2-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks Fly Off The Board Early

The Texans finally traded disgruntled QB Deshaun Watson on Friday, bringing back a haul that includes three first-round picks along with a couple more middle round selections. Fans are eager to put this era of Texans football in the rear view and begin laying the groundwork for building a consistent winner in Houston. GM Nick Caserio is armed with six first-round picks over the next three drafts, which is the perfect jumping off point for the rebuild.

With their first selection in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, they go with the “best player available” approach. It sounds like Laremy Tunsil will return based on his tweet last week, but that isn’t a reason to pass on Ikem Ekwonu.

Ekwonu is versatile enough to play any position on the line, giving the team a bookend to the offensive line on the right side. Tytus Howard is also versatile and excelled during his time on the outside. Get Tunsil-Ekwonu-Howard on the same offensive line and figure out the rest later.

The Jets face a somewhat similar dilemma, with questions surrounding Mekhi Becton’s future in New York. Ideally, they will be able to patch up their relationship and Becton can protect the blindside of Zach Wilson for the next decade. Becton is a mammoth of a man and a former top-five pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The thought of pairing Evan Neal with Mekhi Becton is so enticing, and that’s the pick in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. They brought in free agent Laken Tomlinson to man the guard positions with youngster Alijah Vera-Tucker. If you get the chance to have four linemen of this talent, you do not pass on it. Neal projects best as a right tackle — in my opinion — but if the Becton drama is unresolvable, the former Crimson Tide star has the chops to play on the left side at a high level.