The NFL’s wild and crazy first week of free agency has had a tremendous impact on 2022 NFL Mock Drafts. There’ve been several blockbuster trades involving franchise quarterbacks. Massive contracts have been doled out by teams fixing roster weaknesses with veterans. The first-round order has changed.
Essentially, you can take every NFL mock draft you read before the start of free agency and light it on fire. It’s time to run through a new first-round mock draft and see how things have changed since free agency kicked off.
Here’s our updated 2022 NFL Mock Draft, post-free agency edition.
2022 NFL Mock Draft
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
Analysis: The Jaguars attacked the offensive line in free agency with the signing of Brandon Scherff and placing the franchise tag on offensive tackle Cam Robinson. And, just like that, we’re back where we started with Aidan Hutchinson going first overall.
2. Detroit Lions: Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame
Analysis: With Hutchinson off the board at No. 1 overall, the Lions take the next-best defensive prospect in the class in Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. He’s a legitimate defensive weapon who can single-handedly erase offensive game plans.
3. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
Analysis: Thibodeaux’s stock continues to be on the decline, and there’s a good chance he falls deeper down the top 10 by the time the NFL draft rolls around. But, for now, I can’t see the Texans going in any other direction with this pick.
4. New York Jets: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Analysis: The Jets added some reinforcements along the interior of the offensive line in free agency, and they cap off their rebuild of the starting five with the top all-around offensive tackle in the 2022 NFL draft.
5. New York Giants: Ikem Ekwnou, OT, NC State
Analysis: The Giants have an ascending talent at left tackle in Andrew Thomas and add another blue-chipper to block for Daniel Jones in Ikem Ekwonu. No more excuses for Jones in 2022.
6. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Analysis: The Panthers were in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes which proves they’re ready to make a hefty investment in a new quarterback. Kenny Pickett is my QB1 at this point in the process because of his pro-ready skill set and high floor. Sure, his ceiling is lower than Malik Willis’, but for a coaching staff that’s beginning to feel some pressure, Pickett fits the profile as a quarterback who can come in and win games right now.
