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

The Los Angeles Chargers were terrible against the run last year. TERRIBLE. So here they grab a versatile defensive lineman in DeMarvin Leal who will not only help against the run, but should be a staple on all three downs for Brandon Staley.

Leal can really play anywhere on the line with a background as an edge rusher who has bulked up to 290 lbs. He is an impressive penetrator with plenty of power to hold his own at the point of attack. He would fit perfect as an attacking 3 technique in a defense that once saw Aaron Donald in a similar role. I’m certainly not saying he is at that point, but Leal has a similar play style and has upside that could approach that level with proper coaching and development.

There is a ton of uncertainty surrounding the New Orleans Saints right now. We already weren’t sure who was going to play quarterback next year, the team is in cap hell and now their long-time head coach and offensive mastermind, Sean Payton, is “stepping away” from the team.

So again, the Saints could really go in any direction as it stands at this point. They could try to get a quarterback on a rookie deal to start helping with that cap issue, but here they go back to the Ohio State wider receiver room and get one of the biggest risers in 2022 NFL Draft circles, Garrett Wilson.

No matter who is throwing to him, Wilson is going to get open at the next level. He will also be a menace to bring down once he has the ball in his hands. Whether it is alongside Michael Thomas or sort of filling his shoes, Wilson seems to be the perfect receiving option for what the Saints have typically done on offense.

Yet another selection for the Philadelphia Eagles in this 2022 NFL Draft, and they go defense once again. Darius Slay played like the Darius Slay of old in 2021, and Steven Nelson and Avonte Maddox both played pretty well last season. But bringing in another potential lockdown corner like Sauce Gardner from Cincinnati would be a great move. Bolstering the secondary is always smart, and Gardner really anchored the Bearcat defense that wowed all the way to the College Football Playoffs.

This is a pairing that makes a ton of sense to me in the 2022 NFL Draft. Mike Tomlin has been on record talking about how valuable a mobile quarterback is and how much he would like have one on his team. In case you haven’t heard, Ben Roethlisberger retired. In case you didn’t know, Mason Rudolph is not that guy.

If the Steelers do select a more raw quarterback prospect like Malik Willis from Liberty, I could see them bringing in a veteran bridge quarterback to try to compete while Willis learns. But Willis should be able to make a push to play right away. He clearly brings a lot to the table with just his running ability, and he has shown the flashes of potential that you need to see as a passer. He will need to become more consistent with his accuracy, but Willis has the tools to succeed at the next level. After seeing Lamar Jackson tear up defenses in the AFC North, Tomlin and the Steelers could be on the hunt for their own dynamic playmaker under center in the 2022 NFL Draft.