looking to establish a physical identity. That’s exactly what the Vikings need to improve their running game. Top needs: S, DT, CB, TE
13. Dolphins (trade with Texans via Browns): Utah LB Devin Lloyd
Miami should trade a 2023 first and second-round pick to the Texans to add this inside linebacker who can do everything at a high level. Lloyd has playmaking instincts, defends the run well, is effective in coverage and knows how to rush the passer (16.5 sacks in four seasons). His addition would complete the Dolphins defense. Top needs: ILB, Edge, C, NT
14. Ravens: Georgia LB Nakobe Dean
Dean is the type of rangy playmaker Baltimore has a history of drafting, and finding a way to fit into their defense. Pair him with Patrick Queen and the Ravens would add some bite to their defense. Team needs: Edge, OG/C, DL, CB
15. Eagles (from Dolphins): Mississippi State OT Charles Cross
Cross is a long (6-5, 307), nimble mover who has a reputation for playing with good hand usage. Because he’s only started for two seasons, there’s room for improvement. Top needs: LB, Edge, S, OL
16. Saints (from Colts via Eagles): Arkansas WR Treylon Burks
Burks has the size (6-2,225), speed and physicality to be a Pro Bowl receiver in the NFL, and the Saints need to find a reliable playmaker to eventually replace Michael Thomas. Top needs: OT, WR, QB, LB
17. Chargers: Georgia DT Jordan Davis
Davis is a unique interior presence who will swallow up blockers for any defense. Putting him on the same defensive front as Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa could make the Chargers defense dynamic. Top needs: OT, DT, LB, WR
18. Eagles (from Saints): FSU’s Jermaine Johnson II
Johnson’s athleticism and talent level are obvious, and was reflected by his one season as a Seminole, when he recorded 70 tackles and 12 sacks. He’s technically raw, so his position coach will be putting in long hours to bring out all of his talent. Top needs: LB, Edge, S, OL
19. Saints (from Eagles): Ohio State WR Chris Olave
Olave is a smart, savvy, polished receiver who is the type of routerunner the Saints need to bring out the best in quarterback Jameis Winston. He could end up being the best receiver in this draft. Top
needs: OT, WR, QB, LB
20. Steelers: Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett
It’s a perfect match for this Pitt passer to end up with the Steelers, potentially becoming Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement in a season or two. The Steelers should be able to take their time developing Pickett because of the offseason signing of Mitchell Trubisky. Top needs: QB, CB, S, OL
21. Patriots: Boston College OG/C Zion Johnson
Johnson, who is athletic and technically sound, has the talent to become a Day 1 starter for the Patriots, who need to retool their offensive line because of the trade that sent Shaq Mason to Tampa Bay. Top needs: CB, S, OL, QB
22. Packers (from Raiders): Arkansas WR Treylon Burks
Green Bay better get Aaron Rodgers a wideout in the first round after trading Davante Adams to Vegas. In Burks, the Packers would get an athletic, versatile, physical specimen that could blossom quickly with Rodgers as his quarterback. Top needs: WR, Edge, OT, DL
23. Cardinals: Washington CB Trent McDuffie
McDuffie is the type of cornerback who would bring inside-outside versatility to a Cardinals secondary that needs to become more consistent. Top needs: CB, Edge, WR, RB
24. Cowboys: Texas A&M OG Kenyon Green
Green, a strong and physical guard, would help the Cowboys fortify their offensive line, which lost veteran starters Connor Williams and La’el Collins this offseason. Top needs: Edge, S, WR, OL
25. Bills: Georgia CB Derion Kendrick
Kendrick is a high-ceiling prospect who has the type of competitive demeanor to play at an All-Pro level in time. Teams must get past a few character concerns for him to become a top-50 selection. Top needs: CB, LB, OG, RB
26. Titans: Alabama WR Jameson Williams
Tennessee needs an infusion of talent in its receiver room if they are going to seize on the Titans’ two-year window to win a title. Williams, who tore an ACL in the national championship game, would be a wise long-term investment. Top needs: WR, LB, OT, CB
27. Buccaneers: Purdue DE George Karlaftis
Karlaftis is powerful edge player who wins with leg drive and violent hands. He’s the type of faceup rush end that the Buccaneers need to make coach Todd Bowles’ 3-4 scheme work. Top needs: OG, CB, S, DT
28. Packers: Georgia DT Devonte Wyatt
During Wyatt’s college career he threatened the backfield as a one-gap penetrator, and should be able to play every spot along Green Bay’s defensive front. Top needs: WR, Edge, OT, DL
29. Chiefs (from Dolphins via 49ers): Florida CB Kaiir Elam
Elam is a long (6-1, 191), physical press corner who possesses quick hands and good balance. He challenges quarterbacks and has the potential to be an elite cornerback with good coaching. Top needs: WR, CB, Edge, S
30. Chiefs: Alabama ILB Christian Harris
Harris was a threeyear starter for Alabama, who showcased the ability to be a threedown player. He has the physicality to stack and shed blockers, which will help him become an immediate starter. Top needs: WR, CB, Edge, S
31. Bengals: Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum
Linderbaum is an incredibility quick athlete who plays with good reach, and has the ability to steer defenders. He should be able to push Ted Karras for the starting spot immediately. Top needs: CB, OL, DT, Edge
32. Lions (from Rams): Penn State WR Jahan Dotson
The rebuilding Lions should look to trade this pick for a future first-round selection. But if they keep it, they should select one of the most reliable receivers in the 2022 draft. Dotson has sure hands and exceptional body control. Top needs: Edge, QB, S, WR