CLEVELAND, Ohio — It’s no secret that the Browns’ passing attack has been broken for most of this season. Whether it’s because of Baker Mayfield’s injury, inconsistent availability across the offense as a whole or playcalling, nothing has worked.
I’ve believed the offense can’t get fixed without personnel changes, particularly at receiver. The Browns lack the explosive, game-breaking receiver that Mayfield, or any quarterback, needs for a better chance of success.
The good news is they have the chance to get that receiver in this April’s NFL draft. Several will be available for them, including Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson. The Buckeyes have produced many talented receivers in recent years, including Terry McLaurin and Michael Thomas.
Is Wilson the next great one?
Here is my first 2022 NFL mock draft with standings and stats updated to the end of the NFL’s regular season. The order for the 14 playoff teams is according to Tankathon.com.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, edge rusher, Michigan
Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 265 pounds.
2021 stats: 62 tackles, 14 sacks, 16.5 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles.
The Jaguars are the first team since the Browns in 2017 and 2018 to have the No. 1 pick in back-to-back years. The Browns went edge rusher and quarterback. Jacksonville could be poised to do the reverse of that after taking Trevor Lawrence a year ago.
No player did more for his own draft stock this year than Hutchinson, who could have been a first-round pick had he left Michigan after 2020. Hutchinson plays a Bosa-esque game with the ability to play both the run and pass very well because of his size and motor. That’s the kind of player you can build a defense around.
2. Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, edge rusher, Oregon
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 258 pounds.
2021 stats: 49 tackles, 7 sacks, 12 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles.
Thibodeaux still has a shot at being the No. 1 pick, but Hutchinson’s sensational 2021 pushed Thibodeaux out for now.
The Oregon star drew some Myles Garrett comparisons from as far back as when he was in high school. Plus, he doesn’t have to change systems. He played in a 3-man front at Oregon, which is also what the Lions run.
Detroit did a good job in last year’s draft with Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown playing very well. There’s no quarterback worth this pick, but getting a top-flight edge rusher like Thibodeaux is the next-best thing.
3. Houston Texans: Evan Neal, offensive tackle, Alabama
Height, weight: 6-foot-7, 350 pounds.
Houston, say hello to your Laremy Tunsil replacement. The Texans essentially bottomed out due to the Tunsil trade and the lawsuits against Deshaun Watson.
But Davis Mills showed enough this year where you want to see more. Here’s a good way to help him out.
Mills was sacked 31 times in 13 games. Neal, who already has an NFL-ready frame, should step in at left tackle and could give Houston a cornerstone at left tackle while it tries to figure out what to do at quarterback.
4. New York Jets: Derek Stingley Jr., cornerback, LSU
Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 195 pounds.
2021 stats: 8 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1 forced fumble (played three games).
For as bad of a season as the Jets had, they at least get two top-10 picks to help reload and turn things around. Here’s a spot where they can get the best corner they’ve had since Darrelle Revis.
Stingley wasted no time having an impact at LSU, playing a shutdown role on the 2019 national championship team with six interceptions and 15 pass breakups.
He didn’t have an interception the rest of his career at LSU and played just three games this season due to injury. But Stingley is still the best corner in this class and the Jets can get some much-needed help in the secondary here.
5. New York Giants: George Karlaftis, edge rusher, Purdue
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 275 pounds.
2021 stats: 41 tackles, 5 sacks, 11.5 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles.
Azeez Ojulari looks like a steal in the second round of last year’s draft with a team-high eight sacks. But the Giants need more from their pass rush and defensive front.
Karlaftis’ stats might not look very impressive. But he’s an outstanding player with tremendous physical tools. A duo of Ojulari and Karlaftis could be a great one to build a defense around.
6. Carolina Panthers: Kenny Pickett, quarterback, Pittsburgh
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds.
2021 stats: 334-497 (67.2 percent), 4,319 yards, 42 TDs, 7 INTs.
The Panthers are desperate for a quarterback after the Sam Darnold and Cam Newton experiments failed. Whether or not Kenny Pickett is worth No. 6, he’s the pick here because of just how desperate Carolina is.
But Pickett is certainly QB1 in this year’s class. He took a massive leap this season and deserved his spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist. He is good at processing what’s happening on the field, and he is athletic and accurate.
There are questions about hand size and possibly being a one-year wonder. But in a weak quarterback class, Pickett is at the top and Carolina might be the team that rolls the dice on him.
7. New York Giants via Chicago Bears: Charles Cross, offensive tackle, Mississippi State
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 310 pounds.
2021 was a much better season for left tackle Andrew Thomas, the No. 4 pick in 2020. With this pick, they add a bookend tackle in Cross, who is a very good athlete.
He’s probably best suited to be a left tackle in the NFL, but he can certainly play on the right side. This could be a good way to build a solid foundation for whoever is the quarterback in the next couple of years.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Jordan Davis, defensive tackle, Georgia
Height, weight: 6-foot-6, 340 pounds.
2021 stats: 30 tackles, 2 sacks, 4.5 TFLs.
As tempting as it could be to take a player like David Ojabo, the allure of bringing the star defensive tackle went from Athens to Atlanta might be too good to pass up.
Davis is the cornerstone of an elite Georgia defense with his disruptive play in the middle, and the Falcons could use a player like that. They were 26th in the NFL in terms of stopping the run.
9. Denver Broncos: David Ojabo, edge rusher, Michigan
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 250 pounds.
2021 stats: 35 tackles, 11 sacks, 12 TFLs, 3 passes defensed.
The Broncos could certainly use this pick to select quarterback Matt Corral from Ole Miss. But the ankle injury he suffered in the Sugar Bowl has me pushing Corral lower down the board.
They go defense here and get the other half of Michigan’s dynamic pass-rush duo to put opposite Bradley Chubb.
Ojabo could rise up the rankings in the next few months if he can show off his tremendous athleticism in the NFL combine. He took a great leap this season and still has a lot of room to grow.
10. New York Jets via Seattle Seahawks: Ikem Ekwonu, offensive tackle, North Carolina State
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 320 pounds.
Regardless of whether Zach Wilson is the quarterback of the future, he needs some blocking. He was sacked 44 times in only 13 games this season.
Ekwonu is in the mix to be the second-best offensive tackle in this class behind Evan Neal. He’s a powerful player with great intelligence. He still needs to grow physically, but he’s a player who can step into an offensive line and start right away.
11. Washington Football Team: Andrew Booth Jr., cornerback, Clemson
Height, weight: 6-foot, 200 pounds.
2021 stats: 26 solo tackles, 3 TFLs, 3 INTs, 5 passes defensed.
Washington gave up the most passing touchdowns and the fourth-most yards in the NFL last season. In other words, help in the secondary is needed in a big way.
While they could jump on Kyle Hamilton here, I have them going for possibly the best corner in the draft in Booth, who brings good size and skills to the position.
Washington simply needs more from the corner position from players other than Kendall Fuller.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Kyle Hamilton, safety, Notre Dame
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 220 pounds.
2021 stats: 34 tackles, 2 TFLs, 3 INTs, 4 passes defensed.
The term “unicorn” isn’t one that is usually thrown around in the NFL. Isaiah Simmons was that player two years ago. This year, it’s Hamilton.
He’s got remarkable size for a safety and is incredibly athletic and intelligent. Hamilton is the kind of player that teams shouldn’t put into a box.
For a Minnesota team with a new general manager and head coach, having a player as versatile as Hamilton fall into their lap is a great boost as the Vikings try to retool.
13. Cleveland Browns: Garrett Wilson, wide receiver, Ohio State
Height, weight: 6-foot, 192 pounds.
2021 stats: 70 receptions, 1,058 yards (15.1 avg.), 12 TDs.
To say that this would be the popular pick among Browns fans might be an understatement. Receiver is the biggest need by a lot, and Wilson was a stud at Ohio State. Plus, the Buckeyes have produced some great receivers including Michael Thomas and Terry McLaurin.
Wilson has the chance to be the next great one.
The size shouldn’t be a concern. Wilson can do just about anything with his hands, speed and some of the best body control you’ll find in a receiver, both in the air and with feet on the ground.
Doug Lesmerises also wrote about why Wilson could be a great fit with the Browns.
Whether the Browns go with Wilson, Jameson Williams, USC’s Drake London or Arkansas’ Treylon Burks, they simply need to go with the best receiver available. In this case, Wilson is there for the Browns.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, center, Iowa
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 290 pounds.
The Ravens’ real need this offseason is to simply have a much healthier season than 2021. The lack of health pushed them all the way to last place.
With this pick, they can get a player in Linderbaum who will add more talent to the interior of the offensive line. Centers don’t usually get drafted this high unless they’re special, and Linderbaum has the talent to be an elite center.
Add Linderbaum to a Ravens team that likes to run the ball and they should be formidable in that part of the game once again.
15. Philadelphia Eagles via Miami Dolphins: Jameson Williams, wide receiver, Alabama
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 189 pounds.
2021 stats: 75 receptions, 1,507 yards (20.1 avg.), 15 TDs.
The Eagles have been a nice surprise this season due to their impressive running game. But they need to pass the football better to make the next level as a team.
Even after drafting DeVonta Smith a year ago, Philadelphia goes back to the Alabama well for the elite speedster in Williams, who left Monday’s title game with reportedly a right ACL injury. When healthy, his speed makes him a home-run hitter teams have to account for at any time.
With three first-round picks, the Eagles can afford to spend one at receiver.
16. Philadelphia via Indianapolis Colts: Ahmad Gardner, cornerback, Cincinnati
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds.
2021 stats: 28 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 5 TFLs, 3 INTs, 4 passes defensed.
Gardner got plenty of reps against Williams when their teams met in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve and was sensational. Williams had one catch for minus-2 yards when Gardner was covering him.
In this mock, I have the Eagles taking both players with back-to-back picks. Philadelphia has a good outside corner in Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox does well in the slot.
Gardner and his length and ball skills could give the Eagles a tremendous trio at corner.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: DeMarvin Leal, defensive tackle, Texas A&M
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 290 pounds.
2021 stats: 58 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 12.5 TFLs, 1 forced fumble.
Run defense hurt the Chargers all season long. They were the third-worst team in terms of rush yards allowed per game, and that starts up front.
Leal is a powerful lineman with good quickness and can also rush off the edge if needed. He could line up opposite Jerry Tillery in the Chargers’ 3-man front and help free things up for the linebackers, including Joey Bosa.
18. New Orleans Saints: Treylon Burks, wide receiver, Arkansas
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 225 pounds.
2021 stats: 66 receptions, 1,104 yards (16.7 avg.), 11 TDs.
The Saints finished 2021 with the NFL’s worst passing offense. A lot of that had to do with injuries at quarterback, particularly to Jameis Winston. But New Orleans needs more at receiver besides Marquez Callaway and Michael Thomas, who missed the entire season due to a setback in his rehab from offseason ankle surgery.
I’ve thought of Burks as a walking mismatch because of his size and speed combination. That makes him hard to cover one-on-one. Receivers like that help any quarterback.
19. Philadelphia: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 235 pounds.
2021 stats: 110 tackles, 8 sacks, 22 TFLs, 4 INTs, 6 passes defensed.
Lloyd’s tremendous talent played a big role in Utah making a run to the Rose Bowl this season. He proved this season he can be a three-down linebacker, and is at his best playing downhill.
The Eagles could use a quality linebacker on defense, and the fit between Lloyd and Philadelphia looks very good.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Matt Corral, quarterback, Ole Miss
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 205 pounds.
2021 stats: 262-386 (67.9 percent), 3,349 yards, 20 TDs, 5 interception, 152 carries, 614 yards (4.0 avg.), 11 TDs.
The Steelers never truly tried to find the heir apparent to Ben Roethlisberger and may now be in a situation where they simply must draft a quarterback if Roethlisberger indeed retires. Sam Howell, Desmond Ridder and Corral could be the choices here.
But I went with Corral because of how much better he became at protecting the football. He’s got very good accuracy and is a very mobile quarterback, which is almost a prerequisite to playing the position these days.
He has the intangibles as well as good tools. If he can keep the turnovers down, he can be a very good NFL quarterback.
21. New England Patriots: Jaquan Brisker, safety, Penn State
Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 200 pounds.
2021 stats: 38 solo tackles, 6 TFLs, 2 INTs, 5 passes defensed.
With Devin McCourty in his mid-30s, the Patriots could use another safety to play along with Kyle Dugger. Enter Brisker, who played a big role in Penn State’s defense all season long.
He does a little of everything from the safety position and is a sensational athlete. Brisker’s intelligence and versatility should allow him to succeed in numerous different defensive schemes.
22. Miami via San Francisco 49ers: Kenyon Green, interior offensive lineman, Texas A&M
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 325 pounds.
The Dolphins had the third-worst running game in the NFL last season, and their offensive line just has not been good enough. Only two starters on the line had a grade better than 60 from Pro Football Focus for the season.
Green can play numerous positions on the line, and his athleticism and physicality should allow him to succeed right away. He’s at his best in the run game, which is some of what the Dolphins need up front.
23. Las Vegas Raiders: Jahan Dotson, wide receiver, Penn State
Height, weight: 5-foot-11, 184 pounds.
2021 stats: 91 receptions, 1,182 yards (13.0 avg.), 12 TDs.
The Raiders aren’t expecting to get Henry Ruggs III back after he was charged with four felonies and could be facing decades in prison after his role in a fatal car crash in Las Vegas in November. Because of that, Las Vegas might need to pick another receiver early in the draft.
To say the Raiders favor speed in draft evaluations historically has been an understatement. Dotson fits the bill with his speed. He was a high school state champion in track and is also a very good route runner. He’s probably a tier behind Garrett Wilson, Jameson Williams and Treylon Burks because he’s shorter than 6-foot.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Kaiir Elam, cornerback, Florida
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 196 pounds.
2021 stats: 17 solo tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1 INT, 5 passes defensed.
Byron Murphy’s growth into a top corner this season was one of the big reasons why Arizona had one of the NFL’s best passing defenses. But since he is 5-foot-11, the Cardinals could use a tall corner to complement him.
Elam has that height and length at 6-foot-2. He’s a physical corner with strong ball skills and can play the matchups against taller receivers to take some of that pressure off Murphy.
25. Cincinnati Bengals: Roger McCreary, cornerback, Auburn
Height, weight: 6-foot, 190 pounds.
2021 stats: 41 solo tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFLs, 2 INTs, 14 passes defensed.
One thing the Bengals are going to have to do to try and get back to the playoffs next season is defend the pass better. They had the No. 26 pass defense in terms of yards allowed, and teams will probably throw on them more to match Joe Burrow and what Cincinnati will do on offense.
McCreary is a very good cover corner, especially in man and press coverage. While he’s not very long, he has impressive skills that should translate to the NFL.
26. Buffalo Bills: Kenneth Walker III, running back, Michigan State
Height, weight: 5-foot-10, 210 pounds.
2021 stats: 263 carries, 1,636 yards (6.2 avg.), 18 TDs.
Buffalo needs a running game that it can lean on to keep Josh Allen from taking hits. Devin Singletary is a solid back, but the Bills can do better.
That’s why I have Walker going to Buffalo here at No. 26. Walker was special in all but one game this season, with Ohio State being the only team to stop him. He knows how to find the hole and can hit the long run at any time. He needs to be better in pass protection and in the passing game as a whole.
But if you’re looking for a two-down back who can go the distance at any time, Walker is your guy.
27. Detroit via Los Angeles Rams: Drake London, wide receiver, USC
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 210 pounds.
2021 stats: 88 receptions, 1,084 yards (12.3 avg), 7 TDs.
The Lions got a steal in the fourth round in 2021 when they picked Amon-Ra St. Brown out of USC. He finished fifth in the NFL among rookies in receiving yards, behind the four pass catchers who went in the top 10.
So it makes sense that they go back to the USC well and draft the towering London, who moves very well for a 6-foot-5 receiver. He is coming off a fractured ankle that limited him to eight games this season, which could hurt his draft stock a little bit.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Jermaine Johnson II, edge rusher, Florida State
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 262 pounds.
2021 stats: 70 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 17.5 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles.
Dallas’ defense was revitalized this season with the help of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and likely Defensive Rookie of the Year Micah Parsons. But they could still use more pass rush depth behind DeMarcus Lawrence.
After spending his first two seasons at Georgia, Johnson got his shot at Florida State and took full advantage with double-digit sacks. He can play in any scheme and has a great first step, hands and length for an edge rusher.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent McDuffie, cornerback, Washington
Height, weight: 5-foot-11, 195 pounds.
2021 stats: 25 solo tackles, 1 sack, 4 TFLs, 6 passes defensed.
The Chiefs had a great stretch in the middle of the season aided by their defense. But as we saw in their Week 17 loss in Cincinnati, they need secondary help after they allowed Ja’Marr Chase to get 266 yards receiving.
McDuffie could play inside or outside at corner and has great athleticism. His ability to play both man and zone coverage at a good level will be important.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Olave, wide receiver, Ohio State
Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 188 pounds.
2021 stats: 65 receptions, 936 yards (14.4 avg.), 13 TDs.
Antonio Brown is gone and franchising Chris Godwin again will be even pricier for a team that was able to keep the band together last season. That’s why I’m picking the Buccaneers to add a receiver, and Olave is that receiver.
Olave is a very smooth receiver and plays with tremendous intelligence and savvy. Plus, he has underrated speed.
He’s a player that because he stayed in school for an extra season, he might be a good fit to step into a Super Bowl contender and contribute right away.
31. Tennessee Titans: Nakobe Dean, linebacker, Georgia
Height, weight: 6-foot, 225 pounds.
2021 stats: 68 tackles, 6 sacks, 10.5 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed.
Dean won the Butkus Award in 2021 as the best linebacker in college football, and it’s easy to see why. He’s very good at playing downhill but is also good against the pass.
He may only be 225 pounds. But Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah showed this past season that linebackers don’t have to be big to have impact in the NFL.
With Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans both unrestricted free agents, the Titans can take Dean to replenish one of those inside linebacker spots.
32. Green Bay Packers: Nicholas Petit-Frere, offensive tackle, Ohio State
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 315 pounds.
Petit-Frere lived up to his five-star billing this season for Ohio State with a season that earned him first team All-American honors by the Football Writers Association of America. He moved from right tackle in 2020 to left tackle in 2021 and was very good on C.J. Stroud’s blindside.
What stands out are his physical traits, fluidity and versatility. Green Bay could use receiver help. But with Olave gone, the Packers fortify the offensive line with Petit-Frere.
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