2022 NFL DRAFT: QUARTERBACKS
SAM HOWELL, North Carolina (JR), QB
By Brandon Lane
Perhaps not mentioned as frequently as Pickett and Willis, but I think there is a chance Howell could be the best option in the class. He is a dual threat Quarterback who has the mobility to extend plays. Howell has a BIG ARM and it’s possible he throws the best deep ball in the class. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go in the Top 10 picks of the NFL Draft.
PLUSES:
• MOBILITY! Not only did he run for 828 yards and 11 TDs he also forced 65 missed tackles (4.8 yards after contact) in his 2021 season.
• Arm strength
• Attacks man coverage
CONCERNS:
• Pocket pressence is an issue as he took a 12% sack rate
• Boom/Bust potential
MALIK WILLIS, Liberty (rSR), QB
By Brandon Lane
Favorite to be the first Quarterback off the board but lacks the experience to be a starter day one in the NFL. Coming out of Liberty there is a concern with the level of competition he faced but his BIG arm coupled with his rushing game has teams looking past some of this to his eventual upside.
PLUSES:
• Great against man coverage
• Outstanding runner with elite speed
• Back-to-back seasons with close to1000 rushing yards and at least 13 rushing TDs
CONCERNS:
• Pocket pressence is an issue as he took a 13% sack rate
• One of the older QBs in the class but doesn't have the experience to back it up
KENNY PICKETT, Pittsburgh (rSR), QB
By Brandon Lane
We’ve all heard about the small hands but Pickett is likely the most pro-ready Quarterback in this years draft class. A four-year starter who is an efficient passer, Pickett broke both Dan Marino and Deshaun Watson’s ACC record for most passing touchdowns in a single season with 42 TDs.
PLUSES:
• Good size
• Throws well on the move
• Great speed, 4.76 40-yard dash
CONCERNS:
• Late bloomer, prior to the 2021 season he threw a total of 39 TDs from 2017–2020
DESMOND RIDDER, Cincinnati (rSR), QB
By Brandon Lane
A four-year starter for the Bearcats but it wasn’t until his Junior year that he really began to shine. Ridder passed for 3,334 yards, 30 touchdowns (64.9% completion rate) with only eight interceptions. Although he wasn’t schemed to run a lot he did rush for 355 yards and six TDs. He was named the 2020 ACC Offensive Player of the Year and a First-Team All-Conference Passer. In his senior year he led his team to the 2021 College Football Playoffs and was named the conference Offensive Player of the Year.
PLUSES:
• Checks all the boxes (athleticism, size, speed, arm strength, experience)
• Excellent speed (4.52 40-yard dash)
• Leadership
CONCERNS:
• Issues with accuracy ball placement
• Slow decision making
CARSON STRONG, Nevada (JR), QB
By John Mesenbrink
Is the risk worth the reward? Projected as a 3rd-round pick and the 5th-8th QB taken off the board, Carson Strong’s senior campaign at Nevada was quietly mind blowing. Throwing for 4,100 YDS/36 TDs at a 70% completion rate, Strong could be the NFL Draft’s biggest wild card for QBs. He has all of the tools and above average arm talent, but the injury bug has bitten. Coming off two major knee surgeries, Strong says he is healthy going into his rookie year. So who takes the chance?
PLUSES:
• Arm Strength (most completions of 50 yards plus)
• Leadership qualities
• Great touch
CONCERNS:
• Injury history
• NOT mobile
• Needs to read entire field
Matt Corral, Ole Miss (JR), QB
By John Mesenbrink
Meet me at the Ok Corral. Actually, he was better than just ok, racking up more than 3,000 passing yards 20 TDs through the air and 500 rushing yards and 11 TDs on the ground. This highly versatile QB is a projected to be a late-round 1st rounder to early second. The former Ole Miss Rebel has had some ankle issues, one taking out him out of the Sugar Bowl loss to Baylor this past January. Pittsburgh, Philly, Carolina and New Orleans have expressed interest.
Pluses:
• Dual threat
• Quick release with tight spiral
• Above average arm strength
Concerns:
• Durability issues
• Pocket lingerer
