Post-Super Bowl, Complete First Round NFL Mock Draft

With the Super Bowl in the books, Zack Dietz unveils a post-Super Bowl, first round mock draft (complete with trades).

Zach Dietz | Feb 18, 2022

Post-Super Bowl, Complete First Round NFL Mock Draft /

This is the time of the year when acute sadness begins to set in.

We’re going to have to wait seven months for football to start up once more, and even with an exciting offseason ahead, the days are just better when there are meaningful games to be played.

Nonetheless, with the NFL Draft approaching, there is plenty of reason to be giddy. In the early months of the late winter/spring, NFL franchises do their best to retool or rebuild their respective rosters--there is never a time when this process stops.

So with the draft order now finalized, it’s time to do yet another first-round, league-wide mock draft. But unlike our last mock draft, this time, we're going to include (drum roll please) TRADES!

You read that right: A complete one-round 2022 NFL mock draft with trades. For this exercise, I’ll be putting my best foot forward to try and provide as realistic a scenario as possible, seeing how the draft board shakes out for specific teams and seeing if there are ways they can move up and down the board.

The only disclaimer I have for this mock is I will not be projecting any blockbuster veteran quarterback trades (Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Derek Carr, etc.) We still don’t know if those players will be requesting trades, and while it appears likely we will see some quarterback movement via the trade market and free agency, I want to focus on the prospect fits.

Let the mocking commence!

1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
2. DETROIT LIONS - Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
3. HOUSTON TEXANS - Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
4. NEW YORK JETS - Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
5. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (via NYG) - Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
6. CAROLINA PANTHERS - Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
7. NEW YORK GIANTS (via CHI) - George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
8. ATLANTA FALCONS - Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
9. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (via DEN) - Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
10. NEW YORK JETS (via SEA) - Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
11. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS - Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
12. NEW YORK GIANTS (via MIN) - Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
13. CLEVELAND BROWNS - Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
14. BALTIMORE RAVENS - Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
15. DENVER BRONCOS (via PHI via MIA) - David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
16. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (via IND) - Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
17. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (via LAC) - Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
18. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
19. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
20. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (via PIT) - Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
21. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
22. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS - Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia
23. ARIZONA CARDINALS - Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
24. DALLAS COWBOYS - Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
25. BUFFALO BILLS - Drake London, WR, USC
26. CINCINNATI BENGALS (via TEN) - Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
27. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
28. GREEN BAY PACKERS - DeMarvin Leal, IDL, Texas A&M
29. MIAMI DOLPHINS (via SF) - Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
30. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
31. TENNESSEE TITANS (via CIN) - Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
32. DETROIT LIONS (via LAR) - Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
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No. 1: OT Evan Neal, Alabama (Jacksonville) / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Evan Neal (73) against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

No. 2: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon (Detroit) :: Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux enters the stadium for the game against Oregon State on Nov. 27, 2021.

No. 3. Edge Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan (Houston) :: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

No. 4. OT Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State (Jets) / Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 30, 2021; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tackle Ikem Ekwonu (79) warms up prior to a game against the Louisville Cardinals at Carter-Finley Stadium.

No. 5. QB Malik Willis, Liberty (Vikings via trade with Giants) / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 5, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; American squad quarterback Malik Willis of Liberty (7) in the second half against the National squad during the Senior bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

No. 6. QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (Carolina) / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 2, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; National quarterback Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh (8) throws during National practice for the 2022 Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL, USA.

No. 7. Edge George Karlaftis, Purdue (Giants, via Chicago) :: Nikos Frazier / Journal & Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis (5) is recognized during a senior day program, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.

No. 8 CB Derek Stingley Jr, LSU (Atlanta) :: Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr

LSU defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. leaves the main media room at SEC Media Days in the Hyatt Regency in Hoover, Ala., Monday, July 19, 2021.

No. 9. S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame (Philadelphia, via trade with Denver) :: Nikos Frazier / Journal & Courier via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (14) celebrates an interception during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.

No. 10. CB Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, Cincinnati 9Jets via Seattle) :: Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

University of Cincinnati Bearcats Cornerbacks Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner (left) and Coby Bryant leave the practice facility as practice wraps up at Sheakley Athletic Complex on the University of Cincinnati campus on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021.

No. 11. QB Sam Howell, North Carolina (Washington) / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 5, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; American squad quarterback Sam Howell of North Carolina (14) hands off to American squad running back Dameon Pierce of Florida (27) in the second half against the National squad during the Senior bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

No. 12. IOL Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa (Giants via Minnesota) :: Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum signals a first down in the third quarter against Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

No. 13. WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State (Cleveland) :: Kyle Robertson / USA TODAY NETWORK

Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

No. 14. OL Kenyon Green, Texas A&M (Ravens) / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 25, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies offensive lineman Kenyon Green (55) in action during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium.

No. 15. Edge David Ojabo, Michigan (Denver, via Philadlephia via iami) :: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan linebacker David Ojabo celebrates after the 42-3 win over Iowa in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Indianapolis.

No. 16. WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas (Philadelphia via Indianapolis) / Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 26, 2021; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Treylon Burks (16) catches a pass and runs it in for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium.

No. 17. OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State (Steelers, via Chargers) / USA TODAY NETWORK

NCAA Football Mississippi State offensive line Charles Cross

No. 18. QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss (Saints) / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baylor Bears defensive tackle Cole Maxwell (96) sacks Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) during the first half in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome.

No. 19. CB Trent McDuffie, Washington (Eagles) / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 4, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Trent McDuffie (22) participates in pregame warmups against the Montana Grizzlies at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.

No. 20. Edge Travon Walker, Georgia (Chargers, via Pittsburgh) :: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) is tackled by Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker (44) during the second half of the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021.

No. 21. CB Andrew Booth Jr, Clemson (Patriots) :: Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK

Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (23) during practice at the Poe Indoor Facility in Clemson in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, December 18, 2021.

No. 22. IDL Jordan Davis, Georgia (Raiders) / Joshua L Jones - USA Today Network

Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis (99) arrives at Sanford Stadium during the the national championship parade and celebration in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022.

No. 23. CB Kyler Gordon, Washington (Cardinals) / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 26, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Kyler Gordon (2) participates in pregame warmups against the Washington State Cougars at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium.

No. 24. LB Devin Lloyd, Utah (Cowboys) / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 16, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (19) is tackled by Utah Utes linebacker Devin Lloyd (0) during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

No. 25. WR Drake London, USC (Buffalo) / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 2, 2021; Boulder, Colorado, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Drake London (15) and running back Vavae Malepeai (6) celebrate a score in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.

No. 26. IOL Zion Johnson, Boston College (Bengals, via Titans) / Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 20, 2021; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Boston College Eagles offensive lineman Zion Johnson (77) during the second half against the Florida State Seminoles at Alumni Stadium.

No. 27. WR Jameson Williams, Alabama (Bucs) :: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) catches a pass as Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Coby Bryant (8) defends in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the 86th Cotton Bowl Classic, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

No. 28. IDL DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M (Packers) / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 25, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal (8) in action during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium.

No. 29. OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan (Dolphins, via 49ers) / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 1, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; National offensive lineman Bernhard Raimann of Central Michigan (76) works with a coach during National practice for the 2022 Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

No. 30. Edge Jermaine Johnson, Florida State (Chiefs) / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Jul 22, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Jermaine Johnson II speaks to the media during the ACC Kickoff at The Westin Charlotte.

No. 31 LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia (Titans, via Bengals) / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

No. 32. S Daxton Hill, Michigan (Lions via Rams) :: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Daxton Hill, Michigan DB.

1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS - Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The Jaguars' hiring of Doug Pederson provides their team with an experienced head coach who has worked in many different offensive schemes. Nailing the coordinator hires will be huge, but it’s nice to see some (hopeful) stability in Duval.

This is a draft without a true consensus No. 1 overall pick, but the Jags certainly have options. Here, I have them selecting Neal, the All-American left tackle from Alabama. Cam Robinson will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Despite the team selecting former Stanford tackle Walker Little in the second round last season, players with Neal’s athleticism, ceiling, and skillset aren’t a dime a dozen.

Neal also has experience at guard and right tackle, so he can theoretically play anywhere for Jacksonville outside of center (a position already occupied by Brandon Linder).

2. DETROIT LIONS - Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon

Nobody expects the Lions to dip into this year’s weak quarterback class to find their successor to Jared Goff, as the team likely won’t be very good next year when the likes of Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud will be available.

So at the second pick, Dan Campbell’s team dips their toes into the Oregon Duck pool once more to select Thibodeaux, arguably the best player in this class overall. Trey Flowers may be a cap casualty, Romeo Okwara is coming off of a torn Achilles, and surprise stud Charles Harris may try and get a pay-day from another team in free agency.

The Lions undoubtedly did a nice job building their trenches in the 2021 NFL Draft, and now they’re in prime position to secure a potential top-flight pass rusher.

3. HOUSTON TEXANS - Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan

Arguably the most dominant defender in the country for the 2021 college football season, Hutchinson has seen his stock rise to the point of being in the conversation for the top pick this spring.

Houston is a team that needs star power. While they have some worrisome holes in their secondary, Hutchinson possesses the skillset to play in multiple alignments. His athleticism and technique have improved to the point that he was practically unstoppable for the Michigan Wolverines this past fall.

A pass-rush duo of Hutchinson and blooming star Jonathan Greenard could form one of the best young edge-rusher duos in the NFL.

4. NEW YORK JETS - Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State

The future of former Jets’ first-round pick Mekhi Becton will be fascinating to see. He encapsulates all of the talent and size in the world for the position, but injuries and weight control have set him back so far.

The team also reportedly loves George Fant, who was very solid in pass-protection for the team in 2021. Regardless, we know a Joe Douglas-led draft will always prioritize the trenches, and Ekwonu has experience at both left tackle and left guard.

It may seem like an odd value to take a potential guard this high, but Ekwonu has the power and technique to flip to the right side if need be. He’d be another exciting young piece to this Jets offense and a significant one at that.

5. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (via NYG) - Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

TRADE DETAILS: Vikings send No. 12, No. 46, a 2023 first-round pick, and 2023 fourth-round pick to New York Giants for No. 5 and No. 172,

For the second straight season, the New York Giants assisted an NFC North team in securing their franchise quarterback. Even in a quarterback class that many perceive as “weak,” they always find their way to the top of the board, and if the buzz coming out of the Senior Bowl means anything, I believe Malik Willis will be the first one off the board.

Armed with incredible physical tools on a poor Liberty offense, Willis is a project who struggles with his accuracy at times. Still, his arm strength, pocket presence, and elite running capabilities would do well to sit a year behind Kirk Cousins and take the reins from him, hopefully in 2023.

6. CAROLINA PANTHERS - Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

The hand size and only one year of good quarterback play will always concern me about Pickett, but the past connections with coach Matt Rhule combined with the need to improve the quarterback room are too much to ignore.

With minimal draft capital this year, the Panthers will need to be creative if they want to bring in a veteran quarterback instead of drafting one, but this scenario feels more likely.

Carolina is stuck with Darnold for at least one more season, and it is very plausible that Pickett sees the field sooner rather than later for the Panthers. For the Panthers’ sake, Pickett providing an upgrade could very well save Rhule’s job with the organization.

7. NEW YORK GIANTS (via CHI) - George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue

With the first-round choice from the Bears from last-years draft-day blockbuster, general manager Joe Schoen decides to build the trenches for the Giants, a strategy that paid off plenty during his time in Buffalo.

While offensive lineman is the most significant need for New York, securing a potential stud pass-rusher opposite Azeez Ojulari is also up there. Karlaftis isn’t going to wow you with his physical traits, but he can win with elite power, short area-quickness, and a motor for days.

For a Giants team that needs more juice in their front seven, he would be a tremendous fit for this football team.

8. ATLANTA FALCONS - Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

With the way the board has fallen for Atlanta here, the possibility of trading out becomes non-existent. The debate between Stingley and Kyle Hamilton is challenging, but I have the Falcons taking the LSU product to form a potentially unstoppable tandem with A.J. Terrell in the cornerback room.

Stingley has dealt with COVID and injuries the last two years, but when he’s on the field, he is a true shutdown corner with generational athleticism and length for days. It is scary how technically advanced he is for such a young player, and he has a true All-Pro caliber ceiling.

9. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (via DEN) - Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

TRADE DETAILS: Philadelphia trades No. 15, No. 83, and No. 153 to Denver for No. 9.

With the Eagles holding three first-round picks and a roster with a bunch of money tied up for 2022 in nearly 60 players already, it makes sense to make a move up the board for a top-tier prospect.

Kyle Hamilton is the best safety prospect to come out of college in the last decade, and the Eagles have a pressing need in their secondary. The Notre Dame product’s season was cut short due to injury, but you never see players like Hamilton who can do everything desired of a safety, linebacker, and cornerback.

His range in coverage is sublime, he runs like a gazelle, and he plays with the physicality desired by NFL teams. He is the definition of a “game-changer.”

10. NEW YORK JETS (via SEA) - Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

The last of the first-round picks that Seattle sent the Jets in the Jamal Adams trade, New York spends its second first-rounder on Gardner, who is coming off a dominant season for the Bearcats of Cincinnati.

While Bryce Hall looks like a future starter and the Jets were able to get solid play from rookie Brandin Echols, they need more competent cornerbacks. Allowing less than 200 yards of receiving all year, Gardner comes armed with great size and fluidity to die for.

He truly improved immensely from a technical standpoint this year, with zero penalties in coverage, and thoroughly neutralized Jameson Williams in the CFP Semifinal against Alabama. The Jets defense adds another great young piece.

11. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS - Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

While Taylor Heinicke wasn’t a complete albatross for the Commanders in 2021, Washington is in a similar situation as Carolina in that a rookie quarterback could do good for the job security of their front office and coaching staff.

Since the summer, Howell has been my personal QB1 and has the most NFL-ready skill-set out of any of the presumptive first-round gunslingers in this year’s draft class.

He struggled a bit this past season with a poor offensive line and play-calling, but Howell showcased his running ability and play extension capabilities. He could start sooner rather than later for Washington.

12. NEW YORK GIANTS (via MIN) - Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa

Even in a trade down with Minnesota, the Giants can use their second Round 1 selection to address their offensive line. Linderbaum, an All-American out of Iowa, is arguably the best offensive lineman prospect in this class and the best center prospect I’ve ever watched.

It truly is hard putting on his film, watching his innate instincts, brick-wall strength, and fluid athleticism, and trying to find weaknesses in his game. His size is probably the most significant concern (no pun intended) for NFL teams, but the skill set more than makes up for it. This is a home-run pick for the Giants.

13. CLEVELAND BROWNS - Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

Sometimes, the perfect match between need, value, and fit comes to fruition in the NFL Draft. The Browns need to add more receiving talent to their offense, primarily in the form of a route-running savant. Local product Garrett Wilson fits the bill and then some.

Wilson does not have the true burner speed teams crave nor the size to be a true contested-catch threat. Still, his ability to separate across all levels of the playing field, combined with his sticky hands and physicality, makes him an all-around top-notch pass-catcher who has a WR1 ceiling in the NFL.