Your team is drafting ONE of these FIVE players: Picks 25-32
Using the Draft Rumors I've gathered to narrow down each team's options
Before we dive in, follow me on twitter: @MAPavoloni for more draft-related content and buzz.
Missed picks 17-24? Click here to check out Part 1 of the series.
Mock drafts are great. And over the past few years, the Rumor Mill Mock Draft has proven to be a fairly accurate method for predicting picks in the first round of the NFL Draft.
But in the lead-up to the draft, it can be helpful to get a bit more perspective on the handful of players each team is truly considering with their first round selection.
In this four part series, I will use rumors I have collected over the past couple months to narrow down each team’s options to the 5 players they are most likely to select on draft day.
The Methodology
Every pick is based on real, sourced draft rumors I have collected.
The picks are ranked, starting with most likely to be the selection at 1, to least likely, at 5.
Teams with multiple picks get multiple lists of 5, since they’re picking in different positions, where a different group of players will be available.
A quick note before we begin
If you enjoy this content, I kindly suggest that you consider donating whatever you can to the National Down Syndrome Society or a charitable organization of your choice (Also, DM me your receipt on Twitter @MAPavoloni so I can keep track of how much we’ve raised!).
I put a lot of hours into this project every year and I can’t think of a better reward.
Note: Donations are not required for the consumption of the content. Just greatly appreciated!
Picks 25-32
Let’s get started!
PICK 25: BUFFALO BILLS
Breece Hall (Pictured below)
Kyler Gordon
Kaiir Elam
Jahan Dotson
Skyy Moore
The Evidence:
The Bills wouldn’t actually draft a running back in the first round … Or would they?
The rumors linking Breece Hall to the Bills are not just random whispers. There are legit, prominent analysts saying that it’s not only possible, but actually makes sense.
On 4/18, Alaina Getzenberg said it isn’t out of the question that the Bills could go RB in round 1.
On 4/20, Patrick Moran tweeted:
“I personally think some Bills fans are sleeping on what Jameson Crowder can bring to the WR table for Buffalo in 2022. I still think Breece Hall at 25 is more likely than a WR, especially if Williams/Olave are gone.”
And to top it off, on 4/22, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said if Iowa State RB Breece Hall is there when the Bills pick No. 25, he would take him.
A player I didn’t include on this list is Isaiah Spiller, who is a dark horse to be the first RB taken. Note that this is considered very unlikely, but it’s worth mentioning.
On 4/19, @thebillsguys tweeted,
“The #Bills have brought in Isaiah Spiller and Jalen Wydermeyer for Top 30 visits… Beane has likely seen Texas A&M tape 1000x over.”
What will the Bills do if RB isn’t the choice?
In early March The Bills Guys tweeted, “The #Bills have done ‘extensive board work’ with both Chris Olave and Jahan Dotson at the combine this week.”
And on 4/7, Kyle Yates tweeted, “Per source, the Buffalo Bills are very interested in Skyy Moore (WR - Western Michigan).”
It seems like Skyy Moore and Jahan Dotson are both likely to be available when pick 25 comes around.
What about the defensive side of ball?
According to Mike Giardi, on 4/13,
“[Andrew] Booth could fall to the second round. Kyler Gordon would fit in well with the Bills and has solidified himself in the first round conversation.”
Booth has been linked to the Bills for most of the offseason, but it’s seeming more and more likely that he will fall into round 2 because of injury concerns. That makes the Bills’ consideration of Kyler Gordon and Kaiir Elam more plausible.
On 4/15, Jordan Reid wrote, With the corners expected to come off the board quickly, Elam -- who I have ranked No. 4 at the position -- could be selected as high as the Bills at No. 25.
Finally, here’s a list, according to Bruce Nolan, of Bills potential targets who fit their preferred age parameters:
Isaiah Spiller
Breece Hall
Kenneth Walker III
Kaiir Elam
Skyy Moore
Chris Olave
Jahan Dotson
Treylon Burks
Four of those (Hall, Elam, Moore, Dotson) are on my list above. Two (Walker III and Spiller) are unlikely to be selected in the first round. And the last two (Burks and Olave) are unlikely to fall to pick 25.
PICK 26: TENNESSEE TITANS
Kenyon Green
Zion Johnson
Tyler Smith
Logan Hall (Pictured below, as Green, Johnson, and Smith have been pictured previously)
Skyy Moore
The Evidence:
While the Titans have been mentioned as a dark horse destination for a first round quarterback, there’s not enough buzz for one to sneak onto the list.
The most likely scenario seems to be a pick along the offensive line, where Tennessee needs some help.
On 4/4, Tony Pauline wrote:
“The team to watch for [Tyler] Smith is Tennessee at pick No. 26. Smith would be an upgrade at right tackle over 2021 second round pick Dillon Radunz, a natural guard. As previously reported, Smith long established himself as the fifth tackle in this year’s class, and some feel he could start his career at offensive guard and then kick out to tackle.”
This could definitely be the floor for Tyler Smith, who appears to be rising up boards.
But there are other options that make a lot of sense:
On 4/21, Turron Davenport mentioned on the NFL Stock Exchange podcast that IOL should be high on Tennessee’s list. He identifies Kenyon Green as a great fit, because the Titans value versatility on the line.
Davenport also views Zion Johnson as an option. On 4/21, he tweeted:
“#Titans GM Jon Robinson on Zion Johnson and Kenyon Green: Both of those guys are big, strong players that have played multiple positions. They're strong, good movers. They're good prospects, good guys.”
It’s worth noting that Zion Johnson has a connection to Titans HC Mike Vrabel.
On 3/3, Buck Reising posted a video of Zion Johnson describing living with Tyler Vrabel for two years, and being around HC Mike Vrabel at Boston College.
Other possible positions include the defensive line, where according to Ian Rapoport, Logan Hall has been in recently for a visit, and wide receiver, where Turron Davenport could see Tennessee having interest in Skyy Moore and Jahan Dotson.
PICK 27: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Lewis Cine (Pictured Below)
Devonte Wyatt
Logan Hall
Daxton Hill
Kenyon Green
The Evidence:
The Bucs have had a turbulent offseason. From one day to the next, their needs have shifted dramatically. Now, closer to the draft, it’s a bit easier to zero in.
Depending on whether Suh returns (or perhaps even if he does), the Bucs will need, at the very least, a future starter on the interior of the defensive line.
On 4/15, here’s what Greg Auman has to say in response to Dane Brugler’s selection of Devonte Wyatt in his latest mock:
“The longer the Bucs go without re-signing veteran Ndamukong Suh, the more this looks like an ideal pairing for them, getting a dose of much-needed youth and athleticism to the defensive front. In our beat writer mock draft two weeks ago, Wyatt was long gone at 27, landing at No. 20 to the Steelers, so Brugler is optimistic in projecting that he’ll still be around for the Bucs.”
It appears Logan Hall (a popular name here in these last 8 picks) could also be an option, as it was reported by Ian Rapoport that he has had a top 30 visit with the Bucs.
On the 4/21 episode of the NFL Stock Exchange podcast, John Ledyard went into detail on the Bucs’ draft needs and the direction he believes they will go on day one.
He mentioned they would consider both Wyatt and Hall, but could also be looking at safety, corner, and the interior of the offensive line. He identifies Lewis Cine and Zion Johnson as good fits, and brings up the possibility of tight end Trey McBride being the selection, although that would be pretty shocking.
The buzz that has really been heating up as of late has mostly been tied to the safety position.
On 4/20, Jenna Laine writes:
“The Bucs hosted Georgia safety and 2022 national championship defensive MVP Lewis Cine for a top-30 visit, per source. I asked GM Jason Licht if signing Logan Ryan and Keanu Neal precluded them from drafting a safety and he said, ‘No.’”
Almost a month earlier, on 3/29, Luke Easterling tweeted, “FWIW, I think the Bucs LOVE Lewis Cine. Would not shock me at all.”
That same day, Easterling writes:
“Now, I would take Dax Hill (or Lewis Cine, or Jaquan Brisker) over Travis Jones at No. 27 all day long. Bucs need speed, explosiveness and pass-rushing ability, and Jones brings none of those things. Solid run-stopper, but not what the Bucs need, and not a 1st-round talent.”
And while we’re on the Daxton Hill train, here’s J.T. Olson on 3/5:
“The Bucs interviewing Daxton Hill is super interesting. Versatile safety who is great in the slot and was really good tackling and blitzing. Would love him with Todd Bowles.”
Ten days later, Olson adds, “With Whitehead gone I would expect Daxton Hill to be very much in the mix for the #Bucs at 27.”
PICK 28: GREEN BAY PACKERS
Logan Hall
Travis Jones (Pictured below, as Hall was pictured previously)
Skyy Moore
Daxton Hill
Lewis Cine
The Evidence:
Many have penciled this slot in as a receiver destination, especially if the Packers decide to go in a different direction with the 22nd pick.
That’s certainly possible. Let’s explore the options:
On 4/17, Matt Miller mentions that Skyy Moore is the WR he thinks could go late round 1 to KC or GB".
One day earlier, Jordan Schultz says that Skyy Moore is in the mix for the Packers.
And in mid-March, Christian Williams wrote:
“Skyy Moore to the Packers feels like a lock based on the fact that I haven’t heard any other WR linked to them and they’re losing their depth at the position.”
But it’s not a lock that the Packers are going to pick a receiver in round one.
On the 4/21 episode of the NFL Stock Exchange Podcast, Justis Mosqueda discusses the options for Green Bay at 28. He mentions that he himself would love for the Packers to take George Pickens, but Pickens seems destined for the second round.
Mosqueda zeroes in on the defensive side of the ball as an area of need, stating that the Packers need more depth on the interior or at edge rusher. He mentions a scenario where Green Bay could take Karlaftis, if he’s still available. But the more likely option feels like Logan Hall, who has received a tremendous amount of late buzz.
On 4/21, Ian Rapoport tweeted:
“#Houston DT Logan Hall, who most teams hope goes in round 2 but has a real chance to slide into round 1” Has had a top 30 visit with the Packers.”
And on 4/21, Brennen Rupp writes, “I really believe Logan Hall will be the pick at 28 for the Packers. A player that Joe Barry could move around in the front seven.”
Peter Bukowski has also mentioned Travis Jones on numerous occasions as an option for Green Bay.
PICK 29: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Skyy Moore (Pictured below)
Jahan Dotson
Jameson Williams (trade up)
Chris Olave (trade up)
George Pickens
The Evidence:
The Chiefs need to trade up for a top WR, right?
It’s definitely a possibility, and I have that scenario built into the list above.
On 4/18, Adam Teicher writes:
“A trade does seem more likely than not. The Chiefs also have two picks in each of the second, third and fourth rounds. They can easily move for a player or players they like and Veach likes to deal. He traded the Chiefs' first-round pick in two of the past three years and has traded up in the second round a couple of times since his first draft as GM in 2018.”
Who would Veach be targeting in a trade up scenario?
On 4/14, Josh Norris shared that Alabama WR Jameson Williams was visiting the Chiefs.
And here’s a quote from Daniel Jeremiah from The Ringer Podcast on 4/15:
“@ryenarussillo was put on this earth to eat weights, shoot jumpers, and do podcasts. Jameson Williams was put on this earth to play in the Chiefs' offense.””
Chad Forbes, on 4/19, writes:
“Entire league knows #Chiefs are figuring out how high they must trade up for 1 of Jameson Williams or Chris Olave.”
But KC may decide not to move up unless Williams and Olave slide a bit, and the stock of both players seems to be going nowhere but up in the week leading up to the draft.
So who else could be on KC’s radar.
Here’s Jordan Schultz, on 3/23:
“The #Chiefs, I’m told, are highly intrigued by Skyy Moore, the Western Michigan standout who had a tremendous combine performance.”
The following day, Schultz adds:
“Even after acquiring MVS, make no mistake: #Chiefs not done replenishing WR room - via trade, FA or draft. I mentioned they’re excitement about Skyy Moore yesterday… “
And here’s one more nugget from Jordan Schultz:
“I’m told Jahan Dotson, Treylon Burkes, David Bell and Christian Watson all have big fans inside the KC building.”
More on the Chiefs below:
PICK 30: KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Boye Mafe (Pictured below)
Lewis Cine
Daxton Hill
Kyler Gordon
Christian Watson
The Evidence:
Since we focused mostly on receivers with the 29th selection, let’s shift our focus to other positions the Chiefs might be targeting.
Lately, I’ve seen one name more than others:
On 4/19, @RookieAnalyst tweeted:
“Chiefs don't need to rely on an aging Ingram and regressing Clark on pass rush anymore. Mafe may be the steal of the first round, and provides the Chiefs with another piece for their reloading process.”
That same day, Matt Miller writes: “Chiefs are doing a lot of work on Boye Mafe and Kyler Gordon.
And here’s Matt Lombardo on the 21st, sharing what he’s heard from an anonymous scout:
“Boye Mafe’s probably the biggest sleeper to watch right now. He’s just so explosive and violent at the point of attack.”
What about the other options for KC?
Well, we already touched on Kyler Gordon, who is expected to be taken late day one and has been linked to the Chiefs.
At safety, both Daxton Hill and Lewis Cine figure to be plug and play options, and have been mocked to KC by multiple prominent analysts.
On 3/9, Charles Goldman wrote this article with the caption: “Is Georgia's Lewis Cine the safety the #Chiefs need in the first round?”
Per Jeremy Fowler, George Pickens has visited the Chiefs. Pickens or Christian Watson could be options for KC, but both Skyy Moore and Jahan Dotson feel like better fits.
PICK 31: CINCINNATI BENGALS
Kyler Gordon (Pictured below)
Kaiir Elam
Logan Hall
Tyler Linderbaum
Jalen Pitre
The Evidence:
This late in the draft, things get fairly difficult, especially in a year where many teams’ boards figure to be wildly different.
It’s been common to mock Tyler Linderbaum to Cincy, and that has some merit:
As recently as 4/21, @CincyJungle reported that picking Linderbaum is “still in the table” for the Bengals at 31.
But Linderbaum has been pegged as a player who could fall to round two.
Hayden Winks, on 4/20, writes:
“Tyler Linderbaum is a good prospect, but he's not gunna fit a lot of offenses because of his size. Only 2-of-14 mock drafts I trust have him going before his 27.5 over/under. Everyone who mocks him Round 1 has him going to the Bengals. Avoid group think. It's over time.”
Besides, the Bengals invested heavily in their offensive line in free agency, so it may be time to look elsewhere on the roster:
On 4/15, Jordan Schultz tweeted:
“When it comes to the #Bengals, I’m told corner remains a key priority entering the draft. Prospects they like include Andrew Booth Jr., Kaiir Elam, Roger McCreary, Tariq Woolen and Jalen Pitre.”
It’s also worth nothing that Kyler Gordon was invited to attend the draft in person, which is usually a sign that the player is likely to be picked in the first round. He has been mocked to the Bengals by a number of analysts.
Logan hall is another prospect who has been linked to the Bengals in recent days.
On 4/14, Joe Goodberry tweeted, “The Bengals will draft Logan Hall, DL, Houston.”
Hall has had a top 30 visit with the Bengals, per Ian Rapoport.
And here’s an interesting nugget from Paul Dehner, Jr. on 4/15:
With Houston DL Logan Hall visiting today, had a few thoughts on his fit with the #Bengals.
1. His versatility will make Lou Anarumo blush.
2. Really hits HR as the 3T on passing downs. You could have a package with Hendrickson-Hubbard/Hill-Hall-Ossai and let them eat.
PICK 32: DETROIT LIONS
Daxton Hill
Lewis Cine
Quay Walker (Pictured below)
Nakobe Dean
George Pickens
The Evidence:
This may be the most difficult pick in the entire draft to predict. Here’s why:
Jordan Reid, on 4/22, writes:
“I've been repeatedly told to pay close attention to the Lions with the No. 32 pick next week. That spot has been circled as a trade-up spot for teams looking to take a swing on a quarterback who falls to the back end of the first round.
The name I've been told to keep an eye on is Sam Howell (North Carolina). The league is a bit higher on Howell than the media.”
It feels like the Lions are unlikely to make a selection at 32, but regardless, we’ll try to figure out who they might target in that range.
On 4/22, Chris Burke mentions that Detroit could target a safety like Daxton Hill, Lewis Cine, or Jaquan Brisker in this spot. With the amount of teams in the second half of the draft we’ve linked to Hill and Cine, it’s possible both are gone. If so, Brisker could be an option.
Alternatively, the Lions could turn their attention to the Linebacker position, where they have hosted Quay Walker for a visit (per Jeff Risdon, on 4/19), and have been linked to Nakobe Dean, who is expected to fall this far, or perhaps out of round one entirely.
On 4/20, Woodward Sports tweeted, “Could Nakobe Dean fall to the Detroit Lions at 32?”
And on 4/20, Russell Brown said, “The best blitzing linebacker in the draft is Nakobe Dean and keep in mind the only team he's visited with this entire process is Detroit.”
Next up: The Official 2022 Rumor Mill Mock Draft
That concludes our four part series aimed at identifying the five players most likely to be selected by each team. Our next piece of long-form content will be the Official 2022 Rumor Mill Mock Draft. Subscribe below to receive all content, including the Rumor Mill Mock, directly in your inbox.