2022 NFL mock draft: Spencer Rattler leads fascinating QB class
The paint has yet to dry on the 2021 NFL Draft class, but it’s not too soon for 2022 NFL mock draft season and at least getting to know some of the top prospects for the upcoming class. The 2022 NFL Draft class may not have a Trevor Lawrence type of no-brainer prospect, but there will be a ton of intrigue at the quarterback position once again.
There are already five teams with multiple first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft:
- Detroit Lions (from Rams)
- New York Giants (from Bears)
- Philadelphia Eagles (from Dolphins)
- Miami Dolphins (from 49ers)
- New York Jets (from Seahawks)
Given the way the rosters for each of those teams trading away 2022 first-round picks looks right now, the Giants and Eagles seem to be the early favorites to possibly have a shot at cashing in big. If the San Francisco 49ers start Trey Lance and struggle with injuries again in 2021 like they did in 2020, that pick is another to watch for.
As of right now, the Houston Texans appear to be the team to watch to land the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft based on their coaching changes, Deshaun Watson’s trade demand, and overall poor roster construction.
The Philadelphia Eagles could be a sleeper in contention right there as well.
This 2022 NFL mock draft scenario will look at a scenario with the draft order determined by the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator.
2022 NFL mock draft: 1st pick
Oklahoma. player. 10. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. Spencer Rattler. 1
Does anyone actually know who plays for the Houston Texans these days?
For the first time in 45 years of covering the NFL, I’m seeing something new. Media allowed to attend our first Texans OTA, and we’re given rosters with no numbers for players. Names with no numbers next to them with almost 50 new players. Idiotic!
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) May 27, 2021
Deshaun Watson has demanded a trade, but he is facing 22 lawsuits alleging sexual assault and nobody at this point knows if he’s going to be on the team, on the Commissioner’s exempt list, suspended, or whatever.
The Texans are obviously planning on at least the possibility of Watson not being there this season or possibly ever again as they went out and signed Tyrod Taylor in free agency then used their top pick (a third-rounder) in the 2021 NFL Draft on Stanford quarterback Davis Mills.
Houston has said goodbye to JJ Watt this offseason after saying goodbye to De’Andre Hopkins last offseason. The times have definitely changed and this franchise presently looks like one of the most dysfunctional in the entire league right now.
Head coach David Culley and general manager Nick Caserio are being given a baptism by fire in their new roles with the team, and by the time the 2022 NFL Draft rolls around, absolutely no one is going to be surprised if Houston owns the top overall pick.
At this point, it’s hard to argue against Spencer Rattler being the latest Oklahoma Sooners and Lincoln Riley prodigy to be the number one selection in the draft.
https://twitter.com/ESPNCFB/status/1304964090247483396
Oklahoma had Baker Mayfield in 2018, Kyler Murray in 2019, and Jalen Hurts became a 2nd-round pick under Riley’s watch in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Rattler was not entirely consistent in 2020, but even making his way as a first-year starter with the Sooners, he had 28 passing touchdowns, six rushing touchdowns, and over 3,000 yards in just 11 games.