2022 NFL Mock Draft: Lions surprise with QB at No. 2, Chargers trade up with Giants, Chiefs go defense-heavy – CBS Sports

Michigan

• Sr

• 6’7″

/ 260 lbs

Projected Team

Jacksonville

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

The Jaguars are going Hutchinson at No. 1 after franchising Cam Robinson. The Michigan star is an instant-impact type who can thrive on three downs.

Liberty

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 219 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

23rd

POSITION RNK

2nd

The Lions surprise the masses by picking a quarterback at No. 2. Willis can sit behind Jared Goff for a season then take over in 2023.

Georgia

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 272 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

1st

Walker is an all-upside selection for the rebuilding Texans.

Cincinnati

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 190 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Robert Saleh gets his large, fluid, physical alpha cornerback in Gardner.

Alabama

• Jr

• 6’7″

/ 337 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

1st

Neal is a mammoth human who carries 337 pounds as well as any human on this planet. He has All-Pro upside.

Mississippi State

• Soph

• 6’5″

/ 307 lbs

Projected Team

Carolina

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

3rd

We aren’t quite sure what the Panthers are going to do at quarterback, but the offensive line has to be better regardless.

NC State

• Soph

• 6’4″

/ 310 lbs

The Chargers can’t wait and hope a stud tackle falls to them, so they get aggressive and land Ekwonu to play right tackle for Justin Herbert.

Notre Dame

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 220 lbs

Projected Team

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

The Falcons are ecstatic to add a big, multi-dimensional playmaker to their defense.

Oregon

• Soph

• 6’4″

/ 254 lbs

Projected Team

Seattle

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

The Seahawks can’t pass on the uber-talented Thibodeaux as he nearly falls out of the top 10.

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 183 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

1st

Wilson is the springy, well-rounded wideout the Jets have to add for Zach Wilson’s development.

Ohio State

• Sr

• 6’0″

/ 187 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

27th

POSITION RNK

5th

Olave’s been on the draft radar for seemingly a decade, and he ran 4.39 at the combine. He’s going early, and the Commanders have to give Carson Wentz more help.

Florida State

• Sr

• 6’5″

/ 254 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

4th

Johnson has had a fine pre-draft process and was super-productive at Florida State in 2021. The Vikings give Danielle Hunter a running mate on the outside.

LSU

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 195 lbs

Projected Team

Houston

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

1st

Walker and Stingley equate to quite a first-round haul for the rebuilding Texans. Marquee talents at premier positions.

Georgia

• Sr

• 6’6″

/ 341 lbs

Projected Team

Baltimore

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Davis lands in a rightful place for him, Baltimore, whose defense is predicated on physically overwhelming its opponents.

Washington

• Soph

• 5’11”

/ 193 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

4th

McDuffie is the perfect fit in the Eagles’ zone-heavy defense.

Utah

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 237 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

1st

Lloyd is the missile the Eagles need at the second level of the defense.

USC

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 219 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

3rd

After the trade back, the Giants get Daniel Jones a big-bodied wideout who wins down the field and after the catch.

Arkansas

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 225 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

4th

Burks would give the Saints offense a dynamic YAC complement to Michael Thomas.

Purdue

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 266 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

3rd

Karlaftis is ready to go on the edge in Philadelphia’s defense. Fun pairing with Haason Reddick.

Pittsburgh

• Sr

• 6’3″

/ 217 lbs

Projected Team

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

25th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The Steelers simply can’t pass on Pickett here given the positional value. He’ll be in a fun competition with Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph this summer.

Georgia

• Jr

• 5’11”

/ 229 lbs

Projected Team

New England

PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

2nd

Dean is the cerebral, athletic, coverage-based linebacker Belichick will love to add to his defense.

Penn State

• Sr

• 5’11”

/ 178 lbs

Projected Team

Green Bay

PROSPECT RNK

39th

POSITION RNK

6th

Dotson is the downfield speedster who runs sharp routes and can thrive with Aaron Rodgers.

Texas A&M

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 323 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

30th

POSITION RNK

7th

The Cardinals have to make improvements up front. Green is legitimately versatile and was battle-tested in the SEC for years.

Iowa

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 296 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Linderbaum is one of the best center prospects we’ve seen in a long time. He falls a bit because of his shorter arms and the fact he was under 300 pounds at the combine.

Alabama

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 179 lbs

Projected Team

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

2nd

With the Jamison Crowder signing, the Bills can afford to wait for Williams to fully recover. Then Buffalo’s offense will be loaded with receiving talent.

Northern Iowa

• Jr

• 6’7″

/ 321 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

5th

Penning is the mauling type the Titans will love up front on their physical offense.

Georgia

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 199 lbs

Projected Team

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

60th

POSITION RNK

6th

Cine is the assert-his-will safety the Buccaneers prefer, and they just lost Jordan Whitehead in free agency.

Tulsa

• Soph

• 6’4″

/ 324 lbs

Projected Team

Green Bay

PROSPECT RNK

47th

POSITION RNK

11th

With Smith, the Packers get a high-upside blocker who can be groomed under David Bakhtiari.

Florida

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 191 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

42nd

POSITION RNK

9th

The Chiefs cornerback room is pretty barren right now beyond L’Jarius Snead. Elam has the length, speed, and SEC experience to be picked this high.

Minnesota

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 265 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

37th

POSITION RNK

5th

Mafe is a rising prospect with an ascending skill set. His athletic profile screams first-round pick, and he uses his hands like a first-round pick too. The Chiefs add to the defense first, then plan to go receiver with one — or both? — of their second-round selections.

Clemson

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 194 lbs

Projected Team

Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK

35th

POSITION RNK

6th

Booth is a springy, ballhawking cornerback who can thrive in zone or man with the Bengals.

Michigan

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 191 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

2nd

The Lions get a playmaking cornerback/safety for their secondary. Big need, and Hill is one of the most athletic players in the entire draft.