With Madden season in full swing, most enthusiasts will be looking to edit player ratings to their liking and create the players they want to see in the game. As much as this game is updated every year, those of us who love college football want to see our favorite players in the game sooner rather than later. In Madden that is. Understanding the excitement and anxiousness of using the college stars of the NFL’s future now, I decided to make this fun and put together a 2022 NFL mock draft with every devy prospect available to be drafted. Why not see what it would look like if all devy players were eligible now, Madden style? The draft order is based on preseason power rankings. Enjoy!
1.01 D.J. Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson - Overall: 79
Jared Goff is obviously not the answer for the Lions. As much as they need a wide receiver, there’s no way that they don’t pick a quarterback developed in a lab like D.J. Uiagalelei with the first overall pick.
1.02 Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma - Overall: 77
Deshaun Watson can be considered a free agent at this point. Davis Mills and Tyrod Taylor are not the answer. Spencer Rattler has shown enough at Oklahoma to be a dual-threat quarterback with a big arm that can change how the Texans’ offense plays and looks. Losing Watson is devasting to Houston, but Rattler brings star power and arm talent to bring the most out of his receivers.
1.03 Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas - Overall: 79
The Eagles need a playmaker at the running back position. That was an identity of theirs when they were contending years ago. Bijan Robinson is a blue-chip prospect at the position and can be a difference-maker for the Eagles from day one.
1.04 , Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State - Overall: 77
The Jaguars are going to be anxious to get Trevor Lawrence as much help as possible on offense. Garrett Wilson is a technician as a route runner and will provide Lawrence with a reliable playmaker, whether in the slot or outside.
1.05 Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State - Overall: 78
Although Michael Carter was a good pick for the Jets, he does not provide three-down ability. Breece Hall has been dominant during his career at Iowa State and shows to be a solid receiver out of the backfield. He can be expected to continue that dominance in the NFL and help the Jets get the run game going
1.06 Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn - Overall: 77
The Bengals have Joe Mixon, but there are questions about his health, and there is no one competing behind him. Tank Bigsby is a perfect fit for the Cincinnati offense and will provide Joe Burrow a weapon on the ground or through the air to open up this Bengals offense if and when Mixon moves on.
1.07 Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU - Overall: 77
It seems that the Giants need help everywhere, but if they intend to stick with Daniel Jones, he will need an outstanding receiver with excellent adjustment to the bar and good body control. Kayshon Boutte has shown promise early on at LSU and looks like the real deal has an NFL prospect.
1.08 Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina -
Overall: 75
The Panthers took a chance on Sam Darnold, but he does not look like he’s going to be the answer from everything we have seen. Sam Howell has been highly productive at North Carolina and enters the NFL with a strong arm and poise in the pocket to get his receivers the ball. He might be exactly what the Panthers have been missing at the quarterback position.
1.09 Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas - Overall: 76
The Vikings could use a quarterback here, but their stubbornness to stick with Kirk Cousins makes me believe that they will continue to surround him with weapons. With Adam Thielen getting up there in age, they take Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks, who has outstanding size and athleticism combination, to dominate against NFL defenders. There is no excuse for Cousins not to be productive with Burks and Jefferson in the same offense.
1.10 David Bell, WR, Purdue - Overall: 75
The charges are not assumed to resign Mike Williams and need a physical receiver with strong hands to take over that role. David Bell has been absolutely dominant at Purdue since he stepped onto the field. Bell produced at a high level even with a playmaker such as Rondale Moore in the same offense. Team him up with Justin Herbert, and this is a duo we will be talking about for years.
1.11 Bryce Young, QB, Alabama -
Overall: 75
The Broncos have been clueless for the past couple of years when it comes to the quarterback position. Bryce young looks like the next quarterback out of Alabama to be a rising star in the NFL. With so much surrounding talent around him, he finds a familiar face in Jerry Jeudy and also lands with Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant, and K.J. Hamler. We could see this Broncos offense come to life with Young under center.
1.12 Caleb Williams, QB, Oklahoma - Overall: 75
The Raiders have been trying to move on from Derek Carr for what seems like forever now. As crazy as it may seem for them to take a quarterback who has yet to showcase himself in college, Caleb Williams has immense talent and provides the upside for the Raiders offense that is much needed.
1.13 Kedon Slovis, QB, USC - Overall 73
This is probably a questionable pick based on the film that we saw last year. As much as Kedon Slovis may have looked bad, he was also injured. Based on his first year of film, he shows tremendous arm talent and pocket navigation to provide the Washington Football Team young quarterback that could develop into the franchise QB of the future.
1.14 Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State - Overall: 74
When Justin Fields did not have Chris Olave available last season, it almost seemed like Fields did not know what to do with the ball. The apparent chemistry these two have is a no-brainer pick for the Bears as wide receiver is a significant need for this team. The immediate chemistry will provide day one upside for Fields and Olave, with years of production to look forward to.
1.15 Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Georgia Tech - Overall: 74
It’s crazy that the Falcons seem to have no answer for the running back position. They finally get their guy in Georgia Tech running back Jahmyr Gibbs. He provides explosive play-making ability on the ground and is a genuine threat as a receiver. He possesses the combination of talent that this offense has been missing.
1.16 Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame - Overall: 76
The Cowboys seem to have every position solidified except for the tight end. Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer has the physical stature, athleticism, and play strength that provides the Cowboys with the dominant tight end they need. Mayer is so talented as a receiver; the Irish have been questioning whether to use him there. The addition of Mayer immediately adds a boost to this Dallas offense.
1.17 Jaxon Smith-Njiba, WR, Ohio State - Overall 74
Jaxon Smith-Njiba may not be a household name now, but he will after this season. He provides the Patriots with the type of physical dominance in their offense that they were hoping to get from N’Keal Harry. Adding a weapon such as Smith-Njigba is a priority for their young QB in Mac Jones, who will need intelligent pass-catchers with playmaking upside.
1.18 Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M - Overall: 74
Chase Edmunds is a viable running back but not the answer long-term. The addition of James Conner seems like a one-year rental which leads the Cardinals looking for the answer in the backfield. Isaiah Spiller possesses the size and physicality that the Cardinals need. He also has proven during his time at Texas A&M to be a good receiver. Spiller gives the Cardinals a missing piece to the puzzle that they have needed since David Johnson.
1.19 TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State - Overall: 74
This is possibly another questionable pic, but there’s no denying Ohio State true freshman TreVeyon Henderson’s talent. Henderson is a special player and one that the Dolphins do not want to miss out on. With all the additions they have made to this offense, providing speed and athleticism, Henderson adds to the dynamic explosiveness that the Dolphins are looking for.
1.20 Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss -
Overall: 73
Ben Roethlisberger should finally be on the way out, and the Steelers need to answer who the future quarterback will be. The curious case of Matt Corral lies within the Alabama and Arkansas games. In the game against Alabama, he displayed brilliance and dominance; the very next week against Arkansas, he threw six interceptions. The question is, which Corral can we expect? Based on the athleticism, arm talent, and competitiveness, Corral seems like the perfect fit for the type of quarterback Pittsburgh is seeking. If he can show some development within his mental processing this season, the Steelers will be happy to get a playmaker at the most vital position in the NFL.
1.21 John Metchie, WR, Alabama - Overall: 74
The Titans just traded for Julio Jones and have up-and-coming superstar A.J. Brown. With Jones getting up there in age, the Titans will be looking for a young receiver to develop and take his place. They go back to the Alabama well and select John Metchie, who looks to have taken a step in his development last year, and we expect him to continue that as an NFL prospect.
1.22 Jermaine Burton, WR, Georgia -
Overall: 74
There will be a debate on which Georgia receiver is better and should be going first in this mock draft. Last season Jermaine Burton showed brilliance as a receiver and was dominant at the catch point. As much as the Colts could go with a quarterback here, they will want first to see what they have in Carson Wentz. Adding a weapon such as Burton will provide them with the security they need for an offense that depends on the upside of young talented receivers to give Wentz the best chance at success.
1.23 Zach Evans, RB, TCU - Overall: 73
Zach Evans had one of the weirdest recruitments in recent history. His indecisiveness as to where he would commit made some jump off the bandwagon. When he showcased himself last year at TCU, he did show that he has the talent that would translate to the NFL. The Seahawks have given Chris Carson every opportunity, and as much as he has provided them with a safety net, he is not the answer for the future. Zach Evans should show even more development this season and offer a glimpse of what he could be at the next level.
1.24 Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson - Overall: 74
What an incredible story that Justyn Ross has coming into this season. Many thought he might never play football again, but he was just cleared to play this season for the Clemson Tigers. The 49ers just drafted Trey Lance, and they need to add some size and physicality to their receiver room. Ross brings just that and an outstanding catch radius with strong hands, which the 49ers lack outside of George Kittle.
1.25 George Pickens, WR, Georgia - Overall: 74
The Browns have done an outstanding job of providing Baker Mayfield a Cadillac to drive on offense. George Pickens adds the size, hands, and contested-catch ability to give Mayfield some security considering his accuracy has been questionable thus far. There is a chance that Pickens falls in the actual NFL Draft due to off-field issues and his lack of production since his breakout year, but there’s no doubting that his talent can provide the Browns with immense upside.
1.26 Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland - Overall: 73
The Saints need so much help, and as they could go quarterback here, the contract they gave Taysom Hill and the opportunity they are giving Jameis Winston tells us that they want to see which one will rise to the challenge of being the starter. That being said, the Saints need to get younger at the receiver position and provide their starting quarterback with legit weapons. Rakim Jarrett broke out as a true freshman at Maryland, showing he has the speed, route manipulation, and hands that the Saints have needed since losing Michael Thomas to injury.
1.26 Kendall Milton, RB, Georgia -
Overall: 73
The Rams just selected Cam Akers, but the injury he sustained may leave the Rams looking for a backup answer. Georgia running back Kendall Milton is a ground and pound runner who shows solid vision and tenacity when running between the tackles. His long speed and agility are questionable, but his intelligence to see the field and know what is coming allows him to evade possible pursuit angles. Milton will have the opportunity this season to show whether he has improved in these areas or not, but he provides the thunder to Akers lightning that will allow the Rams a powerful run game.
1.28 Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma -
Overall: 73
Aaron Rodgers is back, and it’s time to give him the weapons he deserves. Although slight in size, Marvin Mims showcases elusiveness and the ability to separate as a route runner. He has excellent hands and will provide Rodgers a young weapon that he’s wanted for years.
1.29 Jalen Wydermyer, TE, Texas A&M - Overall: 73
The Ravens are another offense that has done an excellent job of stocking every position with talent. They go back to the tight end well for this pick and select Texas A&M tight end Jalen Wydermyer. The Ravens drafted Hayden Hurst in the first round the same year they drafted Mark Andrews in the third round. There was an apparent blueprint that the Ravens wanted to use two tight ends. Wydermyer has been highly productive in college and can provide the Ravens another tight end for Lamar Jackson to benefit from.
1.30 Kevin Harris, RB, South Carolina -
Overall: 72
The Bills Added Stefon Diggs and just signed Josh Allen to a huge contract, making him their franchise quarterback for years. The one questionable position is the backfield. Zack Moss and Devon Singletary have held down the fort. Still, the bills add a robust and competitive runner in South Carolina running back, Kevin Harris. He offers them the size, strength, and toughness needed to open up the passing game and get those hard-earned yards on the ground. This will be a big year for Harris as he needs to show that the production he displayed last year was not a fluke, and he is a dominant running back with NFL talent.
1.31 Quinn Ewers, QB, Ohio State - Overall: 72
Looking at the Buccaneers roster, there’s not much that they need. This roster is stacked. Since they have the best quarterback to play the game at the age of 44, let’s give them an extremely young quarterback with incredible talent in Quinn Ewers. If you were asking, the answer is yes, he is eligible for this mock draft as he skipped his senior year of high school and signed with Ohio State for this upcoming season. The Bucs now have a young quarterback that looks to be an up-and-coming star behind the best quarterback to play the game. If this seems outlandish, this is a madden mock draft with every offensive devy prospect available to be drafted. This entire concept is ridiculous, so let’s make it fun.
1.32 Jahleel Billingsley, TE, Alabama - Overall: 73
The Chiefs could use a wide receiver for sure, but the dominance of Travis Kelce has driven this offense for years. With Kelce turning 32 this upcoming season, it is time for Kansas City to find his replacement and develop him. Alabama tight end Jahleel Billingsley, who might not be well-known now, is poised to have a productive season in 2021. Billingsley has solid size but could benefit from additional weight. He has outstanding athletic ability, to the point that he made Bruce Feldman’s freaks list. If the Chiefs are looking for another playmaker at the tight end position, they can’t go wrong with the amount of upside that Billingsley can deliver.
