Will Dallas Cowboys quench their thirst for a receiver? This NFL mock draft has answers
The 2022 NFL Draft is less than a month away and the Dallas Cowboys have nine picks, led by the 24th overall choice in the first round.
The team would like to take the best available player while also filling a position of need. And the situation, as of now, looks like it’s going to be a choice of receiver, offensive lineman or pass rusher for the Cowboys.
A guard is likely the biggest need but the best possible prospects who could be available will possibly come at receiver or pass rusher.
It seems silly that the Cowboys would take a receiver in the first round two years after selecting CeeDee Lamb 17th overall.
But their desire to bolster the position following the trade of Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns is palpable, especially after they expressed interest in former Miami Dolphins receiver Devante Parker before he was traded to the New England Patriots.
The draft is loaded with solid receivers in the second or third rounds but the opportunity to get a difference-maker in Ohio State’s Chris Olave might be too good to pass up for the Cowboys.
He is a route-running technician who could make up for some of the crisp moves that departed when the team traded Cooper.
Olave was one of three first-round projected receivers who were slated to take pre-draft visits to the Cowboys headquarters.
Here is the Star-Telegram’s 2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
Hutchinson can do it all and is the safest top pick. Jaguars go with the explosive pass rusher.
2. Detroit Lions – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The Jared Goff era in Detroit is in its final days. The Lions get their quarterback of the future.
3. Houston Texans – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
The Texans’ rebuild will be slow and methodical. They begin with the best tackle in the draft.
4. New York Jets – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Long, rangy corner who did not give up a touchdown in coverage during his college career.
5. New York Giants – Kyle Hamilton, FS, Notre Dame
The Giants are thin at safety and Hamilton is the rare safety who can play deep, middle and box.
6. Carolina Panthers – Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The Panthers need a quarterback but they start with with a punishing blocker who can anchor the line.
7. New York Giants (from Chicago) – Travon Walker, DE, Georgia
This fast rising defensive tackle is the first of many first-round Bulldogs from the championship team.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
The rebuilding Falcons need help everywhere and they get an explosive edge rusher with big upside.
9. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver) – Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
The Pete Carroll era began with a defensive foundation. Stingley is a shutdown corner with NFL pedigree.
10. New York Jets (from Seattle) – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
The Jets got their franchise quarterback last year. They now get a massive offensive tackle to protect him.
11. Washington Commanders – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Commanders finally get an explosive complement to Terry McLaurin in the dynamic Garrett Wilson.
12. Minnesota Vikings – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
A monstrous defender who offers elite run defense and the potential to impact the game as a pass rusher.
13. Houston Texans (from Cleveland) – Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State
Texans coach Lovie Smith needs a pass rusher for his 4-3 defense. Johnson has rare speed and quickness off the edge.
14. Baltimore Ravens – Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
Booth is a press-zone corner who has a ball-hawk mentality as well as the physicality to be great in run support.
15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami) – Drake London, WR, USC
One year after taking Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, the Eagles continue to upgrade the WR corps.
16. New Orleans (from Indianapolis through Philadelphia) – Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
If not for a torn ACL, Jameson Williams would be the first WR off the board. Saints invest in the future.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Trevor Penning, OL, Northern Iowa
Chargers go back-to-back years with 1st-round tackles and Penning ran a 4.89 second 40-yard dash.
18. Philadelphia Eagles – Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College
Zion Johnson is a former 0 star recruit who started out at Davidson. He is going to be a first-round pick.
19. New Orleans Saints – Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
The Saints made the massive trade up with the Eagles to get a quarterback. And Pickett is their guy.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Wyatt is an explosive interior rusher who is just tapping his potential. 3rd Georgia DL picked in top 20.
21. New England Patriots – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Patriots find a first-round replacement for J.C. Jackson. McDuffie is a shutdown corner who does it all.
22. Green Bay Packers (from Las Vegas) – Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
Receiver is a huge need after the loss of Davante Adams. The speedy Dotson can take the top off a defense.
23. Arizona Cardinals – George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
Cardinals need a pass rusher to replace Chandler Jones. Karlaftis is a freakish athlete with dominating power.
24. Dallas Cowboys – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The biggest need is at guard but the Cowboys quench receiver thirst first with Olave to replace Cooper.
25. Buffalo Bills – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
With Tre’Davious White coming off a serious knee injury, this future shutdown corner fills a huge need for the Bills.
26. Tennessee Titans – Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Titans get the draft’s best all-around linebacker in Lloyd, who can rush the pass rusher and stuff the run.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota
Tampa Bay needs a rusher to replace Jason Pierre Paul. Mafe is a freak athlete who can get to the QB.
28. Green Bay Packers – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Dean won’t wow you with size. But he is a playmaker and great leader, who could be the next Ray Lewis.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (from San Francisco through Miami) – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Burks won’t replace Tyreek Hill. He is a game-breaker who can put the big play back in the Chiefs offense.
30. Kansas City Chiefs – Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
The Chiefs need to bolster safety after letting Tyrann Mathieu and Daniel Sorensen walk. Hill can hit, run and cover.
31. Cincinnati Bengals – Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
The Bengals have a need at cornerback and Gordon is a dynamic athlete who will be better in the NFL.
32. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams) – Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
Detroit fills a long-standing need with Cine, who is the 4th first-rounder from the national champions’ defense.
This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
