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

Although the Jets have been reportedly in the market for a wide receiver, they have plenty of draft capital to address that need later in the draft. With defensive-minded Robert Saleh running the show in New York, Travon Walker makes a ton of sense at pick four because of his versatility an overall potential. Walker immediately improves the Jets front seven and gives them a burst of athleticism off of the edge.

The Jets are historically bad at drafting, but this may change their fortune. Walker could provide a serious spark for a Jets defense that showed promise at times during last season. While it could be possible that the Jets try and solidify the offensive line with this pick, Walker fills a need and helps change the overall culture in New York.

Travon Walker is quick and powerful. With plenty of room for improvement and growth, Walker at four overall makes a ton of sense for the Jets.

It seems late to have the first offensive linemen come off the board at pick five overall. For the Giants, this is the dream scenario. Undoubtedly, the Giants like the offensive firepower that they have accrued at wide receiver. After drafting Kadarius Toney to pair with Kenny Golladay last season, it seems unlikely that the Giants will be looking to add one of the top receivers. That being said, they still struggled in protection last season. Ikem Ekwonu immediately helps fix that issue.

Ekwonu is athletic and incredibly strong. He can move defenders in the run game and is capable against any style of pass-rusher. With Andrew Thomas’s growth and ability on the left side, they could easily try to move him to get the same production on the right side, or they could put Ekwonu there. Either way, the Giants offensive line would go from one of the weakest units to one of the best in the division, maybe even in the conference.

This would be the last piece needed to truly find out whether Daniel Jones was truly a franchise quarterback. Brian Daboll and company seem to be committed to giving him another shot. If this changes, Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis are both still sitting there for them to take. With a pretty solid defensive unit, addressing the offense seems like the obvious move here.

The Carolina Panthers find themselves in a “do or die” situation. Matt Rhule is losing favor with the fanbase and by all appearances may be on the hot seat. If the Panthers can’t right the ship this season, it may be time for a full rebuild. Malik Willis may be the last chance to completely flip the script. Although he is somewhat of a project that has a lot of growth to be made before he can be an elite player in the NFL, his ceiling is incredible.

Unfortunately for Willis, if this is where he is taken, desperation rarely actually breeds success. While the Panthers have bits and pieces that make them on the verge of being a contender, they still lack the overall pedigree to take the next step. Willis could be the first step in changing that. Willis has a powerful arm and is very athletically gifted. If he can gain enough knowledge of the game and gain an adequate winning mentality, the entire franchise may flip on its head.

The Panthers have really good offensive players with Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, and Robby Anderson. If Willis is the pick, the entire offense becomes a lot more dangerous and is one of the fastest units in the NFL.  While it would make sense for them to take Evan Neal or Charles Cross at seven, Willis is the best investment that they could make for the future and present.

(FROM CHICAGO BEARS)

With the pick that the Giants received in the trade up with the Bears last season, the Giants could try to trade back. In this case, once again, the Giants have the perfect scenario fall in their lap. Kayvon Thibodeaux is a very gifted pass-rusher that is explosive out of his stance. While the Giants played in a 3-4 set last season, Thibodeaux is certainly athletic enough to play the role of a rushing outside linebacker.

The Giants could have a serious pass-rusher coming off of the edge in their base and could move Thibodeaux around in nickel and dime sets. With a consistent threat of sacking the opposing quarterback, the Giants defense could be a very productive defense and could be one of the best in the NFC in a couple of seasons.

While the Giants may want to trade back, it is pretty difficult to figure out who would be wanting to move up into the top ten at this point in the draft. Perhaps the Steelers or the Commanders would want Kenny Pickett here, but it seems more likely that the Giants will just take the best player available. In this case, that’s Kayvon Thibodeaux.