NFL
By: Greg Rector
With the postseason trades and free-agent signings of almost all the big names out there, the first round of the NFL draft looks a little different now than it did when the season ended. With most of the deals now done let’s take a look at what that means for at least the first round of this year’s draft on April 28th. This is a “Predictive Draft,” which means it isn’t what I would do personally, rather this is an amalgamation of draft simulations from Pro Football Network, The Draft Network, Pro Football Focus, and the NFLMockDraft database. I did three first-round mock drafts on all three using the player rankings they all have. Simply click on the graphic and the amalgamated results will appear. There are no trades in any of the drafts. The first shift is the definitive selection of Aidan Hutchinson as the first overall pick by Jacksonville. The mock draft community certainly feels that the University of Michigan edge rusher will be the choice as the best player available in the 2022 draft. Prior to the Jaguars’ free agency moves, there was a feeling they might also take either Evan Neal or Ikem Ekwonu with the number one pick. Since they opted to franchise tag Cam Robinson it appears they opt to go with the pass rusher. The Detroit Lions as well no longer appear to be taking either Hutchinson or Thibodeaux as most earlier mock drafts had them doing, instead, it’s now Kyle Hamilton the safety from Notre Dame as the consensus choice. The Lions barely decide on a quarterback over a wide receiver with their 32nd pick as well. Another team that many are watching, of course, is the Carolina Panthers, in some mocks, they went cornerback, in a couple of others they went with the offensive tackle, however, in the end, the majority of the time it was quarterback Malik Willis from Liberty University. I really don’t see any trades occurring until pick nine and the Seahawks selection either. There’s simply no one in desperate enough straights that needs to move up this year, especially minus the “franchise,’ quarterbacks. Despite his ACL injury, it appears David Ojabo is still going to be a first-round pick as well.
Overall there are 7 Edge, 6 OTs, 6 WRs, 5 Corners, 2 Linebackers, 1 safety, 2 interior linemen on offense and defense as the positions broke down. Finally, please remember this is not what I would necessarily do for each team, rather what the consensus was from 12 different simulations using the best player available as the most important factor. Let’s hope no one else gets injured at their upcoming pro days.
As always you can find me on Twitter @GregCowboys
