2022 NFL Mock Draft: Edge Rushers Fly Off The Board, 3 QBs In Round 1
By Evan Bachman
21. Buffalo Bills: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
With Levi Wallace being a free agent next offseason, cornerback should be in a priority for the Bills this offseason, especially considering they play in a conference with a lot of good, young quarterbacks and receiver talent.
Ahmad Gardner is one of the key players on a Bearcats defense that is one of the nation’s best. He’s really proved himself ever since his freshman year as he’s always been very consistent in coverage. He’s never given up a touchdown and has racked up nine interceptions. Gardner can solve the CB2 need that’s plagued the defense.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
With a loaded offense the Chargers have a chance to compete for Super Bowls in the near future, however they need to improve their front four in order for their defense to come close to as effective Brandon Staley’s defense was with the Rams.
USC standout 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 an 88.6 pass rush grade in eleven games.