NFL draft is finally here: Ultimate guide includes final mocks, bold predictions, surprise picks
The NFL draft is finally going to be on the clock.
The Jacksonville Jaguars kick off the festivities Thursday night in Las Vegas when they make their selection with the No. 1 pick in the first round.
Will they go with Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson, who tops Paste BN Sports' ranking of the top 50 prospects? Or will they pick Georgia DE Travon Walker, who goes No. 1 in our penultimate mock draft and our final mock draft?
Either way, expect some first-round surprises ... and many twists.
To help you get ready for all three days, here is the round-by-round order for the draft.
2022 NFL draft schedule:
- Thursday: Round 1, starting at 8 p.m. ET
- Friday: Rounds 2-3, starting at 7 p.m. ET
- Saturday: Rounds 4-7, starting at noon ET
The draft will be broadcast on NFL Network, ABC and ESPN.
2022 NFL draft: Mocks and more
- Final mock draft (1): A new No. 1 pick is just one of many late changes to first round in penultimate mock draft.
- Final mock draft (2): Final (we really mean it this time) first-round projection features a long wait for top quarterbacks.
- Another mock draft take: NFL reporters from across the Paste BN Sports Network collaborated on (yet another) mock draft. Here are their picks.
- Five players who could surprise: The lack of consensus throughout the draft could create a landscape in which several prospects defy expectations as unlikely Day 1 picks.
- Ten draft twists that could create chaos in first round: Little is clear about this year's NFL draft, which could mean several big surprises are in store for Thursday's first round.
- Draft stock dropping: Several players who have been mainstays of first-round mock drafts could see their NFL draft waits extend all the way to Friday.
- What ever team should do: NFL draft advice for all 32 teams on prospects and position needs to maximize their picks.
- Next NFL draft powerhouse? With five potential first-round defensive players, Georgia could break Miami and Florida State's record for a single NFL draft.
- 'Still haunts me': Paste BN Sports asked several former NFL executives about their biggest what-ifs – the players they lost, moments they regret or draft decisions that otherwise went awry.
- With the 104th pick ...: The Los Angeles Rams haven't had a first-round pick since 2016 and continue to trust the draft process of finding late-round gems.
NFL news, notes and analysis
- 'The Original Bengal': Former quarterback John Stofa, the first player on the Cincinnati Bengals' roster, died at age 79.
- Opinion: Welfare for the rich is OK when it's for teams like Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans to build new stadiums, writes Nancy Armour.
- One of his first calls: Matt Ryan is entering his first season in Indianapolis, and one person who is aiding his transition is Colts legend Peyton Manning.
- Football family: Derek Stingley Jr's grandfather, Darryl, was tragically paralyzed by an NFL hit. Now, Stingley Jr. is a top NFL draft prospect and textbook tackler.
- 'We should be contrarians': The traditional draft-week filibustering was in full force when the Cowboys held a pre-draft press conference.
- Tailors made: As the outfits have gotten more garish through the years, the competition to dress draft picks has heated up.
- Controversy to charity: Texans OT Laremy Tunsil announced he will mint a one-of-one non-fungible token of the infamous video of himself smoking out of a gas mask bong.
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