There's a feeling that the quarterback class in the 2022 NFL Draft is weaker than in years past. When that's a true collective statement, in a twist, the sum of the parts is greater than the whole.
It's also not fair to compare this year's QB group to that of 2021, when Trevor Lawrence was a surefire No. 1 overall pick, joined soon early in the first round by Zach Wilson, Trey Lance and Justin Fields.
The bottom line, the demand for a long-term franchise answer at the position outweighs the supply. When looking at the three best first-round candidates, they all have arm, athleticism and overall makeup to be successful in the right system with the right personnel support.
There are up to six QBs with starting potential in the NFL, with four being Day 3 options with limited upside:
MORE NFL DRAFT: Complete 7-round mock | Top 150 overall Big Board
NFL Draft 2022 quarterback rankings
1. Malik Willis, Liberty (6-0, 219 pounds)
Willis is a new mashup of Wilson and Lance, a fast riser from the start who's gotten more attention for an amazing skill set. He has top-flight athleticism and the strong arm to make every throw. He's also physically and mentally tough. Willis is a small-school product in final name only, as he began his college career at Auburn. He had an impressive enough Combine to all but guarantee a top-10 selection, either by the Panthers or Seahawks or a team such as the Saints trading up to get him, given he carries the highest ceiling in the class.
2. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (6-3, 217 pounds)
Pickett delivered with his leadership to get Pitt playing for the ACC championship. He's the top traditional pocket-passing prospect in the class with his deep ball-accuracy, smarts and maturity. But he also carries great confidence and moxie and also proved at the Combine he has foot speed and quickness when needed. If Willis the top ceiling prospect at QB, then Pickett would be the floor guy. He could go anywhere from right after Willis to somewhere in the middle of the first round.
3. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati (6-3, 211 pounds)
Ridder is an aspiring dynamic NFL dual threat with his combination of strong arm and natural running ability. He also has the welcome intangibles, including leadership skills and toughness. Ridder won't vie for top QB off the board with Willis and Pickett, but his playing experience puts him at a not-too distant third. He would be a great value anywhere from the Steelers at No. 20 through the Lions' second first-rounder at No. 32.
4. Matt Corral, Ole Miss (6-0, 200 pounds)
Corral is a dynamic athlete and confident runner who also shows aggressiveness with a big arm. His raw skills give him a lot of intrigue and upside. There are concerns, however, about his one-year flash and how he will respond from the ankle injury he suffered in the bowl game. He is more of a work in progress at this point in a smaller frame in relation to Pickett and Ridder. He's better suited as a mid second-round pick.
5. Carson Strong, Nevada (6-3, 226 pounds)
Strong has some Josh Allen qualities to him with ideal size and a massive arm, only with more underrated athleticism. After battling some knee injury issues, Strong's challenge has been proving to teams he has a viable mobile element and can carry the accuracy needed should he be more of a pro-style pure pocket type. Strong needs some time to be molded, but can get there in the right place as a mid-to-late second-rounder.
6. Sam Howell, North Carolina (6-0, 218 pounds)
Howell is a smart, seasoned and accurate pocket passer. Playing in the same conference, however, he didn't show the same team-carrying "it" factor Pickett did last season. He also doesn't have the dynamic athleticism of Ridder and Willis but it wouldn't be surprising if he became a mashup of Lawrence and Jones. Given also his undersized frame, he has to grind to ever live up to his once high first-round potential. One shouldn't be surprised based on teams' needs and his more developmental talent if he drops well into the third round.
7. Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky (6-1, 220 pounds)
Zappe has had a prolific first season bumping up to FBS with great accuracy, smarts and toughness in a "Air Raid" style high-volume passing game. He can't quite sling it and move like any of the guys above, but he's cerebral and can be a quick study to adapt to any style of offense. He could turn into another Gardner Minshew type with a third- or fourth-round selection.
8. Jack Coan, Notre Dame (6-3, 218 pounds)
Coan has the solid backup makeup with his traditional pocket passing, first at Wisconsin before moving on to Notre Dame. He can handle making all the throws and also has some good mental and physical toughness for his size. He is smart enough to lean on his supporting cast and the running game to get the most out of his game. He also should be taken by the end of the fourth round.
9. Skylar Thompson, Kansas State (6-2, 217 pounds)
There's not much else to see in this class in terms of value after Coan. Thompson has some good short-to-intermediate passing qualities, but the concerns are the lack of his big-play arm, consistency and durability. Thompson can go anywhere from fifth round to priority free agent.
10. Dustin Crum, Kent State (6-1, 120 pounds)
Crum's biggest asset is experience as an efficient passer but although efficient throwing intermediate throws, he may lack the dynamic arm strength and downfield aggressiveness to be more than a developmental backup. He also has the range of late-round pick to free agent.
