Harrison Mock Draft 1.0: A First for Saban
The 2022 NFL Combine is underway! The NFL Draft season is hitting a stride for us to enjoy breaking down which prospects fit with which teams at peak value.
Now, with just two Alabama prospects expected to be selected in round one, each of my three mock drafts will be three-round efforts to include as much Crimson Tide flavor as possible.
Without any further ado, here is my first mock draft of the 2022 NFL Draft season.
ROUND 1
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
To me, it doesn't get much more simple. Evan Neal is the ideal candidate to be Trevor Lawrence's blindside protector for the next decade in Jacksonville. The Jaguars are likely to move from fellow Alabama alumni Cam Robinson, leaving a glaring need at left tackle. Tack on the fact that the Jags used first-round picks on K'Lavon Chaisson and Josh Allen in the past three seasons, there's no sense in taking Aiden Hutchinson without further roster gymnastics.
Neal does need refinement, but after dropping over 25lbs for his Combine measurements, it's clear he's dedicated to maximizing his NFL potential.
If Neal is selected first overall, he'd be the first first-overall pick for the Crimson Tide since 1948 when quarterback Harry Gilmer was selected by Washington. He'd also be the first first-overall pick in Nick Saban's illustrious career.
Read More: Evan Neal Impresses at NFL Combine
2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
3. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
4. New York Jets: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
5. New York Giants: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
6. Carolina Panthers: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
7. New York Giants: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
8. Atlanta Falcons: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
9. Denver Broncos: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
10. New York Jets: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
11. Washington Commanders: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
12. Minnesota Vikings: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
13. Cleveland Browns: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
I cheated and swapped Jameson Williams with a later pick after seeing that he's ahead of schedule in his ACL rehab. If he's healthy enough to go in training camp, there's no sense in the NFL gambling his value over a few weeks difference in availability. It may not always seem so, but the NFL Draft is about building the future, not just the right now.
Jamo's speed is the focus of conversation every time he's brought up, but he's a gritty runner after the catch and has great route-running ability. He's built to be a No. 1 option. The Cleveland Browns couldn't make things work with Odell Beckham, Jr. and it appears Jarvis Landry may also be on his way out. In any case, Baker Mayfield and the Browns offense desperately need everything Williams can bring to the table.
Read More: Jameson Williams and John Metchie Win the Combine
14. Baltimore Ravens: Charles Cross, OT, Miss State
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
16. Philadelphia Eagles: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
17. Los Angeles Chargers: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
18. New Orleans Saints: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Green, OL, Texas A&M
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
21. New England Patriots: Drake London, WR, USC
22. Las Vegas Raiders: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
23. Arizona Cardinals: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
24. Dallas Cowboys: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
25. Buffalo Bills: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
26. Tennessee Titans: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jordan Davis, IDL, Georgia
28. Green Bay Packers: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
29. Miami Dolphins: Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
32. Detroit Lions: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
ROUND 2
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: DeMarvin Leal, IDL, Texas A&M
34. Detroit Lions: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
35. New York Jets: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
36. New York Giants: Kair Elam, CB, Florida
37. Houston Texans: Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA
38, New York Jets: Arnold Ebikete, EDGE, Penn State
39. Chicago Bears: Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
40. Denver Broncos: Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
41. Seattle Seahawks: Darian Kennard, OT, Kentucky
42. Washington Commanders: Abraham Lucas, OL, Washingon State
43. Atlanta Falcons: Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
44. Cleveland Browns: Devonte Wyatt, IDL, Georgia
45. Baltimore Ravens: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
46. Minnesota Vikings: Perrion Winfrey, IDL, Oklahoma
47. Indianapolis Colts: Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
48. Los Angeles Chargers: Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia
49. New Orleans Saints: Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
50. Miami Dolphins: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
51. Philadelphia Eagles: Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
Christian Harris is a hell of an athlete, but his inconsistencies throughout the 2021 season overshadow how well he closed the season. He's got invaluable tools: speeds, athleticism and play recognition ability. However, his tackling has been brought into question and I've harped on his block shedding woes in the past.
Still, the Eagles have a barren wasteland at linebacker and could use a real spark of life at the position. With all the value Philadelphia has racked up early in this mock, Harris makes too much sense at 51. It's impeccable value for a player that could see his stock rise once the COmbine and his Pro Day are completed.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
53. Las Vegas Raiders: Travis Jones, IDL, UConn
54. New England Patriots: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
55. Arizona Cardinals: Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
56. Dallas Cowboys: Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
57. Buffalo Bills: Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
58. Atlanta Falcons: Rasheed Walker, OT, Penn State
59. Green Bay Packers: Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
60. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: John Metchie, WR, Alabama
I couldn't cheat with John Metchie like I did Jameson Williams. Just know in my second mock after free agency has passed, Metchie will be mocked much higher. He delivered the good news at the NFL Combine that he'll be ready to go for the upcoming season and should be available to participate in all off-season activities for the franchise that selects him.
Metchie's route running skills create great separation from opposing defensive backs and he's about as sure-handed as they come. I'm not sure he'll ever be a No. 1 option for an NFL offense, but he'll be one of the best No. 2s in the league.
Read More: John Metchie Talks Possible Reunion with Mac Jones in New England
61. San Francisco 49ers: Marquis Hayes, IOL, Oklahoma
62. Kansas City Chiefs: Cameron Thomas, EDGE, San Diego State
63. Cincinnati Bengals: Alec Lindstrom, IOL, Boston College
64. Denver Broncos: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
ROUND 3
65. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson
66. Detroit Lions: Damone Clark, LB, LSU
67. New York Giants: Phidarian Mathis, IDL, Alabama
He was outshined at the Senior Bowl and the Combine isn't going to do him any favors with his flexibility issues. Still, I like the fit for Phidarian Mathis in New York. He provides an interior pass rush for one of the worst pass-rushing units in the entire league. The hybrid style defense the Giants have employed fits Mathis's versatility well even if he needs to stick to nose tackle for max production.
68. Houston Texans: Martin Emerson, CB, Miss State
69. New York Jets: Logan Hall, IDL, Houston
70. Jacksonville Jaguars: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
71. Chicago Bears: David Bell, WR, Purdue
72, Seattle Seahawks: Haskell Garrett, IDL, Ohio State
73. Washington Commanders: Trey McBride, TE, Colorado State
74. Atlanta Falcons: Coby Bryant, CB, Cincinnati
75. Denver Broncos: Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
76. Baltimore Ravens: Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada
77. Minnesota Vikings: Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
78. Cleveland Browns: Calvin Austin III, WR, Memphis
79. Los Angeles Chargers: Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina
80. Houston Texans: George Pickens, WR, Georgia
81. New York Giants: Ed Ingram, OL, LSU
82. Indianapolis Colts: Alec Pierce, WR, Cincinnati
83. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
84. Pittsburgh Steelers: Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati
85. New England Patriots: Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
86. Las Vegas Raiders: Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
87. Arizona Cardinals: Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
Read More: Brian Robinson Discusses Alabama Impact at NFL Combine
88. Dallas Cowboys: Lecitus Smith, IOL, Virginia Tech
89. Buffalo Bills: Jamaree Salyer, IOL, Georgia
90. Tennessee Titans: Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State
91. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sam Williams, EDGE, Ole Miss
92. Green Bay Packers: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
93. San Francisco 49ers: Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
94. Kansas City Chiefs: Marcus Jones, CB, Houston
95. Cincinnati Bengals: Leon O'Neal, S, Texas A&M
96. Denver Broncos: John Ridgeway, IDL, Arkansas
97. Detroit Lions: Kerby Joseph, DB, Illinois
98. Cleveland Browns: Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
99. Baltimore Ravens: Zachary Carter, IDL, Florida
100. New Orleans Saints: Mykael Wright, CB, Oregon
101. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
102. San Francisco 49ers: Cade Mays, IOL, Tennessee
103. Kansas City Chiefs: Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
104. Los Angeles Rams: Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
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