Trade up, trade down or stay put in 2022 NFL Draft: The best plan for all 32 picks in

The 2022 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and unlike in years past, no one’s got even a mild handle on how the first round is going to play out. There’s a consensus regarding the likely No. 1 overall pick, sure, and you’ll find a lot of the same names in the top five or so picks across mock drafts. But there’s a lot of uncertainty even among notable positions like quarterback, where prospects like Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis and Matt Corral are all vying to come off the board first.

With that in mind, we decided to run through each of the 32 first-round picks and suggest what each team should do in each slot: trade up, trade down or stay put. Some clubs are better positioned to move up for premium talent. Others might benefit more from collecting additional assets. Here’s how we’d advise their decision-makers:

Normally, we’d say trade down just because, even after another veteran spending spree, they could use all the picks they can get. But with 12 selections already in hand, the mission here is simple: secure the best guy. That’s likely Michigan pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who could pair with Josh Allen to give Jacksonville a legitimate D-line.

2. Lions: Trade down

If they really like a quarterback here (see: Malik Willis), they should think long and hard about pulling the trigger. If not, they’d be better off expanding their collection of picks, especially with another first (No. 32) on deck.

3. Texans: Stay put

Entertaining calls to move down wouldn’t hurt, but they’ve already got two thirds and two fourths. With a need for premium talent at pretty much every position, they should sit tight, add a top tackle or pass rusher, then find another starter at No. 13.

4. Jets: Trade down

Maybe a tackle (Ikem Ekwonu) or edge rusher (Kayvon Thibodeaux) is worth it, but with another crack at a first-rounder at No. 10, they can afford to move down and pick up another Day 2 pick or two as they try to accelerate their rebuild.

5. Giants: Trade back

Like the Jets, they’ll surely have a chance to get a top OT or pass rusher, but with another pick two slots later, why not solicit offers from QB-needy teams? Coming off a dire salary-cap situation, they need all the extra ammunition they can get.

This is a popular spot for QB projections, and hey, if they’re sold on Willis or Kenny Pickett, you could do worse. But considering most of these QB prospects appear similar in terms of risk/reward, they should prioritize rebuilding draft capital — they don’t pick again until the fourth round — and take a swing at QB later in the first.

7. Giants: Stay put

We have them trading back from No. 5, so here is the prime spot for securing an instant starter, either at tackle or basically any defensive position. Sauce Gardner, Kyle Hamilton or Nakobe Dean would all make for playmaking additions.

Many have suggested a trade down, but they already own two second- and third-round picks after the Matt Ryan and Julio Jones trades of the last year. By sitting tight, they ensure themselves a shot at a top QB — Willis being the most enticing long-term bet — or playmaker, either on offense (Garrett Wilson?) or defense (Jermaine Johnson II?).

Armed with a pair of high second-rounders after their Russell Wilson trade, they have the ability to shake up the top 10, either to add Wilson’s successor (Willis? Matt Corral?) or get themselves a new left tackle or No. 1 cornerback.

10. Jets: Stay put

If they’re gonna move down from No. 4, as suggested above, they should hang onto this one, ensuring they leave Day 1 with a top-10 talent, likely at wide receiver, edge rusher or cornerback.

Staying put and adding the best defensive back on the board would be just fine, but after dealing a pair of picks for new QB Carson Wentz, they should consider a drop to accumulate darts.

There’s a real case to be made for every scenario here. If you think they’re playoff material, why not move up to secure one of the top corners? If you’re taking the long view, why not add picks so new management can prepare for life beyond Kirk Cousins? In the end, they can probably stay where they’re at, keep their other picks and still land a top-flight edge rusher or cover man.

13. Texans: Stay put

More than most teams with multiple firsts, they desperately need talent at every position. By picking at No. 3 and No. 13, they should at least be able to add one impact starter to their lineup for 2022.

14. Ravens: Trade up

They could just as easily sit tight and roll with the best pass rusher or corner, but with two third-rounders and a whopping five fourth-rounders, they shouldn’t hesitate to make a play for a top-10 talent like Sauce Gardner or Jermaine Johnson II.

15. Eagles: Stay put

It all depends on who’s available, but after moving one of their three firsts to 2023 in a big swap with the Saints, they should take a breath and secure either a Day 1 starter or long-term…