Latest 2022 mock draft from NFL.com includes surprise pick in top 5

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The great thing about 2022 NFL mock drafts is that there’s no right or wrong way to do them. Some NFL draft analysts predict what teams will do in the first round while others write their mock drafts as if they were the general manager; it’s more about who they would pick instead of who the actual general manager will or should pick. And then there are mock drafts like the latest one from NFL.com’s Cynthia Frelund, who published a first-round mock based on who each team should select in order to ‘win now.’

It’s an interesting concept and not one that’s often done. In fact, I’ve never read an NFL mock draft with the theme Frelund chose. Kudos to her for thinking outside the box in what’s generally a group-think industry. Still, it doesn’t mean her finished product is above criticism, and this is especially true at the fourth overall pick where Frelund has Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner coming off the board to the New York Jets. She appears to base her selection mostly on analytics; specifically, Johnson’s pretty rare athletic profile.

“My colleague Daniel Jeremiah likens Gardner to Antonio Cromartie, who became a four-time Pro Bowler after coming out of FSU, and the comp holds well.,” Frelund wrote. “Change-of-direction speeds for the two corners were in the 90th percentile, while DB body control (factors in efficient change of direction when moving toward the ball) ranked in the top 89th. Gardner’s pursuit speed (speed to tackle) was also a strength (top 85th percentile).”

While it’s true Gardner has a fantastic skill-set and will likely be the first cornerback off the board, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Jets would pass on a player who can directly impact quarterback Zach Wilson, last year’s second overall pick. With North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu still on the board in this 2022 NFL mock draft, it’s almost unfathomable to think New York would take a cornerback — regardless of how talented he is — over such a highly regarded offensive tackle.

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

Follow him on Twitter: @BryanPerezNFL