Chiefs, Steelers and Giants make moves in 3-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

After making a big trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to gain an additional 2022 first-round pick, the New Orleans Saints jumped the Los Angeles Chargers and in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft, snap them off by selecting the top offensive tackle on the board.

Trevor Penning is a polarizing prospect who draft experts have very varying opinions on. Some view him as a legitimate franchise left tackle, while others view him as a big bully who gets too many penalties. I can see the upside, but I tend to lean more towards the latter. However, NFL teams may see him differently.

After losing Terron Armstead to the Miami Dolphins in free agency, the New Orleans Saints desperately need a left tackle. Penning has the size, athleticism and physicality that many teams look for in a tackle and could develop into a solid lineman with a little more discipline.

After the Saints take the top tackle on the board, the Los Angeles Chargers still address their offensive line and take a powerful and versatile blocker in Zion Johnson. Johnson played a season at left tackle and two at left guard. After taking some reps at center at the Senior Bowl, Johnson has proven that he really can play anywhere that a team wants him to at the next level.

For the Chargers, it would likely be either right tackle or right guard, with center or left guard as possibilities in the future (Rashawn Slater has left tackle on lock). Johnson is a big and physical player who exhibits great technique everywhere that he plays. He would be a plug-and-play upgrade on the right side of the LA offensive line, still with tons of upside.

George Karlaftis is yet another super productive edge rusher in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. He is big and physical, but also an impressive athlete with solid technique. He can hold the edge in the run game but also quickly force his way into the backfield in pursuit of the quarterback.

The Philadelphia Eagles found a franchise defensive end from the Big Ten before with Brandon Graham, but it is about time for a changing of the guard along their defensive line. Josh Sweat has been impressive, and they just signed Haason Reddick in free agency, but Graham and Fletcher Cox are getting older and former first-round pick, Derek Barnett, has struggled in Philly. Karlaftis would be a solid, versatile piece for the Eagles defensive line moving forward.

After nabbing their left tackle a couple picks prior, the New Orleans Saints take a stab at finding their quarterback of the future. Kenny Pickett had an outstanding 2021 season and showed the upside that he could bring to the NFL.

Pickett is an effective runner, has a decent arm and ran an NFL-style offense throughout his college career, so he may be the most “ready-to-play” quarterback in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. Pickett is a solid option, and although I’m not a fan of his upside, I believe that New Orleans would be a great spot for him.

If a top cornerback was still on the board at pick 12, that would have likely been the pick for the Minnesota Vikings in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft. But for a team that has quite a few needs to fill, particularly on defense, they move down a bit, gain some more draft capital and still grab a top defensive back.

Daxton Hill does it all on the defensive side of the football. He could play free safety with great instincts and closing speed deep in zone coverage. Where he really excels is in man coverage, particularly in the slot. He has the size and physicality to battle tight ends and the speed and athleticism to stay with shifty slot receivers.

A versatile defender like Daxton Hill can help a team like the Minnesota Vikings sort of fill multiple holes at the same time. No matter where they decide to line him up, Hill will find a way to contribute early and often at the next level.