This 2022 NFL mock draft has 5 quarterbacks selected in 1st round

2022 NFL mock draft

We’ve been spoiled over the last several NFL drafts. First-round quarterbacks have been plentiful. The 2021 NFL Draft produced five first-rounders. The 2020 draft had four. In 2019, a quarterback went first overall (Kyler Murray), but only three were picked in the top 32. The 2018 draft had five.

That’s 17 first-round quarterbacks in four years, so, naturally, the expectation is that four or five will be drafted in the first round again in 2022. Take the latest mock draft from The Sporting News as proof. It has five quarterbacks coming off the board in Round 1, including four picked in the top 15.

Before we get into the actual selections, let me say this: I think we’re in for a big disappointment this April. This year’s quarterback class, while talented, isn’t nearly as special as the years I referenced above. And if we compare 2022’s passers to the group of prospects who were selected in last year’s top 15 — Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones — it isn’t even close. This year’s group is a lot closer to a bundle of second-rounders than top-15 players.

In The Sporting News’ mock, Ole Miss’ Matt Corral is the first quarterback picked at No. 7 overall to the Carolina Panthers.

“The Panthers will be under pressure to think about upgrading their awful offensive tackle situation, but they also cannot ignore QB early again with that Sam Darnold-Cam Newton mess replacing the Teddy Bridgewater burned bridge,” Vinnie Iyer wrote. “Corral is a dynamic athlete and confident runner who also shows aggressiveness with a big arm. He has quickly refined his raw skills under Lane Kiffin.”

While I agree that the Panthers will be in the market for a quarterback, I’m not sure spending the seventh overall pick in this year’s class on one makes much sense. Corral is certainly a solid quarterback prospect with NFL starter’s upside, but he doesn’t profile in the same way that a traditional top-10 quarterback has in the past. He’s a good, safe quarterback with a good-enough arm and above-average athletic ability. He has some moxie. But if the Panthers think he’s going to be a quick fix for their quarterback struggles, they’re going to be rudely awakened.

The next quarterback off the board in this mock draft is Liberty’s Malik Willis to the Washington Football Team at No. 9 overall. I like Willis as a prospect and I think his ceiling might be the highest of all the quarterbacks in this year’s draft, but he’s going to need a year or two before he’s ready to start. And while that isn’t meant to suggest a pick like this is a bad one, the Football Team will need a veteran who they trust is capable of starting while Willis adapts to the NFL game.

“Washington also needs to stop messing around with going down the bridge route and should know by now Taylor Heinicke isn’t a long-term answer,” Iyer wrote. “Willis has a cannon for an arm and great speed. He should have the potential to make scouting jaws drop at the position and make them less concerned about his small-school status given his awesome play so far.”

The Denver Broncos landing Pitt’s Kenny Pickett at No. 11 overall is a pick I can get behind in this mock draft. Pickett has a chance to finish as our highest-rated quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft with a grade consistent with a mid-first-round pick. A quarterback with that kind of grade generally gets pushed up several spots, making this a solid need meeting value selection. The Broncos have a very talented group of skill players and all they’re missing is a field general like Pickett. This would be a lot of fun.

At 15 overall, the Pittsburgh Steelers draft Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder. Again, this is a good pick considering Ridder, like Pickett, is probably the most pro-ready quarterback prospect in the draft and brings the most exciting blend of arm talent and athletic ability to the league, too. He isn’t the best runner of the bunch, but of all the quarterback prospects who are ready to play sooner than later, he can make the most plays with his legs.

The worst quarterback selection in The Sporting News’ mock is at 28 overall, where the Detroit Lions select Sam Howell. Look, Howell is a fine quarterback, but he doesn’t profile as an NFL starter. And if the Lions are going to pick a quarterback in the first round, it has to be a guy who offers more to their offense than Jared Goff. Howell isn’t that guy. This would be a terrible selection and one that will set the Lions franchise back quite a bit.

For the Sporting News’ complete 32-pick first-round mock draft, click here.

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

Follow him on Twitter: @BryanPerezNFL