So the NFL Draft was this weekend! The 1st round was on Thursday, and the event was a 3 day Vegas party! I turned on the NFL Network before the start of the draft and the 1st two people interviewed were Donny Osmond & Wayne Freaking Newton! The event has changed a bit since I began watching.


In 1983 I was in the 8th grade. John Elway was threatening to play for the Yankess, Dan Marino was getting skipped by everyone and I was hooked. I have loved the draft ever since!


Every year I do a mock draft. That is I make a guess at who will get picked in each slot, by each team. I wish I would have kept them all, so I could see thru the years how I have done. Well, this is 2022 and the 1st round is in the books, so how did I do?
My buddy Pete McDevitt for the last couple years has hosted a livestream for the draft. Check out his YouTube Channel at this link! The Pete McDevitt Show I was on his show this week and I made my picks live. Here is a link to the replay, I join the show at the 37:30 mark Replay of the 1st Round Well, before it all got rolling I said this…this is the hardest year ever!


Usually the 1st picks are the easiest, many years we, those of us who did this stuff, are VERY CONFIDENT in the top pick and sometimes the first 3 or even the first 5 seem pretty clear. Not this year. In 2022 not even the 1st overall pick, this year held by the Jacksonville Jaguars, was clear. The Jaguars had the 1st pick last year as well, and it was a 100% certainty that they would be taking Quarterback Trevor Lawrence. This year….who knew?


Well, the picks are in….32 picks in total in the 1st round.


Now again, I love this stuff. Next year will mark 40 years straight I have paid attention too, been a fan of, and made my picks for the NFL Draft. So, after almost 40 years you would think I would know what the heck was going on….


Right?


Not so much. I got 5 right. Out of 32. 16%.
16%!
And you know what? During the draft, as the picks came in, I felt like I knew what the heck I was talking about. I had fun. I got Picks #1, #2, #4, #9 and #20 right.
That was enough for me. Can’t wait to do it all again….for the 40th time….in 2023.

This draft is as hard or harder than any draft I can remember. I 1st started doing mock drafts when I was in Middle School....so I have loved this stuff for forever.

Enough of me, lets get to the draft

1. Jax Travon Walker Edge Georgia
Lots of rumors and talk about the top pick in the draft, I could see Hutchinson going here for sure, but Walker seems to be the man for the Jags

2. Lions Aidan Hutchinson Edge Michigan
This is a made for TV choice, the stud from Michigan stays in state and plays for the Lions. Lots of talented Edge rishers in this draft, this guy could get 10 scaks as a rookie!

3. Texans Ickey Ekwonu OT NC State
The Texans need.....a lot. An offenive line is a great place to start!

4. Jets Sauce Gardner CB Cincinnati
Love this kid! Can't see how this player doesn't upgrade who ever gets him, and it seems the  Jets get him!

5. Giants Evan Neal OT Alabama
If Daniel Jones is gonna make it in the NFL, he needs time! This pick just makes sense

6. Panthers QB Malik Willis Liberty
Does Baker get traded to Carolina? I would rather give this kids skills a shot! 

7. Giants WR Garret Wilson Ohio State
I actually like London EVEN MORE but wow this WR class! See above comment at pck #5

8. Atlanta Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux Oregon
I have seen Thib as high as pick #2, this kid could be a monster!

9. Seattle OT Charles Cross Mississippi State
I bet Pete Carroll hope Kayvon drops here, they need a lot, OL makes sense!

10. Jets WR Drake London USC
I love this baller! His highlights are insane! Zach Wilson will love him!

11. Washington WR Jameson Williams Alabama
So many Wideouts, this class is nuts!

12. Minnesota CB Derek Stingley LSU
I went with Stingley here, my I could see this guy dropping too

13. Texans CB Kaiir Elam Florida
This is a name flying up the mock drafts I have been watching!

14. Baltimore DT Jordan Davis DT Georgia
Ravens ad a stud to the D-Line!

15. Eagles Edge Jermaine Johnson II Florida State
This is a WRs draft, but maybe it should be thought of as an Edge Rush draft!

16. Saints OT Trevor Penning N. Iowa
From notes I have seen, he has a lot of talent and a little mean...I like that for an OLineman! 

17. Chargers WR Chris Olave Ohio State
Any Wideout would love to be drafted by the Justin Herbert led Chargers!

18. Eagles CB Trent McDuffie Washington
I hate the Eagles, I like what I have read and seen about McDuffie. I hope I am wrong here! 

19. Saints WR Jahan Dotson Penn State
So many Wideouts! The Saints take theirs here!

20. Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett Pitt
The last time the Steelers let a Pitt QB go by his name was Marino.

21. New England S Kyle Hamilton Notre Dame
His IQ is Mensa-level! That is super cool! 

22. Green Bay WR Treylon Burks Arkansas
Burks is not Adams. Adams is not Burks. But...A Rod is A Rod! The comps on him seem to be Deebo so yeah I like him!

23. Arizona Guard Kenyon Green Texas A&M
Have a grumpy QB? (Kyler Murray) Grab some O-Line!

24. Dallas Guard Zion Johnson Boston College
Two guards in a row? Dallas would do well with either! 

25. Buffalo RB Breece Hall Iowa State
Only RB I have in the 1st roud comes from Iowa State!!!

26. Tennessee OT Tyler Smith Tulsa
Henry and the offense gets some help up front!

27. Tampa Bay OT Bernhard Raimann Central Michigan
He played tackle but may play Guard for Brady & Co!

28. Green Bay LB Quay Walker Georgia
This kid last too long and Green Bay grabs him!

29. KC Safety Daxton Hill Michigan
Hill is skilled, may play a little corner too!

30. KC WR George Pickens Georgia
Another Wide Out? Yep! KC finds it replacement for Hill!

31. Cincinnati Edge Boye Mate Minnesota
Another Edge rusher in the 1st round? Yep! 

32. Lions CB Nakobe Dean Georgia
Lots of mock drafts seem to have a QB here, Lions need a lot, Dean could start for 5 to 8 years for them!


We shall see how it goes! Honestly, if I got NONE right this year i wouldn't be shocked! Should be fun!