10 takeaways from Mel Kiper’s latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft

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ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. published a new 2022 NFL Mock Draft on Monday and it had some pretty shocking picks in the first round.

We’re at the point in the NFL draft calendar when paralysis by analysis begins to set in, and some of the mock drafts that are published in March and April can be really… crazy. But that usually isn’t the case with Kiper.

Still, he had some surprising picks among his top 32 that warrant a little extra attention.

Here are 10 takeaways from Mel Kiper’s 2022 NFL mock draft.

Drake London jumps into top-five picks

The most surprising pick of Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest 2022 NFL Mock Draft has to be USC wide receiver Drake London going fourth overall to the New York Jets. Kiper has long been on London as this year’s top wide receiver prospect, but fourth overall?

It’s a bit rich for my taste. London is currently 17th on PFD’s 2022 NFL Draft rankings and is our WR4. He’s a lock to be a first-round pick but I don’t see any way he cracks the top five.

Kiper is as locked in as any NFL draft analyst, though, so if he has London rated this high, it’s probably because his sources are feeding him some intel.

London would be a good fit for the Jets who need a my-ball wideout to win on downfield contested throws. Second-year quarterback Zach Wilson has immense upside but he needs playmakers like London to unlock his potential.

Carolina Panthers pass on a quarterback

So much for Kenny Pickett to the Panthers at No. 6 overall. Instead, Carolina takes the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine’s biggest winner, Travon Walker.

“Walker just keeps rising in the pre-draft process, as he starred at the Senior Bowl and tested extremely well at the combine,” Kiper wrote. “He didn’t put up “wow” numbers in college — he had six sacks for the national champs last season — but that’s because of how dominant the entire Georgia defense was around him. He could put up better numbers in the NFL, and he’s stout against the run too.”

Walker is the ultimate boom-0r-bust prospect in this year’s class. If you like workout warriors and athletic traits, you’ll love Walker. If you prefer on-field production, you’ll be cautious to label him a top-10 pick.

Walker is currently our No. 5 edge defender and 13th overall player in PFD’s 2022 NFL Draft Rankings.

Atlanta Falcons land a new WR1

The Falcons’ passing game is in serious trouble in 2022. Matt Ryan is now an Indianapolis Colt, and while Marcus Mariota still has some upside, he needs some weapons beyond just Kyle Pitts to throw to.

Kiper gives him that guy in Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson at No. 8 overall.

As Kiper notes, the Falcons don’t have a legitimate starting wide receiver on the roster right now. It’s incredible. And it’s also why Wilson would enter the 2022 season as a prime candidate to lead all rookie pass-catchers in production if he ends up in Atlanta.

Philadelphia Eagles take another 1st-round WR

Speaking of first-round wide receivers, the Eagles make it three years in a row with a pass-catcher in round one, according to Kiper.

With the second of their three first-round picks (No. 16 overall), Philadelphia lands Chris Olave, who I have as my top wide receiver in the 2022 NFL draft. Olave follows 2021 first-round pick, Devonta Smith, and 2020’s, Jalen Reagor, as recent top-32 picks at the position for the Birds.

Olave is a silky-smooth route-runner who’d pair with Smith to give quarterback Jalen Hurts a fantastic one-two punch.

New Orleans Saints add another quarterback

Kenny Pickett’s slide down the first round ends at No. 18 overall to the Saints, who despite adding Jameis Winston in free agency, target the 2022 NFL draft’s top quarterback, according to Kiper.

“If the board shakes out this way — with all of the passers available — why shouldn’t they take Pickett?” Kiper wrote. “He’s the most NFL-ready of the bunch, leveling up last season with 42 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. He is super accurate. He understands how to run an offense and lead a team. He could be the Saints’ future.”

This would be an ideal fit for Pickett, whose hand size has led to questions about his ability to play in bad weather. Landing on a team that plays half of its season in a dome and at least one road game indoors too (Falcons) almost completely eliminates that concern.

Mac Jones to Jameson Williams?

Williams is considered by some NFL draft analysts to be the top wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft despite tearing his ACL in January, and there’s some merit to that. He’s the ultimate field-flipper and most dazzling playmaker at the position in this year’s class. But he is damaged goods and as a result, he’ll slide down the first round. In Kiper’s mock draft, he ends up with former Crimson Tide teammate Mac Jones and the New England Patriots at No. 21 overall.

I like this fit for a few reasons. First, and most obvious, the Patriots need an injection of juice into their offense. It seems like we talk about New England’s lack of playmakers every single year; Williams would finally put an end to that. Second, for Jones to become a better all-around pro quarterback, he needs to push the ball downfield. Williams would give him the perfect weapon to target on third-level throws.

The only downside to this pick is that we probably won’t see Jones until midseason. I have a hunch it’ll be worth the wait, though.

Another weapon for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills

As if Josh Allen needs another explosive weapon to throw to in 2022, Kiper sends the uber-talented quarterback a twitchy wide receiver in Penn State’s Jahan Dotson.

“The Bills ranked last in the league in average yards after the catch (4.3) last season,” Kiper wrote. “Dotson is an explosive playmaker who is a threat to score on every touch. He had 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021.”

Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, newly signed Jamison Crowder, and Dotson? Wow. And don’t forget about tight end O.J. Howard, too.

Allen for MVP in 2022?

We have a first-round running back!

I previously wrote that London to the Jets at No. 4 overall is the most surprising pick of Kiper’s mock draft, but if you disagree with that, then may I present Breece Hall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 27 overall as a good alternative? The Buccaneers re-signed Leonard Fournette to a three-year deal, which Kiper acknowledged in his mock draft, but still use their first-round pick on the talented Iowa State ball carrier.

“(The Buccaneers) running back depth chart is still barren, and Hall could really help,” Kiper wrote. “I don’t love taking backs in Round 1, but Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht and coach Bruce Arians could ensure that they get their choice of the entire running back class here.”

Odd. Just, odd. The chances this pick actually happens are slim to none. They were bad before Fournetter re-signed. Now? This ain’t happening.

This isn’t to say I don’t think Hall can be a first-round player. He’s one of the best offensive skill players in the 2022 NFL draft. But Tampa Bay just isn’t a fit.

George Karlaftis falls how far?!

If you’ve been following PFD during the 2022 NFL draft cycle, then you know how big of a fan I am of Purdue edge George Karlaftis. And that’s why I’m shocked he falls all the way to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 30 overall in Kiper’s mock draft.

“Karlaftis is an all-around defensive end who has some pass-rushing traits and can anchor down in the run game,” Kiper wrote. “He had only 4.5 sacks last season, but the tools are there.”

The tools are more than just there. Karlaftis is a dark horse to be one of the most productive pass-rushers from this year’s draft because of his natural strength and motor. Hustle players like him usually produce more in the pros than they did in college, and I’d bet on Karlaftis doing just that. He’s an absolute steal at this point in the first round.

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