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

Back-to-back offensive linemen to the Meadowlands as the New York Giants select N.C. State tackle Ikem Ekwonu with the first of their two top-seven selections in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

Like Neal, Ekwonu is a mauler who brings some versatility to an offensive line that already has a young tackle in the fold. Andrew Thomas had an impressive 2021 season for the Giants, so adding another top talent like Ekwonu would be huge for the growth of this offense.

Under the tutelage of former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator and new Giants head coach, Brian Daboll, the New York Giants will look to turn around an offense that has been abysmal in recent seasons. Ekwonu would come in and no matter where he finds a home on the offensive line, will play a huge role in the possible success of quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, who both have struggled to this point in their careers in New York.

Here we have our first quarterback off the board, with the Carolina Panthers using their first-round selection in this 2022 NFL Draft on Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett.

After a very disappointing end to the 2021 season, Matt Rhule is definitely under fire as the head coach of the Panthers. Everywhere they turned at quarterback down the stretch last season just didn’t seem to work out.

Rhule, at different times, has already stuck is neck out to display confidence in the likes of Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker and Cam Newton. Should the fans, or even the front office, trust him if he does that same for a rookie like Kenny Pickett? I’m not sure, but tying himself to the development of a top rookie quarterback could be the only way to save his job.

Pickett should come in as one of the more NFL-ready quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft class. He has a ton of experience at Pitt, really coming on strong late in his college career. Pickett brings a lot to the table with his ability to read a defense, his arm talent and his mobility.

Many believed that the Panthers would go with a quarterback in the draft last year, but instead brought over Sam Darnold. We’ll see if Rhule sticks with him or tries to find a new passer to latch onto like he did here in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

While Aidan Hutchinson receives the vast majority of the attention, Michigan has another edge rusher that is worthy of a top-10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft as well in David Ojabo.

While Hutchinson found his way to the quarterback all season long, putting up some incredible numbers, Ojabo may even have more upside. He picked up football later in life and is still refining his game.

Ojabo is an incredible athlete with great burst and bend around the edge. He also has the power and the arm length to engage blockers and power his way to the backfield and always seeks out the football once he does get to the quarterback.

For the Giants, who at this point are unsure who their defensive coordinator will be, Ojabo is a perfect fit. He can stand up and rush off the edge as a 3-4 outside linebacker or put his hand in the dirt as more of a true 4-3 defensive end.

Whether it is Patrick Graham or someone else as the defensive coordinator, they would be super excited with the talent they have to work with up front. Grouping proven defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence with young, promising edge rushers like Ojabo, Azeez Ojulari and Quincey Roche in recent drafts, this Giants defense could be dangerous after second first round pick of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

Derek Stingley Jr. is a name that has sort of fallen out of graces with many 2022 NFL Draft analysts. Once viewed as nearly a sure-fire future number one pick as a freshman, Stingley no longer seems to be in that conversation.

In 2021, Stingley ran into some issues with his foot, causing him to play just three games last season. However, assuming the medicals come back okay at the Combine, Stingley is still the same dominant player that he was in 2019.

With his size, length, speed, athleticism, ball skills and awareness, Stingley has everything a team looks for in a lockdown corner. He stays glued to defenders so teams often don’t bother trying him, but if they do, Stingley usually is able to make a big play.

For the Falcons, former first-round pick A.J. Terrell had an outstanding 2021 season. Adding a player like Stingley would give the Falcons two dominant outside corners to anchor their defense. Atlanta has a lot to address this offseason if they want to compete in 2022, but the value of a player like Stingley at eighth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft would be a slam dunk.