In our latest edition of NFL Draft content, we look at the top four QB prospects and examine the best landing spots for their growth. Despite what has been said about this year’s class, one of them is bound to emerge as an elite quarterback. The 2000 QB class that included Tom Brady was not a good crop of prospects, but we saw how that turned out. Brady was the least expected to succeed out of the six quarterbacks taken ahead of him. Instead, he fell to the greatest NFL head coach in Bill Belichick and transformed the Patriots into one of the league’s premier franchises.
Kenny Pickett: Pittsburgh
Best Situation: New Orleans Saints
Compared to the other top QB prospects in the 2022 draft, Pickett is deemed the most prepared to operate an NFL offense at the moment. Pickett has high-level awareness in almost every area of playing the position, efficient throwing mechanics naturally accurate regardless of his base, and throws a catchable football. Therefore, if selected by New Orleans, Pickett would immediately be surrounded by a plethora of talent to be successful.
Minus a few subtractions on personnel, the Saints’ will be bringing back one of the league’s best defenses. Also, wide receiver Michael Thomas has fully recovered from his ankle injury and is on track to participate in training camp. Based on the optics, the team will not neglect its WR2 position as they have done in the past two seasons.
Malik Willis: Liberty
Best Situation: Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s a blessing in disguise that the top prospects at QB are being pushed down the draft board. Because of that, there’s a significant chance that they could fall into a first-class organization. That would be the case for Malik Willis. Based on scouting reports, Willis throws the best deep ball out of all the prospects at the position.
He will most likely sit out his first year to learn the ins and outs of a pro-style offense. But it will be well worth it. Under Mike Tomlin’s tenure, the Steelers have had a knack for surrounding the QB with talent at wide receiver, running back, and tight end positions. So by the time Willis takes over, the Steelers could be set at QB for the next 10 to 15 years.
Desmond Ritter: Cincinnati
Best Situation: Indianapolis Colts
Who knows how long newly acquired quarterback Matt Ryan will remain with the Indianapolis Colts. Ryan turns 37 in May and has stated that he wants to play through the end of his contract. Father time has indeed tapped the shoulder of Ryan in certain aspects of his game. However, he is still a quarterback who can succeed when surrounded by good talent.
Despite Ryan’s commitment beyond 2022, the Colts should still address the future of the quarterback position. Because you never know when Father Time will fully take hold of an aging QB. Under Frank Reich’s guidance, Ridder will have a chance to become a cornerstone at a position that has seen so much turnover in the last three years. Ridder finished his career as a four-year starter at Cincinnati. He also holds several AAC records, including passing yards (12,419) and total touchdowns (116).
Matt Corral: Mississippi
Best Situation: Tennessee Titans
Despite back-to-back early playoff exits, the Tennessee Titans are committed to Ryan Tannehill. However, the team could move after the 2023 season and only incur $18.8 million in dead cap. In the second and third rounds of the draft, the Titans might explore options at QB if they feel someone like Corral has the potential to be successful. He would sit out his rookie season to fully understand the nuances of the Titans’ offense.
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