2022 Rookie Mock Draft
1st Round Predictions
Taking some shortcuts here instead of writing my own scouting reports and stole graphics from The Ringer instead. I gotta say, it makes this mock draft look a lot nicer! Anyways, enjoy!
1.01 — Tani — Breece Hall—RB, NYJ
“Shades of Antonio Gibson” doesn’t exactly inspire the most confidence but hopefully they really mean — “If Antonio Gibson was fully shaded in” — since Gibson was/is such a raw prospect. Breece, on the other hand, is about as polished as they come, is the clear 1.01, and I won’t get cute with this mock draft yet.
1.02 — JR — Drake London — WR, ATL
I’ll stay chalk here with 1.02 and send Drake London JR’s way. After years of competing, JR looks to be headed towards rebuild land and what better way to start a rebuild than with one of the youngest, and most talented, receivers in this draft. Let’s just hope he doesn’t take any gambling advice from Calvin Ridley.
1.03 — Marlo — Chris Olave — WR, NO
Too early? Almost definitely, but hear me out. The clock is ticking fast on players like Melvin Gordon, Julio Jones, and Derrick Henry. For a team that’s struggled with bad luck, rough seasons, and one playoff appearance, Marlo might just choose the safest player in the draft as well as the one arguably most ready to make an immediate impact in his rookie year.
1.04 — Jason — Jameson Williams — WR, DET
JTong has made it clear he’s in full rebuild mode and what better way to tank (appropriately!) than to take an uber-talented rookie that’s still working his way back from an ACL injury. By the time Williams is ready to make an impact on the field, JTong should have plenty of losses in the column as he keeps his eye on the long-game and the 2023 draft.
1.05 — Zane — Kenneth Walker — RB, SEA
It’s unlikely Walker falls this far but in this alternate reality, Zane happily swoops him up with the 5th pick. Zane’s team is putting together some pieces for playoff contention and getting a stud RB prospect to pair next to Nick Chubb would be a great fit.
1.06 — Binh — Garrett Wilson — WR, NYJ
It wasn’t too long ago that Binh’s WR’s were the top of the league. That’s far from the case now but he has a chance to rebuild his WR core in this draft with back-to-back 1st Round Picks. First up is Garrett Wilson, who had an argument to be the WR 1 of this draft before landing in a bit of a murky situation next to Elijah Moore. That said, the Jets valued Wilson enough to take him 10th overall so there’s no reason why he can’t be the top dog on the team.
1.07 — Binh — George Pickens — WR, PIT
Next up is the biggest riser this offseason, George Pickens. Between getting drafted by the Steelers (who rarely miss at drafting receivers), to consistent reports about dominating training camp and preseason action, it wasn’t really a surprise when he got taken 7th in my other league’s rookie draft last weekend. So, here he goes at Pick 7 again in this mock.
1.08 — Jason — Treylon Burks — WR, TEN
If George Pickens is the biggest riser, Treylon Burks is easily the biggest faller this summer. The negative reports started early with poor conditioning at minicamp and they haven’t gotten any better since then through training camp and his first preseason game. On the other hand, remember when Ja’Marr Chase couldn’t catch a football last August? Yeah…
1.09 — Jeff — Christian Watson — WR, GB
Despite being our reigning champion, Jeff would certainly admit that his team could still use some talent, both in the win-now window and long term. Watson could fit that perfectly. The Packers and Aaron Rodgers are in need of a new alpha receiver after the departure of Davante Adams. Obviously, Watson is no Davante, but he does have talent and the opportunity is there for the taking.
1.10 — JR — Skyy Moore — WR, KC
JR continues his 2022 selections with another one of the youngest receivers in the draft. Skyy Moore rose up draft boards after getting selected in the 2nd Round by the Chiefs along with Tyreek’s departure. And if not for Pickens, Skyy might have the offseason crown of the most positive drumbeat coming out of training camp reports.
1.11 — Chris — Trey McBride — TE, ARI
Tight End is easily the hole in Chris’s increasingly strong roster and McBride is far and away the best TE in this draft. Unfortunately, the Dallas Goedert comp is too perfect, right down to the fact that McBride is going to have to bide his time behind Zach Ertz just like Goedert did. Chris, and his championship aspirations, might not have the patience to wait that long.
1.12 — Kurtis — Rachaad White — RB, TB
The back end of the 1st Round is typically a, pick-your-flavor, type of situation and this year is no exception. Since Kurtis should be in championship contention this year, Rachaad White makes a lot of sense. White would fit in nicely for Kurtis as Leonard Fournette’s handcuff and has the talent to take over the backfield in a year or two.
1.13 — Tani — Jahan Dotson — WR, WAS
1st Round NFL pick at 1.13? Tani should take that in a heartbeat for his rebuilding team. Hindsight is 20/20 but this doesn’t look like a, John Ross/Henry Ruggs, situation either. Dotson is a polished route-runner who profiles as a short-route target hog and a “QB’s best friend”. Hence the, “Shades of Diontae Johnson”.
1.14 — Jeff — James Cook — RB, BUF
Jeff makes another combo selection here of a player that has both potential to produce immediately along with some glimmers of elite upside as well. Cook’s pass-catching talent alone profiles him as a pretty safe commodity in fantasy but he also has the juice and elusiveness to be a real nightmare for NFL defenses. Only time will tell where he is on the spectrum of Nyheim Hines/James White — Austin Ekeler/Alvin Kamara.
1.15 — Mikey — Dameon Pierce — RB, HOU
Running back isn’t really a need for Mikey but he’s a best player available kinda guy and I think Dameon Pierce fits that bill here. Pierce might not be the flashiest player out there but his performance in his first preseason game is making people think twice about giving him a “Shades of Mike Davis” comp. Most importantly, there’s not much competition in Houston for Pierce to take the lead role, or possibly even a bell-cow role in that backfield.
