Could we see a surprise team draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft?
With a fast and furious free agency period slowing, we now turn our attention to the upcoming NFL Draft, set for April 28.
We all know the teams that are expected to take a hard look at drafting a quarterback in the first round: Carolina, Seattle, New Orleans, and Pittsburgh.
Is there a team out there who could pull a page out of the Packers’ book from a few years ago when they drafted Jordan Love in the first round while Aaron Rodgers was under contract and thriving?
Maybe not to that extreme, but there is probably a team out there that will unexpectedly draft a quarterback in the first round.
Here are the three teams that could go QB in round one that no one is expecting.
Will the Houston Texans select a QB in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft?
The Texans, finally ridding themselves of the albatross that was Deshaun Watson, can now look to the future to find their franchise quarterback.
Houston has the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft, awarded to them for having one of the worst records in the NFL last season. They also have the No. 13 overall pick, acquired from the Cleveland Browns in the Watson trade.
The consensus seems to be that the Texans won’t use a first-round pick on a signal-caller, looking instead to fill out other glaring roster needs.
How long can the team ride with Davis Mills as the team’s starting quarterback? He’s not really mobile and doesn’t like to throw deep, averaging 3.6 completed air yards per pass attempt.
He got a ton of reps last year in his rookie season, posting 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 13 appearances. But, Mills isn’t new Head Coach Lovie Smith’s guy. He didn’t draft him and who knows how well he would be able to adapt to the system he’ll implement.
If there’s someone like Kenny Pickett or Matt Corral available at the No. 13 spot, would Texans GM Nick Caserio grab one of the highest-graded quarterbacks in the draft?
What better way to kickstart a new era than with one of college football’s best passers?