2022 NFL Draft notebook: Quarterback preview, sleepers, and stock report
By John Blair
- While the first-round talk that Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy got going into the 2020 season was way too high he should be a good day three quarterback. He is a smart leader who shows outstanding toughness. He can also make plays with both his arm and by moving around in the pocket and shows good pocket awareness overall. One area he must improve on is not forcing his passes as he has thrown 18 interceptions over the past two seasons.
- A quarterback who is being underrated is Drew Plitt of Ball State. All Plitt has done over the previous two seasons is lead the MAC in touchdowns passes in 2019 and finish second in the conference in this category last season. He also finished in the top five both years in passing yards per game. Some of the traits he shows on film that scouts will like include his accuracy, zip on the ball, and ability to move in the pocket.
- If Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett can cut down on his turnovers this season he could see a big rise up the draft board. What is impressive with Pickett is his combination of leadership ability, strong arm, and his ability to move around in the pocket. Unfortunately, though he does try and make too much happen at times which has led to him throwing 18 picks over the past two seasons. If he can cut down on the turnovers he could be a player who gets looks at the end of the second day of the 2022 NFL Draft.
- It would not be a shock if Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez gets more of a look at wide receiver than quarterback by NFL teams. Martinez is far from an NFL-level passer who has an awkward throwing motion and spotty accuracy. However, he is a good athlete who has the quickness to possibly make the transition to wide receiver. He has the size to be a good outside receiver as well coming in at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds.
- Another quarterback who might be asked to switch to wide receiver in the NFL is Levi Lewis. However, unlike Adrian Martinez this is not due to his ability as a passer but instead due to his lack of ideal size. Lewis is listed at only 5-foot-10 and 184 pounds which is too small for a quarterback even in today’s more spread based NFL. While Lewis might not have the physical traits to make it as a quarterback, his open-field running ability and overall agility make him an intriguing slot receiver prospect at the next level.