2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jets Defense Rebuilt In 3-Round Projection
48. Indianapolis Colts: Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia
Indianapolis likely won’t have their first-round pick because of the Carson Wentz trade. This offseason the Colts should continue to build their defense. This offseason may be the appropriate time to part ways with Xavier Rhodes and go in another direction at cornerback. Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick has gotten lost in a deep cornerback group. Kendrick hasn’t played cornerback for long at the college level but has played the position well since transitioning over to it from the offensive side of the ball. He is a great athlete who can be refined into a better player. Colts general manager Chris Ballard could get excited about the upside Kendrick brings to the table. He could be an important piece to this talented defense that feels like they are only a few pieces away from being the best defense in the league.
49. Las Vegas Raiders: Henry To’o To’o, LB, Alabama
Even though the Raiders defense has made strides in the right direction this season the next coaching staff could end up blowing it up and starting from scratch next year. One position the Raiders has struggled to figure out is linebacker. This year they have gotten great production out of veteran Denzel Perryman who they acquired late in the preseason. If Perryman doesn’t return they will have a major void on their defense. On top of that K.J. Wright and Nicholas Morrow are expected to hit free agency as well. Las Vegas can look at Alabama linebacker Henry To’o To’o as a potential option in the second round. To’o To’o has been extremely impressive in his first year at Alabama after transferring from Tennessee. He could be the Raiders’ long-term answer at linebacker they’ve longed for the past half-decade.
50. Denver Broncos: Jaxson Kirkland, OL, Washington
The Denver Broncos don’t have a lot of needs across their roster besides quarterback. One position that Denver could address this season is right tackle. After Ja’Wuan James tore his Achilles in May he was cut from the team. Denver has veterans Bobbie Massie and Cameron Fleming on the roster to fill the void. However, Denver will need a right tackle going forward. The Broncos could add versatile Washington offensive lineman Jaxson Kirkland. He plays left tackle and guard at Washington and will likely play guard or right tackle at the NFL. He is an extremely solid player that run blocks and pass protects very well. He could be the finishing piece for a Broncos offensive line that they have been building for the last couple of seasons.
51. Washington Football Team: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
Taylor Heinicke has been solid for Washington this season. However, his ceiling is limited and cannot be trusted to be Washington’s starting quarterback for the next couple of seasons. Washington could draft North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell to compete with Heinicke for the starting job and possibly learn under him. Howell has drawn a lot of comparisons to current Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. He is an athletic quarterback that is more of a distributor than a playmaker. If Washington’s coaching staff could keep his turnovers in check Howell could be the quarterback that brings Washington back to the playoffs.
52. San Francisco 49ers: Mykael Wright, CB, Oregon
The 49ers won’t have a first-round pick for the next two seasons because of their trade-up this past year. Even after drafting two cornerbacks last year the 49ers still need help at the position. Oregon’s Mykael Wright is an outstanding athlete who could be a great cornerback at the next level. It may take some time for him to develop once he joins the team, but he could become a starter for a defense that led their team to the Super Bowl not too long ago.