Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
2022 NFL DRAFT ORDER
The 2022 NFL draft will be held in Las Vegas from April 28-30:
1. Jacksonville (3-14)
2. Detroit (3-13-1)
3. Houston (4-13)
4. New York Jets (4-13)
5. New York Giants (4-13)
6. Carolina (5-12)
7. N.Y. Giants (from CHI, 6-11)
8. Atlanta (7-10)
9. Seattle (from Denver, 7-10)
10. New York Jets (from SEA, 7-10)
11. Washington (7-10)
12. Minnesota (8-9)
13. Houston (from CLE, 8-9)
14. Baltimore (8-9)
15. Philadelphia (from MIA, 9-8)
16. N. Orleans (from PHI via IND)
17. Los Angeles Chargers (9-8)
18. Philadelphia (from NO, 9-8)
19. New Orleans (from PHI, 9-8)
20. Pittsburgh (9-7-1)
21. New England (10-7)
22. Green Bay (from LV, 10-7)
23. Arizona (11-6)
24. Dallas (12-5)
25. Buffalo (11-6)
26. Tennessee (12-5)
27. Tampa Bay (13-4)
28. Green Bay (13-4)
29. Kan. City (from Miami via SF)
30. Kansas City (12-5)
31. Cincinnati (10-7)
32. Detroit (from LAR, 12-5)
PACKERS HAVE 11 PICKS:
1st round (2 picks): No. 22 overall (from LV) and No. 28
2nd round (2 picks): No. 53 overall (from LV) and No. 59
3rd round: No. 92 overall
4th round (2 picks): No. 132 overall and No. 140 (compensatory) 5th round: No. 171 overall
7th round (3 picks): No. 228 overall (from HOU), No. 249 and No. 258 (compensatory)
18. New Orleans Saints – Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
More clever cap maneuvering helped New Orleans again avert a great talent exodus, but left tackle Terron Armstead’s departure to Miami is a significant hit to an offense trying to navigate the postSean Payton landscape. Though Penning might face an extended learning curve while facing the likes of Shaq Barrett and Brian Burns after handling his Football Championship Subdivision competition, his frame (6-7, 325 pounds) and physicality are already at pro levels.
19. Philadelphia Eagles – George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
Philadelphia still should be very much in the defensive end market after making a minimal investment in bringing back Derek Barnett. Pairing Josh Sweat with Karlaftis, a powerful presence who could help any line collapse the pocket, would give the Eagles potential cornerstones up front for the foreseeable future.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
In adding Mitchell Trubisky on a lowcost contract to compete with holdover Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh appears to be hoping a couple half-measures add up to a whole one in the team’s bid to find a replacement for Ben Roethlisberger. That approach, however, shouldn’t preclude the Steelers from considering a signalcaller here. Corral might not be ready to be a Day 1 starter and is difficult to project given his body of work came in an RPOheavy offense, but there’s plenty to like in his swift release, improving discipline and ability to make tight-window throws.
21. New England Patriots – Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
Yes, Mac Jones needs more firepower at receiver and proper support from a defense that now looks suspect at cornerback. But the second-year quarterback also requires sufficient protection, which might be hard for his line to provide after losing both starting guards. While he might not be the most striking option available, the local product Johnson is one of this class’ most reliable prospects.
22. Green Bay Packers (from Las Vegas Raiders) – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Facing a barren collection of receivers after the defections of top targets Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, coach Matt LaFleur said this week the Packers “definitely need to get some speed in that room.” There’s no better solution for Green Bay in this draft than Olave, a bona fide deep threat whose precise route running should make him a fast favorite of Aaron Rodgers.
23. Arizona Cardinals – Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Arizona is in an awkward spot as a playoff team saddled with an unusual amount of roster holes. While a cornerback or edge rusher could come into play here to boost the pass defense, the best answer might be taking Wyatt, who is just beginning to tap into his immense potential as an interior disruptor with a rapid first step.
24. Dallas Cowboys – Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Casting off La’el Collins and letting
Connor Williams walk reinforced that Dallas’ offensive line has taken a serious step back. While adding Linderbaum would not fill either of the voids created by the offseason loss, the selection would represent a return to the approach that set the Cowboys up for success when they selected Tyron Smith, Tyler Frederick and Zack Martin with three of their four firstround picks from 2011-14.
25. Buffalo Bills – Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
If the Bills want to keep new division rival Tyreek Hill from flashing the peace sign as he races past their secondary, they’ll have to count on someone other than the officials to stop the Dolphins’ speedy receiver. Booth, who just underwent core muscle surgery but still has a strong case for the first round, could step in to address one of the unit’s few remaining shortcomings as Tre’Davious White returns from a torn ACL. His long speed isn’t his calling card, but his strength, nimble footwork and ball skills will help Buffalo’s top-ranked defense keep pace with high-powered passing attacks.
26. Tennessee Titans – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Subbing in Robert Woods for Julio Jones won’t do much to move the needle for a ho-hum passing attack. So long as he’s not slowed considerably by a torn ACL suffered in the National Championship Game, Williams stands as the most electric receiving threat in this year’s class.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
Maybe the only things Tom Brady hates more than interior pressure are nonavocado ice cream and staying retired for more than 40 days. Tampa Bay already addressed the middle of its offensive front by re-upping center Ryan Jensen and trading for right guard Shaq Mason, but bringing on the steady and versatile Green would help fill the void left by left guard Ali Marpet’s retirement.
28. Green Bay Packers – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
While a team in win-now mode for Aaron Rodgers has more immediate areas of concern than an off-ball linebacker,
Green Bay shouldn’t overlook Dean if he slides to the late first round. A magnet to the ball, he is the kind of defender that could prove vital for the Packers if they are to keep up with the likes of the Rams, 49ers and Buccaneers after the last three years of postseason disappointments.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from San Francisco 49ers via Dolphins) – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Kansas City simply won’t be able to replace Tyreek Hill with one player, but GM Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid can instead try to account for his production in the aggregate by adding a first-round receiver to work alongside free-agent signings JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. At 6-2 and 225 pounds, Burks has the downfield playmaking ability to keep things running for Patrick Mahomes and Co., though he’ll need to acclimate to operating on the outside more often.
30. Chiefs – Arnold Ebiketie, DE, Penn State
While the situation at receiver might draw the bulk of headlines in Kansas City, the Chiefs also have a pressing problem with their pass rush, which has little to offer beyond defensive tackle Chris Jones as Melvin Ingram remains unsigned. A refined technician off the edge, Ebiketie has the skill set to contribute early in obvious passing situations, though he might take some time to become an every-down player.
31. Cincinnati Bengals – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
With the offseason reworking of the offensive line seemingly complete after the addition of three starters, Cincinnati can turn its focus to strengthening its secondary. The 6-2, 191-pound Elam and his relentlessly physical approach would no doubt come in handy in the AFC North.
32. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams) – Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Detroit’s defensive deficiencies are widespread, but coordinator Aaron Glenn’s scheme places a premium on safeties. An instinctive enforcer both as a run stopper and coverage presence, Cine is also the kind of leader whom coach Dan Campbell would covet.