2022 NFL Draft notebook: Quarterback preview, sleepers, and stock report

Stock Up

A look at some of the quarterbacks who are seeing their stock rise going into the 2021 season.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA

UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a player who started to look like a legitimate NFL prospect last season. Over his first three seasons in college, he struggled with accuracy, making quick decisions in the pocket, and ball security.

However, he improved in each of those areas last season. His completion percentage jumped from 60% in 2019 to 65% this last season. He also saw a drop in turnovers throwing only four picks this last season compared to 12 in 2019. This ball security also showed up when running with the ball as he had seven fumbles as a sophomore to only one as a junior.

Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma

While Spencer Rattler is the top quarterback going into the 2021 season his career did not have the greatest start. In his first four games of the season, he threw five picks including a nightmare performance against Kansas State where he threw three picks on the day. Thankfully he was able to turn around his season by throwing only two interceptions compared to 15 touchdowns in the final seven games of the season.

Matt Corral, Ole Miss

Perhaps no player benefited more from a coaching change last season than Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral. Under new coach Lane Kiffin, Corral had a breakout season going from a player competing for the starting job at the end of the 2019 season to one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football this past season. If Corral can cut down on the picks and improve his pocket presence this year he could sneak into the second day of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Malik Willis, Liberty

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis had a breakout season in 2020. After having to sit out the 2020 season Willis became one of the biggest dual-threats in college football. He ended up passing for 2,260 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 944 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. While his draft stock might be a little overinflated currently, he definitely shows the potential to be a playmaker at the next level.

Kaleb Eleby Western Michigan

2020 was a breakout season for Western Michigan quarterback Kaleb Eleby. During his first two seasons at Western Michigan, he saw very limited playing time and in fact did not take a snap in 2019. This past season though he became one of the more productive Group of Five quarterbacks in college football throwing for 1,715 yards and 18 touchdowns in just six games.