Five Quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and four QBs were selected in the first round in 2020. These past two draft classes produced franchise players and future faces of the NFL like Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert. Eight of the nine QBs selected in the 2020 and 2021 drafts will be expected to start for their teams in 2022, with Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers being the only exemption. If you add 2019’s draft featuring Kyler Murray and Daniel Jones, we see that 10 teams have a starting QB acquired in the first round of the past three drafts. That’s almost a third of the league.
The QB well-spring dries up a little in 2022. Some QB-needy teams will undoubtedly force the issue and take some of these players early leaving better players at other positions for more savvy operators. They shouldn’t. I did not notice any transcendent talents available this year. No player in this year’s class has the success of Joe Burrow or the eye-popping talent of Justin Herbert. That’s not to say this crop is bereft of talent. A handful of these players may have what it takes to captain an NFL franchise, but I do not plan to use a 1st round pick on any of them in my Dynasty League Drafts. If you are in a 15+ team dynasty league, this would be a draft to pick up a solid backup QB for those bye weeks and of course the dreaded QB injury. Let’s take a closer look at the QBs available in the 2022 NFL Draft.
But first, check out my top 15 rookies for 2022 fantasy football dynasty leagues!
1. Matt Corral 23 | 6′, 2″ 212lbs. | Ole Miss – The best of the bunch for me. He can throw accurate passes downfield rolling to both his right and left. Corral has nimble feet and negotiates the pocket efficiently. The Rebel plays with reckless abandon on the field; which inspires teammates but can lead to disappointment, injury, and turnovers. Matt is a playmaker who can go win the game for his team. This kid from California passed for 3,349 yards at a 67% completion for 20 TDs against only five interceptions and ran the ball for 614 yards and 11 TDs in the SEC against the nastiest defenses college football offers in 2021. He is the Quarterback in the 2022 draft class who is best prepared to compete at the highest level.
2. Sam Howell 21 | 6′, 1″ 218lbs. | North Carolina – A really good player who started as a true freshman and threw 3,347 yards and 35 touchdowns. Howell has always been one of the best at his position. He set school records in passing yards (10,283) and passing touchdowns (92). The Tar Heel runs the ball better than many realize. This kid put up over 800 yards rushing in 2021. Critics have cited an inconsistent deep ball, but I must have missed that on the tape I watched. I’ve heard comps of Baker Mayfield, and I don’t see that either. I think Sam is his own man and this man is going to be good. Many prognosticators predict Howell will fall in the draft, and if he does he will be a great value pick for whichever team selects him.
3. Malik Willis 22 | 6′, 1″ 220lbs. | Liberty – The ultimate wildcard in the 2022 NFL Draft. Willis is the most athletically gifted player at the position. He could become a dynamic playmaker throwing and running the football. The best mold of clay in the draft that might lead a team to reach for him. The Auburn transfer’s highlight reel is awe-inspiring, but the numbers tell a different tale. Less than 3,00 yards passing. Less than 900 yards rushing. 27 Touchdowns and 12 interceptions for a 61% completion. I expected much better production from a potential first-round selection playing against inferior competition. In fairness to Malik, he was surrounded by mendacious grifters, (the Falwell and Freeze gang), but he chose to attend that “university”. I am excited to see what kind of punch he can provide with better training and good people in his corner.
4. Kenny Pickett 23 | 6′, 3″ 217 lbs. | Pittsburgh – Pickett is a difficult evaluation for me. He had elite coaching in college. Former Pitt OC and QB coach Mark Whipple is an experienced coach whose time wearing the headset dates back to the first iteration of the USFL. Coach Whip is an Ivy League Graduate (Brown); an intelligent mind that doesn’t typically wind up in the coaching field. Whipple has tutored Ben Roethlisberger and designed the offense utilized by Ryan Day at Ohio State Day a former assistant of Whip’s (coach Whip also coached Day’s brother at UMass). This is an impressive coach; who took an apt pupil in Kenny Pickett and turned him into one of the top Quarterbacks in college football. Kenny deserves some credit for being a quality player and a quick learner. He threw for 4,319 yards for 42 TDs against only 7 INTs at a 67% completion. Pickett also had the benefit of throwing to the best receiver in college football, 2021 Biletnikoff award winner Jordan Addison. All this is to say, it is fair to ask the question, “Is Kenny Pickett a great player, who is bound for success in many situations, or is he a product of a great environment?”. Who knows? He may find a pro team with great coaching and great receivers, after all, this is the NFL. We will find out in 2022.
5. Carson Strong 22 | 6′, 3″ 226lbs. | Nevada – The best passer in the draft. Strong logged a 70% completion rate, and unlike many on this list, he earned the percentage without the benefit of numerous screen and dump passes. A classic pocket-passer. A point guard on the field. Carson passes the ball with accuracy and anticipation, connecting with receivers in stride. A three-year starter for the Wolf Pack, Carson calls audibles from the line of scrimmage, identifies defenses, and adjusts his pass protection, a skill that will be beneficial in the NFL. A QB craftsman who has all the throws in his toolbox; he can drill the short passes, and arc the deep ones. This player could get drafted much higher than most anticipate. Strong has a few things working against him. He has a concerning history of injuries to his right knee severely limiting his mobility. The league is moving towards scrambling QBs, but there are homes in the NFL for pocket-passers, and Strong is a good one.
6. Kaleb Eleby 22 | 6′, 1″ 201lbs. | Western Michigan – Outplayed Kenny Pickett when they went head-to-head in 2021. Eleby has great touch on his deep ball throwing with a high arc and allowing the receiver to make a play. The Western Michigan Bronco can run a little and shows the ability to scramble and keep the play alive, but he’s not a real breakaway threat. Eleby displays great anticipation on deep and intermediate passes. Western Michigan had a pass-heavy offense with a solid receiver corps featuring fellow sure-to-be draftee rookie Skyy Moore. Eleby took advantage of his surroundings and totaled 3,277 yards passing and 23 TDs against only six INTs in 2021. An interesting prospect to follow.
7. Desmond Ridder 22 | 6′, 3″ 211lbs. | Cincinnati – Rumor has it Ridder is moving up draft boards, and I understand why. He is an athletic kid who beat defenses throwing (3,334 yards and 30 TDs) and running (355 yards and 6 TDs) the football. A four-year starter, Desmond was a confident and quality team leader for the Bearcats. He needs some work on his accuracy and may have benefitted from playing on a team that was superior to much of their competition. I was hoping for a bigger game from him in the Bowl game. NFL QBs need to make accurate passes on intermediate passes and deep routes, and I don’t see that from Ridder at the moment. He has the arm strength and perhaps the right NFL coach can develop the accuracy.
8. Bailey Zappe 22 | 6, 1″ 215lbs. | Western Kentucky – Zappe’s arm strength and level of competition are in question, but 5,967 yards passing and 62 TDs in 2021 is something fantasy managers should notice.
9. Skylar Thompson 24 | 6′, 2″ 215lbs. | Kansas State – Exciting prospect who has dealt with injuries during his college football career. Thompson shows the ability to make accurate throws on the move and he has good arm strength. His list of injuries is concerning his back, knee, and ankle all occurring since 2020. The former Wildcat is a decent dart throw in hopes his health and game improve at the next level.
10. Cole Kelley 24 | 6′, 7″ 250lbs. | Southeastern Louisiana – Signed with Arkansas as a four-star recruit in 2016 and transferred to Southeastern Louisiana in 2019. The biggest Quarterback on this list won the biggest award in his league, the Walter Payton award given to the best offensive player in FCS. Could be a real hidden gem here. He reminds me a little of Josh Allen. Ya, sure Kelley lacks Allen’s athleticism, arm strength, passing ability, and NFL success, but other than that, they are the same. Just watch his highlight reel on YouTube and tell me you don’t think of Josh Allen. Kelley is a project, but I think he could be worth an effort. The Bills would be wise to draft him and copy what the Ravens did with Tyler Huntley. Which is to say, find a close approximation to the Quarterback you have tailored your offense around and train him as a backup.
11. Aqeel Glass 22 | 6′, 5″ 220lbs. | Alabama A&M – Big guy with a big arm. He can hit all the throws. Shows poise in the pocket. His size helps, Glass is tall enough to see over his linemen and releases the ball at a high point avoiding tipped passes. His footwork is a little messy and his mechanics are loose– at best. The inconsistent mechanics and sloppy footwork cause him to be inaccurate on those most-important deep and intermediate passes. Not a threat to run the football. A four-year starter at Alabama A&M and a good team leader.
12. Brock Purdy 22 | 6′, 1″ 212lbs. | Iowa State – The first step is looking the part and Brock Purdy looked like he belonged right away in Ames. He stands strong in the pocket and carries himself with confidence and professionalism. I question the arm strength and he isn’t a significant threat running the football, it ain’t always Purdy, but he gets the job done. Brock is the best Cyclone Quarterback since Seneca Wallace. The kid from Arizona was a big part in turning the Iowa State Football program around. Like many QBs, it’s a family thing. Younger brother Chuba is with the Cornhuskers. I don’t see him being a fantasy-viable QB, but he could be a solid 2nd stringer who can come in and win a few games for an NFL team.
13. Eric Barriere 24 | 6′, 1″ 210lbs. | Eastern Washington – Quick elusive player who is adept at throwing on the run or running away from defenders. An imaginative playmaker Barriere is a highlight reel creator. Sometimes he looks more like a Wide Receiver playing Quarterback than a true QB. Eric would be great as a gadget player a la Kordell “Slash” Stewart. An exciting player who can break a long run at any time. A name to remember in Fantasy Football. Eric Barriere may not play QB in the NFL, but he could contribute at other skill positions.
14. Zerrick Cooper 24 | 6′, 1″ 230lbs. | Jacksonville State – 4-star recruit who committed to Clemson out of college. Zerrick later transferred to J-State. Strong-armed thick kid who is not afraid of pass rushers. His ball comes out a little flat for me. Not much of a scrambler, but he is a big dude in the open field who can create hazards for smaller tacklers. Shows moments of brilliance on his tape where he makes stupendous throws, but he lacks consistency. Zerrick is adept at throwing while rolling to his left, a skill not many right-handed quarterbacks possess. There are some things to like here, but he is a project.
15. Jack Coan | 6′, 3″ 215lbs. | Notre Dame – Pocket passer who started for the Wisconsin Badgers before transferring and starting with the Fighting Irish. Smart kid who can make all the reads and call the plays at the line of scrimmage. Coan possesses good, but not great arm strength and offers very little in the QB run game. This is the type of QB who catches on a roster; and has a relatively long career as a backup before becoming a coach.
