With the conclusion of free agency, NFL teams will now focus on the NFL Draft as an avenue to build their team. Fantasy football users also share the excitement as they get to prepare themselves for an entirely new set of players who have never played one snap of professional football. The 2022 NFL draft isn’t very top-heavy, but there exist many talent -eep positions that will help contribute to the excitement behind this class. Fantasy football fans, get excited because this Post Free Agency NFL Mock Draft has some really intriguing prospects who could contribute real fantasy value from Day 1!
Post Free Agency NFL Mock Draft
1. Jaguars
Aidan Hutchinson EDGE – Michigan
Hutchinson will be a nightmare for opposing QBs. His bend and athleticism (take a look at the insane 3-cone numbers) will tell you all you need to know. The pass rush duo of Josh Allen and Aidan Hutchinson on the Jaguars would be a fierce one, and the Jaguars already added their fantasy relevant options in Zay Jones and Christian Kirk.
2. Lions
Malik Willis QB – Liberty
This may be a shocker to some, but it’s a secret to absolutely no one that the Lions need a QB. Malik Willis might have been the best flat-out runner in college football if he didn’t play QB, and then you factor in the flashy plays he makes with his arm. He factors to be a very intriguing option for dynasty leagues and if drafted, would likely be slowly transitioned into the Lions starter.
3. Texans
Travon Walker EDGE – Georgia
Weeks ago, Travon Walker was considered a borderline first-rounder. After posting freaky testing numbers at the combine, teams are more likely to bet on the potential with Walker. I don’t believe the impact will be immediate, and for that reason, this pick has little fantasy meaning initially.
4. Jets
Ikem Ekwonu OT – NC State
Connor Hughes and Connor Rogers, Jets Beat Writer for The Athletic, and Bleacher Report Analyst respectively, both explained in their podcasts (The Can’t Wait Podcast and The Badlands Podcast) there’s a good shot the Jets select Ikem Ekwonu at 4, even if top EDGE and CB options exist. Ikem Ekwonu is a mauler in the run game and would be an immediate improvement in the passing game, factoring to be a really big addition for second-year running back and wide receiver Michael Carter and Elijah Moore. Lastly, in this situation, Mekhi Becton would likely be dealt, now out of the starting rotation.
5. Giants
Evan Neal OT – Alabama
The Giants need lots of help protecting their QB. Neal is a great pass blocker and a solid run blocker. This should help to factor in a potentially huge re-emergence of Kenny Golladay and Saquon Barkley. You’d hope Ka’Darius Toney and Daniel Jones see improvements as well.
6. Panthers
Kenny Pickett QB – Pittsburgh
The Panthers could very well draft an offensive lineman with this pick, but I have them going QB. Matt Rhule and company are in quite a bit of trouble if they start the season with Sam Darnold at QB, and they know it. I expect a QB move before the season begins, and this makes a lot of sense on paper. More consistent QB play from a “pro-ready” QB should help CMC, DJ Moore and Robby Anderson make advances this year.
7. Giants (from Bears)
Sauce Gardner CB – Cincinatti
I struggled between Gardner, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Jermaine Johnson here, but ultimately stuck with the CB that didn’t allow a single TD in his entire college career. I’m not convinced James Bradberry is still on this roster come draft day, but if he is, this pick still makes sense to help eliminate opponents’ passing game when they come to MetLife Stadium.
8. Falcons
Garrett Wilson WR – Ohio State
The Falcons need a QB now that Matt Ryan is gone, but no QBs sit here that match the slot value. Making it even harder to grab a QB here, Garrett Wilson projects like a faster Calvin Ridley. Jay Glazer had reported that the Eagles were closing in on a deal to grab Calvin Ridley before the gambling suspension came, which tells you that Ridley’s time as a Falcon is likely over. Garrett Wilson complements Kyle Pitts very well and would be a top dynasty target for all fantasy fans. The hope here would be for Marcus Mariota to look like the QB that led the Titans to the playoffs and beat the Chiefs.
9. Seahawks (from Broncos)
Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE – Oregon
A steal. KT should’ve never slipped this low, but some league-wide concerns about ankle-tightness (Per NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah), and “character concerns” have been contributing to his drop in many mock drafts. The Seahawks see a young athletic freak with bend and try to rebuild their once elite defense. His immediate impact on pass rush will make it harder for opposing teams to successfully pass the ball.
10. Jets (from Seahawks)
Drake London WR – USC
DJ Bien-Aime of the New York Daily News has reported that the Jets are looking for some size at WR and Drake London gives them that. At over 6’3”, Drake London adds some serious size and playmaking ability as shown by college football leading 19 contested catches per PFF. Some numbers for you per PFF:
- More Missed Tackles than Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave…COMBINED.
- Highest WR PFF grade in college football, with 1084 Yards, 7 TD
11. Commanders
Kyle Hamilton S – Notre Dame
The Commanders are running to the podium in this scenario. Kyle Hamilton has the size and length one dreams about at the position and replaces Landon Collins effectively. Expect a force in the run defense and nice coverage as well, proving to be an effective reducer for offensive playmakers.
12. Vikings
Derek Stingley CB – LSU
I believe this is the highest we’d end up seeing Derek Stingley go. The Vikings desperately need a CB, and in this NFL mock draft, they get a player who may have been the best player on LSU’s 2019 Championship Team…as a freshman. Health and play regression is the question here, but if the pick is a hit, wide receivers will have a tough time getting open.
13. Texans (from Browns)
Jermaine Johnson EDGE – FSU
I expect Jermaine Johnson to go in the top-10, but I just couldn’t find a place for him to go in this mock. Jermaine proved he can get to the QB effectively with his high number of sacks in 2021, and the initial 10-yard split of his 40-yard dash spoke lengths to his quick area quickness. This could be a huge steal, and he’s the type of player whose athletic traits lead to him ending up a superstar.
14. Ravens
Jordan Davis DT – Georgia
This is a large man who is super athletic. The size here alone is a huge reason as to why he is the player he is, though this is a double-edged sword because of his inability to play every snap. The hope here is Jordan Davis is able to be a three-down DT who stops the run, and he should be able to do that at the next level.
15. Eagles (from Dolphins)
Devin Lloyd LB – Utah
The Eagles need a LB and Devin Lloyd solves that problem. The Eagles haven’t drafted a first-round LB in a while, but they have lots of picks and lots of holes and this would solve one of them. Lloyd struggled against Ohio State in his bowl game but had fantastic play up to that point.
16. Eagles (from Colts)
Devonte Wyatt DT – Georgia
Another Georgia DT that can play, and play well. Devonte Wyatt is a better pass rusher than Jordan Davis, but his size doesn’t allow him to be as dominant in the run block game. Wyatt is strong and physical and he may end up being the better of the two Georgia DTs.
17. Chargers
Charles Cross OG – Mississippi State
This would be a huge steal. Many have Cross in mock drafts between pick 5 and 7, but I opted to take different players at those spots. This would be just another case of a superstar offensive lineman slipping to the Chargers (Rashawn Slater being the last). Cross is an excellent pass blocker, though he could improve some in the rush blocking game. This would only help the already unstoppable Chargers offense.
18. Saints
Jameson Williams WR – Alabama
Speed. Jameson Williams was Jaylen Waddle’s replacement at Alabama and at times, you couldn’t tell the difference between the two. The Ohio State transfer had a primary role at Alabama and was responsible for helping to add a deep passing element to an offense that dominated teams throughout the regular season and playoffs. Jameson could go much higher or lower than 18 because of his injury, but whoever is getting him would immediately get a superstar athlete with speed to make him a top 5 dynasty rookie option immediately.
19. Eagles
Trent McDuffie CB – Washington
McDuffie’s tape is awesome and his athleticism is apparent throughout it. The concern here is the arm length, which is historically terrible to be blunt. Anyone who takes him would be betting against history, but McDuffie’s skill-set is one that many GMs would want to bet on.
20. Steelers
Trevor Penning OT – Northern Iowa
I’ve heard Penning could go much higher than this, but in my opinion, this is closer to the region where I think he deserves to go. Penning beat up on smaller schools which factors into his evaluation, but his personality and toughness scream success. He had an all-time high 99.9 run-blocking grade per PFF, which is encouraging for a team like the Steelers who need Najee Harris to explode for a dominant offense. Penning should be a force for this Steelers offense that really needs it.
21. Patriots
Treylon Burks WR – Arkansas
It’s hard not to get excited as to what Treylon Burks would do on a Patriots offense. He’d become Mac Jones’ best friend very quickly, and his play-style screams Deebo Samuel. His speed off the line leaves some room for improvement, but his top speed is likely the best of all the top WRs. In this offense, I believe his dynasty value would increase quite a bit, possibly becoming a top 3 rookie dynasty draft player.
22. Packers (from Raiders)
Chris Olave WR – Ohio State
Chris Olave is the smoothest player on any football field he plays on. The speed here is sneaky, though you wish he’d break a few more tackles (only 1 missed tackle forced in 2021 per PFF). Olave is the best receiver in Ohio State history though, and his years of production speak to that. He’d fit like a glove in Green Bay and would lead to a very happy Aaron Rodgers. Olave would likely be a top 10 dynasty rookie selection and Aaron Rodgers would project a lot better with an improved wide receiver core in a world without Davante Adams.
23. Cardinals
George Karlaftis EDGE – Purdue
I really wanted to get the 3-cone for Karlaftis at the combine, but Karlaftis didn’t do the test (that spooks me out a bit, what is he hiding?). The strength is there for sure, but the speed and bend concern me a bit. I don’t think he’ll go top 15 like he’s often mocked to go, but I’d be shocked if he escaped the first round. Karlaftis is a great fit for Arizona and would learn under one of the greatest edge rushers in NFL history, J.J. Watt.
24. Cowboys
Zion Johnson OG – Boston College
The Cowboys’ offensive line took a hit this offseason, headlined by the departure of La’el Collins. The fit here is great, although I could see other offensive line options like Kenyon Green or even Tyler Linderbaum here.
25. Bills
Andrew Booth CB – Clemson
This roster is really complete and not in need of much tweaking, but adding Andrew Booth definitely couldn’t hurt. Booth is freaky athletic and plays tough, and the fit here is very good. He and Tremaine Edmunds would function as a dominant CB duo and one that any offensive fantasy playmaker would dread facing.
26. Titans
Tyler Smith OT – Tulsa
There’s some buzz about this pairing, similar to the buzz we heard about the Titans and Isaiah Wilson weeks leading up to the draft two years ago. The Titans haven’t fixed their OL fully even though they try to every year, but this could be the one that would get the job done. Smith is tough and a guy Mike Vrabel would fall in love with. This could lead to a major stock up for AJ Brown and Derrick Henry for all fantasy-related purposes.
27. Bucs
Travis Jones DT – UCONN
The Bucs don’t need much, but a solid DT would go a long way to strengthen their defense. Travis Jones is big and physical, which he clearly displayed at the Senior Bowl. Jones is an under-the-radar prospect, but that shouldn’t be the case…he’s really good.
28. Packers
Tyler Linderbaum C – Iowa
The arm length with Linderbaum is a major concern. His tape leaves you with limited concerns. That’s the dilemma here in two quick sentences. Linderbaum’s position alone likely takes him out of the top-10, but the combine didn’t do him any favors in my opinion. The Packers could use some work on the OL, and this would be that immediate help. If Linderbaum translates well, pass and run blocking should improve on the OL and every playmaker for Green Bay should see a nice stock up.
29. Chiefs (from 49ers)
Boye Mafe EDGE – Minnesota
Boye Mafe is going to go higher than you think. Mafe showed out at the Senior Bowl and continued that rise at the combine with his athletic testing. He’s athletic and projectible, and he could very well go higher than this.
30. Chiefs
Christian Watson WR – NDSU
Christian Watson is in Calvin Johnson territory in terms of his athletic profile when you look at his Relative Athleticism Score. His perfect RAS score of 10.00 out of 10.00 is tied with Calvin Johnson, putting him second of all wide receivers since 1987. The reason he’d go here and not higher is simply because of the tape…you wish he’d be a little bit more aggressive and physical in-game. The Chiefs would make up for their loss of speed here, and I imagine he’d immediately become a top dynasty rookie draft option with Pat Mahomes as his QB.
31. Bengals
Nakobe Dean LB – Georgia
Nakobe Dean was no doubt the best linebacker on tape this past year. His level of play is extremely high, but the lack of size is likely going to lead to an unexpected slide to the late 1st round or 2nd round. I love Dean and think he’ll be an impact player from year 1, but he doesn’t fit the “in” profile right now that Darius Leonard has established in the NFL.
32. Lions (from Rams)
Kaiire Elam CB – Florida
-\Kaiire Elam plays tough, though you’d wish he’d be a better tackler and that his coverage numbers were better in 2021 (a low 58.1 coverage grade per PFF). If Okudah takes the next step and Elam shows tackle ability and coverage improvement from his last year at Florida, opposing wide receivers will not look forward to facing the Lions…but that’s easier said than done.