The 2022 NFL Draft is a week away. Eight college football writers from The Athletic lent their expertise and experience in covering many of these prospects for several years to put together their own mock draft: Manny Navarro (Miami), Chris Kamrani (features), Aaron Suttles (Alabama), Colton Pouncy (Michigan State), Scott Dochterman (Iowa), Christian Caple (Washington), Doug Haller (Arizona State) and Antonio Morales (USC).
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
Needs: Edge, TE, C, CB, WR
Everyone says Aidan Hutchinson is locked into the top spot. Maybe. But why not bring in more protection for the guy you took with the first pick last year? Ekwonu (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) is one of four offensive tackles since 2003 to score a 99 at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. He can slide in at right tackle next to five-time Pro Bowler Brandon Scherff and the Jaguars could have one of the best, if not the best, right sides in the league. Or Jacksonville can move Ekwonu inside to guard, next to left tackle Cam Robinson, who received the franchise tag for the second year in a row and could be gone after 2022.
Analysis: Although the Jaguars ranked eighth in pass blocking efficiency last season, per Pro Football Focus, starting center Brandon Linder retired and right tackle Jawaan Taylor is in the final year of his rookie deal. Ekwonu, considered the best run blocker in the draft, can help a team that averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season be even better. An improved running game led by Travis Etienne will help Trevor Lawrence, too. — Manny Navarro
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
Needs: Edge, S, LB, TE, QB
I’m not going to lie: Manny’s pick surprised me. I was all set on taking Kayvon Thibodeaux with Hutchinson off the board. But now? The Lions must go with the lifelong Michigander, who embodies Dan Campbell’s toughness as much as any prospect. Hutchinson’s tenacity and grit will set the tempo for a franchise in need of a talent upgrade to go along with its cultural reset.
Analysis: The Heisman Trophy runner-up led the Wolverines with 14 sacks and, according to PFF, led all Power 5 defenders with 73 pressures. He’s also a good all-around defender with 25 run stops. Detroit finished 30th in sacks last year, so any kind of pressure is required, but there’s no better fit than Hutchinson. — Scott Dochterman
3. Houston Texans: Evan Neal, OL, Alabama
Needs: Edge, WR, CB, OL, RB
A defensive-minded head coach like Lovie Smith — who obviously knows this Houston unit well — might lean defense with his first pick. Even with Hutchinson gone, there are intriguing edge rushers available. But the Texans will also want to improve their offensive line. Ekwonu is off the board, but we get the job done here with Neal.
Analysis: The Texans have a young quarterback in Davis Mills. They had the worst run game in the NFL last season and an offense that had the highest three-and-out rate. Getting one of the best offensive linemen in this draft could help in several ways. He’s 6-foot-7, 337 pounds, and he’s versatile enough to play guard or tackle. The expectation is that he’ll provide an immediate spark for a desperate offensive line. — Colton Pouncy
4. New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Needs: Edge, WR, OT
This feels like the dream scenario for Jets fans, with Thibodeaux slipping to this spot and pass rusher a huge need. But with some questioning Thibodeaux’s passion for the game — and coach Robert Saleh saying that’s a top priority for him — Gardner makes for an intriguing choice. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, the shutdown corner will also be valuable in a division featuring Tyreek Hill and Stefon Diggs. General manager Joe Douglas has the 10th pick and two second-round picks (Nos. 35 and 38) he can use to acquire a pass rusher, receiver and offensive tackle.
Analysis: Described as a sticky bump-and-run corner who can smother receivers, the consensus All-American rarely had balls thrown his way in 2021 (he allowed 18 catches on only 37 targets for 122 yards and zero TDs) and still finished with three interceptions and seven pass deflections. The Jets, who ranked 30th in passing yards allowed last season, signed D.J. Reed, the eighth-best corner last season according to PFF, and safety Jordan Whitehead, the 27th-ranked safety according to PFF, to improve their secondary. Drafting Gardner takes it up another notch. — Navarro
5. New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
Needs: OL, Edge, CB, S, TE
Ekwonu was gone with the first pick (a major curveball) and Neal went third. That changed the course of action here. The Giants ranked 22nd in sacks last year; their pass rush could use some added punch, which made Thibodeaux the pick. Thibodeaux was the No. 1 overall player in the 2019 recruiting class, and he was productive while all eyes were on him at Oregon. So while there are questions about his passion, the ceiling is too high to pass over.
Analysis: Thibodeaux recorded 19 sacks and 35.5 sacks in three years and had some of his best games in Oregon’s brightest moments — the 2019 and 2020 Pac-12 title games, the 2020 Rose Bowl. He’ll likely need to add more weight to his 6-foot-4, 254-pound frame to hold up against the run, and there are concerns about his every-down consistency, so it’ll be a matter of a coaching staff helping Thibodeaux sustain the disruptiveness he flashed in college. – Antonio Morales
6. Carolina Panthers: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Needs: QB, LT, Edge
It is my understanding that people much smarter than me have Kenny Pickett here, to play for the coach he was once committed to: Matt Rhule. The Panthers have a boatload of needs and while quarterback is up there, it absolutely isn’t priority No. 1, especially in a draft that is short on legitimate ones. Cross is an elite pass-blocker and will shore up the left side of the line, giving time to whomever is back there.
Analysis: At 6-foot-5, 307 pounds, Cross will make life easier on Sam Darnold (or anyone else calling for the ball). Having starred in Mike Leach’s Air Raid attack, there weren’t many opportunities to prove his abilities in the run game, which will need to improve no matter what. But all good teams are at least reliable in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Cross is an easy anchor to build around. — Chris Kamrani
7. New York Giants (from Chicago): Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
Needs: OL, Edge, CB, S, TE
I know this is a reach, and Giants fans are probably yelling at their screens. I was certain Neal or Ekwonu would be there at five, and perhaps Cross would be available at seven. Ideally, I would trade back, but in absence of a trade partner, we select Penning, to fill the need on the offensive line and make the Giants better on the line of scrimmage with these two top-10 picks.
Analysis: Giants quarterbacks were sacked a combined 37 times last season and the run game had trouble getting started. Daniel Jones might not be the answer at quarterback, but the Giants could surround him with more protection to get more clarity on his future. Penning was an FCS All-American at Northern Iowa and has been acknowledged for his aggressiveness, power and length (6-foot-7, 325 pounds), but he’ll have to sort out the technical aspect of his game as he adjusts to facing a much stiffer level of competition. — Morales
8. Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Needs: Edge, WR, QB
After dealing Matt Ryan, the Falcons are in full rebuild. This isn’t the year to get a quarterback, so do they go wide receiver or defense? This is a good receiver draft and you could probably get some good value in later rounds, but they need to replace Calvin Ridley and get a complementary weapon to go with Kyle Pitts. That’s why Wilson is the pick.
Analysis: The nearly 6-foot, 183-pound Wilson is on the top of the wide receiver board. Jameson Williams is coming off of an ACL injury and his speed is tempting, but taking the sure thing here is a wise move. Plus, Wilson is no slouch when it comes to speed, running a 4.38 40. He had 12 touchdowns in 2021. — Aaron Suttles
9. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver): Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
Needs: QB, OT, CB, C
With apologies to the Drew Lock Fan Club, I’m all-in on mortgaging the Seahawks’ offensive future on Willis, should he be available. The key word there is future — you don’t need Willis to be a franchise savior as a rookie, even if Pete Carroll insists the Seahawks aren’t in rebuild mode. Russell Wilson is among the greatest stars in Seattle sports history. Whoever replaces him will face a different kind of burden than any previous Seahawks quarterback. That would be a lot for any rookie to take on, but Willis is a confident passer able to move around the pocket and create with his legs — perhaps not yet to the degree Wilson showed throughout the last decade, but give him a couple years to develop, and Seattle could have another fan favorite under center.
Analysis: At 6-foot and 219 pounds, Willis certainly would give the Seahawks a different look, physically, than what they’ve become accustomed to at the position. Willis likely wouldn’t be an immediate answer for a playoff team the way Wilson was as a rookie, but he has every physical trait needed to eventually excel in any offensive scheme, and even if Carroll isn’t committing to a tear-down, the Seahawks still should prioritize upside if they’re going to draft a quarterback in the first. One concern: Willis was sacked 51 times in 2021, most in the FBS. That was a sore spot for Wilson and the Seahawks, particularly later in his career, so it should be a point of emphasis if the Seahawks do go this route. — Christian Caple
Malik Willis is the first quarterback drafted in this mock draft. (Douglas DeFelice / USA Today)
10. New York Jets (from Seattle): Drake London, WR, USC
Needs: Edge, WR, OT
In a perfect world, the Jets would find a way to use a first- or second-round pick (or both) to acquire A.J. Brown or DK Metcalf and use this pick on Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker to address their top two needs. But this is the Jets. So, without Brown or Metcalf, they push edge rusher to the side until the second round and get quarterback Zach Wilson the true No. 1 receiver the team needs.
Analysis: Six-foot-4 and 219 pounds with a basketball background, London was unstoppable in the eight games he played as a junior, catching 88 passes for 1,084 yards, and seven touchdowns while averaging 15 targets a game. He has a 77 3/4-inch wing span and led college football with 19 contested catches. He’ll pair nicely with Corey Davis and Elijah Moore. — Navarro
11. Washington Commanders: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Needs: WR, DB, LB, QB
Yes, Washington traded for Carson Wentz not even a month ago, but Wentz hasn’t inspired much confidence. After last season’s sour finish, the Colts couldn’t discard him fast enough. While the Commanders have several needs, grabbing the best quarterback in the draft makes sense. (Plus, London was off the board.)
Analysis: Pickett, who finished third in last season’s Heisman Trophy voting, is skilled and intelligent enough to step in right away. He checks a lot of boxes. At 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds, he has good size. He’s accurate and his college career (last season Pickett threw 42 touchdowns and just seven interceptions) suggests his best football is yet to come. — Doug Haller
12. Minnesota Vikings: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Needs: CB, C, G, DT
Stingley, the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2019 recruiting class, was an absolute force on LSU’s national championship team. He became the first true freshman to start on LSU’s defense in 34 years, going toe-to-toe with Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase in the process. As a consensus All-American that year, his performance and physical attributes had folks buzzing about his pro potential. With the Vikings in need of a cornerback, Stingley is the pick.
Analysis: Though injuries have been a factor, Stingley is still very talented with good speed, size and length. He had a strong showing at his pro day, played against high-level competition in the SEC and should be able to step in immediately as a starter. He could reunite with Jefferson in Minnesota and also learn a thing or two from another LSU corner: Patrick Peterson. This feels like a strong fit if he’s still available. — Pouncy
13. Houston Texans (from Cleveland): Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
Needs: Edge, WR, CB, OL, RB
I’ve got to be honest: I’m pretty stunned Walker’s available. I strongly considered taking him at No. 3. I don’t envision Walker making it this far come April 28 (or beyond the top 10, for that matter), but I’ll gladly scoop him up in this mock. You’re welcome, Texans fans.
Analysis: Walker lit up the combine. No other way to put it. He owns a Relative Athletic Score of 9.9 (out of a possible 10). That’s the second-highest among 1,413 defensive ends from 1987-2022. The NFL is all about projection, and at 6-foot-5 with 4.51 speed and elite athleticism, Walker is a guy you get into your organization and let the rest play out. As The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in The Beast, Walker has “the potential to be one of the best NFL defenders from this draft class.” — Pouncy
14. Baltimore Ravens: Jermaine Johnson, Edge, Florida State
Needs: Edge, CB, LT, DT
The Ravens have needs at edge rusher and cornerback, but since Stingley is off the board — and The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec writes that Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie might not be an ideal fit, size-wise — then the ultra-productive Johnson is the pick. I actually really like David Ojabo here, if not for his Achilles injury, and you could make a case for him as a late first-rounder. But Johnson, who totaled 12 sacks and 18 TFLs while winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors last season, makes too much sense to pass up.
Analysis: At 6-foot-4 and 254 pounds, Johnson’s ideal size and length, plus his breakout senior season, are what stand out. Plus, he’s a high-effort guy who has proven he can stay on the field; Brugler noted he averaged more than 60 snaps per game last season. — Caple
15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
Needs: WR, CB, S, DE, DT
A 6-foot-6, 341-pound man ran a 4.7 40 at the combine. That man is Jordan Davis, arguably the best interior lineman in this year’s draft. He was part of a historically good Georgia defense and benefited from playing alongside the likes of Walker and other future pros, but at 15 he’s a great value pick.
Analysis: The Eagles recently re-signed Fletcher Cox, and Javon Hargrave had 7.5 sacks last year. But adding Davis to that rotation will be a boon for the Eagles’ defense long term. — Kamrani
16. New Orleans Saints (from Indianapolis via Philadelphia): Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Needs: WR, OT, QB, S
Jameis Winston is QB1, and he needs some weapons. Williams would be a nice addition to Michael Thomas for a team that loves to put speed on that turf inside the Dome. New Orleans also gets the added benefit of picking again in three picks.
Analysis: Williams is a speed merchant who really transformed his marketability in transferring from Ohio State to Alabama. He transformed an Alabama offense that was relatively pedestrian after having lost all those receivers (four first-rounders in the previous two drafts). He played himself into the first round as long as teams don’t have any long-term concerns about the health of his knee. — Suttles
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Needs: OL, RB, LB, DT, WR
I was thinking about Trent McDuffie here, but Justin Herbert has been so good his first two seasons, why not just give him another weapon to max out the offense’s potential?
Analysis: The Chargers already have quality receivers with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams but could use more speed, especially since Herbert has one of the best deep balls in the game. Olave was one of the best receivers in college football the past two seasons and was an All-American in 2021. He provides that speed element, but he’s also a smart, smooth route-runner. Olave’s size (6-foot, 187 pounds) has been labeled as a concern, but if he’s your No. 3 receiver, that should cause problems for defenses. — Morales
18. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans): Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Needs: WR, CB, S, DE, DT
Eagles fans understandably want to figure out if Jalen Hurts is the long-term answer, but this is a draft in which Philly loads up with future stars on the other side of the ball. Getting Hamilton in the latter half of the first round would be daylight robbery. He immediately slides in as the voice of the secondary.
Analysis: At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Hamilton is thought to be maybe the best overall athlete in this draft. He’s part of our Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List for a reason. He topped out running at 21 miles per hour! That’s the definition of the Eagles’ fight song. Hamilton can fly. — Kamrani
19. New Orleans Saints (from Philadelphia): Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Needs: WR, OT, QB, S
I get the feeling the Saints will take a quarterback in the first round with one of their picks. The question is which one. My pick is Corral. It’s a good spot for Corral, who could sit and learn from Jameis Winston.
Analysis: Corral was a productive player in Lane Kiffin’s offense. He threw for 6,700 yards his last two seasons and rushed for another 1,100 while accounting for 64 touchdowns. He’s tough, too. — Suttles
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Needs: DL, SS, WR, QB, CB
There are plenty of directions the Steelers could go with a couple of good edge rushers remaining in addition to the draft’s best center. But patience has helped Pittsburgh remain a successful enterprise for more than 50 years. The Steelers were patient in waiting to select the third-ranked quarterback in 2004 when they snagged Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers stay put here, too, and revisit that playbook by grabbing Ridder.
Analysis: Ridder is a winner, leading the Bearcats to a pair of unbeaten regular seasons and the College Football Playoff last fall. He has a strong arm and can run if necessary. Ridder finished with 10,239 passing yards, 87 touchdowns and completed 62.1 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 2,180 yards and 28 scores. His character and toughness will win over his new city. — Dochterman
21. New England Patriots: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Needs: CB, OG, LB, WR, Edge
The Pats usually find a way to plug in one-time nobodies on defense and allow them to morph into beloved staples. But sometimes you need to go after an anchor of the future, and that’s what Lloyd will be in New England. A star, a man of few words, raised in a military family, Lloyd is kind of the perfect Bill Belichick player.
Analysis: Kyle Van Noy is gone and the likes of Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins Sr. are in the twilight of their careers. Lloyd is a jack-of-all-trades linebacker who handles play-calling duties and can be featured all over the field. — Kamrani
22. Green Bay Packers (from Las Vegas): Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Needs: WR, DL, OT, Edge, TE
We’re giving Aaron Rodgers the most dynamic pass catcher still on the board, no matter Burks’ so-so showing at the combine. You may have heard that Brugler compared Burks to a “linebacker-sized Deebo Samuel.” Indeed, Burks is listed at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds and was highly productive catching mostly shorter throws at Arkansas last season. He might not be the most refined route-runner, but he’s a big, physical athlete who can line up all over. There’s no replacing Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in this draft, but Rodgers could do worse than throwing to a guy who had 1,104 receiving yards in the SEC last season.
Analysis: Burks will have to mature as a route-runner to become a team’s WR1, but he’s plenty strong and fast enough (even if he did post a somewhat disappointing 4.55 in the 40) to win matchups against NFL defensive backs. His 9.3 yards after catch per reception ranked 11th in FBS among receivers with at least 30 targets, per Pro Football Focus. If the Packers can find ways to scheme him open, he can be a real weapon with the ball in his hands. — Caple
23. Arizona Cardinals: George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
Needs: Edge, WR, CB
Tempted to go offensive line here, but with Chandler Jones off to the Raiders the Cardinals have a bigger defensive need. Replacing the franchise’s career leader in sacks won’t be easy, but this draft is loaded with pass rushers, and Karlaftis, known for his work ethic, has upside. Arizona also needs help at corner and receiver, but this is a solid get this late in the first round.
Analysis: At a sculpted 6-foot-4, 266 pounds, Karlaftis produced immediately at Purdue, collecting 17 TFLs and earning Freshman All-America honors. After battling injuries as a sophomore, Karlaftis finished strong, earning All-America recognition. With an explosive first step, he overcame double teams last season to produce five sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. — Haller
24. Dallas Cowboys: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
Needs: LG, WR, DE, TE, OT
There’s a need at receiver after losing Amari Cooper this offseason, but Burks went off the board and some of the other top receivers were gone before him. So that left me to address the Cowboys’ need at offensive line, particularly at left guard where last season’s starter, Connor Williams, left for Miami this spring.
Analysis: Green was an All-American in 2021 and was an All-SEC performer the past two seasons. He started the majority of his career at left guard, but he also started 15 games at right guard and three games at tackle. At 6-foot-3, 323 pounds, Green has the size and strength to hold up well inside. — Morales
Trent McDuffie is one of a handful of corners unlikely to make it out of the first round. (Jennifer Buchanan / USA Today)
25. Buffalo Bills: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Needs: CB, LB, RB, S, WR
As The Athletic’s Michigan State beat writer, I’m sure some MSU fans reading this might want me to select Kenneth Walker III. The Bills could use help at running back, and Devin Singletary is entering the final year of his rookie deal. However, there’s a chance Walker or Iowa State product Breece Hall could be available in the second round. Not to mention the Bills seem to have a bigger need at cornerback, with Tre’Davious White coming off a torn ACL and Levi Wallace leaving in free agency. With that in mind, McDuffie is the pick.
Analysis: I considered McDuffie at No. 12 for another cornerback-needy team in Minnesota, so I’m thrilled to snag him here at 25. At Washington, McDuffie proved to be one of the top cover corners in the country and a versatile one at that. Though he lacks ideal size, he makes up for it in athleticism and his ability to process things around him. With this pick, the Bills are getting the No. 12 overall prospect on Brugler’s top 100 list. We’re filling a need and getting great value. — Pouncy
26. Tennessee Titans: Zion Johnson, OL, Boston College
Needs: WR, IOL, TE, CB, OT
A wide receiver makes sense because of the health of the running game. But Johnson is a first-round talent and fits the mentality of the Titans’ offense.
Analysis: A three-year starter at Boston College, Johnson has excellent size to play on the interior at this level. He’s also a former teammate and roommate of Titans coach Mike Vrabel’s son, Tyler. — Suttles
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Needs: DL, OG, TE, ILB, CB
It makes sense for Tampa Bay to take who our Dane Brugler lists as the best available defensive tackle. Ndamukong Suh, 35, remains unsigned and finding a replacement to pair with 2018 first-round pick Vita Vea is a good investment.
Analysis: A two-year starter who played mostly over the B-gap as a three-technique in Georgia’s 3-4 defense while also seeing snaps at nose tackle, Wyatt (6-foot-3, 304 pounds) led all Georgia defensive linemen in tackles the last two seasons. He ran an outstanding 4.77 in the 40 and can play all three downs. — Navarro
28. Green Bay Packers: Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
Needs: WR, DL, OT, Edge, TE
While it would be tempting to load up with a second receiver here — what better way to break Green Bay’s 19-year streak of receiver-less first rounds than to take two on the same day? — Jones is the more prudent pick. He might not fulfill their interior pass-rush needs right away, but Jones should upgrade the Packers’ run defense, and he’s probably the most starter-ready of the DTs left.
Analysis: You have to love a defensive tackle who started 10 games and made 47 tackles as a true freshman, right? Granted, it was for a UConn program that went 4-32 during his time, but Jones was an impact player from day one and only got better, then turned in an at-times dominant performance in the Senior Bowl. Considering the Packers’ needs, they should be thrilled he’s still on the board here. — Caple
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from San Francisco via Miami): Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
Needs: DE, CB, WR, RT
After trading Tyreek Hill to Miami, the Chiefs need a receiver, and let’s be honest: No one would object to giving Patrick Mahomes another weapon. The first thought here is that Kansas City might try to trade up for Williams (off our board to the Saints at No. 16). Failing that, the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Moore, who had the largest hands among receivers at the combine, is a solid option.
Analysis: As a three-year starter, Moore made his mark. Lining up in the slot and on the outside, Moore last season posted 95 catches (eighth nationally) for 1,292 yards (13th) and 10 touchdowns. His speed and quickness should translate, giving the Chiefs another playmaker. — Haller
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Arnold Ebiketie, Edge, Penn State
Needs: DE, CB, WR, RT
Kansas City could go safety here, but the pass rush is the bigger concern. The Chiefs last season had 31 sacks, fourth fewest in the NFL. They need more push, and Ebiketie could help. The sixth edge rusher to come off the board, Ebiketie last season posted 9.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss, earning second-team All-America recognition. The best thing about him is that he does a little of everything. In addition to his TFLs, he also forced two fumbles and blocked two field-goal attempts.
Analysis: Ebiketie played his first four seasons at Temple before transferring to Penn State, where he had a breakout 2021 season. A late bloomer, he grew up playing basketball and soccer before trying football. At 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, he’s a little undersized, but he compensates with quickness, acceleration and a strong motor that allows him to make plays all over the field. — Haller
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Needs: CB, DT, S, TE, IOL
The Bengals had issues up front in the Super Bowl and addressed many of them during free agency. But there’s no center more perfectly built for the wide zone than Linderbaum. He now weighs more than 300 pounds, ran a 4.98 40 and squatted 590 pounds as a freshman. Plus, Linderbaum is plug-and-play at an overlooked position for the next decade or more.
Analysis: Linderbaum, a Dean’s List student who graduated in less than four years, combines elite balance, power, quickness and explosiveness with tenacity and a mean streak. For some teams, he’s undersized. But few, if any, centers can reach and bury a three-technique like Linderbaum. — Dochterman
32. Detroit Lions: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Needs: Edge, S, LB, TE, QB
If the Lions could manage a Hutchinson-Dean first-round combo, then count on this team doing more than biting kneecaps (seriously). Dean was the heartbeat of the nation’s best defense and set the tempo with his intensity and sideline-to-sideline play. Sure, Dean is a tad undersized, but he will set the tone in training camp. If there’s one word that defines Dean, it’s impact.
Analysis: Dean was all-everything for Georgia, winning the Butkus Award and earning unanimous first-team All-American honors. Even on a defense filled with high-level NFL prospects at every position, Dean stood out. He finished with 72 tackles, including 10.5 for loss, and six sacks for the national champions. He also intercepted two passes and forced two fumbles. — Dochterman
(Top illustration: The Athletic illustration / Getty Images)