ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay posted an updated two-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft this week. It’s his first two-rounder, and it offers some interesting nuggets of information as we steamroll toward night one of the NFL Draft.
Here are our biggest takeaways from the latest Todd McShay NFL mock draft.
Travon Walker settling in as Detroit Lions’ pick at No. 2 overall
This continues to be the biggest surprise in the 2022 NFL Draft to me. Sure, Walker is a fantastic prospect on the hoof; his testing numbers are rare and he has all of the physical traits NFL teams covet. But his college production simply wasn’t there. For a player touted as a potential cornerstone edge rusher, he didn’t have a season with more than six sacks at Georgia. It’s true he was part of a rotation because of how much talent the Bulldogs’ defense had, but he’s more projection than production at this point in his scouting report.
Evan Neal beginning to slide
Evan Neal falls to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 9 overall in Todd McShay’s latest mock draft. It was only a few weeks ago that Neal was considered a favorite to be the Jacksonville Jaguars’ choice at No. 1 overall. Now, he’s barely a top-10 pick.
This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. Players like Neal get over-scouted as the days before the draft dwindle down. He’s also the type of prospect whose ceiling is considered lower than some of the other top-10 prospects. Regardless, he’s a 10-year starter at a premium position. I’d be shocked if he lasts this long.
Chris Olave trending in right direction
Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave is our No. 12 overall player in the 2022 NFL Draft, and it appears Todd McShay is beginning to finally jump aboard. He has Olave skyrocketing to the Washington Commanders at No. 11 overall. “Olave is a smooth route runner with soft hands and excellent speed,” McShay wrote. “Pairing him with McLaurin — his former Ohio State teammate — would immediately challenge NFC East defensive backs and open things up for Curtis Samuel out of the slot.”
Olave is going to make an immediate impact in the NFL next season. He’s a silky smooth route-runner who has the required blend of short-area quickness and long speed to be one of the NFL’s elite wide receivers a few years from now.
