2022 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Seattle Seahawks Kickstart Their Rebuild With Quarterback Malik Willis

Free agency has slowed drastically after a frantic start, and now teams are beginning to put the majority of their focus on the NFL draft.

Needs for many have changed, so here’s my new projection for each first-round selection. Draft betting odds via BetMGM, as of April 4.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Edge Aidan Hutchinson

Last time: OT Evan Neal, Alabama
Odds Hutchinson goes No. 1: -250

Since the last mock draft, the Jaguars franchise-tagged Cam Robinson, alleviating their immediate need for a left tackle. Hutchinson is now the obvious choice at No. 1 to bolster the pass rush.

2. Detroit Lions: Edge Travon Walker, Georgia

Last time: Edge Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
Odds Walker goes No. 2: +250

The Lions could go a number of different ways with this pick, and quarterback Malik Willis is starting to get some helium to go here. Detroit, though, could wait a year and hope to land Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud next season, when the rebuild is further along. The Lions have good tackles so Walker could be the choice.

3. Houston Texans: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

Last time: OT Ikem Okwonu, North Carolina State
Odds Thibodeaux goes No. 3: +700

The Texans need help everywhere, and Thibodeaux is a high-ceiling prospect that could reinvigorate the Houston pass-rush. Offensive tackle is not as big of a need now that Laremy Tunsil is remaining in the fold.

4. New York Jets: CB Sauce Gardner, Cincinnati

Last time: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon
Odds Gardner is the first cornerback selected: -400

The Jets need help in many different places, but finding a premier cornerback is always high on the to-do list for any coach, especially a defensive-minded one. Gardner recently said he is the best player in the draft, and if New York agrees, this would be a logical pick.

5. New York Giants: OT Evan Neal, Alabama

Last time: S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

This is a pretty decent drop for Neal, who I had projected to go No. 1 overall in Mock Draft 1.0. The Giants would be pretty intrigued if one of the top offensive tackles are available at this spot, as the line has been an issue in recent years.

6. Carolina Panthers: T Ikem Ekwonu, North Carolina State

Last time: QB Malik Willis, Liberty

The Panthers badly need a quarterback, but is a gamble on Malik Willis or Kenny Pickett worth it this high in the draft? If Ekwonu is available, it would make more sense to continue shoring up the offensive line in preparation of finding a franchise signal-caller at some point in the future.

7. New York Giants: WR Drake London, USC

Last time: OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State
Odds London is the first wideout selected: +140

Kadarius Toney is an intriguing young skill player and the Giants could add another with their second pick in the top-10. There are several wide receivers that should go in the first round, and London seems to be the best of the bunch.

8. Atlanta Falcons: S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

Last time: WR Drake London, USC

This spot may scream wideout after the Calvin Ridley suspension for sports betting, but there are plenty of other holes on the roster. Hamilton is one of the best prospects in the draft, regardless of position.

9. Seattle Seahawks: QB Malik Willis, Liberty 

Last time: Edge David Ojabo, Michigan
Odds Willis is the first quarterback selected: -200

The Seahawks dealt Russell Wilson to the Broncos and are embarking on a rebuild. This quarterback class isn’t too good but Pete Carroll is already 70 and the team may push to turn things around sooner rather than later. Willis is the best choice if they are going to take that risk.

10. New York Jets: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Last time: CB Sauce Gardner, Cincinnati

The Jets may have to grab Gardner higher than I projected in Mock Draft 1.0. If that’s the case, there will be some intriguing wide receiver options available at No. 10, and New York will likely jump on one to give quarterback Zach Wilson a talented target.

11. Washington Commanders: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State 

Last time: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

Washington traded for Carson Wentz and probably won’t go quarterback here anymore. Instead, the Commanders get him a weapon in Olave, who tested well at the Combine.

12. Minnesota Vikings: CB Derek Stingley, Jr., LSU

Last time: C Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa
Odds Stingley is drafted before Pick 13: -105

The Vikings re-signed Patrick Peterson, but cornerback is still a major long-term need. If Stingley checks out medically, he has the type of upside that should intrigue Minnesota.

13. Houston Texans: OT Charles Cross, Mississippi

Last time: QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss

The Browns traded this pick for Deshaun Watson, and Houston should just take the best player available. If Cross drops here, Houston will likely be all over it.

14. Baltimore Ravens: DT Jordan Davis, Georgia

Last time: CB Derek Stingley, Jr., LSU

The Ravens are a bit lighter than usual on the defensive front, and it’s an area that they always seem to invest premium resources in. This would fit the bill, as Davis could be an impact player from Day One.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Jermaine Johnson, Florida State

Last time: WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

The Eagles signed veteran Haason Reddick to boosh their pass-rush, but the group could still use some upgrading. Johnson is a talented player who should be able to find his way quickly.

16. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama

Last time: Edge George Karlaftis, Purdue

The Eagles are building something intriguing but are probably a year or two away from being a true contender. Williams, who tore his ACL in the title game, is a potential value pick in the middle of the first round, as he could easily end up the most dynamic wideout in the class.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

Last time: WR Jameson Williams, Alabama

The Chargers have a serious hole at right tackle and would love to address it in the draft. There are some split opinions on Penning, but if Los Angeles likes what it sees, this makes all the sense in the world.

18. New Orleans Saints: QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

Last time: QB Sam Howell, North Carolina

The quarterbacks could fall after some of the neediest teams have filled that spot through trades. New Orleans may have its choice of a couple different options, and if Pickett is available, he could be the choice.

19. Philadelphia Eagles: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah

Last time:  LB Devin Lloyd, Utah

No change here. Philly may very well deal one of their first-round picks, but if not, Lloyd is a good fit defensively.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington

Last time: OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa

McDuffie could slide a bit based on his size. The Steelers could use a high-upside cornerback, though the available quarterbacks also figure to get a close look.

21. New England Patriots:  LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia

Last time: Edge Jermaine Johnson, Florida State

The Patriots could use some more young talent on defense. Dean would be a logical fit here.

22. Green Bay Packers: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Last time: G/T Kenyon Green, Texas A&M

It seems pretty obvious the Packers will take a close look at the receiver options after trading Davante Adams to the Raiders. Burks has a great mix of size and speed, which should translate well with Aaron Rodgers getting him the ball.

23. Arizona Cardinals: DT Devonte Wyatt, Georgia

Last time: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

J.J. Watt is injury-prone and Arizona doesn’t have another starting-caliber interior defensive linemen on the roster. The Cardinals have invested plenty of resources into this position in recent years but don’t have much to show for it. Wyatt could help against the run and give the defense another pass-rushing option.

24. Dallas Cowboys: G Zion Johnson, Boston College

Last time: LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia

The Cowboys could use a wide receiver after the loss of Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson, but interior offensive line is also a long-term positional need. Johnson fits the bill.

25. Buffalo Bills: CB Andrew Booth, Jr., Clemson

Last time: CB Andrew Booth, Jr., Clemson

Sticking with Booth here. Buffalo doesn’t need much, but another cornerback would be welcomed.

26. Tennessee Titans: G/T Kenyon Green, Texas A&M

Last time: DT Jordan Davis, Georgia

Green is a versatile player who could plug in at a number of spots. The Titans have a need at guard and Green would compete to start as a rookie.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge George Karlaftis, Purdue

Last time: CB Kyler Gordon, Washington

The Buccaneers are well-stocked throughout the roster and can grab someone who slips further than expected. Karlaftis would fit that description if this happens, and he would give Tampa Bay a nice prospect who could help now and into the future.

28. Green Bay Packers: G/T Tyler Smith, Tulsa

Last time: WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

The Packers found gold when they drafted Elgton Jenkins in 2019, and could go for another versatile option near the end of the first round. Green Bay has some things to figure out on the offensive line and Smith would be an option to fill a spot if taken here.

29. Kansas City Chiefs: DE Boye Mafe, Minnesota

Last time: OT Tyler Smith, Tulsa

The Chiefs’ defensive front has been inconsistent in recent seasons, and knowing how much Kansas City is going to score, finding good defensive players that can help close out games is a must. Mafe is a rising prospect who could be an option here.

30. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Last time: DL Travon Walker, Georgia

The Chiefs have enough firepower this season but a young weapon is needed long-term at wideout. Dotson could sneak into the first round if Kansas City likes what it sees.

31. Cincinnati Bengals: CB Kaiir Elam, Florida

Last time: OL Zion Johnson, Boston College

The Bengals did a nice job shoring up the offensive line in free agency, so it’s not a huge need any more. Cincinnati can look at a lot of different options here, and Elam would be intriguing based on his upside.

32. Detroit Lions: QB Matt Corral, Ole Miss

Last time: CB Trent McDuffie

The Lions may decide to take a swing here if Corral or Desmond Ridder intrigues them. Detroit could also trade the pick to a team interested in grabbing a quarterback.