2-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Pre-Combine Mock Has Trades Galore!
By Hunter Haas
Pick Analysis. Georgia. 31. Scouting Report. Travon Walker. 11. player. EDGE
I can see new GM Joe Schoen cheesing ear-to-ear while turning this card in. As Schoen recently stated, the G-Men are looking to retool around quarterback Daniel Jones, rather than going all-in on a rebuild. He made it clear that he is a willing trade partner and it is a consensus that the 2023 NFL Draft is much stronger overall, making future picks increasingly valuable.
In allowing their division-rival Washington to jump up and select Malik Willis earlier in the draft, the Giants add pick 42 in the second round, as well as a future first-round selection. New York added a pillar on one side of the trenches at No. 7 with Ikem Ekwonu, and here at 11 they address the other side with Georgia Bulldog Travon Walker in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
Walker will join his former teammate, Azeez Ojulari, and give opposing NFC East coaches many, many grey hairs. He still has some developing to do at the next level, but profiles as a player that will find success tracking down the quarterback and will provide above-average run support. The Giants make out like bandits, adding to their draft capital all the while bringing in two players that they would have been happy to get at their original picks of five and seven.
OT. Mississippi State. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Charles Cross. 12. player. 13
Speaking of bandits, let’s take a look at the second trade of the first round. Last year the Chargers looked on with glee as Rashawn Slater fell right into their lap at pick 13, giving them a franchise building block at the left tackle position. Charles Cross should not be available at this point in the draft, but as is evident by the Slater slide in 2021, these things do happen.
The Chargers watched Cross fall long enough and decide to make the jump to add him to their offensive line in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
By trading a 2023 draft pick to secure their right tackle of the future, the Chargers are in an enviable position of having a top-five quarterback on a rookie deal and both young tackles locked up at the same time. Like Slater, Cross is proficient in pass protection.
He allowed one sack in his final season at Mississippi State protecting the blindside in a pass-heavy Mike Leach offense. Bryan Bulaga will be a cap casualty in all likelihood, giving the Chargers even more money to throw around in free agency. Perhaps they use that money to target an established pass catcher like Davante Adams or Chris Godwin?