2022 NFL Mock Draft: Camden Edition

Photo By: Michael Hanich
Camden Fairview guard/tackle Timothy Dawn Jr. setting up a run block in the game against Hope.
Photo By: Michael Hanich Camden Fairview guard/tackle Timothy Dawn Jr. setting up a run block in the game against Hope.

2022 NFL Mock Draft - Camden Edition

Most of the teams in the NFL are out of playoff contention, so they have started their process for the off-season. They will look to acquire high-caliber talent through free agency and the 2022 NFL Draft to make their roster better to try and win a Super Bowl title next season.

How would players in Ouachita County fare if they were eligible to declare for the Draft? The Camden News takes a look:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-14) - OT/G Timothy Dawn Jr. (Camden Fairview)

The Jaguars need help all across the aboard, especially at the offensive line where they allowed 32 sacks this season. Adding a versatile offensive lineman like Dawn would help jumpstart the Jaguars's 22nd ranked rushing offense.

2. Detroit Lions (3-13-1) - WR Brandon Copeland (Camden Fairview)

While tight end T.J. Hockenson and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown are great playmakers in the passing game, they are not explosive deep threat receivers. Adding Copeland to the receiver corps would help the Lions become threats to opposing NFC North teams.

3. Houston Texans (4-13) - QB Martavius Thomas (Camden Fairview)

It has been a whole year and the standoff between the Texans and quarterback Deshaun Watson has not been resolved. It is time for the team to look for a new explosive dual-threat quarterback. Thomas has the closest playstyle to Watson's dynamic and explosive playmaking abilities.

4. New York Jets (4-13) - DE Jacovey Barker (Camden Fairview)

The Jets have one of the worst defenses in the league. Any high-caliber defensive player they pick up in the Draft will be a significant upgrade. This season, the Jets accounted for 33 total sacks in 17 games while Barker accounted for 19 sacks in 12 games.

5. New York Giants (4-13) - OT Mark Welch (Camden Fairview)

Former Giants general manager Dave Gettleman made terrible expensive investments at the offensive line. The team will need to be smarter at picking well-balanced and dominate offensive linemen. Welch would be the safest and most dominate offensive linemen that the Giants can make to get their offense more productive.

6. Carolina Panthers (5-11) - RB Ja'Coriae Brown (Camden Fairview)

Star running back Christian McCaffrey has not been able to stay healthy for the Panthers as he has only played in ten games in the last two seasons. The Panthers have started shopping around McCaffrey and now need a new franchise leading running back.

7. New York Giants (4-13)* via Chicago - OLB Jeremaine Edwards (Harmony Grove)

With the offensive line taken care of, the next biggest area of concern for the Giants is their run support at the linebacker corps. Hill was one of the most consistent run stoppers this season as he accounted for 77 total tackles and 13 tackles for loss.

8. Atlanta Falcons (7-10) - WR Aaron Alsobrook (Camden Fairview)

The Falcons may be expected to move on their number one wide receiver Calvin Ridley after a season of turmoil. This leaves the Falcons without a reliable wide receiver for their aging quarterback Matt Ryan.

9. Denver Broncos (7-10) - OT/DE Logan McCann (Harmony Grove)

Outside of the quarterback position, the Broncos offensive line has been one of the most inconsistent position groups for the team this season. The Broncos have allowed their quarterbacks to be sacked 40 times this season. They would need one of the more reliable pass protectors for Harmony Grove in McCann.

10. New York Jets (4-13)* via Seattle - CB/WR Landon Garrett (Harmony Grove)

The Seahawks had one of the worst man coverage secondaries in the NFL this season as they gave up an average of 265.5 passing yards per game, second most in the league. Garrett was one of the most efficient man coverage corners as he accounted for ten pass breakups and seven interceptions this season.

11. Washington Football Team (7-10) - QB Caleb Johnson (Harmony Grove)

The season-ending injury to 38-year old quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick showed that Washington should have been more serious about acquiring a legitimate player under center than waiting until the last minute. They would be thinking ahead by acquiring a young, but dynamic quarterback in Caleb Johnson.

12. Minnesota Vikings (8-9) - OLB Elijah Tate (Camden Fairview)

The Vikings, who not too long ago had much talent and potential on defense, now need solid playmakers at each position group. They will need to get the best defensive player at this point in the Draft. Without question, it would be Camden Fairview's Elijah Tate.

13. Cleveland Browns (8-9) - ILB Tobias Hicks (Harmony Grove)

Cleveland drafted a solid linebacker in Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the second round last year in the 2021 NFL Draft. Instead of placing him at mike linebacker, the Browns put him at weakside linebacker. Cleveland still needs a leader and consistent tackler at mike.

14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9) - DE Kameron Easttam (Camden Fairview)

The defensive line for the Ravens did not get as much pass rush and run support as they wanted to outside of veteran Calais Campbell. Now Campbell is set to become a free agent, which makes the Ravens even more desperate for a well-balanced and consistent edge rusher.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (9-8)* via Miami - WR Jarvis Reed (Camden Fairview)

Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman has drafted more duds than studs at the wide receiver position, i.e. Jalen Reagor and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. While DeVonta Smith seems to be working out in his first season there, the Eagles need more speed and dynamic support from the receiver corps. Jarvis Reed would be a solid number two for a playoff-contending Eagles team.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (9-8)* via Indianapolis - RB Ja'Toney McGhee (Camden Fairview)

The Eagles are right back in action with their second consecutive pick. They are set to lose two of their running backs in an run-orientated offense. Having a big, bruising back in McGhee along with speedy runners in Miles Sanders and dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts would only complement the top-ranked rushing offense more.

17. Los Angeles Chargers (9-8) - DT Walker Sweat (Harmony Grove)

Los Angeles had one of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL this season as it kept them out of the playoffs. The Chargers allowed 138.9 rushing yards per game, third most in the league. They will need to solidify the defensive line, particularly the interior.

18. New Orleans Saints (9-8) - OLB Daniel Hill (Harmony Grove)

Kwon Alexander is set to become a free-agent this off-season and New Orleans may not be able to afford to bring him back. They will have to acquire young, elite talent that can provide run support as well as create pass rush through several different blitzing schemes.

19. Philadelphia Eagles (9-8) - G/C David Mack (Harmony Grove)

Philadelphia will use their third pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft to address their offensive line. They will need more consistent run-support at the guard position. David Mock would be a good choice to eventually take over for five-time Pro Bowl center Jason Kelce once he retires.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8-1) - G Jeremy Whitney (Camden Fairview)

The Steelers were too late to acquire a high-caliber in the Draft. Their next step is acquire talent among a depleted offensive line. They can start in the interior as their rushing offense ranks among the fourth-worst in the league.

21. New England Patriots (10-7) - WR Michael Suell (Camden Fairview)

Now that the Patriots have a franchise quarterback, they will need a reliable speedy receiver. Michael "Pistol Pete" Suell would fit in great in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' offense.

22. Las Vegas Raiders (10-7) - DT Grant Bearden (Harmony Grove)

The Raiders were not consistent at solidifying the run defense despite stellar play from their edge rushers. They will need more impact players from the interior defensive line. Grant Bearden is a player that could provide run-support and consistent pass rush.

23. Arizona Cardinals (11-6) - OLB Cannon Booker (Harmony Grove)

The Cardinals are set to lose Chandler Jones to free agency this off-season. Even if they were to bring him back, the Cardinals need more support in the run support as they could have him play throughout the linebacker corps.

24. Dallas Cowboys (12-5) - S Jabauree Lockhart (Camden Fairview)

There are many areas of defense that the Cowboys need to address this off-season. Safety was one of the biggest areas of concern for Dallas before hitting the postseason. They will need more consistency in reading passing plays and recognizing the plays transactioning.

25. Miami Dolphins (9-8)* via San Franciso - RB Royce Cones (Bearden)

The Dolphins had one of the worst historically bad offensive lines in the NFL this season. Even with the inconsistent line, running back Myles Gaskins was just as bad. The Dolphins's offense ranked 30th in the league in rushing yards per game (92.2). Royce Cones would be a great receiver in the backfield for the offense next season.

26. Cincinnati Bengals (10-7) - S Jalien Thrower (Harmony Grove)

The Bengals were exposed in the secondary in the Wild Card win over the Las Vegas Raiders. They will need more support deep in the field as their defense ranks 26th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (248.8).

27. Kansas City Chiefs (12-5) - DE Quinton Jones (Harmony Grove)

Kansas City's defense has been more consistent this season, but one of the biggest weaknesses is their lack of pass rush. The Chiefs have only accounted for 31 sacks this season as they are also set to lose defensive end Melvin Ingram to free agency.

28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4) - C Landon Morgan (Camden Fairview)

The offense for the Buccaneers has been more one-dimensional this season as they do not have a great rushing offense. Their starting center in Ryan Jensen is set to become a free agent. Tampa Bay's offense ranks 26th in the league in rushing yards per game (98.4).

29. Buffalo Bills (11-6) - DT Bacarre Thomas (Harmony Grove)

One of the biggest weaknesses of the Bills' defense will be stopping the run up the middle. They will need not only depth, but also size to stop the opposing offense's power run games.

30. Detroit Lions (3-13-1)* via L.A Rams - OT Khyri Hall (Camden Fairview)

The Lions will continue to address their offensive needs by protecting their quarterback Jared Goff and stabilizing the run-game. The offensive line for the Lions gave up 36 sacks throughout the season.

31. Tennessee Titans (12-5) - LB Selwyn Martinez (Harmony Grove)

Free agency is expected to be brutal for the defense of Tennessee as many of the unrestricted free agents for Tennessee this off-season are coming from the linebacker corps.

32. Green Bay Packers (13-4) - WR Trent Haygood (Harmony Grove)

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been begging the front office to get more help at the receiver position. Acquiring a speedy and explosive receiver in Haygood may convince Rodgers to stay on their Super Bowl contending team in the 2022 NFL season.

Upcoming Events