2022 NFL mock draft 2.0: Post-Super Bowl edition

Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Evan Neal, Kenny Pickett, Matt Corral and other prospects are expected to be among the top picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, which which will be held April 28-30 in Las Vegas. But which teams will pick them? And with two picks each in the top 10, what will the Jets and Giants do?

With the Super Bowl in the books and the offseason officially underway, here’s our latest mock draft of the first round.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama

The Jaguars hired an offensive-minded head coach in Doug Pederson, but they shouldn’t stop there when it comes to accelerating Trevor Lawrence’s development. They'll need to get him some protection as well. The 6-6, 360-pound Evan Neal moves very quickly for a player of his size while also showing immense power in the run game. He also has experience at right tackle (12 games in 2020) and left guard (13 games in 2019).

2. Detroit Lions: Aidan Hutchinson, Edge rusher, Michigan

The Lions have some decent edge rushers on their roster, but as the saying goes, you can never have enough of them. Here, they stay in-state with Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson. who burst onto the national scene with 14 sacks (including three against Ohio State) and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting. The 6-6, 265-pounder has a relentless motor with an excellent mix of speed and power off the edge..

3. Houston Texans: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge rusher, Oregon

The Texans ranked near the bottom of the NFL in sacks (32, tied for fifth-worst) and QB hits (70, third-worst). Aidan Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux are 1A and 1B at edge rusher in this class, and while Hutchinson broke out this season, the 6-5, 258-pound Thibodeaux has been a consistent force since enrolling at Oregon (nine sacks as a freshman, seven last season). He has top-tier athleticism with excellent explosiveness off the snap.

4. Jets: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame

The Jets’ defense allowed the most total yards (397.6) and points (29.6) per game of any team in 2021. Marcus Maye is an impending free agent, but even if they bring him back, they still could use another impact safety. Kyle Hamilton is the latest in the Derwin James/Isaiah Simmons trend of versatile, do-it-all defenders. The 6-4, 220-pounder can play single- or two-high safety, be a sub-package linebacker against the run or play out in the slot — and he looks comfortable in each situation.

5. Giants: Ikem Ekwonu, OL, North Carolina State

The jury remains out on Daniel Jones as the Giants’ franchise quarterback, but no matter who’s throwing the ball, more help up front remains the key to fixing the offense’s myriad issues. Ikem Ekwonu is a tough mauler who uses his power at the point of attack to regularly pancake defenders. He started three years at left tackle but also has experience at guard, where his mean streak may be even better suited.

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

As bad as the quarterback play was in Carolina, the Panthers’ offensive line was no better: the unit allowed 52 sacks in 2021, fifth-most in the league. Charles Cross uses his power and athleticism well in both the run and pass game.

7. Giants (via Chicago): George Karlaftis, Edge rusher, Purdue

After addressing the offense, the Giants turn to a defense that allowed 354.8 yards per game and got to the quarterback just 34 times. George Karlaftis is a stocky, strong edge defender (6-4, 275 pounds) with excellent power and technique, making him a very nice complement to the speedier and bendier Azeez Ojulari.

8. Atlanta Falcons: David Ojabo, Edge rusher, Michigan

The Falcons were last in the NFL this season with 17 sacks. They haven’t had a pass-rusher record double-digit sacks since 2016, and none with more than five since 2019. David Ojabo is quite raw technique-wise — he started just one season for Michigan and only began playing organized football as a junior in high school after moving from Nigeria — but he has excellent athleticism and instincts.

9. Denver Broncos: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

The Broncos’ quarterback situation was messy in 2021, with Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock both struggling for much of the season. Kenny Pickett came from seemingly out of nowhere to throw for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions as a fifth-year senior. He has excellent awareness and ball placement when he’s standing tall in the pocket, but he also can make accurate throws with ease when rolling out.

10. Jets (via Seattle): Derek Stingley Jr. CB, LSU

As it currently stands, the Jets have a solid young group of starting cornerbacks in Bryce Hall, Brandin Echols and Michael Carter II, but none have ascended into true "shut-down defender" status. Derek Stingley Jr. had an excellent freshman season in 2019 with a team-high six interceptions, but injuries and coaching changes have slowed his growth since then. When healthy, he has elite athleticism and great technique along with the instincts to make plays on the ball.

11. Washington Commanders: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

Washington’s quarterback issues continued in 2021: Ryan Fitzpatrick missed all but two quarters of the season with a hip injury, and Taylor Heinicke was OK in his first full season as a starter. Matt Corral is a balanced quarterback with good arm strength and athleticism, and his accuracy and decision-making improved drastically this season. He’s dangerous on run-pass options and can extend plays with his legs when needed.

12. Minnesota Vikings: Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, CB, Cincinnati

The Vikings lack depth at cornerback, and that’s not even factoring in the impending free agencies of Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander. Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner did not allow a touchdown in any of his coverage snaps in his three-year Cincinnati career, and this season he allowed just 13 catches for 117 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. He also made three interceptions and broke up four passes. His length and fluidity make him valuable in both press-man and zone schemes.

13. Cleveland Browns: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Baker Mayfield regressed mightily in 2021. Part of it was because of injury, but part of it was because of the lack of playmaking pass-catchers, especially following the midseason release of Odell Beckham Jr. Treylon Burks (6-3, 225 pounds) is a big, strong possession receiver who consistently wins at the catch point yet has enough speed to beat defenders.

14. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

The Ravens’ offensive line has several question marks. One of them is the future of starting center Bradley Bozeman, who can hit free agency. Tyler Linderbaum is an excellent, well-rounded interior lineman with the power to bowl over defenders in the run game, the footwork to stonewall them in pass protection and the intelligence to both make pre-snap calls and adjust after the snap.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami): Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah

The Eagles haven’t taken an off-ball linebacker in the first round since 1979, but they really could use some help in the heart of their defense. Devin Lloyd has excellent speed and range, and he’s quite adept at diagnosing the run and exploding to the ballcarrier.

16. Eagles (via Indianapolis): Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

After taking someone to anchor the middle of their defense, the Eagles turn to the secondary and its league-high 69.4 completion rate. Andrew Booth Jr. has a great mix of size, athleticism and ball skills. He’s physical enough to deal with bigger receivers and in contested-catch situations yet also has the speed to match vertical threats.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia

The Chargers had a really tough time stopping anybody on the ground, allowing 138.8 rush yards per game (third-worst in the NFL), 22 rushing touchdowns (tied for third-worst) and 4.63 yards per carry (fifth-worst). Jordan Davis eats up space in the run game with his 6-6, 340-pound frame, and while his lack of pass-rush ability will limit him to more of a two-down role, he has the strength to drive blockers back into the quarterback’s face.

18. New Orleans Saints: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State

Michael Thomas missed the entire season after a setback to his injured ankle, and no Saints wideout averaged more than 50 receiving yards per game. Garrett Wilson is a YAC machine, thanks to his elusiveness and short-area quickness.

19. Eagles: Jermaine Johnson II, Edge rusher, Florida State

The Eagles’ first-round defensive makeover wraps up with an edge rusher to potentially replace impending free agent Derek Barnett and/or the aging Brandon Graham. Jermaine Johnson II had an excellent Senior Bowl week, where he showed off a great blend of power and speed as well as a varied arsenal of moves to get into the backfield.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

The Ben Roethlisberger Era is over in Pittsburgh, and the Steelers have no clear succession plan in place, so they’d be hard-pressed to draft anything but a quarterback early. Sam Howell suffered from a weakened supporting cast in 2021 (the Tar Heels lost running backs Michael Carter and Javonte Williams and receivers Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome to the NFL), but he still showed off a very accurate arm (62.5% completion rate) and excellent mobility (828 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns).

21. New England Patriots: Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

This pick largely depends on who returns in free agency – J.C. Jackson, Dont’a Hightower, Trent Brown, Ja’Whaun Bentley and Devin McCourty are among the bigger name the Patriots could lose this spring. Roger McCreary is an athletic corner with fluid hips and the quickness to stick to his receiver in man coverage.

22. Las Vegas Raiders: Drake London, WR, USC

Hunter Renfrow emerged as a reliable target for Derek Carr, and tight end Darren Waller remains a top-tier option up the seam, but the Raiders could use another outside presence after Henry Ruggs’ release following DUI charges stemming from a fatal accident. Drake London suffered a broken ankle in October, but before that he was one of college football’s top receivers with 88 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns. The former two-sport athlete (he also played on the Trojans’ basketball team) is excellent in contested-catch situations where he can use his 6-5, 210-pound frame to outmuscle defenders.

23. Arizona Cardinals: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

Robert Alford and Antonio Hamilton are unrestricted free agents, leaving Byron Murphy and Marco Wilson as the only cornerbacks under contract next season. At 5-11, 195 pounds, Trent McDuffie is on the smaller side for a cornerback, but like his former Huskies teammate Murphy, he makes up for it with great technique, and he plays tough against bigger receivers.

24. Dallas Cowboys: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan

The Cowboys’ top three safeties — Jayron Kearse, Damontae Kazee and Malik Hooker — are impending free agents. Daxton Hill brings excellent speed and athleticism to the back end, and he also can play up at the line as a nickel defender if needed.

25. Buffalo Bills: Travon Walker, DL, Georgia

Defensive line is among the Bills’ few needs this offseason. Travon Walker has excellent overall athleticism, and he’s versatile enough to line up outside on the edge or as an interior pass rusher.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Chris Godwin likely will command top dollar this offseason as one of the top free-agent wide receivers. Chris Olave is an explosive receiver with excellent route-running ability and great downfield speed.

27. Tennessee Titans: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia

Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown are set to hit free agency, leaving very little depth at linebacker. Nakobe Dean (6-foot, 225 pounds) is a bit undersized for a linebacker, but he's a smart, instinctive defender who’s as comfortable making sideline-to-sideline plays in the passing game as he is going downhill to take on a ballcarrier.

28. Green Bay Packers: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

Aaron Rodgers’ future will dominate the headlines, but a plotline that’s just as big: Davante Adams’ free agency. He’s said he won’t take a hometown discount, and the Packers may not be able to afford him: they already are projected to be $38.4 million over the 2022 cap, according to Spotrac.com, and that doesn’t include any offseason moves they make. Jameson Williams tore his ACL in the national championship game, but when healthy he has incredible speed and acceleration, which he uses to stretch defenses vertically and to gain separation on short crossing routes.

29. Dolphins (via San Francisco 49ers): Kenyon Green, OT/OG, Teas A&M

The Dolphins brought in former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel as head coach, which bodes well for young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's development. Now it's time to add some help up front. Kenyon Green is a big, strong run blocker who can play either guard or tackle.

30. Kansas City: Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota

Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown is scheduled to hit free agency and could command a big payday on the open market. Listed at 6-9 and 380 pounds, Daniel Faalele (like Brown) is a massive offensive lineman who’s surprisingly quick for his size, though he played predominantly on the right side in college.

31. Cincinnati Bengals: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa

Joe Burrow was sacked nine times against the Titans in the divisional round and seven times against the Rams in the Super Bowl, highlighting a need for offensive line help that extends back to last offseason. Trevor Penning has excellent footwork and power, and at 6-7 he uses his long arms to keep defenders at bay.

32: Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

After bolstering the edge, the Lions get a chance to find their QB at the tail end of the draft. Malik Willis has excellent athleticism and arm strength, and he can sit behind Jared Goff as he cleans up his decision-making and processing.

By Nick Klopsis

nicholas.klopsis@newsday.com@nickklopsis

Nick Klopsis is Newsday.com's sports editor. He often can be found studying NFL and college football film for his latest draft breakdown.