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3 ways the 2022 NFL Draft changed the NFL’s approach to QBs

By Michael Johnson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 02: Kenny Pickett #QB11 of the Pittsburgh Panthers speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAR 02: Kenny Pickett #QB11 of the Pittsburgh Panthers speaks to reporters during the NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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2022 NFL Draft
Malik Willis and Desmond Ridder, 2022 NFL Draft (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) /

2. These quarterbacks have a chance to develop

We will look back at the 2022 NFL Draft as one that benefitted the players and the teams. Kenny Pickett was the first quarterback taken. He’ll stay home and fight for a starting job for a winning franchise. Desmond Ridder, who heard his name called on Day 2 by the Atlanta Falcons.

The new Falcons regime is looking toward the future by allowing Ridder to sit behind Marcus Mariota.

Head Coach Arthur Smith knows what he’s doing with mobile quarterbacks — Ridder is in a great spot. Ridder and Mariota are similar players from the sub 4.6 speed, on-the-move accuracy, and football IQ.

Mariota will take the beating while the Falcons build a team until the former Bearcat quarterback takes over in 2023 — with Kyle Pitts and Drake London as primary targets.

Malik Willis was another disappointed quarterback. He, like most of us, thought he’d hear his name called on late Day or early Day 2. Instead, he fell to the third round into the laps of the Tennessee Titans.

Willis is a big arm athletic passer who needed time to develop. If a team took him inside the Top 15 or anywhere in the early part of the first round, he would’ve been looked at as a savior. Now he has a chance to learn behind a vet and hone his skills.

Tannehill’s last game was the writing on the wall for him has a Titan. It’s a matter of time before Willis takes over.

Matt Corral was drafted into the perfect schematic situation. Matt Rhule has Ben McAdoo as his offensive coordinator. McAdoo’s offense is shotgun-heavy, and Rhule loves RPOs — Corral is an ideal fit.

The former Ole Miss quarterback does his best work in an RPO offense where he showed excellent ball-handling skills and in-pocket athleticism. He throws a nice deep ball and does his best work off play-action.

He could learn behind Sam Darnold, and he could get his shot sooner rather than later. Sam Howell was a later pick and will fight for a roster spot, but he’ll earn it — who knows what will happen once he gets his shot.

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