Bucky Brooks 2022 NFL mock draft 4.0: Steelers take Malik Willis; Vikings land Jameson Williams

With the 2022 NFL Draft just around the corner, teams are beginning to hone in on their draft-day wish lists. While it is impossible to figure out what teams are really thinking, here is my final attempt to predict the first round on Thursday:

Ickey Ekwonu
N.C. State · OT · Junior

Doug Pederson wants to build an impenetrable wall in front of Trevor Lawrence, and Ekwonu is a foundational block in that barrier.

Pick
2
Aidan Hutchinson
Michigan · Edge · Senior

Dan Campbell gets a blue-collar pass rusher with outstanding athleticism and technical skills. 

Sauce Gardner
Cincinnati · CB · Junior

The long, rangy cover corner is perfect for Lovie Smith's scheme. 

Pick
4
Travon Walker
Georgia · Edge · Junior

The versatile frontline defender gives Gang Green a top-notch run defender with raw pass-rush skills. 

Evan Neal
Alabama · OT · Junior

Adding a rock-solid edge blocker will help the Giants assess Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley as franchise players. 

Charles Cross
Mississippi State · OT · Sophomore (RS)

Solidifying the edges is a top priority for a Panthers offense that needs more production, both through the air and on the ground. 

Pick
7
New York Giants
(from CHI)
Derek Stingley Jr.
LSU · CB · Junior

New defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale wants to play man-to-man coverage on the perimeter, and Stingley is a five-star talent with the tools to play at an All-Pro level on the island. 

Garrett Wilson
Ohio State · WR · Junior

The Falcons are in desperate need of a WR1 after losing Calvin Ridley (suspension) and Russell Gage (free agency) this offseason.

Pick
9
Seattle Seahawks
(from DEN)
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Oregon · Edge · Junior

Pete Carroll cannot resist taking a dynamic edge defender with the perfect skill set to fill the LEO role in the Seahawks' defense. 

Pick
10
New York Jets
(from SEA)
Drake London
USC · WR · Junior

The big-bodied pass catcher will expand the strike zone for Zach Wilson in the passing game. 

Kyle Hamilton
Notre Dame · S · Junior

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound playmaker could add a dimension to Washington's defense as a versatile box safety with outstanding instincts, awareness and ball skills.

Jameson Williams
Alabama · WR · Junior

Adding the Alabama standout would give the Vikings a dynamic three-receiver package; Williams could eventually replace Adam Thielen in a year or two, when his salary-cap number becomes unmanageable. 

Pick
13
Houston Texans
(from CLE)
Jermaine Johnson II
Florida State · Edge · Senior (RS)

The Texans must prioritize bringing in an explosive pass rusher after struggling to get to the passer last season.

Jordan Davis
Georgia · DT · Senior

The league's No. 1 rush defense gets that much better after adding the 6-6, 341-pound Davis up front.

Pick
15
Philadelphia Eagles
(from MIA)
Chris Olave
Ohio State · WR · Senior

Yes, this would be the third consecutive receiver drafted in Round 1 by the Eagles, but the bottom line is, Olave's big-play ability should make life easier for Jalen Hurts in the pocket. 

Pick
16
New Orleans Saints
(from IND through PHI)
Trevor Penning
Northern Iowa · OT · Senior (RS)

Replacing Terron Armstead with a rugged edge blocker like Penning will help the Saints play smash-mouth football in a revamped offensive scheme. 

Trent McDuffie
Washington · CB · Junior

The AFC West is loaded with superstar quarterbacks, which makes stocking up on defensive backs a sensible choice for the Chargers, who already inked free agent CB J.C. Jackson.

Pick
18
Devonte Wyatt
Georgia · DT · Senior

It is time for the Eagles to fortify the interior, with the 31-year-old Fletcher Cox nearing the end of his career. 

Pick
19
New Orleans Saints
(from PHI)
Treylon Burks
Arkansas · WR · Junior

Pairing the Arkansas standout with Michael Thomas would give the Saints a supersized pass-catching duo on the perimeter. 

Malik Willis
Liberty · QB · Senior (RS)

The ultra-athletic playmaker would enable offensive coordinator Matt Canada to utilize some of the creative concepts he brought with him from the collegiate level. 

Devin Lloyd
Utah · LB · Senior (RS)

Lloyd adds more speed and athleticism to a linebacker corps that has been one of the slowest in the league. 

Pick
22
Green Bay Packers
(from LV)
Bernhard Raimann
Central Michigan · OT · Senior

The Packers are not afraid to invest top picks in their offensive line. As a former tight end-turned-offensive tackle, Raimann is a nimble athlete with the balance and body control to handle athletic rushers on the edges. 

George Karlaftis
Purdue · Edge · Junior

The high-motor pass rusher could fill the void created by Chandler Jones' departure

Pick
24
Zion Johnson
Boston College · OG · Senior

Fixing the offensive line will help the Cowboys’ offense regain its explosiveness. 

Pick
25
Breece Hall
Iowa State · RB · Junior

The do-it-all running back would alleviate some of the pressure on Josh Allen to carry the offense. 

Kenyon Green
Texas A&M · OG · Junior

Green is a bully-ball specialist with the movement skills and road-grading ability to clear a path for Derrick Henry between the tackles.

Travis Jones
Connecticut · DT · Senior

Putting an athletic big body beside Vita Vea would make the Buccaneers’ defense downright scary in the middle.

Quay Walker
Georgia · LB · Senior

The speedy linebacker would team with De’Vondre Campbell to give the Packers sideline-to-sideline coverage against the run and pass. 

Pick
29
Kansas City Chiefs
(from SF through MIA)
Daxton Hill
Michigan · S · Junior

Hill is a prototypical nickel defender with "hit, run and cover" skills that make him a hot commodity for a team that loves to attack with pressure. 

Boye Mafe
Minnesota · Edge · Senior (RS)

An athletic edge rusher with the speed, quickness and burst to create havoc off the edges, Mafe will add some juice to the Chiefs' front.

Logan Hall
Houston · DE · Senior

The Bengals’ workmanlike defensive front could use another interior disruptor with pass-rush skills. Hall’s energy and effort make him an intriguing option for a defense that wears down opponents with its physicality and versatility.

Pick
32
Detroit Lions
(from LAR)
Arnold Ebiketie
Penn State · Edge · Senior (RS)

The Lions need more athletic defenders on the field to have a chance to close the gap on their rivals. Ebiketie flashes impressive first-step quickness and closing speed as a "bend-and-burst" rusher off the edge. 

Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter.

Related Content