Pencils down!
The first round of the 2022 NFL Draft has come and gone, as have the plethora of mock drafts which have inundated the adoring draft public since the minute Super Bowl 56 ended are, finally, dead and buried.
The wildly entertaining and trade-heavy first-round of the 2022 draft led to some mock drafts getting crushed faster than many March Madness brackets — but that still won’t preclude the experts from getting graded here.
Mock drafts are a fun exercise, generally: It’s less about predicting and more about giving people legitimate talking points leading up to the draft. Still, guesstimating is a part of the process, and experts maintain “expert” status by getting these things right, after all.
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So, how did the following draft savants pan out? Let’s grade them. The following experts got points for the following:
- One full point for correct player, pick and team;
- One half point for correct player and pick, but incorrect team;
- One half point for correct player and team, but incorrect pick.
Here’s how they all graded out:
Vinnie Iyer’s mock draft (The Sporting News)
Iyer’s final mock draft was released April 28:
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Travon Walker | EDGE | Georgia |
| 2 | Detroit Lions | Aidan Hutchinson | EDGE | Michigan |
| 3 | Houston Texans | Evan Neal | OT | Alabama |
| 4 | New York Jets | Kayvon Thibodeaux | EDGE | Oregon |
| 5 | New York Giants | Ikem Ekwonu | OT/G | N.C. State |
| 6 | Carolina Panthers | Malik Willis | QB | Liberty |
| 7 | New York Giants (from CHI) | Sauce Gardner | CB | Cincinnati |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State |
| 9 | Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) | Charles Cross | OT | Mississippi State |
| 10 | New York Jets (from SEA) | Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama |
| 11 | Washington Commanders | Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | Derek Stingley Jr. | CB | LSU |
| 13 | Houston Texans (from CLE) | Jermaine Johnson II | EDGE | Florida State |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | Jordan Davis | DT | Georgia |
| 15 | Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) | Drake London | WR | USC |
| 16 | New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) | Trevor Penning | OT | Northern Iowa |
| 17 | Los Angeles Chargers | Tyler Smith | G | Tulsa |
| 18 | Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) | Kyle Hamilton | S | Notre Dame |
| 19 | New Orleans Saints (from PHI) | George Karlaftis | EDGE | Purdue |
| 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Kenny Pickett | QB | Pittsburgh |
| 21 | New England Patriots | Devin Lloyd | LB | Utah |
| 22 | Green Bay Packers (from LV) | Treylon Burks | WR | Arkansas |
| 23 | Arizona Cardinals | Devonte Wyatt | DT/DE | Georgia |
| 24 | Dallas Cowboys | Zion Johnson | G | Boston College |
| 25 | Buffalo Bills | Andrew Booth Jr. | CB | Clemson |
| 26 | Tennessee Titans | Kenyon Green | G | Texas A&M |
| 27 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tyler Linderbaum | C | Iowa |
| 28 | Green Bay Packers | Boye Mafe | EDGE | Minnesota |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) | Jahan Dotson | WR | Penn State |
| 30 | Kansas City Chiefs | Nakobe Dean | LB | Georgia |
| 31 | Cincinnati Bengals | Trent McDuffie | CB | Washington |
| 32 | Detroit Lions (from LAR) | Desmond Ridder | QB | Cincinnati |
Picks correct: 5/32
Noteworthy: The wildly unpredictable first round manifested itself on Thursday night — SN’s Vinnie Iyer did have Charles Cross to the Seahawks, Trevor Penning to the Saints and Kenny Pickett to the Steelers beyond the top picks.
Mel Kiper Jr.’s mock draft (ESPN)
Kiper’s latest mock draft was released April 28:
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Travon Walker | DE | Georgia |
| 2 | Detroit Lions | Aidan Hutchinson | DE | Michigan |
| 3 | Houston Texans | Ikem Ekwonu | OT | N.C. State |
| 4 | New York Jets | Sauce Gardner | CB | Cincinnati |
| 5 | New York Giants | Charles Cross | OT | Mississippi State |
| 6 | Carolina Panthers | Evan Neal | OT | Alabama |
| 7 | New York Giants (from CHI) | Jermaine Johnson II | DE | Florida State |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State |
| 9 | Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) | Derek Stingley Jr. | CB | LSU |
| 10 | New York Jets (from SEA) | Drake London | WR | USC |
| 11 | Washington Commanders | Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | Kayvon Thibodeaux | DE | Oregon |
| 13 | Houston Texans (from CLE) | Kyle Hamilton | S | Notre Dame |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | Jordan Davis | DT | Georgia |
| 15 | Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) | Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama |
| 16 | New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) | Trevor Penning | OT | Northern Iowa |
| 17 | Los Angeles Chargers | Devin Lloyd | ILB | Utah |
| 18 | Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) | Trent McDuffie | CB | Washington |
| 19 | New Orleans Saints (from PHI) | Kenny Pickett | QB | Pitt |
| 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Malik Willis | QB | Liberty |
| 21 | New England Patriots | Daxton Hill | S | Michigan |
| 22 | Green Bay Packers (from LV) | Kenyon Green | G | Texas A&M |
| 23 | Arizona Cardinals | Zion Johnson | G/C | Boston College |
| 24 | Dallas Cowboys | Tyler Smith | OT/G | Tulsa |
| 25 | Buffalo Bills | Kaiir Elam | CB | Florida |
| 26 | Tennessee Titans | Jahan Dotson | WR | Penn State |
| 27 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Devonte Wyatt | DT | Georgia |
| 28 | Green Bay Packers | Christian Watson | WR | North Dakota State |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) | Skyy Moore | WR | Western Michigan |
| 30 | Kansas City Chiefs | Arnold Ebiketie | DE | Penn State |
| 31 | Cincinnati Bengals | George Karlaftis | DE | Purdue |
| 32 | Detroit Lions (from LAR) | Lewis Cine | S | Georgia |
Picks correct: 4.5/32
Noteworthy: Kiper did have Kaiir Elam to the Bills — just at No. 23 overall, and not No. 25, where the Bills would ultimately make that pick. With some half-credit selections surrounding Elam, Lewis Cine (No. 32), Trevor Penning (No. and Chris Olave (No. 11).
Todd McShay’s mock draft (ESPN)
McShay’s latest mock draft was released April 28:
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Travon Walker | DE | Georgia |
| 2 | Detroit Lions | Aidan Hutchinson | DE | Michigan |
| 3 | Houston Texans | Derek Stingley Jr. | CB | LSU |
| 4 | New York Jets | Ikem Ekwonu | OT | N.C. State |
| 5 | New York Giants | Charles Cross | OT | Mississippi State |
| 6 | Carolina Panthers | Evan Neal | OT | Alabama |
| 7 | New York Giants (from CHI) | Sauce Gardner | CB | Cincinnati |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | Kayvon Thibodeaux | DE | Oregon |
| 9 | Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) | Jermaine Johnson II | DE | Florida State |
| 10 | New York Jets (from SEA) | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State |
| 11 | Washington Commanders | Drake London | WR | USC |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | Kyle Hamilton | S | Notre Dame |
| 13 | Dallas Cowboys (from CLE via HOU) | Trevor Penning | OT | Northern Iowa |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | Jordan Davis | DT | Georgia |
| 15 | Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) | Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama |
| 16 | New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) | Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State |
| 17 | Los Angeles Chargers | Kaiir Elam | CB | Florida |
| 18 | Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) | Trent McDuffie | CB | Washington |
| 19 | New Orleans Saints (from PHI) | Devonte Wyatt | DT | Georgia |
| 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Malik Willis | QB | Liberty |
| 21 | New England Patriots | Devin Lloyd | ILB | Utah |
| 22 | Green Bay Packers (from LV) | Treylon Burks | WR | Arkansas |
| 23 | Arizona Cardinals | Jahan Dotson | WR | Penn State |
| 24 | Houston Texans (from DAL) | Tyler Smith | OT/G | Tulsa |
| 25 | Buffalo Bills | Breece Hall | RB | Iowa State |
| 26 | Tennessee Titans | Zion Johnson | C/G | Boston College |
| 27 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Kenyon Green | G | Texas A&M |
| 28 | Green Bay Packers | Lewis Cine | S | Georgia |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) | Daxton Hill | S | Michigan |
| 30 | Kansas City Chiefs | George Pickens | WR | Georgia |
| 31 | Cincinnati Bengals | Quay Walker | LB | Georgia |
| 32 | Detroit Lions (from LAR) | Kenny Pickett | QB | Pitt |
Picks correct: 4.5/32
Noteworthy: McShay, one of the only mock drafts who had Tyler Smith going in the first round, had the player and the pick right — but not the team. The Cowboys, who needed O-line help, would take Smith in the first round, not the Texans as he predicted.
Daniel Jeremiah’s mock draft (NFL Network)
Jeremiah’s latest mock draft was released April 27:
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Travon Walker | EDGE | Georgia |
| 2 | Detroit Lions | Aidan Hutchinson | EDGE | Michigan |
| 3 | Houston Texans | Ikem Ekwonu | OT | N.C. State |
| 4 | New York Jets | Sauce Gardner | CB | Cincinnati |
| 5 | New York Giants | Evan Neal | OT | Alabama |
| 6 | Carolina Panthers | Charles Cross | OT | Mississippi State |
| 7 | New York Giants (from CHI) | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama |
| 9 | New York Jets (from DEN via SEA) | Drake London | WR | USC |
| 10 | Seattle Seahawks (from NYJ) | Kayvon Thibodeaux | EDGE | Oregon |
| 11 | Washington Commanders | Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | Derek Stingley Jr. | CB | LSU |
| 13 | Houston Texans (from CLE) | Jermaine Johnson II | EDGE | Florida State |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | Jordan Davis | DT | Georgia |
| 15 | Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) | Kyle Hamilton | S | Notre Dame |
| 16 | New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) | Trevor Penning | OT | Northern Iowa |
| 17 | Los Angeles Chargers | Kaiir Elam | CB | Florida |
| 18 | Philadelphia Eagles (from NWO) | Trent McDuffie | CB | Washington |
| 19 | New Orleans Saints (from PHI) | Devin Lloyd | LB | Utah |
| 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Kennny Pickett | QB | Pitt |
| 21 | New England Patriots | Zion Johnson | IOL | Boston College |
| 22 | Green Bay Packers (from LV) | Treylon Burks | WR | Arkansas |
| 23 | Arizona Cardinals | George Karlaftis | EDGE | Purdue |
| 24 | Dallas Cowboys | Jahan Dotson | WR | Penn State |
| 25 | Buffalo Bills | Breece Hall | RB | Iowa State |
| 26 | Tennessee Titans | Tyler Smith | OT | Tulsa |
| 27 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Logan Hall | DL | Houston |
| 28 | Green Bay Packers | Quay Walker | LB | Georgia |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) | Boye Mafe | EDGE | Minnesota |
| 30 | Kansas City Chiefs | George Pickens | WR | Georgia |
| 31 | Cincinnati Bengals | David Ojabo | EDGE | Michigan |
| 32 | Detroit Lions (from LAR) | Malik Willis | QB | Liberty |
Picks correct: 5/32
Noteworthy: Jeremiah was one of a few mocks listed here who had Kenny Pickett going to the Steelers. He also gets half credit for having Trevor Penning landing with the Saints, just at No. 16, not number 19.
Charles Davis’ mock draft (NFL Network)
Davis’ latest mock draft was released April 28:
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Travon Walker | DL | Georgia |
| 2 | Detroit Lions | Aidan Hutchinson | EDGE | Michigan |
| 3 | Houston Texans | Ikem Ekwonu | OT | N.C. State |
| 4 | New York Jets | Sauce Gardner | CB | Cincinnati |
| 5 | New York Giants | Charles Cross | OT | Mississippi State |
| 6 | Carolina Panthers | Evan Neal | OT | Alabama |
| 7 | New York Giants (via CHI) | Kayvon Thibodeaux | EDGE | Oregon |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | Jermaine Johnson II | EDGE | Florida State |
| 9 | Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) | Derek Stingley Jr. | CB | LSU |
| 10 | New York Jets (from SEA) | Drake London | WR | USC |
| 11 | Washington Commanders | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | Trent McDuffie | CB | Washington |
| 13 | Houston Texans (from CLE) | Kyle Hamilton | S | Notre Dame |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | Jordan Davis | DT | Georgia |
| 15 | Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) | Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama |
| 16 | New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) | Trevor Penning | OT | Northern Iowa |
| 17 | Los Angeles Chargers | Devonte Wyatt | DT | Georgia |
| 18 | Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) | Andrew Booth | CB | Clemson |
| 19 | New Orleans Saints (from PHI) | Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State |
| 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Malik Willis | QB | Liberty |
| 21 | New England Patriots | Devin Lloyd | LB | Utah |
| 22 | Green Bay Packers (from LV) | Jahan Dotson | WR | Penn State |
| 23 | Arizona Cardinals | Treylon Burks | WR | Arkansas |
| 24 | Dallas Cowboys | Kenyon Green | IOL | Texas A&M |
| 25 | Buffalo Bills | Breece Hall | RB | Iowa State |
| 26 | Tennessee Titans | Zion Johnson | IOL | Boston College |
| 27 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Kaiir Elam | CB | Florida |
| 28 | Green Bay Packers | George Karlaftis | EDGE | Purdue |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) | Daxton Hill | S | Michigan |
| 30 | Kansas City Chiefs | Skyy Moore | WR | Western Michigan |
| 31 | Cincinnati Bengals | Kyler Gordon | CB | Washington |
| 32 | Detroit Lions (from LAR) | Kenny Pickett | QB | Pittsburgh |
Picks correct: 4.5/32
Noteworthy: Davis was oh so close to getting a few extra points for the Saints’ picks — New Orleans’ trade-up to No. 11 overall to secure Chris Olave means he gets half credit for that selection, and taking Trevor Penning at No. 16 as opposed to No. 19 also earns half credit.
Dane Brugler’s mock draft (The Athletic)
Brugler’s latest mock draft was released April 28:
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Travon Walker | EDGE | Georgia |
| 2 | Detroit Lions | Aidan Hutchinson | EDGE | Michigan |
| 3 | Houston Texans | Derek Stingley Jr. | CB | LSU |
| 4 | New York Jets | Ikem Ekwonu | OT | N.C. State |
| 5 | New York Giants | Evan Neal | OT | Alabama |
| 6 | Carolina Panthers | Charles Cross | OT | Mississippi State |
| 7 | New York Giants (from CHI) | Sauce Gardner | CB | Cincinnati |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama |
| 9 | Seattle Seahawks (from DEN) | Kayvon Thibodeaux | EDGE | Oregon |
| 10 | New York Jets (from SEA) | Jermaine Johnson II | EDGE | Florida State |
| 11 | Washington Commanders | Drake London | WR | USC |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | Kyle Hamilton | S | Notre Dame |
| 13 | Houston Texans (from CLE) | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | Trevor Penning | OT | Northern Iowa |
| 15 | Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) | Jordan Davis | DT | Georgia |
| 16 | New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) | Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State |
| 17 | Los Angeles Chargers | Zion Johnson | OG | Boston College |
| 18 | Philadelphia Eagles (from NO) | Trent McDuffie | CB | Washington |
| 19 | New Orleans Saints (from PHI) | Quay Walker | LB | Georgia |
| 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Kenny Pickett | QB | Pitt |
| 21 | New England Patriots | Devin Lloyd | LB | Utah |
| 22 | Green Bay Packers | Treylon Burks | WR | Arkansas |
| 23 | Arizona Cardinals | George Karlaftis | EDGE | Purdue |
| 24 | Dallas Cowboys | Kenyon Green | OG | Texas A&M |
| 25 | Buffalo Bills | Kaiir Elam | CB | Florida |
| 26 | Tennessee Titans | Jahan Dotson | WR | Penn State |
| 27 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Lewis Cine | S | Georgia |
| 28 | Green Bay Packers | Drake Jackson | EDGE | USC |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) | Christian Watson | WR | North Dakota State |
| 30 | Kansas City Chiefs | Boye Mafe | EDGE | Minnesota |
| 31 | Cincinnati Bengals | Logan Hall | DL | Houston |
| 32 | Detroit Lions (from LAR) | Malik Willis | QB | Liberty |
Picks correct: 6.5/32
Noteworthy: Brugler with a relatively strong showing, though a lot of that came from half-point picks, including the Jets taking Jermaine Johnson at No. 10 (New York traded back into the first round to select the pass rusher at No. 26).
Peter King, NBC Sports
Peter King’s mock draft was released on Monday, April 25.
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Travon Walker | DL | Georgia |
| 2 | Detroit Lions | Aidan Hutchinson | EDGE | Michigan |
| 3 | Houston Texans | Ikem Ekwonu | OT | NC State |
| 4 | New York Jets | Sauce Gardner | CB | Cincinnati |
| 5 | New York Giants | Charles Cross | OT | Mississippi State |
| 6 | Carolina Panthers | Evan Neal | OT | Alabama |
| 7 | New York Giants (from CHI) | Kyle Hamilton | S | Notre Dame |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | Drake London | WR | USC |
| 9 | Houston Texans (from DEN via SEA) | Garrett Wilson | WR | Ohio State |
| 10 | New York Jets (from SEA) | Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama |
| 11 | Washington Commanders | Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings | Derek Stingley | CB | LSU |
| 13 | Seattle Seahawks (from CLE via HOU) | Kayvon Thibodeaux | EDGE | Oregon |
| 14 | Baltimore Ravens | Trevor Penning | OT | Northern Iowa |
| 15 | Philadelphia Eagles (from MIA) | Jordan Davis | DT | Georgia |
| 16 | New Orleans Saints (from IND via PHI) | Treylon Burks | WR | Arkansas |
| 17 | Los Angeles Chargers | Trent McDuffie | CB | Washington |
| 18 | Green Bay Packers (from NO via PHI) | Jahan Dotson | WR | Penn State |
| 19 | New Orleans Saints (from PHI) | Devonte Wyatt | DT | Georgia |
| 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Kenny Pickett | QB | Pittsburgh |
| 21 | New England Patriots | Bernhard Raimann | OT | Central Michigan |
| 22 | Philadelphia Eagles (from GB) | Devin Lloyd | LB | Utah |
| 23 | Arizona Cardinals | Jermaine Johnson | EDGE | Florida State |
| 24 | Dallas Cowboys | Tyler Linderbaum | C | Iowa |
| 25 | Buffalo Bills | Zion Johnson | OL | Boston College |
| 26 | Tennessee Titans | Tyler Smith | OT | Tulsa |
| 27 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | David Ojabo | EDGE | Michigan |
| 28 | Green Bay Packers | Arnold Ebiketie | EDGE | Penn State |
| 29 | Kansas City Chiefs (from SF via MIA) | Christian Watson | WR | North Dakota State |
| 30 | Kansas City Chiefs | Lewis Cine | S | Georgia |
| 31 | Cincinnati Bengals | Trey McBride | TE | Colorado State |
| 32 | Atlanta Falcons (from LAR via DET) | Matt Corral | QB | Ole Miss |
Picks correct: 7/32
Noteworthy: The reigning, defending mock-draft master is back again, as King once again sets the high-water mark for correct picks in the first round.
Some of those were half-point picks, like Jordan Davis and Chris Olave. Still, King had the most right of anyone here, truly living up to his last name.