2022 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles bolster defense with 3 first-round picks, Washington replaces Ryan Fitzpatrick

A lone quarterback prospect has not emerged as the alpha in this class, but Spencer Rattler allows Houston to turn the page on a new chapter in the franchise’s history.

There was optimism surrounding Jeff Okudah coming into the season, but between his coach chewing him out on the sideline and the injury, it was a tough display in Week 1. In an ideal world, he will still develop into a top-flight cornerback in this league, but Detroit brings in some insurance in case that does not happen on its timeline.

The injury to Carl Lawson was unfortunate, but New York was probably not competing for the division this year anyway. When he returns, the Jets will have Lawson on one side and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the other with Quinnen Williams inside. Robert Saleh can win with that front.

Jacksonville was aggressive in upgrading the secondary this offseason — which is fine if you add the right players — but the strategy was more or less adding the most expensive players available. Kyle Hamilton is a player that can be moved all over the field and used in a way that could confuse offenses.

The first of two Giants first-round picks go towards an edge rusher. In all honesty, if New York is picking this high, then changes are likely being made to the personnel staff, and that often creates high turnover. The team could go in any number of directions in that event.

Cincinnati’s starting tackles performed well in Week 1, but at the end of the day, Riley Reiff is 32-years-old and on a one-year deal. The Bengals have to be aggressive in protecting Joe Burrow. It is an ideal situation since Evan Neal already has comfort playing right tackle.

Philadelphia made a big commitment to Aussie Jordan Mailata recently, but the interior offensive line is aging and Howie Roseman has already proven how much he values a quality offensive line.

A first-round selection by the Raiders is almost a kiss of death when you review recent history. I believe Garrett Wilson is bust-proof and will add another dimension of play-making ability that Henry Ruggs III has been unable to provide up to this point.

This is a steep price to pay for a third cornerback, which is what Booth would be based on how much James Bradberry and Adoree Jackson are being paid. However, Bradberry will be 29-years-old next year and Jackson carries the stench of a recent injury history. Cornerback is not necessarily the biggest position of need, but the board happened to fall in this way. Having depth at cornerback will help Giants’ fans rest easily next season.

It is evident that Carolina’s offensive line is holding on by a thread. Supplementing that unit will go a long way in giving Sam Darnold a fighting chance to be the long-term solution at the position.

I was adamant in my belief that Atlanta should draft a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft with an eye towards the future. Instead, the Falcons took a tight end who could be in his third or fourth season before they start a rookie quarterback. Carson Strong is a mature quarterback who can learn a lot from Matt Ryan.

Washington also takes the leap at quarterback. Even in an ideal situation where Ryan Fitzpatrick was able to stay healthy and lead the team to playoff contention, he was always just a stop-gap.

Minnesota has put a lot of assets towards addressing the cornerback position over the past two years, but that unit was still pretty awful in Week 1 against the Bengals. Mike Zimmer takes another swing at the piñata and hopes candy falls out this time.

Age is becoming a concern for Denver’s interior defenders, so resources are filtered in that direction. Teddy Bridgewater looked good in Week 1, so perhaps that continues or the team brings in a veteran to play the position.

New England has taken some shots at improving the wide receiver position, but I am not sure the compilation of N’Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne is firing anyone up in Foxboro. Chris Olave would give Bill Belichick a talented player who he can trust to be in the right spot on the field.

If Carson Wentz plays in at least 13 games for the Colts this season — and he should if he stays healthy — then the conditional second-round pick should convert into Philadelphia’s third first-round pick. The Eagles address an aging defensive line with the addition of DeMarvin Leal.

The Titans are missing Jonnu Smith more than maybe even they anticipated. The addition of Jalen Wydermyer would help spread defenses out.

Aidan Hutchinson just feels like a Steelers pick. He is a high-motor Big Ten performer much like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward. Hutchinson ushers in a new era of the Pittsburgh defensive line.

Remodeling continues with Philadelphia adding Kaiir Elam to go along with Kenyon Green and DeMarvin Leal. If Jalen Hurts continues to play at a high level, quarterback will not be a need. The Eagles would be in a good position to turn things around quickly.

I was torn between a few players, but giving Brandon Staley a talent like Ainias Smith could lead to some fascinating innovations. Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Smith gives Justin Herbert a lot of weapons. I could also see them considering a tight end if a worthy selection was available.

DeMarcus Lawrence’s seasons seem to go one of two ways: he plays in every game or he misses at least half the season. Unfortunately, the latter seems to be true of the 29-year old in 2021. Nevertheless, Dallas has an apparent need for more juice coming off the edge.

Admittedly, Arizona’s cornerbacks played better than anticipated. It would be wise for them to explore ways to upgrade that spot, however. If the season comes to an end and the level of play remains high, then maybe this conversation turns. For now, Ahmad Gardner would be a welcomed addition.

Sean Payton and the offensive line are the New Orleans offense. As long as those two components are operating at a high level, the rest of the offense will go. Without Michael Thomas, the Saints were still able to be productive through the air without household names at receiver.

I see a bit of Fred Warner in Devin Lloyd, so it would make sense for Robert Saleh to be drawn to that fit. I could also see them targeting a cornerback if that happened to be the best player available.

Cleveland is staring down contract extensions for Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward and potentially Wyatt Teller and David Njoku. Those cost increases could lead to difficult decisions of parting with one or both of Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. The Browns’ receiver room is already in better shape with Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz and Rashard Higgins, but it would not come as a surprise to see them attempt to add an alpha in that room.

The offensive tackle position was a problem for the Ravens on Monday night. Baltimore took a chance on Alejandro Villanueva this season, but that is like putting a band-aid on a compound fracture.

Changes are coming for Green Bay beyond the Aaron Rodgers saga. The Smiths’ situation will be addressed sooner rather than later because Rashan Gary is playing well enough to warrant a new contract. Linebacker was already a concern. Christian Harris is brought in to add some youthful invigoration to that front seven.

Austin Jackson and Jesse Davis serving as the bookend tackles does not exactly inspire a lot of confidence. It is tough to elevate expectations of Tua Tagovailoa when protection can not be expected to hold up.

Buffalo could save over $7 million by moving on from Mitch Morse next offseason. Tyler Linderbaum represents a potential upgrade at the spot as well.

Detroit’s roster needs a lot of work, so it would be foolish to suggest that wide receiver is the team’s only issue. It is an issue, however. Drafting a cornerback and wide receiver in the first round does not seem like something a kneecap-biter might do, but it does bring more talent into the building.

Tampa Bay is replacing aging, expensive pieces of its roster one at a time. It is the only way to sustain championship aspirations. Ndamukong Suh is the one moving on in this scenario.

L’Jarius Sneed has a promising future, but the spot opposite him has been an issue. The team brought in to former first-round picks, Mike Hughes and DeAndre Baker, in an effort to find a long-term solution, but that remains a dream.