2-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Combine Mock Has Trades Galore!
By Hunter Haas
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 45. LB. Utah. Devin Lloyd. 9. player
I am of the mindset that the Broncos will have their answer at quarterback before draft day, whether that be signing a veteran like Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston, trading a later pick for someone like Jimmy Garoppolo, or including this pick in a mega-deal for Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson.
So, rather than using this pick on a rookie signal-caller, I have them selecting a field general for the defensive side of the ball in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
At first glance, picking an off-ball linebacker in the top-ten looks like a reach but Utah’s Devin Lloyd is much more than that. Just one look at his college stats shows off his versatility. The 2021 PAC-12 & AP Defensive Player of the Year recorded an impressive 256 total tackles, 43 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks across his amateur career.
He also is an asset in pass coverage, as shown by his eight passes defended and five interceptions. While he doesn’t have the sheer upside of Micah Parsons, Lloyd will contribute instantly. It won’t take long for him to enter Defensive Rookie of the Year discussions.
CB. LSU. 30. Pick Analysis. Derek Stingley Jr.. 10. player. Scouting Report
It is going to take all the strength that Joe Douglas can conjure up to spend the No. 10 overall pick on a boundary player, rather than an edge rusher or interior defender. The Jets severely need pass rush help but if Carl Lawson can bounce back from his season-ending injury, the issue is not as prevalent as it seems.
I am a firm believer in always taking the best talent available rather than forcing a need early in the draft, so in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft the Jets take cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
While he isn’t a massive edge rusher, Stingley will make life a lot easier for the big fellas in pursuit of the quarterback. Stingley is a lockdown, man-to-man corner with the capability of being just as effective in zone coverage. He is scheme-versatile and is exactly what the Jets need. Bryce Hall looks to be carving out a role as a No. 2 cornerback in the NFL, but New York is going to need to find a guy with elite potential at some point.
Stingley is losing some steam as a prospect, but ten feels like too good of a value to pass up. The LSU product will be the most talented cornerback to dawn the Green and White since Darrelle Revis.