Although erroneously credited to be the words of the great American author Samuel Clemons, better know by his penname of Mark Twain; “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated” seems to be a fairly appropriate beginning to this article when you consider just how seldom this offseason I’ve galivanted around the threads of this hallowed website. What could be the reason for this strange and unusual absence? Has “Uncle Bill” taken a serious fall and he can’t get up? Did the old fart finally decide to retire and not let anyone at brownsfootballtalk.com know of his decision? Has he punched his ticket for that big Draft Day party in the sky? Um, no . . . I’m living my life and finding great joy in my real job, my wife and kids, my first and only granddaughter (for now) who’ll soon turn six years old and my status as an active member of my church. And since Draft Weekend begins in less than two weeks away, I figured I had better get something out on the home page for my fellow Browns fans to critique. And while past performances are not necessarily an indication of any future success, I still get some enjoyment in trying to live up to the times when this blind squirrel actually did find a nut or two. With that said, here’s my first mock draft of 2022.

ROUND ONE

1 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Ikem Ekwonu – OT – North Carolina State

2 – Detroit Lions: Aiden Hutchinson – DE – THAT SCHOOL UP NORTH

3 – Houston Texans: Travon Walker – DE – Georgia

4 – New York Jets: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner – CB – Cincinnati

5 – New York Giants: Evan Neal – OT – Alabama

6 – Carolina Panthers: Kayvon Thibodeaux – DE – Oregon

7 – New York Giants: Kyle Hamilton – S – Notre Dame

8 – Atlanta Falcons: Garrett Wilson – WR – Ohio State

9 – Seattle Seahawks: Malik Willis – QB – Liberty

10 – New York Jets: Jermaine Johnson – DE – Florida State

11 – Washington Commanders: Drake London – WR – USC

12 – Minnesota Vikings: Charles Cross – OT – Mississippi State

13 – Houston Texans: Jordan Davis – DT – Georgia

14 – Baltimore Ravens: Derek Stingley – CB – LSU

15 – Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Olave – WR – Ohio State

16 – New Orleans Saints: Kenny Pickett – QB – Pitt

17 – Los Angeles Chargers: Trevor Penning – OT – Northern Iowa

18 – Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Booth – CB – Clemson

19 – New Orleans Saints: Treylon Burks – WR – Arkansas

20 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Zion Johnson – OG – Boston College

21 – New England Patriots: Tyler Linderbaum – OC – Iowa

22 – Green Bay Packers: Jahan Dotson – WR – Penn State

23 – Arizona Cardinals: George Karlaftis – DE – Purdue

24 – Dallas Cowboys: Devin Lloyd – LB – Utah

25 – Buffalo Bills: Jameson Williams – WR – Alabama

26 – Tennessee Titans: Kenyon Green – OG – Texas a&M

27 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devonte Wyatt – DT – Georgia

28 – Green Bay Packers: Boye Mafe – DE – Minnesota

29 – Kansas City Chiefs: Trent McDuffie – CB – Washington

30 – Kansas City Chiefs: Skyy Moore – WR – Western Michigan

31 – Cincinnati Bengals: Bernhard Raimann – OT – Central Michigan

32 – Detroit Lions: Matt Corral – QB – Mississippi

BROWNS PICKS DAY 2

Travis Jones – DT – Connecticut

Alec Pierce – WR – Cincinnati

Jeremy Ruckert – TE – Ohio State

Well, that wraps up this week’s mock draft. I’m sure that you’re going to let me know what you think of it. Until the next time this is Bill Wunkle signing off from the Padded Cell, wishing each and every one of you a Happy Easter Weekend.