Top QB prospects for Washington in 2022 draft

The Washington Football Team is very likely to draft a quarterback in the 2022 NFL draft and there are several solid prospects that could be available next spring.

The 2021 NFL season has been an agonizing challenge this season for the 2-6 Washington Football Team and the difficulties continue to increase.  Part of the problem centers on poor quarterback play and each quarterback on the current roster is simply unable to become a franchise centerpiece.

The quarterbacks for Washington are a late 30s journeyman (injured) and two undrafted players.  No one questions their efforts or commitment to the team, but the organization is keenly aware that the future franchise quarterback is not a current member of the Burgundy and Gold.

Recent reports suggest that the No Name Team is less than impressed with the current crop of college quarterback prospects.  Don’t believe it!  The front office in Ashburn is reluctant to discuss any offseason plans while the 2021 season is not even at the halfway point.  The scouts are busy looking for prospects that could be a fit for Washington – that is their job, but the coaching staff is focused on this season.  However, visions of a talented franchise quarterback gracing the 2022 roster is certainly on the minds of coaches, scouts, analysts, and fans.

Today, we will take a look at the current crop of quarterbacks and tell you why and how each one could be a fit.  We’ll list the top 18 prospects in the 2022 draft and which players could be the best fit for Washington.  They will be presented in three different tiers (three different talent levels).

The quarterbacks listed are put in an order from best to worst, but what is best for Washington overall and that is how we will rate each of these quarterbacks.  The “U” beside several names indicates that the player is an undergraduate and could return for another season.  Let’s get right to it!

1.  Tier one quarterback prospects

A. Matt Corral, Mississippi (U) – 6-1, 205

If you are looking for one of the best fits for the Washington Football Team at quarterback in the 2022 NFL draft, look no further than Matt Corral of Ole Miss.  He is cocky and possesses plenty of confidence.

Corral has plenty of arm strength – quite a bit in fact – and his play this season against quality competition in the SEC certainly adds to his status as an elite prospect.

Verdict: Corral could be a day one starter for Washington and he should be on the team’s radar.

B. Malik Willis, Liberty (U) – 6-1, 225

You can make a good argument for rating Malik Willis over Matt Corral, but both of these quarterbacks are at the top of the list for the 2022 draft.  Don’t let the small school program scare you.  Willis is a legitimate talent and while he could’ve transferred to a power five conference program, his loyalty commands respect.

Willis has the skills of an elite running back and his arm is one of the strongest in the nation.  If Corral is number one, then Willis is 1A.  Both have unique skillsets that separate them from the rest of the 2022 quarterback prospects.

Verdict: He could be the opening day starter for Washington next year and his impact is likely to be immediate.

Tier one note: After the Ole Miss/Liberty game, some analysts said that Corral established a slight lead over Willis to be QB1 in the 2022 draft.  To be honest, neither player firmly proved that they will be the first overall quarterback taken next spring.  It’s still very early in this process and both of these gentlemen are tier one quarterbacks for now.

2. Tier two quarterbacks

The tier two quarterbacks in this year’s draft could slip into the first round, but most are likely second-day players in the draft.  Washington would likely pick a quarterback on day two if they have chosen another position in round one.

A. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh – 6-3, 220

Kenny Pickett is very close to the top tier and he is having a very good 2021 season.  He’s a solid game manager and possibly the most “pro-ready” quarterback in this class.

Verdict: Pickett could be a top ten selection and should be available when Washington is on the clock.

Tier two quarterbacks continue to impress

B. Carson Strong, Nevada – 6-4, 215

Carson Strong should be available when Washington is on the clock and he could be the best overall option.  He has a very strong arm, superb velocity on passes, and the quickest release of this quarterback class.

Verdict: This is a player that the Washington Football Team could target.

C. Sam Howell, North Carolina (U) – 6-1, 225

Sam Howell fell out of favor with some analysts earlier in the season, but he has performed well in recent weeks.  He could be a day one starter for Washington.

Verdict: Howell can throw all the passes – short, medium, and long.  He is also built like a tank.

D. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati – 6-4, 215

Many analysts thought Ridder would enter the 2021 draft, but he decided to return to the Bearcats for his senior season and he has likely improved his draft status from a likely fourth-rounder to a second-round pick in the 2022 draft.

Verdict: Ridder could slide into the first round, but he is a likely day two pick.

E. Brennan Armstrong, Virginia – 6-2, 215 (U)

The nation’s leading passer has been impressive in 2021 and routinely passes for 400 yards a game, including a 554-yard effort several weeks ago.  He could return to Virginia for 2022 and be one of the top QB prospects for the 2023 draft.

Verdict: Armstrong was an unknown in early September, but he is a legitimate prospect now.  He also possesses a favorable last name.

F. Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina (U) – 6-3, 210

Dual threat quarterbacks are becoming much more popular in the NFL in recent years and Grayson McCall is one of the best of this year’s crop.  However, a late season injury could sideline him the rest of this season and he may return another year to Coastal Carolina.

Verdict: At this juncture, it is too early to know if McCall enters the 2022 draft.

G. Sam Hartman, Wake Forest (U) – 6-1, 210

Sam Hartman is a late addition to the tier two list and could skyrocket higher with a strong finish to the 2021 season.  He has taken a perennial ACC cellar-dweller program and put it at the top of the conference in 2021.  He could return for another season.

Verdict: Hartman would be wise to return to Wake Forest for another season, but the next few weeks could determine otherwise.

3. Tier three quarterbacks

Quarterbacks taken on day three of the draft can be hidden gems or projects that need a lot of work.  Most of them will be career backups at best and out of the league within a year or two at worst.

Washington could add a project, but they need a franchise quarterback.

A. Bo Nix, Auburn – 6-3, 215

If Bo Nix was the quarterback for a better power five program, he would receive more attention and possibly be a tier-two player in today’s analysis.  There are times when he looks like a Heisman candidate and other days are complete flops.

B. Phil Jurkovec, Boston College – 6-5, 230 (U)

Phil Jurkovec has missed most of the season with an injury, but he returned recently and needs time to shake off the rust.  He should return for another season and improve his chances in the 2023 draft.  He has tier one potential.

C. Will Levis, Kentucky – 6-3, 230

Will Levis is a graduate student after a decent career at Penn State as a backup and part-time starter.  His improvement as a pocket passer this season helps his draft status and his skills as a rusher are better than most prospects.

D. Jake Haener, Fresno State – 6-1, 195

Jake Haener is an underrated quarterback for the Bulldogs, but his resume is impressive.  He nearly led FSU to an upset of Oregon and threw for 455 yards against UCLA in a huge upset.  He will need to put on 10 to 15 pounds of bulk and muscle for the NFL.

F. Remaining Quarterbacks

The following quarterbacks are likely late draft selections or UDFA additions next spring.  The undergraduates in this group should seriously consider returning to school or transferring to another NCAA school for at least another year.

• Tanner Mordecai, SMU – 6-3, 215
• Brock Purdy, Iowa State – 6-1 (U)
• Jayden Daniels, Arizona State – 6-3 (U)
• Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky – 6-1
• J.T. Daniels, Georgia – 6-1 (U)
• Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma – 6-1 (U)

The two players to focus on are Tanner Mordecai and Bailey Zappe.  Mordecai is in a very quarterback-friendly system (much like Taylor Heinicke at Old Dominion) and could be a late round pick or a priority UDFA.  Zappe is also in a quarterback friendly offense and is likely a late round choice or a priority UDFA.

Brock Purdy has improved marginally since his freshman year and should return to the Cyclones for another season.  The same holds true for Jayden Daniels and J.T. Daniels.  At the beginning of the 2021 season, Spencer Rattler was universally considered the top quarterback prospect in the nation.  He was benched recently for a true freshman and this Sooner will become a goner and transfer to another school for 2022.

The quarterbacks at the top of the 2022 class are not as deep as the 2021 class, but there is more late-round talent than a year ago.  The Nameless Football Team should be able to select one of the top two quarterbacks or be patient and select one of the top five prospects.

This list is likely to change between now and the draft, especially with the tier two and tier three quarterbacks.  Can Kenny Pickett, Carson Strong, and Sam Howell become tier-one in the coming weeks?  They have the potential to rise significantly.  Also, Bo Nix, Phil Jurkovec, Will Levis, and Brennan Armstrong could climb to tier two.

Who is your choice to be with Washington next year?  Should the Burgundy and Gold wait until 2023 to draft a quarterback?  Do you like the idea of drafting a quarterback early in the 2022 draft and another prospect in the late rounds?  Is there a prospect that you like and is not listed here?  The draft is just over five months away and the team here at Riggo’s Rag will cover it all for you.