Matt Bruening and Matt Fox come together again for NFL Mock Draft 2.0. Leading up to the NFL draft, the Matts will be switching teams and making picks we believe are the best for their franchise and whom they will possibly select in the 2022 NFL Draft. As we get closer to the draft, we will expand to more rounds and deeper analysis.
Here is Mock Draft 2.0; this will be the first two-round mock draft that we also allow trades. With any trades we have completed during the draft, you’ll see what the move was and what was given up in the trade by both teams. Any player with an MB in the front was selected and written by Matt Bruening. Anyone with an MF is a player selected and written by Matt Fox.
Round 1
No. 1- Jacksonville Jaguars- Aidan Hutchison, DE Michigan
MF- The Jaguars got their quarterback of the future last draft and have some decent offensive pieces. A lineman isn’t out of the question here, but I’m going with the best player in the draft and something to improve a woeful pass rush.
No. 2- Detroit Lions- Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE Oregon
MB- Lions get what many still believe is the best defensive player in the draft. Thibodeaux has questions about effort and lack of elite production, but his upside is unquestionable.
No. 3- Houston Texans- Kyle Hamilton, S Notre Dame
MF- The Texans have a lot of needs. As they just promoted their defensive coordinator to head coach, it would make sense they’d try to get an impact player. Hamilton is a safety capable of changing game plans and versatile enough to move all over the defense.
No. 4- New York Jets- Evan Neal, OT Alabama
MB- The Jets need to protect Zach Wilson and have the best offensive tackle in the class fall into their laps here. Neal is a potential franchise tackle and an easy pick here.
No. 5- New York Giants- Ikem Ekwonu, OT NC State
MF- The Giants are committed to Daniel Jones. The next step is protecting him better, and the former Wolfpack tackle is the next best option beyond Neal.
No. 6- Carolina Panthers- Kenny Pickett, QB Pitt
MB- The Panthers don’t get a free agent QB. They turn to Pickett who has solid upside and a safe floor. Pickett had a historic 2021 season and was a starter for several years at Pitt. He is mobile and spreads the ball around, giving the Panthers the QB they need.
No. 7- New York Giants- Ahmad (Sauce) Gardner, CB Cincinnati
MF- The Giants grab a tackle first then turn around and look to improve their secondary with Gardner. He’s got the potential to be a shut-down corner and a massive upgrade for New York’s secondary.
No. 8- Atlanta Falcons- Jermaine Johnson, Edge Florida State
MB- Defense is still a major need for the Falcons – Johnson had a monstrous Senior Bowl week and will give the Falcons a difference-maker at EDGE immediately.
No. 9- Denver Broncos- Nakobe Dean, LB Georgia
MF- Denver could take a QB, but they could also solve one of their biggest problems on defense – middle linebacker. After missing out on Micah Parsons last year, Dean is the pick and immediately fills a long-time weakness.
No. 10- Pittsburgh Steelers (trade with the Jets)- Malik Willis, QB Liberty
MB – Pittsburgh Steelers send 2021 pick 20&52 and a 2022 third to the New York Jets for 2021 pick 10 and a 2022 fifth.
Steelers trade up 10 spots to grab their QB of the future. Willis should be a solid fit for the Steelers, whose organization is stable and tends to develop players well. He will be expected to start immediately and gives AFC North defenses another mobile, dangerous QB to deal with.
No. 11- Washington Commanders- Derek Stingley Jr., CB LSU
MF- Washington could go QB, but I think they’ll address another need and improve the defense here. Stingley is another corner capable of shutting down a side of the field, and the Commanders make their defense much better immediately.
No. 12- Minnesota Vikings- Jordan Davis, IDL Georgia
MB- Vikings need help to stop the run, and Davis immensely helps. Possibly the best player in the draft but at a position of less “importance,” Davis will plug the middle of the line and help the Vikings get much better against the run.
No. 13- Cleveland Browns- Garrett Wilson, WR Ohio State
MF- The Browns need a receiver, and I think they would be thrilled to get a great home town prospect. Wilson is a phenomenal route runner and polished, giving Baker Mayfield a sure WR1 with great hands.
No. 14- Baltimore Ravens- George Karlaftis, Edge Purdue
MB- The Ravens go defense here, capitalizing on value as well, selecting the former Boilermaker edge rusher here. He’s got immense talent as a rusher but a little suspect against the run.
No. 15- Philadelphia Eagles- Charles Cross, OT Mississippi State
MF- The Eagles need line help and this lines up perfectly to be a gift at fifteen. Protecting Hurts and building in the trenches is a strong strategy for success.
No. 16- Philadelphia Eagles- David Ojabo, Edge Michigan
MB- After addressing the offensive line, Ojabo makes sense and another pick with great value. Ojabo is raw but developing into a scary pass rusher who can stand up and get after QBs.
No. 17- Los Angeles Chargers- Trevor Penning, OT Northern Iowa
MF- The Chargers need help on both lines, with Davis off the board OT felt like the right call. Penning allows the team to build while protecting their most valuable asset, QB Justin Herbert.
No. 18- New Orleans Saints- Treylon Burks, WR Arkansas
MB- Michael Thomas is coming back (hopefully), but the Saints WR core is still bad. Burks immediately changes that. If he plays opposite MT, it’s impossible for defenses to account for both of these WR1s.
No. 19- Philadelphia Eagles- Tyler Linderbaum, C Iowa
MF- After getting Cross at fifteen, getting their center of the future here is the icing on the cake. Linderbaum is a mauler and will anchor the center of the Philly line for a decade or more.
No. 20- New York Jets (trade with Pittsburgh)- Andrew Booth, CB Clemson
MB- The Jets moved back to this spot with the Steelers trade and ended up with one of the best CB’s in this draft to improve their secondary. Booth plays with ferocity and always wants to guard the opponent’s top option.
No. 21- New England Patriots- Drake London, WR USC
MF- Getting Mac Jones better options to throw to is a top need, and London fills that. He’s tall and dangerous with the ball in his hands, capable of changing a game from the outside or inside WR spots.
No. 22- Las Vegas Raiders- Kenyon Green, IOL Texas A&M
MB- The Raiders pick here, looking to improve the offensive line to help protect Derek Carr and the run game. Green is a versatile lineman and gives the Raiders many options.
No. 23- Arizona Cardinals- Chris Olave, WR Ohio State
MF- On paper maybe the Cardinals seem set on weapons. I’m not so sure, so I snagged Olave here. He’s a solid WR2 who will give Kyler Murray another sure, reliable target.
No. 24- Detroit Lions (trade with the Cowboys)- Matt Corral, QB Ole Miss
MB- Detroit Lions trade with the Dallas Cowboys giving up 2021 picks 32&66 for the Dallas Cowboys 2021 pick 24.
As QB’s fell in this mock, Detroit trades up and grabs for some the top QB in this class. Corral is a dangerous runner, capable of making plays on the run, and plays with intensity and passion.
No. 25- Buffalo Bills- Travon Walker, Edge Georgia
MF- The Bills continue working on that pass rush with Walker. He can play inside or outside but would be best playing with his hand in the dirt on the edge. He’s smart and instinctive, not a liability in the run game, and a great fit in Buffalo.
No. 26- Tennessee Titans- Devin Lloyd, LB Utah
MB- Titans go defense pick up a stud LB. Lloyd is one of the best, a fierce tackler with range to be good in coverage. Lloyd will instantly solidify the Titans’ LB corps.
No. 27- Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Sam Howell, QB UNC
MF- Brady is gone, and if it falls right, the Bucs could land a franchise option. Howell is possibly the only QB in the class who could fill in right away, and Bruce Arians would use his strengths best.
No. 28- Green Bay Packers- Jameson Williams, WR Alabama
MB- Let’s say the Packers can keep Rodgers and Adams. Then, they finally add a first-round WR with top end speed. Williams would be scary in this offense opposite Adams, and Rodgers would likely win another MVP.
No. 29- Miami Dolphins- Logan Hall, DE Houston
MF- The Dolphins get a piece that improves their defensive front. Hall is a physical freak with incredible speed for his size and a lethal first step.
No. 30- Kansas City Chiefs- Jahan Dotson, WR Penn State
MB- With multiple top WR’s off the board the Chiefs grab their future WR2, They have been searching for several years, and Dotson compliments Tyreek Hill perfectly. Dotson will vault up rookie drafts with this landing spot, and his ability to run after the catch and make difficult catches will be a gift for Patrick Mahomes.
No. 31- Cincinnati Bengals- Bernard Raimann, OT Central Michigan
MF- If nothing else, the post-season showed the Bengals need to invest in their line. This is a good first step. Raimann is a massive lineman capable of playing guard or tackle and a nasty run blocker.
No. 32- Dallas Cowboys (trade with the Lions)- Daxton Hill, S Michigan
MB- The Cowboys traded back with Detroit and still fill a major need at safety with one of the best safties in the draft class. Hill is rangy and has speed, making plays from sideline to sideline in Ann Arbor.
Round 2
No. 33- Jacksonville Jaguars- Trent McDuffie, CB Washington
MF- The Jags need help in the secondary and this is a nice option to kick off the second round. McDuffie is a phenomenal man defender with speed and athleticism, filling a huge need.
No. 34- Detroit Lions- Roger McCreary, CB Auburn
MB- One of the best CB’s falls right into the Lions lap. McCreary plays like a top corner – never afraid to face a challenge, and he loves to get after receivers. He plays with intensity and is a great value here.
No. 35- New York Jets- Trey McBride, TE Colorado ST.
MF- The Jets are building something on offense. The top TE in the draft, McBride, is dangerous paired with Michael Carter, Elijah Moore, and Zach Wilson. McBride can stretch the middle of the field and create mismatches.
No. 36- New York Giants- Cameron Thomas, Edge San Diego State
MB- Looking to improve their defense, the Giants grab an excellent edge rusher early in the second. Thomas has an array of moves and is a great athlete, also a smart and versatile player.
No. 37- Houston Texans- Zion Johnson, IOL Boston College
MF- The Texans need help on the offensive line, and Johnson figures to be an improvement. He’s a strong run blocker with the versatility to move all over the line.
No. 38- New York Jets- Jaquan Brisker, S Penn State
MB- The Jets lock down more help in their secondary with Brisker. He’s a physical, aggressive tackler but also has the awareness and agility to play coverage.
No. 39- Chicago Bears- David Bell, WR Purdue
MF- The Bears need weapons for Justin Fields, let’s hope this one hits! Bell does many things well and gets lost in the loaded class but lands in an ideal situation for early success in Chicago.
No. 40- Denver Broncos- Carson Strong, QB Nevada
MB- Broncos have a type at QB. They take the big-bodied, big arm QB from Nevada as their QB of the future. Strong can make every throw and falls this far due to lack of mobility and possible knee injury concerns.
No. 41- Seattle Seahawks- Devonte Wyatt, DL Georgia
MF- Seattle needs better defense and I don’t think Pete Carrol lets Wyatt get by him. He’s an interior lineman capable of getting pressure up the middle and strong against the run. Wyatt has a relentless motor and is an excellent fit for Seattle’s D-Line.
No. 42- Washington Commanders- Desmond Ridder, QB Cincinnati
MB- Commanders need to bring in someone to challenge Heinecke. Ridder is the best left on the board. He has good mobility and is a great leader, leading the Bearcats for several seasons.
No. 43- Atlanta Falcons- Isaiah Spiller, RB Texas A&M
MF- The Falcons need a good running back, here they get the best. Spiller is the RB they have needed for several years and will get a heavy workload immediately. He runs with power, agility, and can catch passes.
No. 44- Cleveland Browns- DeMarvin Leal, IDL Texas A&M
MB- The Browns continue to build their defense, and Leal is a great fit. He can play inside, outside, and has the ability to create immense interior pressure.
No. 45- Baltimore Ravens- Kyler Gordon, CB Washington
MF- The Ravens need secondary help more than any team in the NFL, and Gordon is a good one. He’s got cover skills, athleticism, and plays the position with intelligence. He’s not afraid to get physical either.
No. 46- Minnesota Vikings- Christian Harris, LB Alabama
MB- The Vikings struggled on defense last year, and Harris could provide instant versatility as a pass rusher and an LB who loves thumping ball carriers.
No. 47- Indianapolis Colts- Kaiir Elam, CB Florida
MF- Colts need a QB, but with none left, it’s time to fill a hole in the secondary. Elam was some’s top CB on the board, and he is aggressive and fearless in coverage with speed to recover and top-level awareness.
No. 48- Los Angeles Chargers- Tariq Woolen, CB UTSA
MB- Chargers secondary was flat out bad last year. Woolen brings in some help on the secondary. He could destroy the combine and find himself drafted much earlier. Woolen is smooth in coverage and plays the ball like it’s meant for him. His athletic ability is ridiculous.
No. 49- New Orleans Saints- John Metchie III, WR Alabama
MF- The Saints need some weapons on offense, especially with Thomas’ future uncertain. Burks and now Metchie would lock the position down regardless. Metchie brings speed in spades, and playing in the slot with Burks and Thomas on the outside is simply unfair.
No. 50- Miami Dolphins- Kenneth Walker III, RB Michigan State
MB- Walker heads to Miami with a new head coach with likely a fun and exciting new run scheme. Walker is a patient and smooth runner with the ability to create on his own. He forces missed tackles in droves and finally allows the Dolphins to move on from Myles Gaskin.
No. 51- Philadelphia Eagles- Jalen Pitre, S Baylor
MF- Here the Eagles add another piece, a safety to help build up the secondary. Pitre has elite speed and can cover ground in a hurry, used as a chess piece at Baylor, even playing an LB hybrid role.
No. 52- New York Jets (trade with the Steelers)- Perrion Winfrey, IDL Oklahoma
MB- With the Jets’ second pick in the Steelers trade, they net an interesting interior defensive line piece in Winfrey. He’s another versatile player but does a lot of damage from the interior. He has power and a great burst but could use a few more moves to become elite.
No. 53- Las Vegas Raiders- Daniel Faalele, OT Minnesota
MF- The Raiders need to improve on the offensive line to be consistent on offense. Faalele is 6’9″ and 380 pounds. I think he was in Game of Thrones. Maybe not, but he’s a mountain – a powerful blocker with a nasty disposition.
No. 54- New England Patriots- Lewis Cine, S Georgia
MB- The Patriots could have gone with another WR here, but Cine was the value. The former Georgia safety plays the entire field and loves to hit people. He plays with tenacity and will be a huge addition.
No. 55- Arizona Cardinals- Breece Hall, RB Iowa State
MF- The Cardinals need a good running back, this gives them a solid option. Hall is many’s top RB, and it’s hard to argue with the most productive back over the past few seasons. He lacks elite speed but has vision and runs inside with fearlessness, creating and almost always gaining yards.
No. 56- Dallas Cowboys- Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT Ohio State
MB- Cowboys used to have the best offensive line in the league. Now it’s aging and beat up. Petit-Frere helps return them closer to that former glory. He’s a smooth lineman with great footwork and a phenomenal athlete for his size.
No. 57- Buffalo Bills- Phidarian Mathis, IDL Alabama
MF- The Bills add another piece to bolster the defensive front. Mathis can get pressure in the middle, seven sacks in 2021, but is one of the best interior run defenders in the class.
No. 58- Atlanta Falcons- George Pickens, WR Georgia
MB- The Falcons may lose Calvin Ridley, and this would be an excellent option to replace him. Pickens is a former top prospect with unrealized potential in college due to injuries. He plays with physicality and loves to mix it up. Can he finally put it all together though?
No. 59- Green Bay Packers- Arnold Ebiketie, DE Penn State
MF- The Packers get an edge rusher to improve their defense. Ebiketie is an impressive athlete with an array of pass-rushing moves and a powerful tackler.
No. 60- Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Kyren Williams, RB Notre Dame
MB- Williams is the kind of RB Bruce Arians will love. He can pass block, catch the ball, and is a great runner. This landing spot will massively increase his value in rookie drafts unless the Bucs retain Fournette.
No. 61- San Francisco 49ers- Martin Emerson, CB Mississippi State
MF- The 49ers need secondary help; Emerson is a perfect fit in this draft spot. He’s a scrappy and tough corner, loves to blitz, and prides himself in sticking to receivers.
No. 62- Kansas City Chiefs- Kingsley Enagbare, Edge South Carolina
MB- The Chiefs continue to build on their defense, and Enagbare could be a steal here. He’s strong and plays with hustle, never taking plays off, and versatile enough to move around on the D-Line.
No. 63- Cincinnati Bengals- Sean Rhyan, IOL UCLA
MF- The Bengals’ No. 1 need is more offensive line help, and these first two picks reflect that commitment. Rhyan had limited starting experience, but when he did – he was an impressive run blocker capable of plowing over defensive linemen.
No. 64- Denver Broncos- Josh Paschal, Edge Kentucky
MB- The Broncos look to add to their defense and do so with this pick. Paschal has a great burst off the line and understands using leverage to his advantage.
This completes Mock Draft 2.0. We will continue to have mocks coming out every other weeks with new trades and scenarios based on what we think. NFL free agency is right around the corner. Make sure to check in for our rookie mocks as well.
