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The main storyline surrounding the 2022 NFL Draft is the lack of star power at the quarterback position. For the first time in almost a decade, we will likely not see a quarterback drafted within the first ten picks. On top of that, there is still a debate on who the top prospect is in the group. Any one of the top three or four quarterbacks could be off the board first, and we may not even see all four taken in the first round.
Kenny Pickett has taken the biggest strides in the past year, going from a Day 2 selection to a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and potentially the first quarterback drafted. Malik Willis has been fighting the label of being from small offenses at Auburn and Liberty, and Matt Corral is the Vegas favorite to be QB1 in the draft.
Here is a realistic look at the top five quarterback prospects for 2022 and where they are likely to land.
NFL Draft 2022: Which quarterbacks will be the first off the board?
#1 - Liberty's Malik Willis should end up as the top quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft
Despite playing for a smaller program like Liberty, Malik Willis has the making of the best quarterback in this year's draft class. He has one of the strongest arms and is an elite athlete on the field. Any offense that implements the RPO will have a dangerous man under center. His frame is a bit small, but coaches can help him bulk up fairly easily.
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Willis will end up being a starter as a rookie for a team like the Washington Commanders or the New York Giants in 2022. Wherever he goes, the quarterback coach will have to help Willis be more patient in the pocket and guide him in reading defensive coverages better.
Based on the current draft order and team needs, Willis won't fall past the No. 15 pick and will be picked up by the New Orleans Saints, who trade up between No. 10 and No. 15.
#2 - Pittsburgh's Kenny Pickett will be drafted "early"
Kenny Pickett changed the trajectory of his career in 2021 by throwing 42 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in his fifth year with the Panthers. He's a polished passer who can run when he needs to, but he isn't viewed as a true dual-threat.
Pickett is also one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the draft, with 49 starts. But that's also a flaw in his NFL Draft value. He's set to turn 24 before the season begins and we remember the last "old-head" in Brandon Weeden.
Pickett has also only had one truly successful season under his belt, but that has never stopped an NFL team from drafting someone earlier than they are projected. The Washington Commanders seem like that team at No. 11 in the NFL Draft this year.
NFL Draft 2022: Which quarterbacks will be the first off the board?
#3 - Matt Corral of Ole Miss will be the future of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Most analysts and scouts believe that the Pittsburgh Steelers are all-in on Kenny Pickett, but as mentioned, a team could easily trade up and take him first. However, the Steelers will still land a top-notch rookie in Matt Corral at No. 20.
Corral has a fantastic arm with a quick release, which would excite the Steelers. The coaching staff wants to have a more mobile quarterback, and Corral fits what the Steelers are seeking in this year's NFL Draft.
His pinpoint accuracy requires some work, and he will need to be much smarter and quicker in his reads. There is too much upside to this prospect to allow him to fall past No. 20 in the NFL Draft. Moreover, Corral is an upgrade over Mason Rudolph.
#4 - Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder falls out of 2022 NFL Draft first round
Only the top three quarterbacks will go into the first round of the NFL Draft, but Desmond Ridder will be the first one gone in the second round. His arm strength will be a factor as to why he slid out of the first round, but he is quite accurate and has a nice deep ball. He's not one to cough up the ball often and possesses great football IQ.
Considering that he plays in Cincinnati, some scouts rank him lower than he should be, similar to Malik Willis at Liberty. But if you surround him with a solid cast of playmakers, Ridder can thrive and rely on his strengths to find success. The Atlanta Falcons at No. 43 make sense as Ridder will be allowed a season or two before he starts as the team rebuilds around him.
#5 - Nevada's Carson Strong gets handed the challenge of playing for the New York Giants
The New York Giants are not expected to sign Daniel Jones' option and will draft Carson Strong at No. 67 in the second round.
Compared to Jones, Strong is not mobile and would need to have a solid backfield behind him. But he brings a smooth, deep ball and tight-window accuracy to the table. He allows his receivers to make a play on the ball downfield, which works with receiver Kadarius Toney and hopefully a first-round rookie.
He completed 70 percent of his passes in 2021 with 36 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Strong also ran for -208 yards. But he has an elite arm that will entice the Giants and keep him from falling to the third round of the NFL Draft.
