Through 15 weeks of the 2021 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars hold the No. 1 overall pick, as they passed the Detroit Lions for the honor on Sunday.
The 2021 NFL season is roaring towards the playoffs, but incredibly, only one team has clinched a playoff spot going into Week 16. That is a testament to the parity in the league, but the next three weeks will be loaded with key matchups to decide who the final 14 teams are.
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Here, we look at the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and how it could shake out.
Evan Neal
Offensive Tackle,Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars moved into the No. 1 overall spot in the 2022 NFL Draft this past weekend, and they are a franchise that needs it. After taking their quarterback No. 1 overall last year, the Jaguars get another kick at the can here, and there is no consensus No. 1 overall player in this draft class, which should make this pick interesting.
With this pick, the Jaguars decide to pass on the two elite edge rusher talents and instead bring in Evan Neal from Alabama. OT Cam Robinson is entering free agency, and may not be brought back, so if the Jaguars want to protect their No. 1 asset in Lawrence, they have to bolster the offensive line here.
Aidan Hutchinson
Edge,Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions pulled off one of the bigger upsets we have seen all season long on Sunday, and in the process, gave up the No. 1 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Still, based on team needs, the Lions could get the player they wanted all along, even at No. 2 overall, and that player should be Michigan product, Aidan Hutchinson.
Hutchinson is a guy who is going to be a special talent at the next level, and despite the Lions’ struggles this season, they are a team that plays hard for head coach Dan Campbell. If they end up picking at No. 2 and still have a chance at the top two edge rushers in the draft class, Hutchinson should be the selection.
Matt Corral
Quarterback,Houston Texans
Holding the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans have work to do on both sides of the ball. The issues surrounding Deshaun Watson have set this franchise back, but here, they can turn the page with the best quarterback prospect in this draft class.
Matt Corral likely would not be the first quarterback taken in other draft years, but he is someone who can get this franchise pointed in the right direction. Houston has major issues to take care of before they are competitive in a tough AFC South, and in Corral, they get a big piece of the puzzle.
