NFL draft 2022 quarterback-only seven-round mock drafts: Predictions for landing spots for 10 QBs across every round

The quarterback class for the 2022 NFL draft is considered to be weaker than it has been in years, with potentially no signal-caller picked in the top 10. Still, quarterback is one of the most important positions in all of sports, and every team is trying to find its guy for the future, even if that takes overdrafting him.

The Detroit Lions (pick Nos. 2 and 32), Carolina Panthers (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (20) are the favorites to take one in the first round, but there could be others. There will also be quarterbacks off the board on Days 2 and 3 who end up starting NFL games. Just last year, the Texans might have found their guy with a third-round pick, as Davis Mills flashed some talent while throwing 16 touchdown passes and 10 picks in 11 starts.

Where will the quarterbacks go in this year's draft? That's what NFL draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid set out to do below, with full, seven-round projections for the quarterbacks. They each matched prospects with teams from Rounds 1-7, ending up with 10 signal-callers, which matches the number from last year. The 2022 draft won't hit five in the first round like 2021, but teams could still get their starters of the future.

Where do Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett make sense in Round 1? Who could be a Day 2 steal? Why is Sam Howell's range so large? And why did both Miller and Reid match Washington with the same guy in Round 4? Here are two different scenarios for how the quarterbacks will come off the board:

Jump to a projection:
Reid | Miller

REID'S QB PROJECTIONS

Round 1, No. 2: Detroit Lions

Malik Willis, Liberty

Either you're in love with this idea or are completely against it. Jared Goff is under contract for two more seasons, and while he showed signs of growth during the tail end of last season, he likely won't be the long-term solution in Detroit.

With a respectable bridge player in place, Willis would be able to progress slowly; he isn't ready to play meaningful NFL snaps right away. Nothing matters for a team in a rebuild until it gets the quarterback spot right, and while the class of signal-callers might look promising in 2023, there's no guarantee the Lions will be in position to take one early. Willis would be a clear swing-for-the-fences pick.

Round 1, No. 6: Carolina Panthers

Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

The Panthers have to find a starting quarterback over the next month, whether it's via trade or in the draft. With coach Matt Rhule on the hot seat, the franchise could be in search of an option who is ready to step in and play right away.

Pickett, who started 49 games at Pitt, has a wealth of experience and has the game to match the team's scheme. And Rhule knows the quarterback well, as he recruited Pickett when he was the coach at Temple.

While you can make an argument that Pickett isn't worthy of a top-10 pick, the franchise isn't in position to skip over the position again and quarterbacks always get overdrafted.

Round 1, No. 20: Pittsburgh Steelers

Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

This one might come as a bit of a surprise, but Mitch Trubisky's two-year, $14 million deal likely means he's just a bridge for a young quarterback. Trubisky is atop the depth chart for now, but it shouldn't alter the Steelers' pursuit of a signal-caller.

I could see the Steelers being a great fit for Ridder, who was accomplished in college (44 career wins and 87 touchdown passes), took on big responsibilities in Cincinnati's offense and is mature enough to play early. Don't be surprised if he's selected in the middle of Round 1.

Round 2, No. 40: Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)

Matt Corral, Ole Miss

Corral, who suffered an ankle injury in the Sugar Bowl in early January, was the lone quarterback we didn't see much of during the pre-draft process. He is a quick processor with a lightning-quick release.

With Drew Lock and Jacob Eason as the only options on the roster, welcoming Corral could make sense for Seattle. The Seahawks aren't in a situation to be rushed to find their quarterback of the future, but if Corral slips to the second round, he's worth taking.

Round 2, No. 49: New Orleans Saints

Sam Howell, North Carolina

I've gone back and forth on my evaluation of Howell, more than any quarterback in this class, and opinions from people I talk to in the league are mixed. A promising 2020 season set up huge expectations for 2021, but a disastrous three-interception performance to open the season showed major concerns. Howell improved as the season progressed, though, as he battled through losing his top four receiving options from the previous year.

New Orleans is an ideal landing spot for Howell, who would join a room with veterans Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton. As a second-round pick, he wouldn't be forced into action. There is a wide range on where Howell will be drafted; it wouldn't be surprising if he landed at the end of Round 1 or in Round 3.

Round 3, No. 90: Tennessee Titans

Carson Strong, Nevada

After the inconsistent play of Ryan Tannehill in the postseason, the Titans might look to throw a dart at the QB board on Day 2. Strong is the opposite of Tannehill from a playing-style standpoint, and his ability to attack the deeper portions of the field would stress defenses that attempt to pack the box against running back Derrick Henry.

Opinions will vary on Strong because of his medicals -- he had two knee surgeries in college -- but there might be a few other teams comfortable with taking him around this spot.

Round 4, No. 113: Washington Commanders

Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky

With an exact replica of him already on the roster in Taylor Heinicke, it's easy to see why the Commanders would have interest in Zappe. He's a signal-caller who could turn into high-quality insurance for a starter.

With Henicke entering the final season of his contract, stashing Zappe on the practice squad and eventually allowing him to assume the backup role in 2023 could be a possibility.

Round 6, No. 212: Los Angeles Rams (comp pick)

Jack Coan, Notre Dame

The Rams have John Wolford and Bryce Perkins as the backup options to Matthew Stafford, and throwing another young quarterback in the mix could be an option.

Coan is praised for his understanding of where to go with the ball. When I watched him during the week of practices at the East-West Shrine Bowl, he continued to get better each day after being exposed to NFL coaching.

Round 7, No. 231: Buffalo Bills (via ATL)

Cole Kelley, Southeastern Louisiana

At 6-foot-7, 260 pounds, Kelley is a big-bodied thrower who frequently was incorporated into the designed-QB run game (16 rushing TDs last season). He has mobility to match his strong arm.

At Hula Bowl practices, Kelley showed some promising moments that could lead to him being a seventh-round selection. The Bills are already set at the QB2 and QB3 spots after trading for Case Keenum and bringing back Matt Barkley, but Kelley is an ideal practice squad option.

Round 7, No. 239: Indianapolis Colts

Brock Purdy, Iowa State

Purdy's Iowa State career got off to a fast start, as he took over as the starter as a freshman in 2018. He plateaued a bit after a strong sophomore campaign, however, but he is an intriguing late-round option who could provide depth as a QB3.

Purdy has an average arm, but his accuracy is adequate in the short to intermediate areas.

MILLER'S QB PROJECTIONS

Round 1, No. 6: Carolina Panthers

Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh

The Panthers need a quarterback who can play right now and accentuate the talented skill players the front office has added over the past few seasons. Pickett's 49 college starts and accuracy make him the most pro-ready signal-caller of the 2022 class -- something Panthers coach Matt Rhule needs to keep his seat from getting too hot.

Round 1, No. 20: Pittsburgh Steelers

Malik Willis, Liberty

In the NFL, teams either have a quarterback who can win games, or they're looking for one. And while it's possible the Lions target Willis at No. 2, let's look at a different scenario: the Steelers realizing Mitch Trubisky isn't the guy.

Willis' dual-threat ability, natural arm strength and exceptional field vision on the go would give the Steelers something they haven't had since a young Big Ben was under center.

Round 2, No. 40: Seattle Seahawks (via DEN)

Matt Corral, Ole Miss

The Seahawks traded an undersized, dual-threat quarterback, and his potential replacement fits the same bill. Corral hasn't had much pre-draft buzz, but his play in 2021 was much improved (31 total touchdowns, five interceptions) as he cut down on turnovers.

The Seahawks like Drew Lock, but Corral is good enough to push him in Year 1. There is also the Lane Kiffin-Pete Carroll connection here; Kiffin coached under Carroll at USC.

Round 2, No. 43: Atlanta Falcons

Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati

Ridder is the ideal quarterback to learn behind Marcus Mariota, as both have similar skill sets. Ridder is savvy and experienced, plus he improved his accuracy in 2021. He still could use time to learn, which makes this situation great for him.

Ridder's 4.52-second 40-yard dash at the combine and his four years of starts have his stock heating up. There's a chance he lands in Round 1, as Jordan noted above.

Round 3, No. 81: New York Giants (via MIA)

Sam Howell, North Carolina

Insurance against a Daniel Jones injury or bad play is smart and gives the Giants a potential future starter. Howell's game declined in 2021, but his arm strength, deep-ball touch and dual-threat ability are intriguing.

Allowing him to be coached up by Brian Daboll is ideal from a scheme perspective.

Round 3, No. 98: New Orleans Saints (comp pick)

Carson Strong, Nevada

Taking a late Round 3 flier on a quarterback is smart drafting. Strong has experience and passing traits that teams love, but a previous knee injury makes his evaluation difficult.

He has the arm talent to become an NFL starter if he can remain healthy. The Saints' downfield game would benefit, especially if they can add another receiver with one of their two first-round picks.

Round 4, 113: Washington Commanders

Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky

Can you name the last time Washington drafted a quarterback in Round 4 after making a splashy move at the position? Kirk Cousins in 2012.

Zappe is an accurate, savvy, highly productive prospect who throws a gorgeous deep ball and the most catchable intermediate pass in the class. He has NFL starter talent as a passer in the right scheme, but he played against subpar competition at Houston Baptist and then Western Kentucky, and teams are worried that his production largely came in offensive schemes that inflate quarterback numbers.

Round 6, 183: Houston Texans

Cole Kelley, Southeastern Louisiana

Davis Mills showed enough as a rookie last season to be the starter in 2022, but insurance at the position is smart. Kelley, who had 44 touchdown passes and 10 picks while completing 74.2% of his passes last season, wowed at the combine with his arm talent.

The Arkansas transfer has the size (6-foot-7) and traits to get a shot as a backup in Round 6.

Round 6, No. 184: Minnesota Vikings (via NYJ)

Jack Coan, Notre Dame

Coan impressed after transferring from Wisconsin to Notre Dame. He improved his stock during the pre-draft process by showing off his agility in and out of the pocket. plus field vision that wasn't previously seen on tape.

The No. 2 job in Minnesota could still be open after the previous front office drafted Kellen Mond in the third round last year.

Round 7, 249: Green Bay Packers

Brock Purdy, Iowa State

There's still a chance Jordan Love is moved this offseason, but even if he stays on the roster, the Packers should draft for future depth. There's no better position for that than quarterback in Round 7, where a long-term backup can be found.

Purdy won't wow with physical tools, but he's experienced and accurate.

WHO'S LEFT?

Miller: There are a few other quarterbacks who will join NFL rosters this spring as undrafted free agents.

Aqeel Glass (Alabama A&M), Skylar Thompson (Kansas State), EJ Perry (Brown), Dustin Crum (Kent State) and Kaleb Eleby (Western Michigan) are all on the radars of teams and should find themselves getting phone calls on the Saturday of the draft as teams try to fill out their camp rosters.