NFL mock draft 2022 - Mel Kiper's new predictions for all 32 first-round picks, filling team needs after free agency

With the first wave of NFL free agency and a few league-shaking quarterback trades past us, team needs are becoming more clear ahead of the 2022 NFL draft. We've seen which teams have been aggressive in adding veterans and which have sat out free agency (and saved salary-cap space) while looking to a draft class deep with wide receivers and edge rushers.

Let's get into a new post-free-agency first-round mock draft. I did my previous mock right before the combine earlier this month, so this one has some notable changes, with the Seahawks (No. 9) entering the first round and the Texans (No. 13) and Packers (No. 22) adding a second Round 1 selection. Where will the first quarterback go? Could the Lions shake things up at No. 2? And what's the Falcons' plan now?

As a reminder, I'm going to project the top 32 picks based on a combination of my rankings, team needs and what I'm hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league. Round 1 begins April 28, which means there's plenty of time for more changes to come.

The order for all 262 picks is set, and check out our one-hour SportsCenter Special at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+. Here we go:

Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

When I did my previous mock draft, before the combine, I started off my write-up for this pick with this: «Offensive tackle or edge rusher here? I don't think the Jaguars are set either way.» Well, things change quickly in the NFL. Jacksonville decided to franchise tag left tackle Cam Robinson for the second straight year, taking away its need for a top-tier blindside protector (at least for a year) for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Now, Hutchinson is the heavy favorite to go to the Jags — barring a desperate team trading up.

Hutchinson, my top-ranked prospect