Madden 22 Mock Draft
by GabrielJB | 3 years ago | 0 Comments
STACKx Mock Draft - Madden 22
Welcome to the Not-Too-Early SML Primer Madden 22 Mock Draft! This is my prediction of where each team will go next year.
Let's get right to it!
1.Tennessee Titans
The Titans were already going to be hard to stop with the best Madden running back Derrick Henry plowing through defenses, even with the subpar defense. The blockbuster trade for Julio Jones pushes them all the way to #1. This is the team users are going to create leagues for just so they can control. The 2019 Chiefs and 2020 Ravens. Whoever gets this team has no excuse for not winning several playoff games in the cycle.
2.Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs lost some key pieces on the offensive line, but those are the easiest positions to replace in Madden. Patrick Mahomes' cannon of an arm and Tyreek Hill's game breaking speed keep this team one of the most dangerous in the game, not even accounting for Travis Kelce and the rest of the speedy receivers. The defense is a weakness but Mathieu and Jones will keep users honest while the younger players develop.
3. Baltimore Ravens
In my opinion, the Ravens are nowhere near as attractive as they were a year ago, and after looking at this roster I'm not sure why. They still have Lamar and Hollywood Brown, enough to torch defenses on the ground and through the air. They still have a really good defense with playmakers at all levels. I think Lamar was definitely "nerfed" in 21 and other mobile qbs like Deshaun Watson and Kyler Murray were seemingly more consistent through the air, keeping me on the fence about this team's value in team drafts.
4. Green Bay Packers
It's looking like that Aaron Rodgers trade probably won't happen before the next cycle, and the Packers are one of the strongest teams in Madden. Davante Adams and Jaire Alexander are two of the best at their position, and they have a lot of playmakers on both sides of the field. Of course, with Rodgers you get the game breaking gunslinger ability and one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the game.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A lot was made of the Bucs bringing back all 22 starters from last year's Super Bowl winning season, and the Bucs are another one of these complete teams with stars all around. Yes, whatever user takes this team will probably only have Brady, Suh, and Gronk for a season or two before they retire, but luckily those positions are easy to replace in Madden. The rest of the team is loaded with young stars from Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, to Devin White and Winfield Jr.
6. Cleveland Browns
This team could very well be overlooked going into team drafts. In my opinion, they are the most complete team in the game and they have the one thing most other strong offenses lack, a strong offensive line. Don't forget all their stars are young and will last the entire cycle. I could list the Brown's entire roster as reasons to pick this team, but at the end of the day it comes down to maintaining the stars from last year and adding Jadeveon Clowney on the other side of Myles Garrett. This is the team I would pick if I had the #1 pick in the draft.
7. Los Angeles Chargers
The further I get down this list, I realize how many teams are STACKED coming into next season. The Chargers are another team with talent all around. Their defense is going to be one of the best in Madden with Derwin, Bosa, and Murray on that side. On offense they are set at QB with Herbert and probably at HB at Ekeler. Their user will need to prioritize finding a speedy receiver to pair with Keenan Allen and fix the offensive line, but they are set to be successful for the entire cycle.
8. Buffalo Bills
The Bills bump way up this list from last year with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs developing into one of the lethal QB-WR duos in the league. They will be a popular choice for users that like to go deep and play pass heavy. Their defense is capable of stopping most teams with Tre White leading the way. Their user will need to sure up some holes on that side and find a better option at HB to be one of the best in the league.
9. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are another team way up the list from last year. Dalvin Cook is one of the best backs in the game and the pair of Thielen and Jefferson on the outside will give defenses fits. They've also put effort into improving their defenses, namely bringing in Patrick Peterson from Arizona.
10. New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees is gone and this team will need to decide if Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill is a long term answer. The transition will be easier with Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas and a solid offensive line. They also have stars at all levels of the defense, including Cam Jordan and Marshon Lattimore. The fact this team falls this far is a testament to how strong some teams are coming into the year and also a factor of some teams being flashier options. Whichever user this team falls to will be getting a gift.
11. Arizona Cardinals
This team might be taken a lot higher if someone is in love with the Kyler Murray-Deandre Hopkins tandem or the game breaking Isaiah Simmons, but they have a lot of holes, and aren't America's team like the Cowboys. The addition of JJ Watt gives their pass rush a boost but he and Chandler Jones will regress fast. Their user will need to fill a lot of holes on both sides that aren't easy to find in Madden, namely an HB, pass rushers and defensive backs.
12. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys remain one of the strongest offenses this year, with Dak returning, Zeke still being good on paper, and a strong receiving core. Their offensive line isn't great anymore, but they're still pretty good. The defense has Jaylon Smith and LVE, but linebackers were ineffective in Madden 21. This team will be taken because of their strong offense or because there's a Dallas fan among us.
13. Seattle Seahawks
I had this team in the top 3 last year after the Jamal Adams trade. Somehow that did not translate to an overpowered defense. This team still has Russ and a breakout year from DK should have him as one of the best WRs for the next cycle. The Seahawks have regressed bad but the standouts on this team have them as probably a more popular option than the rest of the teams.
14. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are, in my opinion, one of the best mid round options. Jalen Ramsey and Aaron Donald set this team up for success in two of the most important positions in Madden. The offense only got marginally better with Matt Stafford always being underrated in Madden. The rest of this offense is good as far as skill ratings, but lack the most important Madden ingredient, speed.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are one of those popular, flashy picks that could go way higher if someone wants a team they can build over the cycle. While I'm not sold on the idea of Tebow at TE, this team has young stars everywhere. From last year ROY candidate James Robinson, to rookies Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, to the WR tandem of DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault, this team is set up for success in the long term. The defense is set up the same with Myles Jack, K'lavon Chaisson, and CJ Henderson leading the charge.
16. Washington Football Team
Wasn't this team supposed to get a name this offseason? No matter, they are still a strong pick and getting them this late will be a gift for a good defensive user. They have a very strong defense with one of the best defensive lines in the game and two young star pass rushers. They also improved that side with the addition of William Jackson III. The offense will run through the speed of Scary Terry and Curtis Samuel, and a good, not great, backfield duo of Gibson and McKissic.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
This team has a lot of talent that will ultimately be overlooked for one reason, Big Ben. Their Hall of Fame QB is getting old and will need to be replaced sooner than later. This team is set up for success in almost every other area, though, with a rookie RB Najee Harris that "works too hard" and 2nd year wide-out Chase Claypool looking to cement himself as their number one option. The defense has a star pass rusher in TJ Watt and a playmaker on the back end with Minkah Fitzpatrick. This is one of those teams a late picker would be happy to have.
18. New York Giants
The New York Giants may well go from laughing stock to division winner this year IF they can stay healthy. The addition of Kenny Golladay gives the Giants a true number one option and of course the offense still runs through Saquon Barkley. Both those guys spent more time off the field than on it last year though, so their user will need to be cautious of their potentially high injury risk. The defense needs some work in the long term, but the offense has more than enough to keep pace in the NFC East.
19. Denver Broncos
The Broncos could be a QB away from competing. Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Noah Fant give the user some nice weapons to throw to and Melvin Gordon is a capable HB. The defense is reloaded and can force some turnovers, even in a loaded AFC West.
20. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins value hinges on how you see Tua. If you think he is the future, then you see a team with good, young receivers to go with it. If you don't want to play with a left handed QB, then you see someone who needs to be replaced. Don't forget about the potentially game breaking Jaylen Waddle. The defense should be good enough to win in a mostly incompetent AFC East. Jerome Baker, Byron Jones and Xavien Howard will carry the defense for most of the cycle.
21. Philadelphia Eagles
The arrival of Jalen Hurts and addition of Devonta Smith make the offense enticing enough. The defense is similar to the Rams in that they have enough in Fletcher Cox and Darius Slay to remain competitive, despite lack of playmakers elsewhere.
22. San Francisco 49ers
We're at the point where each team will have some nice players and position groups, but also several holes to fill. The 49ers have one of the best TEs in the game in Kittle and a good young receiving core. They will need to figure out who their QB is moving forward and fix some holes in their defense to compete in a very competitive NFC West.
23. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are one of those teams like the Jaguars, where their young stars and potential may force them off the board earlier. They are set up to succeed almost everywhere on offense except the offensive line. They will need some good draft picks or signings to sure up the defensive side of things.
24. Atlanta Falcons
The Julio trade hurts this team’s appeal a lot. Matt Ryan’s awful contract and the lack of a runningback add to this team’s drop in value. They also got worse on an already bad defense, losing both starting safeties. A closer look shows a capable roster, though. The addition of Kyle Pitts is exciting as he is probably the most "sure thing" in the draft, and Calvin Ridley is positioned to be one of the top pass catchers in the league. They have Grady Jarrett and Deion Jones to attempt to hold things down while some of the younger pieces develop.
25. Chicago Bears
The Bears may finally have their franchise guy in Justin Fields. He will surely be a lot of fun for whatever user ends up with this team. The rest of the offense needs work but he'll at least have Allen Robinson to throw to. Their defense isn't as terrifying as they were in the recent past, but Khalil Mack can still wreak havoc in the backfield.
26. Las Vegas Raiders
Whoever takes this team probably wants to abuse Henry Ruggs' speed, but other than that, they have Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller. The defense has gotten better with the additions of Ngakoue and Casey Heyward, but they still have a lot of work to go to compete in the AFC West. They'll probably go higher than they should just because they're the Raiders and there will undoubtedly be a Raiders fan in here.
27. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers replaced Teddy Bridgewater with Sam Darnold. Time will tell if that move pays off in real life. In Madden, it mostly means a less mobile QB with similar accuracy ratings. Let's get to the point, though. If you're picking this team, you're doing it for Christian McCaffrey.
28. Indianapolis Colts
Unfortunately for the Primer, there's not a Colts fan picking number 1 and this underwhelming team will fall hard. Carson Wentz may be serviceable in Madden, but the Colts successful style of defense doesn't translate well into video games without name brand superstars. They do have Johnathan Taylor at HB who should be able to develop into one of the best in the league.
29. New England Patriots
The Patriots added some weapons and are unquestionably better on paper than last year. Their user will have to decide whether to go with Mac Jones or use Cam to start, but at least he has people to throw to now. Their defense is going to keep them respectable, led by Stephon Gilmore.
30. Houston Texans
The Texans were awful heading into last year after losing Hopkins, and now they lose JJ Watt. Deshaun Watson is the only hope this team has of being competitive, if he can stay on the field. He also makes them more attractive than the remaining two teams.
31. Detroit Lions
The Lions traded away Matt Stafford and lost Kenny Golladay, as if they weren't bad enough already. They did recoup some draft picks from the Stafford trade (if Madden codes them in properly) and Goff is as serviceable as anyone. Make no mistake, this is a team you get stuck with at the bottom, but there's one reason they aren't ranked last: their jerseys. They are without a doubt better than the Jets, and when you’re stuck with a choice between two awful teams, pick the one with the jerseys you'd prefer to look at all year.
32. New York Jets
The Jets are the running joke of the league, and may be the worst team heading into next year. 2nd overall pick Zach Wilson brings a fresh arm to the Big Apple and won't be ruined by Adam Gase. At the end of the day, though, this is a team you get stuck with. It will take a good user to develop this team and make them competitive.