2022 NFL Mock Draft: Buccaneers go QB with lingering Brady retirement
USC. Drake London. 29. Pick Analysis. WR. player. 59. Scouting Report
While I’m not fully on board that wide receiver is the biggest team need for the Miami Dolphins, I do really love the pairing of this pick of this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. After taking Jaylen Waddle in the first round of the draft a year ago, it was hard for me to do it again in the 2022 NFL Draft. But Drake London just makes sense.
While Waddle will continue to be the fast and shifty playmaker that he has already proven to be, Drake London with give Tua Tagovailoa another big-body target to throw the ball up to. At 6-foot-5, London excels at high-pointing the football and coming down with the “rebound” whether that is in the end zone or deep down the field. The Dolphins have some talent at receiver, but the consistency has not been there. Giving their young quarterback another reliable target could be very important to his growth.
San Diego State. 30. 124. Cameron Thomas. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. EDGE
The Kansas City Chiefs don’t have a ton of glaring needs on their roster. They seem to have successfully revamped their offensive line last offseason, so many people are giving Patrick Mahomes another toy to play with at receiver in their 2022 NFL Mock Draft. While that could certainly be possible, here they go defense with a versatile lineman from San Diego State, Cameron Thomas. Thomas lined up everywhere for the Aztecs, and surely would for Steve Spagnuolo as well. He utilizes his impressive hand usage, powerful lower body drive and relentless motor to penetrate into the backfield and find the football. Alongside Chris Jones, Thomas could be a problem at the next level.
56. Washington. Trent McDuffie. 31. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Cornerback
I know, I know. I HAVE to have a lineman going here to the Cincinnati Bengals with as much as Joe Burrow has been sacked, right? Well that is clearly a need that they must address, but at this point in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the value just wasn’t there.
Here, they opt to bolster their secondary with a versatile corner from Washington, Trent McDuffie, who can come in and play anywhere on the back end of the defense and help keep these dynamic AFC offenses at bay in the coming years. Given their success this year with Joe Burrow, I’d imagine the Bengals would be able to lure a free agent tackle this offseason to help protect Burrow, and they do have other draft picks that can be utilized there as well.
player. Penn State. Pick Analysis. Wide Receiver. Jahan Dotson. 32. 50. Scouting Report
After grabbing a top edge rusher with the second pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Detroit Lions turn their attention to the offensive side of the ball and get a much needed wide receiver for Jared Goff and/or whoever may be playing quarterback for them going forward.
While Jahan Dotson may not be the Calvin Johnson, big-body, dominating receiver that Lions fans may be seeking, he is a very impressive route runner who is successful making big plays down the field. He should pair perfectly with Amon-Ra St. Brown, who had very impressive rookie season, to really make strides on the rebuild of this Detroit offense.