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

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, Carson Strong, 2022 NFL Mock Draft
Nevada quarterback and 2022 NFL Draft Prospect Carson Strong. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

In what was one of the most entertaining, back-and-forth games you’ll ever see, the Buffalo Bills could not stop Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to save their lives, ultimately falling in an overtime thriller of a Divisional Game.

In this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, the Bills get some depth at the cornerback spot with Auburn’s Roger McCreary. With Tre’Davious White coming back from injury next season and Taron Johnson coming into his own as one of the best slot corners in the game, McCreary could make a case to start outside opposite of White, lessening the chances of their secondary getting smoked for three touchdowns seemingly in the matter of seconds.

the Tennessee Titans clearly have an identity on offense. They are a power run team, and they are going to stick to it. The Titans tried to bolster their offensive line with a big mauler in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft with Isaiah Wilson, but needless to day that did not work out. Bringing in a bruising player like Trevor Penning from Northern Iowa would be a perfect fit for Tennessee, who could even move him back to left tackle once the team moves on from Taylor Lewan (or if he gets hurt again) even if he start at right tackle early in his career.

Here it is. The pick we’ve all been waiting for. With the rumors of a possible Tom Brady retirement, all attention shifts to Jason Licht, Bruce Arians and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to see what they are going to do at quarterback. Will the start Blaine Gabbert? Will the give Kyle Trask a shot?

It’s impossible to say at this point, but I’m guessing those options don’t excite Arians too much. Even the idea of selecting a rookie in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft may be too much of a project for Arians, but at this spot in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, I could not pass up on Carson Strong.

Strong may be my favorite quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft class. Furthermore, I think he is an absolutely perfect fit for this Tampa team and their offense. Strong has the arm talent to make any and every NFL throw. He has incredible zip into tight windows, impressive touch on deep balls down the field and throws with great anticipation.

The biggest knock on Strong is that he is not mobile as a quarterback. But who would he be following? Oh yeah, Tom Brady. Who was never the most nimble guy behind center. Even if they were to get a veteran to help them try to “compete now” I think Strong is still the pick for Tampa. He is a perfect fit, and I think even as a rookie he could come in and run that offense extremely well.

Will Aaron Rodgers be back with the Green Bay Packers in 2022? Who knows? What we do know is that both former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and former quarterback’s coach Luke Getsy will not be.

Whether it is Rodgers under center or the young Jordan Love, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Green Bay Packers to take advantage of this impressive group of wide receivers in the 2022 NFL Draft. Here, I have them selected Treylon Burks from Arkansas, who does just about everything well as a receiver. He is a smooth route runner, has great hands, excels at contested catches and has great speed and elusiveness in the open field to finish off any catch for a touchdown. Whether it appeases Rodgers and sets up Love for a successful first season as a starter, bringing in a wideout like Burks will undoubtedly help the offense.