Best landing spots for quarterback prospects in NFL Draft following free agency
This offseason has been a rollercoaster across the NFL. Many star players have changed teams, and now the quarterback picture across the league looks drastically different than it did at the end of last season. Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, Around The NFL has revealed the best fits in the league for the top available quarterbacks in this year’s draft class.
Around The NFL’s best landing spots for quarterbacks in the draft
Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett: Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are clearly looking for an upgrade at quarterback. Carolina pursued Deshaun Watson for much of the previous year, but the Panthers are left still searching following his trade to the Cleveland Browns. The Panthers currently have Sam Darnold in line to start again next season, and the door is still open on a potential Cam Newton return.
Either way, the Panthers are exploring all of their options when it comes to quarterbacks. Pickett could make a lot of sense, and the Panthers could be in a position to take him in the NFL Draft at sixth overall.
Ole Miss’ Matt Corral: Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have traded Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, but they acquired Drew Lock in the deal. Now the question becomes whether or not the Seahawks are comfortable with Lock at quarterback, or if they’ll look to add a prospect in the NFL Draft to compete with him. The Seahawks hold the ninth overall pick, and will likely be in a good spot to grab one of the top quarterbacks available.
Corral has some concerns in his draft stock, but for a team like Seattle where he wouldn’t necessarily have to play right away, the fit could make some sense.
Liberty’s Malik Willis: Pittsburgh Steelers
Willis could be one of the draft’s biggest risers, and he has impressed during the pre-draft process. The Steelers have long been linked to Willis, but the question becomes whether or not he’ll still be on the board at 20th overall. A trade up is possible, but it all depends on how the other quarterback dominoes fall.
Pittsburgh has added Mitch Trubisky to a quarterback room that also features Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins.
North Carolina’s Sam Howell: Atlanta Falcons
Prior to last season, Howell’s draft stock was soaring. He was looking like one of the possible top quarterbacks taken in the NFL Draft. But after a down season to some, Howell is now fighting for a first-round selection. The second round is more likely, although he could sneak into the end of the first round if a team falls in love with him.
The Falcons added Marcus Mariota following the Matt Ryan trade, and Howell could sit and learn for a season with the opportunity to quickly grow on a rebuilding team in Atlanta.
Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder: Houston Texans
The Texans have moved on from Deshaun Watson, leaving Davis Mills on the roster as next year’s likely starting quarterback. Houston holds the third and 13th overall picks in the NFL Draft, although a quarterback selection with one of those two picks is unlikely. Mills showed flashes last season, and he is the most likely option to start next season at quarterback in Houston.
If the Texans aren’t sold on Mills, adding someone like Ridder in the second round could make sense. Ridder could begin as the backup to Mills, providing a solid backup who could be ready quickly if he was thrust into action.