Ranking the 2022 NFL Draft's top 20 quarterbacks
The 2022 NFL Draft features several viable starting quarterbacks with developmental potential, but I'm not interested in taking them in the first-round.
The 2022 NFL Draft features one of the worst quarterback classes in recent history, but it’s still far better than the historically disappointing 2013 class. Today, we’ll examine the 20 best quarterbacks in the upcoming draft while separating them into tiers based on how I graded them as prospects. There’s plenty of value in taking one of these guys in the second or third-round.
As always, my latest position rankings include the prospect’s measurements (if recorded), production from the 2021 season, and a very basic profile consisting of pros and cons. It’s important to note that just because something appears as a negative doesn’t mean it will always stay that way.
This quarterback class has four or five players I could see eventually turning into mid-level starters if they hit their developmental landmarks over the next two or three years.
Feel free to tell me in the comments or on Twitter @Sam_Teets33 if you believe a certain prospect should rank higher. Let me know if I missed anyone.
*All player measurements come from NFL.com unless otherwise specified
Tier 1- Traits-Based First Round Pick
1. Malik Willis, QB Liberty
Size: 6'1", 225 lbs. with 31 3/4" arms and 9 1/2" hands
Pros: Elite ability to escape and create with his legs, muscular/compact frame, arm strength to win at all levels, drives the ball into tight windows, 90 missed tackles forced in 2021, averaged over five yards after contact (2021), cut down on fumbles significantly, makes off-platform plays
Cons: Lacks pocket control, footwork needs refinement, unnecessary off-platform attempts, ball placement, poor decision making leads to turnovers, three three-interception games in 2021, turnover issues against non-Power 5 teams, misses open targets because of processing speed
Production: 339 attempts, 207 completions, 2,857 yards, 27 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, plus 878 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021
Tier 2- Late First/Early Second Rounders
2. Desmond Ridder, QB Cincinnati
Size: 6'3", 207 lbs. with 32 3/4" arms and 10" hands
Pros: Significant jump from 2020 to 2021, eliminated most turnover worthy plays, cut down on fumbles in 2021, smooth athlete capable of creating with his legs, historic success at Cincinnati with the team and as an individual, arms talent to win at every level, good pocket presence
Cons: Looked overwhelmed against Alabama (2021), doesn’t always get all his strength into deep throws, poor ball placement, release needs reworking, accuracy issues, starts game slowly, thin frame will take punishment in the NFL, doesn’t make defenders miss in space
Production: 387 attempts, 251 completions, 3,334 yards, 30 touchdowns, eight interceptions, plus 355 rushing yards and six touchdowns in 2021
3. Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh
Size: 6'3", 220 lbs. with 30 7/8" arms and 8 1/2" hands
Pros: Heisman candidate (2021), some tape going through reads, makes off-platform throws, mobility to extend plays, arm talent to win at all levels, cut down on fumble issues, pre-snap reads, ball placement above average in this class
Cons: Hand size, one-year of elite production, will be 24 in June, doesn’t trust his protection, pocket control is poor, not the strongest arm, took over three seconds before throwing in 2021, unnecessary off-platform throws
Production: 497 attempts, 334 completions, 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns, seven interceptions, plus 241 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2021
4. Sam Howell, QB North Carolina
Size: 6'1", 220 lbs. with 30 3/4" arms and 9 1/8" hands
Pros: Highly productive quarterback since his freshman season, performed well despite depleted offense (2021), won’t turn 22 until September, arm strength to win at all three levels, compact frame is a weapon in the running game, over 4.7 yards after contact in 2021, 65 forced missed tackles in 2021
Cons: Ten fumbles in 2021, doesn’t come from a pro-style offense, didn’t have to work through reads consistently, footwork is sloppy, fades away on throws, pocket control is lacking, ball placement
Production: 347 attempts, 217 completions, 3,056 yards, 24 touchdowns, nine interceptions, plus 828 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021
Tier 3- Late Second/Early Third Rounders
5. Matt Corral, QB Ole Miss
Size: 6'2", 205 lbs. with 30 3/4" arms and 9 5/8" hands
Pros: Eliminated self-destructive games from 2020 to 2021, athleticism to extend plays or scramble, can make defenders miss in space, arm strength to win at all levels, quick release, hits tight windows
Cons: Significant decline in frequency of big plays from 2020 to 2021, eight fumbles in 2021, doesn’t come from a pro-style offense, fed open receivers without the need for advanced reads, six-interception game against Arkansas (2020), slight frame will take punishment in the NFL, multiple ankle injuries in 2021
Production: 386 attempts, 262 completions, 3,349 yards, 20 touchdowns, five interceptions, plus 614 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021
6. Carson Strong, QB Nevada
Size: 6'4", 226 lbs. with 32" arms and 9 1/8" hands
Pros: Arm talent to win at all three levels, excellent deep ball, drives throws into tight windows without issue, fumbles have never been a big issue, 2.5 seconds time to throw in 2021, climbs pocket, works through reads, command of the offense pre-snap, 19 interceptions to 74 passing touchdowns
Cons: Mobility, right knee injury, will have to tone down his shock and awe throws at the next level, knee might have impacted his lower body drive on throws this past season, elongated setup and release
Production: 522 attempts, 366 completions, 4,175 yards, 36 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 2021
Tier 4- Late Fourth/Early Fifth Rounder
7. Bailey Zappe, QB Western Kentucky
Size: 6'0", 213 lbs. with 31 3/8" arms and 9 3/4" hands
Pros: Single-season passing yards and touchdowns record holder, under 2.5 seconds time to throw in 2021, fumbles aren’t a major issue, floats in deep throws, touch passer, good footwork in the pocket
Cons: One year of production against upper level talent, lacks mobility, short, limited arm strength and drive, three multi-interception games in 2021, limited time spent making full-field reads
Production: 686 attempts, 475 completions, 5,967 yards, 62 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 2021
Tier 5- Sixth Rounder Selections
8. EJ Perry, QB Brown
Size: 6'2", 210 lbs. with 32" arms and 9" hands
Pros: Mobility leads to rushing yards and creating outside the pocket, leads receivers with throws, will challenge tight windows, can break arm tackles and make defenders miss in space
Cons: Eleven fumbles in 2021, high ratio of turnovers to touchdowns, four multi-interception games in 2021, hand size, arm talent is average at best, puts football in harm’s way, level of competition, turns 24 in August
Production: 444 attempts, 295 completions, 3,033 yards, 23 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, plus 402 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2021
9. Aqeel Glass, QB Alabama A&M
Size: 6'3 3/4", 233 lbs. with 32 3/8" arms and 8 5/8" hands (NFLPA Bowl)
Pros: Arm talent to win at all three levels, can drive throws into small windows, touch on deep throws, can throw off-platform, size to rumble for yards, leads his receivers, 109 passing touchdowns and 12,136 passing yards
Cons: Hand size, tries too many off-platform throws, competition level, will primarily operate in the pocket, doesn’t always set feet when throwing
Production: 414 attempts, 259 completions, 3,568 yards, 36 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 2021
Tier 6- Seventh Rounder Selections
10. Jack Coan, QB Notre Dame
Size: 6'3", 223 lbs. with 31 1/8" arms and 9 1/2" hands
Pros: Cut down on fumbles in 2021, good pocket passer, gets through reads, good enough arm strength to win at every level, coming off his best season
Cons: Mobility, missed 2020 season, lost job at Wisconsin, benched several games at Notre Dame, struggled against Cincinnati (2021), poor decision making
Production: 386 attempts, 253 completions, 3,150 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 2021
11. Dustin Crum, QB Kent St.
Size: 6'3", 207 lbs. with 31 3/4" arms and 9 3/8" hands
Pros: Very few interceptions or fumbles, can extend plays or scramble, primarily wins on short and intermediate routes
Cons: Struggled against Texas A&M (2021), struggles to drive the football, ball placement, won’t threaten defenses deep consistently
Production: 381 attempts, 244 completions, 3,206 yards, 20 touchdowns, six interceptions, plus 703 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021
12. Kaleb Eleby, QB Western Michigan
Size: 6'1", 210 lbs. with 30 5/8" arms and 9 1/4" hands
Pros: 11 interceptions in college career, can throw the deep ball, completes passes while taking hits, nice touch on intermediate passes, can tuck and run when the pocket breaks down
Cons: Ten fumbles in 2021, mobility, average arm strength to throw strikes downfield, stares down wide receivers, outmatched against Michigan (2021), what happens if you remove Skyy Moore from the offense?
Production: 362 attempts, 230 completions, 3,277 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions, in 2021
13. Brock Purdy, QB Iowa St.
Size: 6'1", 220 lbs. with 29" arms and 9 1/4" hands
Pros: Four-year starter, accurate on short and intermediate throws, goes through reads, has enough mobility to move in the pocket and extend plays, attacks the middle of the field
Cons: Peaked in 2019, eight fumbles in 2021, limited speed to create as a runner, late to recognize open receivers, can’t consistently threaten all three levels
Production: 407 attempts, 292 completions, 3,188 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight in 2021
14. Cole Kelley, QB Southeastern Louisiana
Size: 6'7", 260 lbs. with 33 3/4" arms and 9 7/8" hands
Pros: Keeps the ball out of harm’s way as a passer, size to pick up first downs in short yardage situations, arm strength to threaten all three levels of the field, good velocity on drives, not a complete statue
Cons: Turns 25 in October, 15 fumbles in 2021 and seven in 2020, slow and leggy runner that gets chopped down, struggled against James Madison (2021), carrying more bad weight than necessary, low competition, arrested for DWI in 2017
Production: 552 attempts, 406 completions, 5,124 yards, 44 touchdowns, ten interceptions, plus 419 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021
Tier 7- Undrafted Free Agents
15. Chase Garbers, QB Cal
Size: 6'2", 218 lbs. with 31 3/8" arms and 9" hands (NFLPA Bowl)
Pros: Can create with his legs, fumbles aren’t an issue, drives the ball on short and intermediate throws, good burst as a runner
Cons: Hand size, won’t force missed tackles in space, low average depth of target, low touchdown to interception ratio, not consistent with his reads
Production: 347 attempts, 223 completions, 2,531 yards, 16 touchdowns, eight interceptions, plus 456 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2021
16. Skylar Thompson, QB Kansas St.
Size: 6'2", 220 lbs. with 31" arms and 8 5/8" hands
Pros: Fumbling hasn’t been an issue since 2019, adequate athleticism to extend plays, only 16 career interceptions, drops passes in with good touch, drives through his legs on throws, consistent base
Cons: Hand size, will turn 25 in June, ball placement, lackluster production, lacks elite speed or twitch
Production: 233 attempts, 162 completions, 2,103 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions in 2021
17. D'Eriq King, QB Miami
Size: 5'11", 195 lbs. with 28 7/8" arms and 9 1/4" hands
Pros: Fumbles never were a problem before 2021, playmaking athlete, makes defenders miss in space, played some wide receiver at Houston, twitchy athlete, throws off-platform
Cons: Doesn’t have NFL size, peaked in 2018, three fumbles in 2021, will turn 25 in August, injury history, inconsistent touch on passes, lacks pocket presence
Production: 122 attempts, 81 completions, 767 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions in three games in 2021
Production: 345 attempts, 219 completions, 2,982 yards, 36 touchdowns, six interceptions, plus 674 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2018
18. Eric Barriere, QB Eastern Washington
Size: 5'11", 206 lbs. with 31" arms and 9" hands (RiseNDraft)
Pros: Quick release, excellent working the middle of the field deep despite size concerns, capable of throwing the ball at least 45 yards, stands and throws with pressure in his face, climbs the pocket, throws with accuracy and drive while stepping up
Cons: Hand size, small stature could become a problem in the pocket, seven fumbles in 2021, needs extra time to load up for throws 40+ yards downfield, low release point could compound size issues, ball placement varies on deep shots, needs to play with better anticipation
Production: 552 attempts, 361 completions, 5,070 yards, 46 touchdowns, eight interceptions, plus 222 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2021
19. Levi Lewis, QB Louisiana
Size: 5'10", 185 lbs. (Louisiana)
Pros: Fumbles haven’t been an issue since 2019, able to make defenders miss in space, arm strength to win at all three levels, extends plays with his legs, good burst as a runner, capable of creating off-platform
Cons: Turns 24 in May, small frame, will struggle to see over offensive lines, NFL punishment might prove too much, better production on deep throws than intermediate attempts, drive throws to intermediate levels sometimes wobble
Production: 391 attempts, 236 completions, 2,917 yards, 20 touchdowns, four interceptions, plus 343 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2021
20. Chris Oladokun, QB South Dakota St.
Size: 6'1 1/4", 207 lbs. with 32 3/8" arms and 8 7/8" hands (NFLPA Bowl)
Pros: Has the mobility to extend plays, quick release, some experience creating off-platform, longest throw I saw on tape traveled roughly 55 yards, good pop when he drives the football, deceptive speed in space, becomes a rushing threat when the play collapses
Cons: Hand size, turns 25 in September, changed schools three times, competition level, held the ball for over three seconds on average, six fumbles in 2021, makes poor decisions under pressure, release sometimes drives the ball down, sometimes misses defenders on underneath coverages
Production: 384 attempts, 238 completions, 3,164 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 2021
Honorable Mentions
Anthony Brown, QB Oregon
Davis Cheek, QB Elon
Zerrick Cooper, QB Jacksonville St.
Jarrett Guarantano, QB Washington St.
McKenzie Milton, QB Florida St.
Nick Starkel, QB San Jose St.