The Five Best Quarterbacks In The 2022 NFL Draft
Ranking the top five gunslingers in this years draft.
This years quarterback draft class has the potential to have five potential superstars drafted in the first round or five busts scattered through days one and two.
5. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
Ridder feels pro ready, but just doesn’t have the same talent as the four guys ahead of him. He has great attributes with a pretty big arm, but lacks the flare that other quarterbacks in this draft have.
This past season the Louisville native passed for 3,334 yards and 30 touchdowns with 8 interceptions while also rushing for 355 yards and 6 touchdowns. I liked watching Ridder play this year and he feels like a safe pick in late round one or early round two, but not a guy who’s going to light your franchise on fire, in a good or bad way.
4. Malik Willis, Liberty
Malik Willis has the highest ceiling, yet lowest floor of any quarterback in this years draft because of his style of play. He loves to use his legs, almost too much as he rushed the ball 197 times this season for 878 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Through the air his numbers lacked in comparison to the four other players on this list as he passed for 2,857 yards and 27 touchdowns. I love how good Willis is on his feet, but it’s the same fear a lot of analysts had with Lamar that the amount he runs could lead to an injury. Like I said before, highest ceiling, lowest floor.
3. Sam Howell, North Carolina
If we’re talking the most pro ready quarterback in this class, it’s Sam Howell. Howell has the poise, composure, and mechanics to start right away in the NFL, but I don’t think he’s better than the two guys I have above him.
This past season for the Tar Heels, Howell passed for 3,056 yards and 24 touchdowns while simultaneously rushing for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s an electrifying player that could push a quarterback-less team to a wildcard game in his first season. I don’t think his long term success will be the same as the top two players, but Howell could strike early in his career and make a name for himself.
I envision either New Orleans or Pittsburgh taking him in the middle of the first or possibly Detroit with the last pick of the first round.
2. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Pickett is the best athlete in this quarterback class. He passed for 4,319 yards with 42 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in a fairly competitive ACC. In addition to his success through the air, Pickett makes it work on his feet as he rushed for 241 yards, 5 touchdowns, and one epic fake slide.
Malik Willis is a good scrambler, but relies on it almost too much for the pro level. Pickett is smarter in that aspect of the game as he picks and chooses his spots too scramble to avoid getting injured. I think he’ll be very successful in the NFL, but not as a first year starter. He needs more time to develop before taking the reins of an NFL franchise.
1. Matt Corral, Ole Miss
Corral is the best quarterback in this year draft because of his versatility. This past season he passed for 3,349 yards with 20 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions in an SEC that was loaded on defense. He also rushed for 614 yards and 11 touchdowns.
One concern is that he did hurt his knee in a 21-7 Sugar Bowl loss. If this injury isn’t an issue by the draft then whoever takes a flyer on him will be VERY happy. I could see the Panthers at eight or the Commanders at eleven grab this dynamic dual threat gunslinger to change the trajectory of their franchises.
The Ventura native has great mechanics and is a quick thinker that will pull the ball down and run without hesitation. If he’s given the proper weapons then he’ll be the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Corral is a baller and a guy with the tools to succeed in the pros.