Rumors about what Jacksonville is likely to do with it’s top overall draft pick later this month have been pretty far-ranging. Last month it was looking like new head coach Doug Pederson had his sights set on NC State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu. Some of their moves since around the opening of free agency, though, have Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer thinking differently.
Right before free agency, the Jaguars placed a second-consecutive franchise tag on left tackle Cam Robinson. They then went and spent good money on offensive guard Brandon Scherff. This has Breer thinking that Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke may be content to address the offensive line through free agency and use their number one pick on Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
It’s long been assumed that Hutchinson won’t make it past his hometown Lions at number two overall, but, unless the Jaguars decide to triple-down on building the offensive line up around quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Detroit may not even get the chance to take Hutchinson.
Here are some other rumors surrounding the 2022 NFL Draft, starting in Lynchburg, VA:
- We talked in December about the top quarterback prospects in the Draft this year with evaluators back then thinking Pitt’s Kenny Pickett or Ole Miss’s Matt Corral were the most likely to hear their names called first. Breer seems to believe that the current leader of that race is Liberty’s Malik Willis. After seeing players like Patrick Mahomes come up from a below-average Texas Tech team and Josh Allen make the leap from a Wyoming team with talent far below the NFL squads he would eventually lead, teams are putting more stock into unproven quarterbacks with high ceilings, and Willis fits the bill. His meetings with teams have done more than enough to convince most that he is ready to take the next step and handle NFL-level schemes.
- One of the top wide receivers in the Draft, USC’s Drake London, will make his way to DC this week to be hosted by the Commanders, according to John Keim of ESPN. With Washington’s top receivers after Terry McLaurin last year being running backs J.D. McKissic and Antonio Gibson, followed by now free agent wide receiver Adam Humphries, London would fill a huge position of need for the Commanders. Having a big-bodied, sure-handed, NFL-ready wide receiver like London opposite McLaurin could pay big dividends for the Commanders’ offense this year.
- Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network reported that the University of Houston’s Logan Hall visited the Bengals yesterday. Hall was named first-team All-AAC after producing 13.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks as a defensive tackle for the Cougars last year. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Hall as the 33rd best overall prospect this year, while NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah slotted him at 50th overall. The Bengals have defensive tackles D.J. Reader and B.J. Hill under contract through 2024 and 2025, respectively, but Hall may be viewed as a long-term replacement, in case one of the two moves on.
The problem with looking at Willis versus, say, Wentz or Allen or other smaller school passers, is that Willis ran a lot of RPOs in college. It’s not just a question of potential or competition level, it’s also a question of offensive scheme. Allen and Wentz also have size. Allen’s reliance on running early on when he couldn’t pass on a broken play wasn’t as concerning because his frame made it easier for him to absorb hits. Willis is stocky and is a great runner, but he has a smaller frame for punishment than those guys that would buy him time in the pros.
The Ravens are the best example-maybe ever-of a team building their offense around a running quarterback, but eventually the player is going to have to adapt to a pro style, pass first offense. Allen made that transition. Jackson could, but has yet to do so. Willis will be in the same boat, and whomever wants to start him early will have to make that same level of commitment to him that Baltimore did with Jackson, and hope that that will buy him enough time to adapt to the NFL passing game to remain successful. It’s a pretty big gamble, in my mind. The Packers and the 49ers are still hoping that it works out for their prospects who are similar skill-wise.
The problem with Willis is he’s short for a QB. Yeah, Brees. Yeah, Wilson. Whatever, those are exceptions to the rule.
It adds an extra layer of risk with him.
1. Jags- Ikem Ekwonu
2. Lions – Aiden Hutchinson
3. Texans – Derek Stingley Jr
4. Jets – Sauce Gardner
5. Giants – Evan Neal
6. Panthers – Charles Cross
7. Giants – Kayvon Thibodeaux
8. Falcons – Travon Walker
9. Seahawks – Malik Willis
10. Jets – Kyle Hamilton
11. Commanders – Drake London
12. Vikings – Jordan Davis
13. Texans – Jermaine Johnson
14. Ravens – Jameson Williams
15. Eagles – Devin Lloyd
16. Saints – Garrett Wilson
17. Chargers – Trevor Penning
18. Eagles – Trent McDuffie
19. Saints – Kenny Pickett
20. Steelers – Tyler Linderbaum
21. Pats – Kenyon Green
22. Packers – Treylon Burks
23. Cards – Zion Johnson
24. Cowboys – George Karlaftis
25. Bills – Andrew Booth Jr
26. Titans – Chris Olave
27. Buccs – Kair Elam
28. Packers – DeVonte Graham
29. Chiefs – Bernhard Raimann
30. Chiefs – George Pickens
31. Bengals – Lewis Cine
32. Lions – Nakobe Dean
Mock draft no trades
Giants get a huge win at the top of the draft, Jets leave the draft very happy on day 1. Lots of great fits in particular Williams at the Ravens, McDuffie at the Eagles, Burks at the Packers, Karlaftis in Dallas and Booth at the Bills.
who Is devonte Graham…aside from the obvious NBA player? surely you mean to day devonte wyatt from Georgia going to the pack at 28?
Yeah my bad
who Is devonte Graham…aside from the obvious NBA player? surely you mean to say devonte wyatt from Georgia going to the pack at 28?
One of the more plausible mocks I have seen. I would love this for the Lions. Then they take Christian Watson at 34.
I think jags need to make a few calls and call some of the teams with 2 firsts. Trade the # 1 for both firsts and maybe even like a 3rd. This way they can fill their team out more and maybe even grab a receiver in the first.
Eagles and saints with mid round firsts are a solid example and may not even need a 3rd pick. Chiefs if they wanted could trade their 2 at end and like a 4th. Or 2nd next year
A franchise tag is one year. What happens next year? Scherff is hurt a lot and a guard. Those should not prevent from taking a tackle. Play the pick at right tackle and if Robinson leaves next year, move him to left.
The Jaguars should be moving back, as they need the picks to plug a bunch of holes and a couple second rounders might contribute more in the short term (and cost less in the longer term).