2022 NFL Mock Draft: Picks, Recommendations for Each 1st-Round Selection

Get prepared for the first round of the NFL draft with our 2022 NFL mock draft, complete with picks and betting recommendations.

The NFL draft is almost here and it's shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in league history. Naturally, we've attempted to predict the first 32 picks with our NFL mock draft.

We've also included recommendations for how to bet the league's marquee offseason event.

Here are my picks, predictions and odds for the 2022 NFL Draft with our mock draft:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia

To the surprise of many, it appears Walker is the favorite to go first overall to the Jaguars. Michigan pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson had been the betting favorite for months, while Walker's odds to be the first pick opened at +3000. Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke continues to surprise.

Recommendation: Walker to be first overall; Malik Willis to be first QB selected (-105 via DraftKings)

This late in the game, all the value in betting Walker first overall is gone. The closest bettors can get to even money is by pairing it with Liberty's Malik Willis as the top QB with this DraftKings prop.

SEE ALSO: 2022 NFL Draft Odds and Picks - Travon Walker New Favorite for 1st Overall

2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan

Can Detroit really afford to pass up the Michigan native and Heisman Trophy runner-up if he falls to the Lions at pick No. 2? It's a match made in heaven for a team desperate for a star that is willing to play and stay in Detroit.

Recommendation: No. 2 overall pick - Hutchinson (-125 via FanDuel)

Rumors that the Lions are also enamored with Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux have helped boost Hutchinson's odds. The best price is at FanDuel.

3. Houston Texans: Evan Neal, T, Alabama

With as many holes as the Texans have throughout their roster, they're a prime candidate to trade down and acquire more picks. If they stay at No. 3, however, they'll find great value in either the uber-talented Thibodeaux or their choice of the top tackles in the draft. At 6-foot-7, 337 pounds with freakish athleticism, Neal is actually too massive a man to overlook.

Recommendation: Third pick - Neal (+1500 via Caesars)

Neal's odds to be taken third overall are as low as +600 at other books, so take the value at Caesars.

4. New York Jets: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

Having selected Mekhi Becton in the 2020 draft, the Jets aren't in the market for a left tackle. New York went offense with the first four picks of last year's draft. This year, it appeases head coach Robert Saleh and gets the stud it needs on defense.

Recommendation: Jets draft specials - Gardner No. 4 overall (+300 via FanDuel)

FanDuel is offering a number of Giants- and Jets-specific draft props.

5. New York Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, T, NC State

Some consider Ekwonu the best tackle in the draft and though the Giants selected Andrew Thomas in 2020, he has disappointed and would have to shift to the right side to accommodate Ickey.

Recommendation: No. 5 overall pick - Ekwonu (+400 via FanDuel)

Ekwonu's odds at this position vary from +275 to +350 elsewhere. FanDuel offers the best price.

6. Carolina Panthers: Charles Cross, T, Mississippi State

Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer has let it be known in no uncertain terms that he'd prefer to trade this pick for more draft capital.

https://twitter.com/DNewtonespn/status/1519015918881411072

Though they'd prefer not to enter the season with Sam Darnold under center for another campaign, this is too rich a draft spot for a quarterback if he isn't a sure thing. Instead, Carolina finds a bookend for $71-million right tackle Taylor Moton.

Recommendation: Draft position - Under 6.5 (-190 via DraftKings)

Cross is a favorite among many teams picking in the top seven. The Giants could opt for the Mississippi State product at pick No. 5.

7. Giants: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU

The Jets beat their New York brethren to the punch to Gardner. Many are connecting the dots between the Giants' desire to offload veteran corner James Bradberry and the hole that would create in the secondary.

Recommendation: Giants draft specials - Ekwonu with Pick 5; Stingley with Pick 7 (+850 via FanDuel)

8. Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

Wide receiver Calvin Ridley's one-year suspension forces the Falcons' hand here. In a receiver-rich draft, Atlanta is the first to take one off the board.

Recommendation: Falcons' first drafted player position - Wide receiver (-110 via Caesars)

Wilson is the favorite to be the first receiver drafted. Bettors can save a few cents picking the right position to the right team.

9. Seattle Seahawks: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon

The Seahawks have an obvious need at quarterback, but if they exercise patience, they have two first-round picks in next year's draft with which they can go after the likes of Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. Seattle takes the best player available and addresses a glaring weakness.

Recommendation: Draft position - Over 4.5 (+150 via Caesars)

Thibodeaux has been rumored to be falling down draft boards for weeks. A player with No. 1 pick potential, he's offering great value in his draft position odds.

10. Jets: Drake London, WR, USC

With a diminutive quarterback in Zach Wilson, the Jets find him a target he can spot anywhere on the field. At 6-foot-4, 219 pounds, London has the ideal size for a future No. 1 receiver.

Recommendation: Wide receiver exacta - Wilson & London (+350 via PointsBet)

11. Washington Commanders: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

The run on receivers continues. Washington wideout Terry McLaurin is threatening to skip offseason workouts as he stumps for a new contract. With Olave, the Commanders select McLaurin's former teammate - and potential replacement.

Recommendation: Third receiver selected (+650 via FanDuel)

It's imperative to line shop with an event like the NFL draft. This same prop is +400 at DraftKings.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Jermaine Johnson, Edge, Florida State

The Vikings are in the process of rebuilding their D-line. Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen are gone. Minnesota signed Za'Darius Smith in free agency and can add a top-five pass-rushing prospect as his partner with this pick.

Recommendation: Draft position - Over 7.5 (-130 via Caesars)

With a premium placed on edge rushers, Johnson is screaming up draft boards. Take advantage of the course correction.

Check out our top-rated sportsbooks here

13. Texans: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

Hamilton is one of the most talented players in this year's draft, but plays an undervalued position. With their second pick, the Texans find great value with the budding star at safety.

Recommendation: Draft position Over 12.5 (+136 via FanDuel)

FanDuel is one of few books offering plus odds on this prop. PointsBet and Caesars have the Over 11.5 at -140 and -160, respectively.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

The Ravens were ravaged by injuries to their defensive backfield in 2021. Though they'll get aging veterans Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey back, general manager Eric DeCosta has admitted he's concerned about the team's depth at corner and will likely look to the draft to address it.

Recommendation: Exact position of first drafted player - Cornerback (+400 via PointsBet)

DraftKings has this same prop at +350 odds.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

The Eagles' aging defense desperately needs an infusion of young talent. Davis - the star of the NFL combine thanks to his freakish traits - can learn from Fletcher Cox, who signed a one-year deal in March to stay with Philly.

Recommendation: Exact position of first drafted player - Defensive line (+275 via PointsBet)

Wide receiver is the favorite at +175, but don't expect the Eagles to be eager to dive back into that market after taking a wideout with their first pick in each of the last two drafts.

16. New Orleans Saints: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

Last month, the Saints traded a future first-round and second-round pick to the Eagles in order to secure two selections on Thursday and now we know why. They tab their quarterback of the future to develop behind Jameis Winston.

Recommendation: Exact position of first drafted player - Quarterback (+250 via PointsBet)

Willis is the favorite to be the first QB drafted. For better odds, opt instead for the team-position prop.

SEE ALSO: Best Bets for 1st Pick By Position

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

The Chargers have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL and can afford to wait on Williams as he rehabs from the torn ACL he suffered in the CFP National Championship game.

Recommendation: Draft position - Over 12.5 (+140 via BetMGM)

Other books are offering this prop at Over 11.5 and shorter odds.

18. Eagles: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

Jason Kelce won't be around forever. In fact, the Eagles center signed on for one more year in March and it could very well be his last. Who would be a better potential replacement than the prospect most often compared to the four-time All-Pro.

Recommendation: Draft position - Under 27.5 (+120 via DraftKings)

19. Saints: Trevor Penning, T, Northern Iowa

With their second first-round pick, the Saints can address the gargantuan hole left at left tackle after the departure of Terron Armstead via free agency.

Recommendation: Draft position Over 16.5 (+125 via DraftKings)

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

It's becoming more and more evident that the Steelers are targeting a quarterback with their first-round pick.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1518651384668823559

In his final deed as general manager, expect Kevin Colbert to leave the Steelers with an answer at the most important position on the field. Willis is off the board and it's not like the Steelers to trade up for a player. They won't pass on taking a University of Pittsburgh quarterback, as they did with Dan Marino in the 1983 draft.

Recommendation: Steelers to draft Kenny Pickett (+375 via DraftKings)

The odds for this specific team-player prop are +350 at FanDuel and Caesars.

21. New England Patriots: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

At this position in the draft, the Patriots have the luxury to take the best player available. Lloyd is the favorite to be the first linebacker to hear his name called Thursday.

Recommendation: Position of first player drafted - Linebacker (+380 via FanDuel)

Opt for this prop rather than the First Linebacker Drafted bet where Lloyd owns -167 odds.

SEE ALSO: NFL Draft Position Totals Over/Under

22. Green Bay Packers: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

With Aaron Rodgers now calling the shots after threatening to leave the past two offseasons, he finally gets his wish in the form of a wide receiver taken in the first round. Burks won't alone make up for the lost production of Davante Adams, but it's an olive branch from the front office to the back-to-back NFL MVP.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1519316376820846592?s=20&t=X4_RDblEevJYE-8zPshiKw

Recommendation: Position of first player drafted - Wide Receiver (-130 via DraftKings)

It's always a risk to bet on the Packers to draft a wideout, but this bet has to hit this year, right?

23. Arizona Cardinals: George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue

The Cardinals lost Chandler Jones and his 10.5 sacks and will need to replace his production with a Day 1 starter.

Recommendation: Position of first player drafted - Defensive line (+380 via FanDuel)

Karlaftis' draft position prop is right at O/U 22.5 at DraftKings. That's not enough margin for error.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota

The Cowboys could go in multiple directions, particularly with needs at offensive line and receiver. But with the talent pool drying up at those positions, they can find potential at the edge.

Recommendation: Top 32 draft pick - Mafe (-140 via DraftKings)

Mafe has been trending upward and cemented his first-round status with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.

25. Buffalo Bills: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson

Corner is one of the few positions the Bills can stand to improve, especially with Tre'Davious White returning from injury and Tyreek Hil entering the division with the Miami Dolphins.

Recommendation: Draft position - Under 29.5 (+152 via FanDuel)

Take advantage of plus-money odds for a player that has been heavily mocked to Buffalo's draft position.

26. Tennessee Titans: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

The Titans lost linebackers Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans to free agency. Linebacker is a natural need.

Recommendation: Position of first player drafted - Linebacker (+800 via DraftKings)

This prop is offering +650 odds for LB at FanDuel.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida

Tampa could go with an offensive lineman, but after its title defense fell apart due to a pass defense depleted by injuries during the year, it's clear the Bucs need depth at corner.

Recommendation: Position of first drafted player - Cornerback (+300 via PointsBet)

The team-position bet pays out at +250 and +275 at other books.

28. Packers: David Ojabo, Edge, Michigan

With two Night 1 picks, the Packers can afford to wait on the Michigan pass-rusher who tore his Achilles at his pro day. Ojabo would have been a top-25 pick prior to the injury.

Recommendation: Total Big 10 players drafted in Round 1 - Under 6.5 (-110 via DraftKings)

We have exactly six Big Ten players selected in our first-round mock draft.

SEE ALSO: 2022 NFL Draft School and Conference Prop Bets

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan

The obvious position pick after the Chiefs had to trade away Tyreek Hill. Moore has a similar build and play style and ran a 4.41 40-yard dash time at the combine.

Recommendation: Position of first drafted player - Wide receiver (+120 via DraftKings)

Moore's selection raises the total of wideouts selected to Over 6.5, but that prop pays out at -110 odds.

30. Chiefs: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia

On the topic of replacing players, K.C. moved on from stalwart safety Tyrann Mathieu and signed Justin Reid in free agency. But the physical, ball-hawking Cine can be the long-term answer.

Recommendation: Top 32 - Cine (-130 via DraftKings)

The Georgia safety's odds to be taken in the first round were at +105 just a few days prior.

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Zion Johnson, G, Boston College

The Bengals aren't yet done rebuilding their offensive line. After allowing seven sacks in the Super Bowl, Cincy signed tackle La'el Collins, guard Alex Cappa, and center Ted Karras in free agency. They add to that collection by drafting the best guard prospect.

Recommendation: Position of first drafted player - Offensive line (+140 via PointsBet)

This same prop is paying out at +115 and +125 at other books.

32. Lions: Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi

Finally, the Lions get their quarterback prospect of the future with the last pick of the first round. An excellent athlete and leader, Corral gets to sit behind Jared Goff before getting his shot at succeeding Matthew Stafford as the franchise QB.

Recommendation: Over 2.5 QBs taken in Round 1 (-130 via DraftKings)

SEE ALSO: Is There Value Betting the Over on QBs Drafted in 1st Round?

The selection of Corral puts it at three quarterbacks taken in the first round. The best value for that prop bet can be found at DraftKings.

Where to Bet on the NFL Draft

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel SportsbookCaesars SportsbookDraftKings SportsbookPointsBet reviewBetMGM

SEE ALSO: All picks, odds, and sports betting news. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

NFL mock draft picks made 4/28/2022 at 1:11 a.m.