Day 2 NFL Mock Draft: Projections for Rounds 2 and 3
The opening round of the 2022 NFL Draft was far more eventful than anyone could have expected, but the fun has only just begun.
Up next on Friday night are Rounds 2 and 3, where many see the most value with this draft class. And what better way to gear up for the action than with another mock draft?
Here's a look at our Day 2 projections.
Round 2
33. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Travis Jones, DL, Connecticut
The Buccaneers kick off Day 2 by adding another massive defensive lineman to a group that already features Vita Vea.
34. Minnesota Vikings - George Pickens, WR, Georgia
Pickens easily could have gone in the first round. Instead, the Vikings get outstanding value here in a big-bodied running mate for Justin Jefferson at receiver.
35. Tennessee Titans - Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Dean is the third linebacker off the board likely due to his undersized build. His athleticism gives the Titans a freak linebacker with sky-high potential.
36. New York Giants - Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
The Giants hit a home run with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal on opening night. Booth, a talented corner who was in the first-round conversation, gives them yet another potential cornerstone.
37. Houston Texans - Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
The Texans finished with just 32 sacks last season. Jackson may not be ready to help immediately, but he's a step in the right direction toward the future of Houston's defense.
38. New York Jets - Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
The first round couldn't have gone much better for the Jets. Day 2 also gets off to a pretty good start with Raimann, who could be a long-term starter at right tackle.
39. Chicago Bears - Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
Lacking pass rush following the Khalil Mack trade, the Bears hope to strike it big with the high-upside Penn State edge rusher.
40. Seattle Seahawks - Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Resisting the urge to reach on a quarterback works out well for the Seahawks, as one of this year's top passers falls all the way to them in the second round. Ridder could compete to start right away.
41. Seattle Seahawks - Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
The Seahawks don't have to look far to bolster their secondary by bringing in the Washington cornerback.
42. Indianapolis Colts - Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
Their lack of a first-round pick caused the Colts to miss out on the early run of top receivers, but Moore's quickness and run-after-catch ability make him a great complement to Michael Pittman.
43. Atlanta Falcons - Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
Quarterbacks often left with clean jerseys after facing the Falcons' defense in 2021. Mafe may make their Sundays more difficult.
44. Cleveland Browns - Logan Hall, DL, Houston
The Browns address a glaring need on the defensive front with their first pick of the draft. Hall could play on the edge in base packages, but he'll make his money as a disruptive three-technique on passing downs.
45. Baltimore Ravens - Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
The Ravens keep their attention on the secondary after their pass defense struggled last year. Depth is thin behind Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey.
46. Detroit Lions - Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Willis had been linked to the Lions at two different spots in the first round. Given the upside that comes with his physical tools, they won't be able to pass him up here.
47. Washington Commanders - Nick Cross, S, Maryland
An athletic ball hawk safety, Cross is the perfect complement to Kamren Curl in the Commanders' secondary.
48. Chicago Bears - Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
The Bears must upgrade their skill-position talent for Justin Fields to take a step forward this year. With a freaky combination of size and speed, Watson is the kind of home run swing that could really pay off.
49. New Orleans Saints - Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
Pitre's versatility and playmaking ability should have defensive-minded head coach Dennis Allen smiling from ear to ear.
50. Kansas City Chiefs - Danny Gray, WR, SMU
The Chiefs were going to add a receiver at some point. Value wasn't quite there when they picked in the first round, but it might be here in a dynamic speed threat like Gray.
51. Philadelphia Eagles - Marcus Jones, CB, Houston
The Eagles now turn their attention to their cornerback group, where Jones presents an upgrade in the slot despite being undersized.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
The safety position should be a priority for the Steelers on Day 2. Adding a versatile player like Brisker alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick would allow the defense to get more creative on the back end.
53. Green Bay Packers - Khalil Shakir, WR, Boise State
After spending their two first-rounders on defense, the Packers waste no time using their initial Day 2 pick on a weapon for Aaron Rodgers.
54. New England Patriots - Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
Chenal's dominance in the run game makes him a natural fit to take over for Dont'a Hightower as New England's new long-term leader in the middle.
55. Arizona Cardinals - Perrion Winfrey, DL, Oklahoma
The Cardinals could use more beef on the defensive line. Winfrey's length and athleticism make him an intriguing pick.
56. Dallas Cowboys - DeMarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Leal is a refined pass-rusher who could thrive as a three technique at the next level. Dallas needs that kind of impact player on the inside.
57. Buffalo Bills - Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
After waiting it out on the draft's opening night, the Bills still manage to see Hall - arguably this year's top running back - fall into their grasp.
58. Atlanta Falcons - Kenneth Walker, RB, Michigan State
Walker profiles as a dominant early-down runner at the next level, making him a strong complement to Cordarrelle Patterson's skill set in the passing game.
59. Green Bay Packers - Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
Recovering from the loss of Davante Adams is going to require plenty of helping hands, forcing the Packers to double down on second-round wideouts.
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dylan Parham, OL, Memphis
After addressing the defensive line at the top of the round, the Bucs take care of what may be their only other need. Parham likely rounds out the offensive line as the starting left guard.
61. San Francisco 49ers - Cam Taylor-Britt, CB, Nebraska
Equipped with cornerback and safety experience, Taylor-Britt could aid the 49ers in more ways than just one.
62. Kansas City Chiefs - Phidarian Mathis, DL, Alabama
After using one of their first-round picks on George Karlaftis, the Chiefs circle back to make another key addition to the defensive front. Mathis will provide a much-needed boost at stopping the run.
63. Cincinnati Bengals - David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
The Bengals end Ojabo's slide. Ojabo was considered a potential first-rounder before tearing his Achilles, so Cincinnati might end up with the steal of the draft if he can return to full form.
64. Denver Broncos - Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
Muma gives the Broncos a physical presence in the middle as they continue to reshape the front seven.
Round 3
65. Jacksonville Jaguars - Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati
66. Minnesota Vikings - Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
67. New York Giants - Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
68. Houston Texans - Kerby Joseph, S, Illinois
69. Tennessee Titans - Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
70. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
71. Chicago Bears - Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
72. Seattle Seahawks - Josh Paschal, EDGE, Kentucky
73. Indianapolis Colts - Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia
74. Atlanta Falcons - Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
75. Denver Broncos - Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
76. Baltimore Ravens - Neil Farrell Jr., DL, LSU
77. Minnesota Vikings - Cam Jurgens, C, Nebraska
78. Cleveland Browns - Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
79. Los Angeles Chargers - Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State
80. Houston Texans - John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
81. New York Giants - Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
82. Atlanta Falcons - Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
83. Philadelphia Eagles - Brian Asamoah, LB, Oklahoma
84. Pittsburgh Steelers - Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
85. New England Patriots - Jalyn Armour-Davis, CB, Alabama
86. Las Vegas Raiders - Matthew Butler, DL, Tennessee
87. Arizona Cardinals - Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
88. Dallas Cowboys - JT Woods, S, Baylor
89. Buffalo Bills - Percy Butler, S, Louisiana
90. Tennessee Titans - John Ridgeway, DL, Arkansas
91. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dominique Robinson, EDGE, Miami (OH)
92. Green Bay Packers - Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA
93. San Francisco 49ers - Altontae Taylor, CB, Tennessee
94. New England Patriots - Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
95. Cincinnati Bengals - Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
96. Denver Broncos - Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State
97. Detroit Lions - Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
98. Washington Commanders - Jamaree Salyer, OL, Georgia
99. Cleveland Browns - Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
100. Arizona Cardinals - Martin Emerson, CB, Mississippi State
101. New York Jets - Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati
102. Miami Dolphins - Dohnovan West, OL, Arizona State
103. Kansas City Chiefs - James Mitchell, TE, Virginia Tech
104. Los Angeles Rams - Luke Fortner, OL, Kentucky
105. San Francisco 49ers - Luke Goedeke, OL, Central Michigan
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