I put out 18 mock drafts for Draft Countdown this year. None were very accurate, including my final one. However, today, I thought it would be a fun exercise to look back at the first mock draft I released in August. It is funny to look at who I was high on in the preseason last year. It is even funnier to see how some of it turned out.
I have removed the teams picking the players because that just looks even sillier now.
LOOKING BACK AT MOCK DRAFT 1.0
1-Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
After a poor 2021 season, Howell saw his stock plummet. He ended up being the sixth quarterback selected in the draft. The Commanders selected him in the fifth round. The Washington QB situation isn’t the best. So, there is a chance that Howell could eventually become the starter there.
2-Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma
Rattler ended up losing his job to Caleb Williams early into the 2021 season. And now neither player is in Norman. Rattler has since transferred to South Carolina. The hope is he will take the starting role in a pro-style offense and rehabilitate himself into a first-round level QB.
3-Derek Stingley, CB, LSU
Stingley actually was the third overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. So, I guess I got that right. Stingley was long thought to be a top 5 player. Despite a few bumps in the road, that actually became true.
4-Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Hamilton was one of my highest-rated prospects in the 2022 class. Positional value pushed him down the board a bit. The Ravens selected Hamilton with the 14th pick.
5-Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Neal was my #1 offensive tackle prospect in the 2022 class and this overall ranked player. He was selected 7th overall by the Giants and was the second OT off the board.
6-Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
Thibodeaux went bell-to-bell as my highest ranked prospect. He was taken fifth overall by the Giants and was the third edge rusher drafted.
7-Henry To’o To’o, LB, Alabama
To’o To’o had an up and down season on tape in my opinion. He returned back to Tuscaloosa for next season where he should see an increased role.
8-Demarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Leal underperformed in 2021 and fell into the third round (84th pick) where he was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
9-Drake Jackson, EDGE, Southern Cal
Another player that didn’t grow in 2021. Jackson eventually was drafted late in the second round by the 49ers.
10-Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M
Wydermyer fell off the map after an inconsistent 2021 season. He then followed that up with having one of the worst athletic profiles of any tight end in this class. Wydermyer went undrafted before signing as an UDFA with the Bills.
11-Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama
Jobe battled injuries throughout his 2021 campaign. Unable to test, plus questionable tape, all led to Jobe not being selected during the 2022 NFL Draft. He signed with the Eagles after the draft.
12-Thayer Munford, OT, Ohio State
Munford played guard most of the year for Ohio State. He regressed as a player and then turned down an opportunity to play in the Senior Bowl. Munford was drafted by Las Vegas in the seventh round.
13-Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
Battle continued to improve in 2021 but decided against entering the draft. He should enter the 2023 process as one of the top-rated safety prospects.
14-Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
Despite an up-and-down year, Green was the top guard selected and went 15th overall to the Texans.
15-Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
Harrison didn’t grow much as a prospect in 2021 and returned to school.
16-Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Olave finished as my #1 WR prospect and was the #3 WR taken in the class. The Saints traded up to select Olave with the 11th overall pick in 2022.
17-Kedon Slovis, QB, Southern Cal
Slovis was benched as the starting QB for Southern Cal. He has since transferred to Pittsburgh.
18-Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Gardner emerged as one of the best cornerback prospects in the class. He was taken fourth overall by the Jets.
19-Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Despite a subpar combine performance, Burks was drafted by the Tennessee Titans. The pick came after they traded WR AJ Brown to the Titans.
20-John Metchie III, WR, Alabama
Metchie suffered a torn ACL during the SEC Championship game. He fell into the second round where he was selected by the Houston Texans.
21-Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Hutchinson continued to get better as a prospect and was drafted #2 overall by the Detroit Lions.
22-Andrew Booth Jr, CB, Clemson
Booth fell into the second round after undergoing hernia surgery. He was selected in the second round by the Vikings.
23-Myron Cunningham, OT, Arkansas
Cunningham struggled a little in 2021 and then tested poorly. He was undrafted and then signed with the Texans as an UDFA.
24-Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
Davis blew away everyone at the Combine and was eventually being selected by the Eagles as the 13th overall pick.
25-Kingsley Enagbare, EDGE, South Carolina
Enagbare had concerns over an old hip injury and concerns after he tested average. The Gamecock pass rusher fell into the fifth round and was selected by the Green Bay Packers
26-Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Hall was the first RB taken. The Jets took him off the board early in round two.
27-Zion Nelson, OT, Miami (FL)
Nelson returned to school and will look to have a better season in 2022 than he did in 2021.
28-George Karlaftis, DL, Purdue
Karlaftis tested like a great athlete and produced well. He was taken 30th overall by the Chiefs.
29-Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Wilson was the 2nd WR off of the board. He will join the NEw York Jets after being drafted 10th overall.
30-Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati
Whyle returns to Cincinnati for the 2022 season after only catching 26 passes for 332 yards.
31-Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Elam finished as my #3 CB prospect. The Bills acquired him in the first round as the 23rd pick after a small trade-up.
32-Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
Harris had decent tape in 2021 but fell down the board a bit. The Texans eventually selected him in the third round.