2022 NFL Mock Draft: Spencer Rattler out of first, Kenny Pickett to Steelers
![Denver Broncos mock draft: Malik Willis #7 of the Liberty Flames throws a pass against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Williams Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Lynchburg, Virginia. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) Denver Broncos mock draft: Malik Willis #7 of the Liberty Flames throws a pass against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Williams Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Lynchburg, Virginia. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a875788c32c3674b53823314eeab4878df6c1b4023b93d32f39f695ac188b85e.jpg)
13. player. Scouting Report. QB. North Carolina. Sam Howell. 58. Pick Analysis
13. Washington Football Team: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The Washington Football Team made the intriguing decision to sign Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason to a free agent contract, passing on the NFL Draft and passing on the chance to trade for someone else.
Maybe they had more faith in Taylor Heinicke than anyone realized.
Even though Heinicke did not win the starting job out of camp, he’s played like he deserved it.
We’ll see how the rest of the 2021 season progresses, but for now, quarterback is still penciled in as this team’s top need.
Getting Sam Howell here at 13 would be a nice haul for Washington. Howell was almost unanimously considered the QB1 going into this season and he still has an impressive overall body of work at North Carolina.
He might not quite be on the same tier, but Howell is built a lot like and plays a lot like Baker Mayfield.
Pick Analysis. CB. Cincinnati. player. 60. Scouting Report. Ahmad Gardner. 14
14. Minnesota Vikings: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Minnesota Vikings have had just plain bad luck with first-round cornerbacks in recent years.
You certainly can’t blame them for not investing draft capital at the position.
Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes, Mike Hughes, Jeff Gladney…all of those guys were first-round corners for this team and none play for the Vikings anymore.
They’ve got to keep trying.
Ahmad Gardner has been the definition of a shutdown cornerback for Luke Fickell at Cincinnati and he’s played his way into the first-round conversation on a Bearcats team that is making some serious College Football Playoff noise.
The hype is only going to grow for the man they call “Sauce”.