NFL mock draft 2022: How Carson Wentz, Russell Wilson trades might alter first round
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers agreed to the richest deal in NFL history – at least according to reports he hasn’t verified – Russell Wilson was in the process of getting traded from the Seahawks to the Broncos, franchise tags were flying, pending free agents like Chargers WR Mike Williams and Titans OLB Harold Landry signed enriching extensions and likely future first-ballot Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner was getting his walking papers in Seattle.
A day later, former Eagles and Colts QB Carson Wentz was on his way to becoming Commander Carson in Washington.
NFL WINNERS, LOSERS:Franchise QBs (Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson), franchise tags make news
WENTZ:How Colts won trade with Washington merely by getting rid of QB
OPINION:Broncos bet big on Super Bowl QB formula with Russell Wilson trade
Offseason? Pfft.
Tuesday’s avalanche of news all came down just hours after our initial post-combine mock draft dropped. And, despite our best efforts to update it, the mock was essentially rendered obsolete by early afternoon. So let’s try this again – it’s not like there’s an offseason to take a breather or anything:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – DE Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan: The Jags might have quietly altered the top of this draft after opting to franchise tag LT Cam Robinson for the second straight year. While it would make plenty of sense to move Robinson to the right side – or keep him as a placeholder for another year and draft the next blind side sentinel for QB Trevor Lawrence – it’s pretty unusual to pay right tackles or Band-Aids $16.7 million. Yet why wouldn’t you create a fallback plan that better enables you to tab Hutchinson, who’s widely considered as the top prospect available this spring? Engaging off the field, relentless between the lines and highly productive, the Heisman Trophy finalist set a Wolverines record with 14 sacks in 2021. The 6-7, 260-pounder would form quite the QB-hunting tandem opposite Jacksonville’s Josh Allen.
Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. Willis, who has an eye-popping arm, is the type of dual-threat passer coach Mike Tomlin has signaled a desire for and provided ample evidence – including the viral video where he helped a pregnant woman on the streets in Indianapolis – that he’s the kind of player you want as the face of a franchise. And with Mason Rudolph available as a bridge quarterback if Willis needs extra seasoning, this move could make all types of sense – especially since he seems unlikely to be available if Colbert holds at No. 20.
8. Atlanta Falcons – WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State: A team with this many holes has several options to weigh, including a trade, given GM Terry Fontenot doesn’t have much cap space to patch his problems. However the 2022 suspension of Calvin Ridley and pending departure of Russell Gage may move wideout right to the top of Fontenot’s wish list. After laying down a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine, the 6-foot, 183-pound Wilson bolstered the argument he might be the top pass-catching prospect in a very deep class of them. He’s effective both outside and from the slot and is especially dangerous after the catch, scoring 13 TDs last season (one as a rusher). He would pair very nicely in the pass game with last year’s first-rounder, TE Kyle Pitts.
Perhaps the star of the combine after the 6-6, 341-pounder – and that’s a slimmed down version – blazed a 4.78 40 and looked great in the drills. An All-American in 2021, Davis also won the Bednarik Award as college football’s top defensive player. He should be a top priority for a defense that has major issues up the middle.
14. Baltimore Ravens – C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa: The upside of the consensus All-American and 2021 Rimington Trophy winner is hard to ignore – and should largely offset any concern about his short arms. Baltimore will likely need to replace C Bradley Bozeman, who’s unsigned for 2022.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins) – DE/OLB David Ojabo, Michigan: A native of Nigeria who grew up in Scotland, he had one tackle as a sophomore in 2020, so bit of an understatement to deem Ojabo raw. But what a breakout during his junior year, when the 6-4, 250-pounder erupted for 11 sacks – and it certainly didn’t hurt playing opposite Hutchinson. And with DE Derek Barnett headed for the open market, and former Wolverine Brandon Graham, who’s about to turn 34, trying to come back from a blown Achilles, Philadelphia clearly needs reinforcements off the edge.
16. Eagles (from Indianapolis Colts) – WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas: Yes, this would mean a first-round wideout for a third consecutive year for Philly, but the team can afford this move given how flush GM Howie Roseman is with options in 2022. His 4.55 combine 40 seems downright pedestrian when stacked up against his receiver peers. But at 6-2, 225 pounds, Burks would bring a different element to a Smurf-ish group that hasn’t gotten enough from holdovers like Jalen Reagor or 2019 second-round bust J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. Burks’ size would also be a plus for sometimes scattershot QB Jalen Hurts, and his potential as a Deebo Samuel-type weapon (1,216 yards and 12 TDs by way of 80 touches from scrimmage last season) would be a boon to any team while beautifully complementing 2021 first-rounder DeVonta Smith.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – CB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU: It’s been four years since S Derwin James, injury history and all, fell to the Bolts with the 17th pick of the draft. If such an approach works once, why not go back to the well? Stingley’s talents as a cover man are undeniable and were apparent for the 2019 national champion Tigers, for whom he had six interceptions, earning All-American honors for his efforts. But Lisfranc surgery limited him to three games in 2021 – a year after he was slowed by ankle issues – and prevented him from working out in Indy. But if Stingley performs well at LSU’s pro day on April 6, he could vault himself back into consideration as a top-five option and ahead of Gardner. The Chargers could most definitely use corner help, especially with veteran Chris Harris likely moving on.
18. New Orleans Saints – QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh: He might be the most NFL-ready passer in the draft. A four-year starter, Pickett has poise, accuracy, a quick release, production (4,319 yards and 42 TDs passing in 2021) and solid athleticism – perhaps enough NFL traits that he could restore New Orleans atop a diminished NFC South as a rookie.
19. Eagles – CB Trent McDuffie, Washington: With a 4.44 40 time, elite cover skills and smarts, he’s pretty much made to order for a secondary that doesn’t have a whole lot going for it aside from CB Darius Slay.
20. Giants [PROJECTED TRADE with Steelers] – OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa: An excellent athlete who played the left side in college, Penning has the ability and signature fire that are exactly what’s needed for an offense looking to unleash RB Saquon Barkley anew while creating better conditions as the new regime freshly assesses QB Daniel Jones.
21. New England Patriots – WR Jameson Williams, Alabama: No reason to waste (more) time before remedying 2019’s first-round mistake with WR N’Keal Harry. Williams might have been a top-10 pick had he not torn an ACL in the national championship loss to Georgia. He’s a burner who was remarkably productive in 2021, averaging 100 receiving yards and a TD catch per game. The Ohio State transfer didn’t play with Pats QB Mac Jones in Tuscaloosa, but – as soon as he’s healthy – he has the goods to develop into the dominant target this team has long lacked.
22. Las Vegas Raiders – DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia: Davis’ running mate in Athens, Wyatt actually ran even faster (4.77) than his buddy at the combine … though he is a diminutive 6-3 and 304 pounds by comparison. Cat quick, Wyatt has the size that should allow him to operate in multiple fronts. Like Walker, his stats at Georgia probably suffered due to the Bulldogs’ deep rotation. The Raiders, who have no interior depth to speak of at this point, would be fortunate to start a new rotation with Wyatt.
23. Arizona Cardinals – DE/OLB George Karlaftis, Purdue: In two full seasons (2019, 2021) for the Boilermakers, he compiled 13 sacks, 32 QB hits and 64 hurries. Seems like a pretty good replacement candidate for Chandler Jones in the desert.
24. Dallas Cowboys – G Zion Johnson, Boston College: Strong as an ox (combine-high 32 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press) but with relatively light feet, he could give this offensive line a nice shot in the arm just as G Connor Williams’ contract expires.
25. Buffalo Bills – LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia: The two-time-defending AFC East champs aren’t lacking for much but could use more juice at the second level, especially as MLB Tremaine Edmunds enters his walk year. Dean’s instincts, range, intelligence, leadership and background with a championship program would make him a great fit in Buffalo … even if his 5-11, 229-pound stature is suboptimal.
26. Tennessee Titans – LB Devin Lloyd, Utah: He features an all-around skill set that allows him to be a multi-faceted weapon, something the two-time-defending AFC south titlists haven’t had at linebacker recently. Lloyd had 22 TFLs in 2021 and surely would rack up quite a few more while operating in conjunction with this Tennessee front.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – DB Dax Hill, Michigan: Given the exodus it seems they’re facing – unless (for now) retired QB Tom Brady reverses himself – the Bucs could go any number of directions in the draft. One could be shoring up a secondary that will likely be bidding adieu to starting CB Carlton Davis and S Jordan Whitehead in free agency. Hill can play in the slot, box or center field, his 4.38 speed a welcome trait at any of those spots.
28. Green Bay Packers – WR Chris Olave, Ohio State: No, the Pack haven’t drafted a receiver in Round 1 since former Brett Favre favorite Sterling Sharpe in 1988. Yes, this could be the year they’ll need to strongly consider it with neither All-Pro Davante Adams nor Marquez Valdes-Scantling under contract – and what an appropriate “welcome back” gift for Rodgers, whose recent playoff flops suggest he could really use another weapon on the outside. Olave’s speed and smooth route running could eventually make him a No. 1 option, not to mention his ability to find the end zone – that occurring 32 times in his last 33 games for the Buckeyes.
29. Dolphins (from San Francisco 49ers) – OT Bernhard Raimann, Central Michigan: The head coach, Mike McDaniel, is new, but the necessity to safeguard – and better evaluate – QB Tua Tagovailoa does not change. One seemingly obvious way to do that is by upgrading one of the league’s worst offensive lines with an athletic tackle.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – DB Jalen Pitre, Baylor: A team that may not be able to re-sign All-Pro Tyrann Mathieu might want to be on the lookout for a young player with similar – if not Honey Badger-level – versatility at his disposal.
31. Cincinnati Bengals – OL Kenyon Green, Texas AM: When you might have the league’s next great quarterback (Joe Burrow) on your roster, but he’s sacked a league-high 51 times in the regular season – and 19 more in four playoff games this year – pretty obvious what needs to be done. Green played every O-line position but center for the Aggies in 2021 but took most of his college snaps at left guard.
32. Lions (from Los Angeles Rams) – QB Matt Corral, Mississippi: He’s not big (6-2, 212), though might be a different story if you could measure his heart. He’s also got sizable arm strength and athleticism and might be the kind of guy you want to invest in for a year – or at least part of a season – before unleashing him. Due to the structure of his contract, Detroit will likely have QB Jared Goff for one more season. But Corral might be worth a late first-round pick that could solidify this franchise’s long-term outlook … assuming he dials back his devil-may-care approach, which won’t work so well when he breaks the pocket to take on NFL defenders.
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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.