The 2022 NFL mock draft circuit has not been kind to the quarterback position this year. In fact, outside of maybe one or two players, the 2022 NFL Draft doesn’t view many of the quarterbacks as first-round prospects. However, there is value to be had and potential franchise-changers mixed in with what could be considered a “down year” for quarterbacks.
Today, we ran a full 7-Round 2022 NFL Mock Draft to find all the common landing spots for every quarterback prospect.
2022 NFL QB Mock Draft: Quarterbacks finding new homes
Using the free PFN Mock Draft Simulator with trades, I found the most frequent landing spots for all the quarterbacks on our Big Boards. Let’s take a look at where the 2022 NFL Mock Draft is placing the quarterbacks.
Round 1, Pick 2 | Detroit Lions: Malik Willis, Liberty
A common mock draft theme in 2022 has become Malik Willis to the Detroit Lions at pick No. 2. As unlikely as it may have seemed just a few months ago, Willis has aced the pre-draft process since wowing at the Senior Bowl. Willis commands positive energy with his off-field highlights and on-field dominance. He’s a large-upside prospect with fundamentals to rest on as he adjusts to the NFL game. His arm is incredibly talented, and his legs are his best asset, yet he doesn’t look to run as much as you’d expect.
Round 1, Pick 11 | Washington Commanders: Matt Corral, Ole Miss
Yet another common mock draft theme so far in 2022 is the idea of bridge quarterbacks. We’ve seen it work from time to time, while other similar situations are in the second year (Justin Fields, Trey Lance). The Washington Commanders brought in Carson Wentz but still need a quarterback of the future given Wentz’s recent pro success, or lack thereof. Matt Corral is the answer here for Washington, but they could select any of the remaining top three quarterbacks.
Corral has great upside and models his game after Aaron Rodgers. He can deliver accurate shots from all kinds of arm angles, and he plays incredibly well both inside and outside of the structure of the offense. He may take some seasoning coming out of the Lane Kiffin system at Ole Miss, but that’s what Wentz is there for.
Round 1, Pick 18 | New Orleans Saints: Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Jameis Winston may not quite be a “bridge quarterback” based on talent alone, but his two-year contract with the New Orleans Saints puts him in that arena. As such, the Saints take their likely quarterback of the future in Kenny Pickett. Betting on himself for his fifth year at Pittsburgh, Pickett ran all the way to an ACC title and a spot as a Heisman finalist. He’s a gutsy passer with ample arm strength. Pickett answered all offseason questions about his hand size and seems pro-ready today.
Round 2, Pick 40 | Seattle Seahawks: Sam Howell, North Carolina
The Seattle Seahawks are typically linked with drafting a quarterback with the newly acquired ninth overall pick from the Russell Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos. With just Willis off the board at No. 9, they can wait until they’re back up in the second round to draft Sam Howell or whoever is left among the second-tier quarterbacks.
Howell, long seen as one of the top quarterbacks in this class, finished his career with a ho-hum 3,000-yard season in 2021. He was forced to run too much, but he more than showcased his accuracy and arm talent during the offseason circuit. This could be yet another bridge quarterback situation, as Drew Lock could start in 2022 before yielding to Howell in 2023.
Round 2, Pick 52 | Pittsburgh Steelers: Carson Strong, Nevada
Sense a theme here yet? The Steelers brought in Mitchell Trubisky to replace the now-retired Ben Roethlisberger. Given his past as a starter, Trubisky is absolutely thought of as the bridge to their next franchise quarterback. Whether or not Carson Strong is that player or not remains to be seen, but he lands here in Round 2.
Strong, who will constantly have to answer questions surrounding his knee, reminds me of a younger Roethlisberger. He can throw the deep ball better than anyone in this class and has more mobility than he’s given credit for. Strong may not possess the best decision-making résumé in this class, but he has all the throws in his arsenal.
Round 2, Pick 56 | Houston Texans: Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
One of the all-time-winningest college football quarterbacks lands with the Houston Texans as the sixth quarterback selected through two rounds. Desmond Ridder finished tied for third all-time in wins after an illustrious career at Cincinnati. He has some inaccuracy issues, but his arm talent and athletic ability are all there. Ridder can push Davis Mills for reps as they both improve their game in Houston.
Round 4, Pick 122 | Indianapolis Colts: Kaleb Eleby, Western Michigan
The Indianapolis Colts moved to secure their short-term answer at quarterback after moving on from Wentz when they acquired Matt Ryan from the Atlanta Falcons. Still, though, they need that long-term answer. The pick here could be that player, eventually.
Kaleb Eleby has the tools to develop into an incredibly talented NFL passer. He has accuracy, strength, and sound decision-making. He’ll need to learn the speed of the NFL game as well as improve his pocket maneuverability before making waves behind Ryan, however.
Round 4, Pick 131 | Tennessee Titans: Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
All Bailey Zappe did in 2021 was break Joe Burrow’s single-season college football records for yards and touchdowns. This came after an already-historic career at Houston Baptist. Zappe is more talented with the ball in his hands than his Air Raid offense even allowed.
The Tennessee Titans aren’t necessarily hurting for a quarterback of the future with Ryan Tannehill as the starter. Still, the future does need to be planned for. Tannehill is under contract for two more seasons and will be 36 after that contract is up. Zappe could be the long-term answer solved much earlier than anticipated.
Round 5, Pick 174 | Cincinnati Bengals: Aqeel Glass, Alabama A&M
Bucking the bridge quarterback theme with the last two picks, the Cincinnati Bengals won’t be in the market for a starting quarterback for a long, long time. However, grabbing someone with Aqeel Glass‘ athletic profile to back up Burrow could certainly be in the plans. Glass was a dominant passer at the FCS level, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in his last two full seasons. He makes every throw and could add a wrinkle for opposing coordinators to game plan against.
Round 6, Pick 182 | New York Giants: Brock Purdy, Iowa State
The most illustrious quarterback in Iowa State history heads to the New York Giants in Round 6. Brock Purdy has a ton of elite tools but makes questionable throws at times and may lack elite arm strength. Still, there is plenty to work with in Purdy. Does he get the chance to shine in New York with Daniel Jones nearing the end of his tenure, or will Jones finally turn it around, get his fifth year picked up, and earn another contract?
Round 7, Pick 227 | San Francisco 49ers: Jack Coan, Notre Dame
Jack Coan may not have a ton of elite tools, but he certainly knew how to win a game or two. He doesn’t factor into the starting plans here with the San Francisco 49ers. Nonetheless, he can be counted on to pick up the playbook and add value as an asset behind Trey Lance.
Round 7, Pick 249 | Green Bay Packers: EJ Perry IV, Brown
A guy you want on your team, EJ Perry IV heads to the Green Bay Packers nearing the end of the draft. An athletic signal-caller, Perry is a member of a football family through and through. After transferring from Boston College to play for his uncle at Brown, Perry wowed at the Shrine Bowl and the Combine. He’s not challenging Aaron Rodgers any time soon. But he is certainly a guy who makes the Packers a better team because of his presence.
Other quarterbacks that could be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft include:
- Chris Oladokun
South Dakota State - Dustin Crum
Kent State - Mike Beaudry
Idaho - D’Eriq King, Miami (FL)
*projects with a potential position change to WR