This quarterback class is weak. Normally, the quarterback’s are listed within the top 10 on Big Boards and there is no denying the presentation as such. But, this article looks at the top 5 quarterbacks that have the potential to be drafted in 2022. We look at the team, their need and which quarterback best fits their approach to the NFL game.
You can check where I have each quarterback mentioned in my latest 5 round mock draft: Here
1. Pittsburgh Quarterback – Kenny Pickett
Some may argue that Malik Willis could be the best overall, but Pickett is the most polished quarterback, played against some of the best competition in the country and still posted big numbers. He threw for over 4300 yards with 43 TD’s and 7 INT’s.
Potential Landing Spots
Carolina Panthers – Sam Darnold is under contract and the Panthers have the 6th overall pick. There is a connection with Matt Rhule and Pitt so this could make a lot of sense overall.
Atlanta Falcons – Atlanta holds the 8th overall pick, but they have so many holes on thier team, a quarterback might not be in the best interest of building the team at this point. Plus they signed Marcus Mariota to a 2 year deal.
New Orleans Saints – The Saints traded with Philly to have 2 picks in the first round which could signify another trade up on draft day to grab Pickett. Playing in a dome would alleviate the small hands concern and he could sit behind Winston for a year.
Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers are not desperate for a quarterback considering they signed Mitchell Trubisky to a 2 year deal. Many think that because he played at Pitt and the Steelers and Pitt share a practice facility that it’s a secondary connection. Pittsburgh has never been a team to really be enamored with a player to trade up for him. It’s a possibility, but there are other players they could grab at 20 overall without it being a quarterback.
Washington Commanders – This is an outside chance because of the trade for Carson Wentz, but he is only on a year contract with Washington and if Pickett is someone they love, Rivera could pull the trigger at 12.
Prediction: Carolina Panthers – 6 Overall
2. Libery Quarterback – Malik Willis
Potential Landing Spots
Detroit Lions – Jared Goff is under contract for this season, so Willis would likely sit for the year and develop for the 2023 season. I have heard as early as 2 overall, which is possible, but I don’t think it’s likely. Detroit could take picks 32 and 34 overall to package for a trade up into the first to grab him, which would be more likely than to take him at 2 overall.
Carolina Panthers – There is no connection here, but Carolina does not have ties to Darnold enough to stick by him. If they love Willis, then 6 overall, which I believe is still too early, would be the only opportunity for the Panthers without risking the rest of their future.
New Orleans Saints – The Saints traded with Philly to have 2 picks in the first round which could signify another trade up on draft day to grab Willis. Willis could be a solid fit in New Orleans based on the team infrastructure already in place. Again, sitting behind Winston would be ideal for Willis to develop and learn.
Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks traded away Russell Wilson and ended up with the 9th overall pick. They also hold picks 40 and 41 in the draft which could bolster a trade up with anyone to go get Willis. They could also wait it out and see if Willis drops to 9 which he likely could. To me, the Seahawks make the most sense without a trade up.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints take him with the 16th overall pick. range
3. Ole Miss Quarterback – Matt Corral
Potential Landing Spots
Seattle Seahawks – If the Seahawks trade back, depending on the position, they could grab Corral at the end of the first round but that is only if they feel pressure to do so. I have heard that Seattle loves Matt Corral which could make this very interesting around the end of round 1.
New Orleans Saints – The Saints could be in the market for Corral if they allow the board to come to them. With pick 16 and 19, it’s almost a lock that Corral is sitting there. The Saints have Winston on contract for the next 2 seasons, and they need a LT and a complement WR to Michael Thomas. WR Class is deep but the OT class is not.
Washington Commanders – This is an outside chance because of the trade for Carson Wentz, but he is only on a year contract with Washington and if Corral is the quarterback of the future, Rivera could pull the trigger at 12 or 47.
Indianapolis Colts – The Colts traded for Matt Ryan but they do hold the 42nd pick in the draft, which is where I can see the bottom of the draft is for Corral. Having Corral on your roster to sit behind Matt Ryan is a very logical scenario if that does play out. It only happens if Seattle doesn’t take him at 40 or 41, or they don’t take Willis at 9.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks – Pick 40 or 41
4. Cincinnati Quarterback – Desmond Ridder
Potential Landing Spots
Seattle Seahawks – Seattle is meeting with Ridder per due diligence, but he has good size and could be intriguing to the Seahawks for value. They have picks 40 and 41 which could package up to a team like Detroit if they love Ridder.
Detroit Lions Detroit is in a great situation, if they love Ridder, they could get the 5th year option by taking him at 32. They could also take him at 34 if they wanted to do so. This would best the teams that might look at him in 2nd round.
Atlanta Falcons – Atlanta has a lot of holes on both sides of the ball so it might not make sense to take a quarterback at all, but if they are inclined, it would be easy at pick 43 in the 2nd round. That would be if the Seahawks and Colts do not grab him first.
New Orleans Saints – The Saints could find a lot of value by waiting to take a quarterback til the 2nd round. If Ridder is available when they pick, its a gamble, but one that could pay off.
Indianapolis Colts – Indy has the 42nd pick which would come right before the Falcons. If the Seahawks take Corral, then Ridder becomes available for the Colts to draft. Matt Ryan won’t play forever.
Prediction: Detroit Lions – Pick 32 overall.
5. North Carolina Quarterback – Sam Howell
Potential Landing Spots
New York Giants – There is interest from the Giants in Howell but they are likely not to impede on Daniel Jones development. If Howell is still available at the top of the 3rd round, then the Giants would be hard pressed not to take Howell.
Detroit Lions The Lions could do the same as the Giants by waiting til the 3rd round. It would be one pick in front of the Giants but Howell could really develop behind Goff.
Atlanta Falcons – If Howell is not gone in the early 3rd to Detroit or New York, the Falcons could be waiting in the wings to take him.
Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers are intriguing becuase of their position in the 2nd round. Again, they don’t need to rush the position because they signed Trubisky.
Washington Commanders – I have not read any interest in Howell from teams like the Colts, Falcons, Saints and Lions, but there is some general interest in Washington because of Howell’s familiarity with Dyami Brown. 47 could be optimal for Washington to take a swing, but its unlikely.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers – 2nd Round 52nd pick.