The way-too-early 2022 NFL mock draft

Howell is slightly undersized but has been an impressive playmaker in two seasons at UNC with a strong arm and great mobility. His game resembles that of Baker Mayfield, and Houston’s quarterback future is up in the air due to Deshaun Watson’s off-field issues.

Interceptions have been an issue for Slovis in two years as a starter for the Trojans, but the former top recruit has top pocket passer talent. If Jared Goff doesn’t impress this season, Detroit could be in the market for a quarterback.

Stingley had an incredible freshman season with six picks before regressing last year, but he remains the top corner prospect in the 2022 class. The Jets could be in the market for secondary help next year.

Thibodeaux has 12 sacks over the last two seasons for the Ducks, showing constant flashes of dominance. The Jags have a strong edge rusher in Josh Allen but need to add more pass-rushing talent.

The Eagles need to start thinking about life beyond 30-year-old Fletcher Cox. Jackson has strong interior rush skills with 7.5 sacks over the last two seasons.

Harrison is rapidly gaining playing time in Columbus and has recorded 5.5 sacks in his last two seasons. With a breakout 2021 season, he could be an early first-rounder.

Rattler had big shoes to fill as Oklahoma’s starter last season and struggled at times. Still, he had over 3,000 yards passing in 11 games, showing off his multi-dimensional ability. He has first-round talent if he could put it all together this year, and the Falcons might finally be looking to replace Matt Ryan.

Harris has been highly productive in two seasons for the Crimson Tide, totaling 140 tackles. An excellent athlete, he looks like a strong first-round prospect.

Ridder is a talented athlete who has posted big numbers at Cincinnati. His accuracy remains a question mark, but he showed improvement last season (66.2%) and was the AAC Offensive Player of the Year. Daniel Jones could be entering a make-or-break year for New York after going 8-18 as a starter in his first two seasons.

Pickens is a former elite recruit who has produced well in his first two seasons at Georgia, including 14 scores. He has ample size at 6-foot-3 and would be a nice development piece on the outside for Vegas.

Florida has done well producing cornerback prospects in recent seasons, with Elam potentially next in line. A big cover corner at 6-foot-2, he has four picks over his first two seasons. The Panthers drafted Jaycee Horn in 2021 but could go back to the well next year.

The Broncos seemed to flirt with moving on from Von Miller this offseason and could push that decision to next offseason. Karlaftis had his season cut short in 2020 due to COVID-19, but recorded 7.5 sacks in his freshman year in 2019.

Olave surprised some when he opted to return to school in 2021. He’s produced big numbers over the last two years, including 19 touchdowns, and has the speed to shoot up draft boards after the 2021 season.

Neal is a massive prospect who has started at both guard and tackle for the Cardinals. He should be considered one of the top offensive line prospects in next year’s draft.

The Vikings struggled without Danielle Hunter last season, and the defense has gotten old quickly. Leal has been highly productive on the interior in his first two seasons for the Aggies.

Following in the footsteps of Justin Herbert at Oregon, Shough had an up-and-down sophomore season with 1,559 yards passing and 13 touchdowns in seven games in 2020. A more pass-friendly offense after transferring to Texas Tech has a chance to push Shough up draft boards with a better year.

Ross has major health questions following spinal surgery. If he’s able to rebound in 2021, Ross has shown No. 1 wideout ability in his first two seasons at Clemson with over 1,800 yards receiving.

Nelson has started his first two seasons at left tackle and shows dominant potential. The Pats are set at tackle in 2021 but could be looking for help in 2022.

With the struggles of Jalen Reagor in his rookie year, wideout remains an issue for Philly. Wilson had a breakout 2020 season with 723 yards and six scores and has also contributed as a returner.

Hutchinson missed much of last season due to a leg injury but has a chance to help his draft stock in 2021. The Chargers are in need of another long-term pass rusher after moving on from Melvin Ingram.

A huge safety at 6-foot-4, Hamilton has had two very productive seasons at Notre Dame. He’s been a huge playmaker with five picks in 24 games and could give the Jets what they’ve been missing at the safety position since trading Jamal Adams.

Banks is a top recruit who is set to become a starter for the Buckeyes in 2021. He follows in the footsteps of several impressive draftees and could put his name in first-round consideration with a big year. The Titans are in the middle of a secondary rebuild after multiple losses over the last two seasons.

Tyron Smith’s durability has become more of an issue recently, so the Cowboys could look toward the future. Broeker has played left tackle at Ole Miss, showing big potential.

Cox transferred from Georgia to Florida, starting for the Gators last season. The former top recruit could see his stock shoot up with another year of experience, and be a 2022 replacement for Jadeveon Clowney in Cleveland.

Bolden is coming off an outstanding year for the Canes, with 74 tackles and one pick in 11 games. He has a chance to address what have been repeated issues for the Colts at safety in recent seasons.

A potential run-stuffer weighing around 300 pounds, Winfrey had 17 tackles in 2020 as he gained playing time. He enters a big senior season for his draft stock.

Cross started 10 games for the Bulldogs in his redshirt freshman season. If he repeats last season’s strong results, Cross has a chance to crack the first round. He could help build an elite Lions after the team selected Penei Sewell this year.

Jones is set to see a sharp increase in playing time this year for the Tigers after starting eight games last year. The former top recruit would give the Bills strong potential opposite Tre’Davious White.

Slightly undersized by today’s standards at safety, Hooker excelled after getting more playing time last year. He’s the younger brother of former Colts first-round pick Malik Hooker and has a chance to crack the first round with a strong 2021.

The Ravens could be looking to replace Alejandro Villanueva at right tackle after this season. Wisconsin has remained a hotbed for offensive line prospects, and Brown is a former top recruit who showed flashes late last season.

If the Bucs are looking for Tom Brady’s long-term replacement next year, Corral could be an option. He completed nearly 71% of his passes for the Rebels last season and also flashes very good mobility.

Finding Travis Kelce’s long-term replacement could be on the agenda at some point for the Chiefs. Wydermyer has been highly productive as a receiver in two seasons for the Aggies, totals 78 catches for 953 yards and 12 touchdowns.