Todd McShay 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Hutchinson, Walker, Thibodeaux Go Top 3
Apr 5, 2022
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Michigan Wolverines in action against the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
ESPN's Todd McShay released his latest
mock draft for the 2022 NFL draft on Tuesday with a blitz of
edge-rushers projected to open the proceedings April 28.
McShay kept Michigan defensive end
Aidan Hutchinson as the predicted selection for the Jacksonville
Jaguars at No. 1 overall, which is the same as his previous mock, but
there are changes starting with the Detroit Lions at No. 2.
Here's a look at the top five picks:
Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
Detroit Lions: Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
New York Jets: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
New York Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The first quarterback comes off the board at No. 6, when McShay projects the Carolina Panthers grab Pitt's Kenny Pickett.
The Jags' decision to use the franchise
tag on offensive tackle Cam Robinson moved them firmly in the market
for a defensive end with the first pick, and Hutchinson is trending
toward consensus No. 1 status with just over three weeks until draft
day.
He's coming off a breakout senior
season at Michigan that saw him tally 62 total tackles, 14 sacks,
three passes defended and two forced fumbles in 14 games. He'd
recorded just 3.5 sacks in 22 appearances across his first three
years with the Wolverines.
"It would mean a lot,"
Hutchinson told reporters in March about potentially going No. 1
overall. "A lot of hard work has gone into this. It's been a
very long journey, but I'm ready to start a new chapter."
The 6'7", 260-pound edge-rusher would
be a welcome addition to the Jaguars defense opposite Josh Allen and
could instantly bolster a pass rush that ranked joint-28th in the NFL last
season with 32 sacks.
Walker is a polarizing prospect because
he lacks the sack production of his fellow top-ranked defensive ends.
He only recorded 9.5 sacks in 29 games during his three years at
Georgia, including a modest six quarterback takedowns in his final
season with the Bulldogs.
That said, he's showcased the ability
to play anywhere along the front four, and McShay believes the
21-year-old Georgia native has the "explosion to anchor the Lions'
defensive line."
Thibodeaux also doesn't come without
some question marks despite racking up 19 sacks in 30 games for the
Ducks.
ESPN's Matt Miller reported Friday the Oregon
edge-rusher could be trending toward a draft-day slide because of
some "poor" interviews with interested teams.
The need for defensive ends and outside
linebackers is too high around the league for him to sit on the board
too long, however, and McShay still has him inside the top three.
After the early run on defenders,
McShay's mock evens out over the rest of the first round, with 18
offensive players and 14 defensive players selected.
The 2022 NFL draft in Las Vegas is about one month away. And the mission between now and then is the same for all of the teams that have a pick in Round 1: Select an impact player who will have a positive impact on the franchise for years to come...
NFL Draft 2022 Rumors: Travon Walker 'a Realistic Possibility' for Jaguars at No. 1
Mar 28, 2022
Travon Walker runs football drills during Georgia's Pro Day on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
While all signs have pointed toward Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson as the No. 1 overall pick for months, the Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly not settled on a choice.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic reported Monday that Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker is "a realistic possibility" to leapfrog Hutchinson and wind up in Jacksonville.
Walker has wowed onlookers throughout the draft process with his combination of size (6'5", 272 lbs), speed (4.51-second 40-yard dash) and production for last season's national title team at Georgia.
His performance at the NFL Scouting Combine helped spur a rise up draft boards to the point he's the favorite to go No. 2 overall to the Detroit Lions, according to DraftKings.
"[I'm] someone who can do it all, athlete, whatever the coach needs," Walker told reporters at the combine. "If I didn't know myself or if I saw me play for the first time, I'd have to say he's a tremendous athlete. He can do anything on the field."
Hutchinson swept nearly every defensive award during the 2021 season and was the rare defensive Heisman Trophy finalist. His on-field production far outshines Walker, and he's far from a slouch from a physical standpoint (6'7", 260 pounds with a 4.74 time in the 40).
That said, there have been times when teams have gotten enamored with a player's potential more than his production and taken a risk. If Walker winds up going No. 1, he'll have to work out in spades to avoid any criticism.
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NFL Combine 2022 Results: Highlights, Reaction and Recap from Saturday
Mar 6, 2022
Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
On-field drills continued Saturday at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine with defensive linemen and linebackers showing off their skills at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Quarterbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen and running backs already took part in drills Thursday and Friday, with Liberty quarterback Malik Willis, Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks, NC State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu and Iowa State running back Breece Hall among those who put on a show.
While some defensive linemen and linebackers opted not to participate in drills Saturday, there were still many players who impressed the scouts, head coaches, general managers and fans in Indy.
Here is a look at some of the notable performances of the prospects in Saturday's group.
Jordan Davis, Aidan Hutchinson, Travon Walker Among Defensive Line Standouts
Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis was arguably the most impressive defensive linemen during Saturday's drills.
The 6'6", 341-pound standout had an unbelievable combine performance, running a 4.78-second 40-yard dash, which ranked second among all defensive tackles. He also stood out in several other drills, including vertical and broad jumps.
BIG MAN MOVIN.@GeorgiaFootball DL @jordanxdavis99 with an UNREAL 4.82u at 341 lbs. 😱
Davis' performance at the combine doesn't necessarily come as a surprise. He's one of the highest-rated defensive prospects in the 2022 class after a standout career with the Bulldogs.
The 22-year-old had the best season of his collegiate career as a senior in 2021, recording two sacks, 32 tackles and five tackles for a loss. He won the 2021 Bednarik Award, given annually to the best defensive player in college football, and the Outland Trophy.
Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department says Davis has a rare body type and will be bigger than most offensive linemen he faces, has "off-the-charts strength," and is powerful with his first step.
Davis' NFL combine profile projects him to "become [a] good starter within two years." While ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. doesn't have him being selected in the first round of his latest mock draft, Davis definitely made a case for himself Saturday and increased his draft stock.
Aidan Hutchinson also had a solid performance during drills Saturday. The 6'7", 260-pound defensive end ran a 4.74-second 40-yard dash and also recorded a 36.00" vertical jump and 9'9" broad jump. He did not do the bench press.
Aidan Hutchinson enters the 2022 NFL Draft with an "elite" 96 production score, tied for 4th-best among all edge defenders invited to the combine since 2015.
Like Davis, Hutchinson's performance at the NFL combine does not come as a surprise. He was arguably the best defensive end in football in 2021, recording 14 sacks, 62 tackles, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 16.5 tackles for a loss in 14 games for the Michigan Wolverines.
Hutchinson was also runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and won the Rotary Lombardi Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department says Hutchinson has an "above-average first step," a great run-versus-pass awareness and great recognition versus the run. He also has good technique, lateral explosion and power.
Hutchinson's combine profile projects him to be a starter in his first year in the NFL. This should come as no surprise, as Kiper projects him to be the second overall pick in this year's draft.
Davis' Georgia teammate, Travon Walker, also had an incredible performance in the combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.51 seconds, which was the third-fastest among all defensive ends, and stood out in various other drills.
Walker is also one of the best defensive ends in this year's draft and was a key cog in Georgia's national title-winning defense. Last season, he recorded six sacks, 33 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, two passes defended and one fumble recovery in 13 games.
Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department says Walker has great upper-body strength, very good speed, smooth movement and great discipline. Kiper has Walker being selected 17th overall in his latest mock draft.
Walker's NFL combine profile, meanwhile, says he will "eventually be plus starter."
Troy Andersen, Christian Harris and Channing Tindall Among Linebacker Standouts
Montana State's Troy Andersen had one of the best performances of Saturday's drills among all linebackers, and he certainly opened some eyes with his incredible athleticism.
The 6'3", 243-pound linebacker ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, which was the best among linebackers. He also recorded a 36.00" vertical jump and 10'8" broad jump, which is impressive for someone his size.
.@MSUBobcats_FB's Troy Andersen getting the LBs off to a fast start with a 4.41u.
Andersen isn't expected to be selected in the first round. However, he had a solid 2021 season for the Bobcats, recording two interceptions, 11 tackles and one pass defended. He is a jack-of-all-trades and even spent time as a running back in college, rushing for 1,412 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2018.
Andersen is mostly known for his size, strength and athleticism, but his NFL combine profile projects him to be an "average backup or special teamer."
Alabama's Christian Harris also had an impressive afternoon in Indianapolis. He ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, which was second among linebackers behind Andersen. He also finished with a 34.50" vertical jump and 11'0" broad jump.
The 6'0", 226-pound linebacker also stood out in various other drills and showed off his quick footwork.
.@AlabamaFTBL LB Christian Harris has some quick feet.
Harris had a standout junior season with the Crimson Tide, finishing with 5.5 sacks, three passes defended, two forced fumbles, 80 tackles and 11 tackles for a loss.
While Harris isn't projected to be a first-round pick, he'll be an unbelievably good pickup for a team that needs a playmaking linebacker. His NFL combine profile projects him to be a starter eventually, which is good in comparison to some players who are projected to be backups.
Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department says Harris has great speed, which was on full display Saturday; great technique; good eyes and good zone coverage. So, it should come as no surprise he'll likely one day be a starter.
Georgia's Channing Tindall was another standout linebacker Saturday. He finished the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds, which was third among all linebackers. He also recorded a 42.00" vertical, which was first among linebackers, and a 10'9" broad jump.
Like many of his Georgia teammates, Tindall had a great senior season for the Bulldogs, recording 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, 67 tackles and 7.5 tackles for a loss. Like Harris, his NFL combine profile projects him to eventually be a starter.
Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department points out that Tindall has "elite speed," above-average agility and good strength. Based on his performance Indianapolis, he'll be a great pickup for any team needing a solid, speedy linebacker.
