2022 NFL mock draft: Malik Willis lands with Texans, Corners Fly Off
By Evan Bachman
OL. 10. 59. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Texas A&M. Kenyon Green. player
10. Miami Dolphins (via SF): Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
With trades in last year’s draft the Dolphins don’t have their own first round pick, which with their 1-6 start puts them in a bad spot. However, luckily for them, the 49ers have had some struggles as well, so as of now they’ll still pick in the top ten in this 2022 NFL mock draft.
While Tua Tagovailoa has had some turnover issues this season, I really don’t think he’s the biggest problem the Dolphins have and they definitely shouldn’t be giving up on him yet. The biggest problem without question is their offensive line play, and they need to make it a priority to give Tagovailoa better pass protection this offseason through the draft and free agency.
Kenyon Green is a former five-star, who is a very powerful blocker, capable of moving defenders. Green also would provide the Dolphins with a lot of versatility as already this season he’s played 80+ snaps at left tackle, left guard, right guard, and right tackle and could play any of those positions in the NFL.
Florida. Kaiir Elam. Pick Analysis. CB. 11. player. 47. Scouting Report
11. New England Patriots: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
With the departure of superstar cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the Patriots have a need at corner. Luckily, for them this year’s draft class is loaded at corner. The biggest headliner of the cornerback class is Derek Stingley Jr., who went second overall in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft however that shouldn’t diminish how good Kaiir Elam is.
Elam has ideal traits for a corner as he’s got good movement skills to go along with good size (6-foot-2, 193 pounds). He’s also shown he can cover well against high-level SEC competition, which makes it very encouraging that he can translate in the NFL.
He has had his troubles as a tackler, but at the end of the day for corners, the important thing is how well they can cover, so some bad tackling shouldn’t cause his draft stock to go down.
12. 45. Edge. USC. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Drake Jackson. player
12. Denver Broncos: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
With Von Miller in the last year of his contract, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. There’s no replacing Von Miller, however Drake Jackson is a very good player and would be a good addition to Denver’s defense.
Drake Jackson checks a lot of the boxes of what you want in a first-round edge rusher. He’s very projectable as a pass rusher as he has good size, length, athleticism, and strength. Jackson has been dominant as a pass rusher for the Trojans so far this season as he’s registered 18 pressures and five sacks through seven games.