2022 NFL Mock Draft(2.0) | Top 16-20 features surprise non-QB draft day STEAL by Steelers

This is the third installment of my 2022 NFL Mock Draft (2.0) based on where each team currently is slated to pick (no trades).

Please keep in mind, my mocks are based on how I actually see the draft unfolding (based on analytics) & NOT whether or not I would select that player.

I’ll be breaking down the first-round of the draft in increments of 5-10 picks.

Please feel free to spread the word and share/like/comment as we grow our BEASTwriter+ Newsletter Community, I wouldn’t be here without you. Mahalo :)

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New Orleans Saints (via Eagles) | R1 (No. 16)

• My Pick | OT Trevor Penning

• My hit-rate on Loomis R1 draft picks | 2/8 (25%)

Analysis:

This pick comes down to OT or NT Jordan Davis. Why? Again, comes down to draft position. The Saints hold multiple R1 picks.

Based on my analytics of team needs behind them before they are on the clock again, makes me believe OT or NT is the play.

The BPA pick is undoubtedly NT Jordan Davis. But I think Loomis rolls the dice here and reaches for OT Trevor Penning.

The Saints just lost highly prized free-agent OT Terron Armstead to the Miami Dolphins. Do you really think backup OT James Hurst is the answer?

Nope.

This is why the Saints traded multiple draft picks to get an additional R1 this year.

Since becoming the team’s GM, Loomis has drafted three R1 OTs. All of them were at least 6-6, 310 pounds.

Penning is 6-7, 330.

To peel back another layer of the onion to get to the core, Loomis has only drafted two R1 DTs during that time span. Those players: DT Sedrick Ellis & DT Sheldon Rankins.

Sure, adding Davis would be an ideal situation. Especially since DT David Onyemata is due for a big pay day. But OT is a bigger weakness, and no QB can have success without a stable OL.

Look for the Saints to get offensive and find a blindside LT at No. 16.

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LA Chargers | R1 (No. 17)

• My Pick | OG Zion Johnson

• My hit-rate on Telesco R1 draft picks | 2/7 (29%)

Analysis:

The Chargers have the least amount of needs of any NFL team thanks to a free-agency splurge.

No off-ball linebacker has been selected yet and they have their choice of ILB Nakobe Dean and ILB Devin Lloyd.

Dean is my highest rated defensive player in this entire draft class but does GM Tom Telesco agree?

The right side of the offensive line also needs help. They could draft OG Zion Johnson. Another one of my favorite players in this entire class.

At 6-3, 312, Johnson adds versatility along the interior as not only a swing guard but can play spot-duty at center. This kind of versatility is what creates separation from the rest of the pack.

Telesco coming from the Bill Polian tree will take production and versatility over a non-premium position.

Chargers also invested a R1 pick in ILB Kenneth Murray back in 2020 while signing special-teams ace and familiar face ILB Troy Reeder from the Rams.

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Philadelphia Eagles (via Saints) | R1 (No. 18)

• My Pick | WR Treylon Burks

• My hit-rate on Roseman R1 draft picks | 1/5 (20%)

Analysis:

I’m hedging my bet here. The chances that the Eagles will draft two WRs in back-to-back picks is highly unlikely. Still, one of them will come off the board. I’m willing to take a 50% chance here, if they don’t draft one at No. 15.

Much like Charles Davis of NFL Network, I was thinking ILB Nakobe Dean or ILB Devin Lloyd but that’s not GM Howie Roseman’s R1 method of operation.

He has gone on the offensive as of late--probably because of his offensive head coaches.

I’m plugging WR Treylon Burks as the pick at No. 18. He adds another dimension to the Eagles offense that complements 2021 R1 pick, WR DeVonta Smith.

At 6-3, 225, and 33 1/2 arm-length, Burks has the size to be a real threat between the 20s. He can win 50-50 balls and understands the leverage game when breaking off his stem at the top of the route.

His downfall was a suspect NFL combine but that shouldn’t deter teams like the Eagles from making him an R1 pick.