2022 NFL Mock Draft: The Best of the Rest (Defense)
Josh Frey
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About a week ago, the PurplePTSD team put together its second mock draft of the offseason; this time taking into account some of the free agency moves as well as trades. You can check that out here as there are a ton of interesting perspectives from multiple writers.
You may find yourself asking though, who are the snubs of the first-round mock? Especially in this draft class, where I’ve been saying from the get-go that Day Two is the place to be, this is an important list of players to keep an eye on. We’ve already gone over a few of the top offensive players left on my top-200 draft board, and today we change gears to discuss the defensive prospects left on the board.
EDGE David Ojabo
The result of David Ojabo falling out of the first round has less to do with what he did on the field and more to do with the fact that he tore his Achilles during his pro day at Michigan. I agree with this, but it’s hard to wonder that, if the injury had never happened, he wouldn’t be the prospect gaining much of the attention that Travon Walker has gotten in recent weeks.
They are very similar players: high motor, freakish athleticism, massive potential, and yet, very raw prospects at this point in time. Assuming Ojabo has a full recovery and continues to progress, there is little doubt that he will exceed his Day Two draft status.
IDL DeMarvin Leal
This is the result of a group of drafters that happen to value the Georgia Bulldogs over the Aggie. DeMarvin Leal is certainly a talented defensive lineman, and his versatility as a defender is really unlike anything else in this draft class. He can play nose tackle or hop to the outside. He can run-stop, or he can pass-rush. It’s all a matter of where he fits into the scheme of whoever drafts him.
Personally, I believe Leal will be off the board at some point in the first round, but if both Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Davis start falling along with him, one of those three prospects could be available on the second day of the draft.
OLB Nik Bonnito
If you were a fan of Micah Parsons going into the 2021 draft, you likely have similar feelings towards Nik Bonnito ahead of the 2022 draft. He may not provide the same type of immediate impact as Parsons, hence his falling out of the first round. However, he has a very similar build and skillset in terms of pass-rush. It is completely feasible that the Oklahoma Sooner will go to the NFL and be an immediate starter for a defense.
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ILB Christian Harris
Minnesota Vikings fans have grown to love Eric Kendricks over the years as he has anchored the middle of the defense at the middle linebacker spot. Over the years at Alabama, Christian Harris has done many of the same sorts of things in pass coverage.
The three-year starter for the Crimson Tide is a tackling machine, eating up opposing tight ends and running backs. This will likely continue to be Harris’ role in the NFL, but his draft stock falls due to some struggles with missed tackles at times. He has all the skills; he just seems to be inconsistent at times.
CB Roger McCreary
If the Minnesota Vikings do not take a cornerback in the first round, all eyes should go on Roger McCreary as the second day begins. At Auburn, he displayed terrific athleticism with fluid movement in his hips at the outside corner position. His measurements leave a little to be desired, standing a 6’0, but the fight he played every snap with makes up for much of what he lacks lengthwise.
At times, McCreary found himself getting lost in zone schemes, and he certainly needs to put on a little extra poundage to ensure his hits carry the same effect at the NFL level. There’s room to improve, but he is a terrific second round prospect.
S Kerby Joseph
The Fighting Illini safety Kerby Joseph was one of the most improved players of the 2021 college football season. There was an argument to be made at the beginning of the season that he shouldn’t have even been a starter, but by the end of the campaign, he was one of the very best defenders in a strong Big 10 conference, and one of the best safeties in Illinois history.
Joseph is a very meticulous player, relying on high IQ and wrap-up tackles rather than explosive hits. This many be a drawback for some, but the ball skills that led to an eye-popping five interceptions on the season cover up the question marks. He will almost assuredly be a second-round selection, and perhaps the Vikings could take him as the post-Harrison Smith plan.
