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2022 NFL Mock Draft: Buccaneers go QB with lingering Brady retirement

By A.J. Fagerlin

Jan 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) waits in the tunnel before playing the Los Angeles Rams during a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium, which could have been the last of his career. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to the 2022 NFL Draft to find a successor, and do so in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) waits in the tunnel before playing the Los Angeles Rams during a NFC Divisional playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium, which could have been the last of his career. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to the 2022 NFL Draft to find a successor, and do so in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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2022 NFL Draft, Kyle Hamilton, 2022 NFL Mock Draft
2022 NFL Draft, Kyle Hamilton selected third overall in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Aidan Hutchinson. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 52. EDGE. Michigan. 1

I thought long and hard about placing Alabama tackle, Evan Neal, at this first spot in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars need to do everything they can to make sure that Trevor Lawrence succeeds, and a guy like Neal would certainly help.

However, in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft we stuck with the chalk and went with Michigan edge rusher, Aidan Hutchinson. Aside from Josh Allen, Jacksonville really struggled to get after the quarterback. After one of the most impressive seasons in college football history, Hutchinson should be able to help out significantly.

The Jags have tried their hand at drafting players for their defensive front early in drafts before with very iffy results. Sitting atop the 2022 NFL Draft, this seems to be the best chance for them to grab their dominator that can terrorize opposing quarterbacks for years to come.

Oregon. 2. player. Kayvon Thibodeaux. 50. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. EDGE

Although I’m sure a lot Michiganders would have loved to see Aidan Hutchinson stay at home and go to the Detroit Lions, Kayvon Thibodeaux is certainly not a bad consolation prize. Most had Thibodeaux atop their 2022 NFL Draft before Hutchinson’s monster year in 2021, but that does not take away from what he brings to the table.

Thibodeaux is an explosive athlete off the edge with great burst, length, bend and power. He really jumps off the screen when watching his tape with just how dynamic he really is. With his size and athleticism, Thibodeaux could develop into one of the absolute best edge rushers in the NFL.

The Detroit Lions needed to find a playmaker on defense, and they do so early on in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. They struggled mightily to get after the quarterback in 2022 and did not have an edge rusher rated better than 40th in the league according to PFF. Defensive coordinator spent a lot of time in New Orleans  with Cam Jordan, and Thibodeaux has that type of upside as the second overall pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

Safety. 3. player. 10. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Notre Dame. Kyle Hamilton

The hype is real when it comes to Notre Dame do-it-all playmaker, Kyle Hamilton. I know, safeties don’t typically go this high, but I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Hamilton wound up as the first player off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft. He is that special.

Kyle Hamilton can do anything you ask of him on defense. He has a nose for the football when lurking back in a zone. He can man up wide receivers, tight ends and running backs with his strength and athleticism. He has the instincts and explosiveness of a linebacker when playing near the line of scrimmage against the run and when getting after the quarterback. He really does it all.

For a team like the Houston Texans that has so many holes to fill across your roster, taking a player like Hamilton, even this high in a 2022 NFL Mock Draft, will help immensely. However the rest of the roster fills out this offseason, Hamilton can contribute wherever needed.

Pairing Hamilton with Justin Reid gives Houston a solid young duo in their secondary to rely upon and build around. Hamilton is absolutely worth the hype that he has been receiving and should be a fixture in the top five of any 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

Evan Neal. Pick Analysis. Alabama. 30. Scouting Report. Offensive Tackle. 4. player

After the Jaguars went elsewhere with the first pick of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, Evan Neal lands with the New York Jets at pick four. With Mekhi Becton and Evan Neal anchoring the ends of their offensive line, opposing teams better watch out.

The duo of Becton and Neal would be a lot of imposing, intimidating man to go up against. At 6-foot-6 and 360 lbs, Neal is a dominating force, just like Becton. He is an absolute mauler in the run game and plays with great balance and leverage.

Neal is versatile and has played multiple different offensive line positions at the highest level of college football for Alabama. Joe Douglas would be grinning ear-to-ear adding this guy to his roster and Zach Wilson would love to have him protecting him. However they decide to line them up, going with a player like Neal in the 2022 NFL Draft will really bolster the Jets offensive line and set their entire offense up for more success next season.

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