Top 5 Quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft
Ken Noble Edition
The 2022 NFL Draft season is in full swing and it’s time to start taking a real look at the prospects. Today we start with the top 5 quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft. Last season I was a firm believer in Mac Jones and the 2021 NFL season proved me correct. Can we repeat our success again in 2022? Lets take a look at this years gun slingers.
1. Matt Corral, Ole Miss
Prior to the season, I spotlighted Corral and expressed my belief in his abilities. After watching him fix his areas for concern for the 2021 season I feel confident that Corral deserves to be quarterback one. He is a smart player who can read defenses and runs a difficult offense at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin. He can make every throw and hurt opposing defenses with his legs. Corral is the only quarterback I’m sold on as a top 15 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. This is even with his recent injury scare in the Sugar Bowl.
2. Sam Howell, North Carolina
North Carolina QB Sam Howell
Prior to the season I had Howell just slightly ahead of Corral, but after seeing Howell struggle a bit without the supporting cast he had in 2020, he slips to number 2. Howell possesses great ability to keep plays alive and continue to look down field. He has the arm strength and accuracy to succeed at the next level and I would feel confident drafting him in the later half of the first round.
3. Kenny Pickett, Pitt
Pitt Panthers QB Kenny Pickett
Pickett is the quarterback that had a meteoric rise this season in my opinion. He wasn’t high on many boards and I must admit not too high on mine either. Pickett threw for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns with only 7 INT’s this season. He led Pitt to national attention and helped his receiver Jordan Addison win the Biletnikoff award. Just like both quarterbacks mentioned above, he also has ability to extend plays with his legs and keep drives alive.
4. Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky QB Bailey Zappe
My first potential surprise! My fellow analyst here at DraftDive has been raving about Zappe for some time. Now that I have had a full season of film to watch, I get it now. Zappe may leave a little to be desired in the arm strength department, but he is incredibly accurate and intelligent. He even finished the season with a completion percentage of 69.2%. He also threw for almost 6,000 yards and 62 TD’s.
5. Carson Strong, Nevada
Nevada QB Carson Strong
On paper Carson Strong is the perfect quarterback for 25 years ago. He is big, strong and has a cannon for an arm. Well the good news for Carson is teams still like those traits. Carson also has great accuracy and a knack for the deep ball. In 2021 he completed over 70% of his passes for over 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns. The major question around Carson is a lingering knee issue. If he can clear up those concerns he may jump up the board a bit.
