NFL MOCK DRAFT 2022- A LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL FIRST PICKS FOR EVERY TEAM IN THE NFC WEST

NFL / Football

Written by Joel Lefevre

Three NFC West teams qualified for the postseason a year ago, making it the most competitive division in the NFL. The Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks combined for 40 wins in the regular season. Only two teams in this division have picks in the first round of the 2022 draft, which shows how strong these clubs were last year, with the Seahawks being the only one to finish below .500. The top three teams in this division had double digits in wins, while the Rams would go on to capture the Super Bowl on home soil. Here is a look at each team in the NFC West and who I see them selecting at the draft, which runs from April 28-30.

George Karlaftis | Source (Background Photo): Getty Images

Seattle Seahawks- Round 1- Pick#9- Malik Willis, quarterback

It looks as though Seattle are planning to tear it all down and start from scratch after dealing Russell Wilson to Denver, creating a chain reaction of blockbuster moves around the league. Drew Lock is likely at the top of the depth chart in terms of quarterbacks currently on Pete Carroll’s roster, but the upside of Malik Willis will be hard for them to look past.

Willis has the potential to be a difference-maker, with a big arm and great vision. He has shown a ton of poise and is capable of reading cover schemes quite well. This Auburn alumnus has the legs to get out of pressure and turn what could be a sack into a positive gain. Seattle will need more than that to contend next season but having Willis in the mix would be a good start.

Arizona Cardinals- Round 1- Pick#23- George Karlaftis, edge rusher

For a team that runs plenty of man-to-man coverage, getting more pressure at the line of scrimmage will be significant. The Cardinals would be lucky to get an edge rusher with the calibre of George Karlaftis. The man who hails from Greece has the potential to make a real impact early on in the NFL.

Karlaftis is versatile, while capable of bull-rushing both inside and outside. The junior out of Purdue thrives under a 3-4 defence and should feel right at home under the tutelage of Vance Joseph. He has good power with a relentless motor to keep the heat on his offensive counterparts throughout a game. He is a real team guy and a premium run-stopper who plays with a physical filter. His persistency and energy would be a contagious asset for the Cardinals.

San Francisco 49ers- Round 2- Pick#61- Tariq Woolen- cornerback

The Niners got killed through the air in the NFC championship game this past season as Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. scorched their secondary for a combined 255 receiving yards. A decent cover game could have sent San Fran into the Super Bowl, and who knows what would have transpired then.

Tariq Woolen can close quickly and has an incredible length with 33 5/8” arms that are capable of making big plays. His smooth hips allow him to effectively cover vertical routes, while he has blazing top-end speed which should enable him to contend with big receivers for jump balls. He has elite athletic talent with solid positioning and can cover vertical routes effectively. Kyle Shanahan could use his length and ability to close distance quickly, on his roster next season.

Los Angeles Rams- Round 3- Pick#104- DeAngelo Malone, edge rusher

The reigning Super Bowl champs are the last team to get a draft pick this year, and it does not come until round number three. There is still a ton of star quality defensively for Sean McVay which will make the Rams solid favourites to retain their title. With Aaron Donald returning, plus the addition of former Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, this will be a tough team to score on, but it never hurts to add more depth.

DeAngelo Malone has unwavering physicality, big hands, and an ability to tackle the ball carrier effectively. He is agile, flexible, and more than capable of recovering from some strong blocks. His bendy body will make him a thoughtful rusher, who is deceptively strong. The Western Kentucky edge rusher has the range and talent to be considered a 4-3 linebacker, while also being a strong tackler who can create some fumbles.