No Wrong Choice With Which QB to Draft, But There Might be a Right Choice

Where do Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett and Matt Corral go in the NFL Draft?

Dylan Seymour | Apr 13, 2022

The NFL draft is around the corner and the clock is ticking for the teams who were left with no quarterback after this hectic offseason. Lucky for them, there is a class of young, talented and hungry players who know a thing or two about commanding a team. This draft class includes a short list of quality quarterbacks eager to get their shot in the NFL.

The three main prospects that many teams have had their eye on include: Malik Willis of Liberty University, Kenny Pickett of Pittsburgh and Matt Corral from Ole Miss. Between the three of these individuals there may not be a wrong choice, but maybe there is a right one.

Analyzing the teams who have a top 20 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft narrows down the list to really only 5 willing to use their first round pick on a quarterback. Those teams include: the Panthers (Pick 6), Falcons (Pick 8), Seahawks (Pick 9), Saints (Pick 19) and the Steelers (Pick 20).

In reality, the Seahawks recently acquired Drew Locke in their trade with Denver for Russel Wilson and may want to test his abilities for at least a season. Similarly, the Falcons, who lost Matt Ryan to the Colts and signed Marcus Mariota will most likely trust in Mariota’s experience and draft a different offensive weapon to replace wide receiver Calvin Ridley. That leaves Carolina, New Orleans and Pittsburgh to make some calls.

Taking a step into the shoes of these team's owners, who should be the first QB taken off the board? Well that depends entirely on what the organization is looking to get out of their future star. Let’s take a look at what each of these individuals can do:

First looking at Willis. He was a two year starter at Liberty University, as he threw for over 5,000 yards and 47 touchdowns combined. Willis is a classic dual-threat with a solid build and broad frame making him durable and threatening. Willis has caught the attention of many pro scouts and it’s no secret that much of the talk around the league is about him. Look to see Willis go as the first QB off the board most likely to Carolina.

The Unique Run-Pass Skills Of Willis Could Prove Deadly In The NFL / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Taking a look at the next best option, there’s Pickett. He started at the University of Pittsburgh and led the Panthers to the best record in the ACC while throwing for 4,319 yards and 42 touchdowns in the 2021 season. Pickett has already solidified his record as a Panthers legend as he broke Dan Marino’s passing record in his time there. Pickett’s strengths include pro-level arm strength and impressive decision making abilities. On the other hand, Pickett has been criticized recently for his particularly small hands that pose a potential problem for an NFL quarterback.

Kenny Pickett's Big Arm And Football IQ Could Lead To Him Being A Very Good NFL Signal Caller / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Lastly, take a look at Corral. He was a standout player during his time at Ole Miss, as he threw for 3,349 yards and 20 touchdowns as he earned his way to the Outback Bowl MVP and finished seventh in the 2021 Heisman voting. According to his scouting report, Corral’s strengths include quick decision making, elusiveness and remarkable confidence. There’s no doubt that it’s difficult to go wrong with any of these three players. However, it’s a choice that needs to be made sooner or later.

Matt Corral's Proven Track Record In The SEC As A Passer, Runner, And Decision Maker Make Him An Intriguing NFL Draft Option / Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Based on the information above it seems like the mix between Willis’s potential and his ability to move makes him a great fit for Carolina. The Panthers possess one of the best offensive lines in the league and pairing Willis with McCaffrey could create problems for NFL defenses.

The next quarterback off the board is a toss up, however, it feels like Pickett is the right choice. The Saints have the 19th pick and a guy like Pickett is exactly what they could use. New Orleans has been in a weird transition phase the past couple seasons after Drew Brees’s retirement. They tested out a super mobile quarterback in Taysom Hill, but did not have all too much success. Pickett seems to be the perfect combination between both Brees and Hill, and could provide the Saints with what they need to pose a threat in a competitive division.

That leaves Corral to be selected by the Steelers at pick 20. Some may argue that Corral this late is a steal and that he shouldn’t be the third quarterback taken. Whether true or not, if he does make it that far into the NFL Draft, the Steelers may just have to draft him. Pittsburgh also has a dominant offensive line. With the recent retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, they are in need of someone with similar arm strength and a similar ability to command an offense.

Between these three players and the rest of the draft class there are no wrong choices. NFL owners and general managers have their hands full figuring out which player best suits each NFL organization.

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