2022 NFL mock draft: KC Chiefs stay and address needs in first round

In our full first-round NFL Mock Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs stay put and use both of their picks. Where does your favorite prospect go? We discuss.

It is officially draft season. April 28th is about three weeks away and no one is sure who will fall to Kansas City at the bottom of the first. Today, we take a glimpse at what may be general manager Brett Veach’s plan as the Chiefs round out the evening on night one in the first round of the NFL draft.

This mock draft is based on my own big board and the tendencies of the NFL teams involved. There will certainly be surprises and players that fall and rise to places that readers do not expect.

With that in mind, let’s start our first edition of the 2022 NFL mock draft, with the Jacksonville Jaguars on the clock.

The Jaguars are in a position to take the best available player. While they believed that last year would be a launching point with the hiring of Urban Meyer and drafting of Trevor Lawrence, they are back to square one. While Josh Allen is a really nice player, Aidan Hutchinson could be one of the best defenders in the NFL for the next ten years.

With Hutchinson and Allen, the Jaguars could solidify their defensive line, especially if they can get production from Malcom Brown in the middle. The Jaguars seem to be stuck in a perpetual rebuild, but Hutchinson may finally be the beginning of the end of the rebuilding phase in Jacksonville.

The Lions are looking to build up the talent on defense. Detroit has done a nice job of adding offensive playmakers in the last couple of seasons. With weapons like DJ Chark, Amon-Ra St. Brown, TJ Hockenson, and Josh Reynolds, all that is missing to have a productive offense is a quarterback. In order to improve their team to its greatest potential, they will likely look to add a defensive playmaker with the second pick. While Kayvon Thibodeaux and Ahmad Gardner could be the pick here, the best overall player in the draft is Kyle Hamilton.

The Lions will have several questions to answer on draft day, but they should all have to their picks after Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton has the potential to end up in Canton one day. With incredible technique and natural instinct, Hamilton has the potential of being a top-tier defensive back for years.

At No. 2, there is no question as to what the Lions should do. However, they may be willing to reach for a quarterback if they are big believers in Kenny Pickett or Malik Willis.

The Texans, like their AFC South rival Jaguars, appear to be in a perpetual rebuild. With yet another head coach and quarterback duo, the Texans seem poised to give it another shot. Lovie Smith took over as the head coach and by all indications is going to give Davis Mills a serious chance to win the quarterback job. While this could be an elaborate smokescreen, it seems likely that the Texans try to fix their issues on the defensive side of the ball.

While it is certainly possible that the Texans look to add an EDGE or even a linebacker here, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is exactly what they need on the back end of the defense. As a lengthy and athletic specimen, Gardner allowed zero touchdowns in his college career. While that will likely change when he becomes an NFL player, he leaves very little doubt that he will be an excellent pro.

Houston would be wise to improve their secondary with Gardner after Hamilton comes off the board at pick two. That being said, don’t be shocked if Houston looks to draft a top EDGE or offensive lineman with this pick.