2022 NFL Draft notebook: Quarterback preview, sleepers, and stock report
By John Blair
Most underrated: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
Earlier in this article, we talked about how Dorian Thompson-Robinson is seeing his stock rise because of a strong junior season. However, he is still one of the more underrated players in this year’s quarterback class. What makes him such an intriguing prospect at the next level is his combination of athletic ability and overall passing skills.
He does a good job of accurately delivering the short to medium passes with great touch yet still has the ability to be a threat in the running game. If he can improve his processing speed and throws downfield more often this year he could earn a third or fourth-round grade going into the 2022 NFL Draft.
Most Overrated: Tyler Shough, Texas Tech
Perhaps no player is more overrated going into the 2021 season than Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough. Shough played last season at Oregon and didn’t look anything like a potential high first-round pick. Despite this though he enters the year as a 10 to 1 odds of being the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
If he wants to hear his name called at all on day one of the draft next year he is going to need to improve his accuracy and cut down on the turnovers.
Quarterback that should significantly improve his stock: Emory Jones, Florida
The player who will be expected to replace Kyle Trask at Florida is Emory Jones. While Jones is not the same level of passer that Trask was, he does open up the offense with his running ability. He has rushed for over six yards per carry the last two seasons and it would not be a shock if he was one of Florida’s leading rushers this season.
As a passer, he needs some work on his technique, but Dan Mullen has proven he can develop his quarterbacks in this area.
Biggest risk: McKenzie Milton, Florida State
One of the best stories in the 2021 college football season will be McKenzie Milton returning from a gruesome knee injury in 2018, that caused him to miss two years of college football.
Unfortunately, this knee injury also makes him one of the riskiest draft prospects in this year’s class. Even if Milton has a strong final season at Florida State, it is hard to imagine at least a few teams won’t take him off their draft board due to medical concerns.
Top small school quarterback: Cole Kelley, Southeastern Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana quarterback Cole Kelley won the Walter Payton Award which is the FCS version of the Heisman this spring after an outstanding season. He finished the year completing 69% of his passes for 2,662 yards and 18 touchdowns in just six games.
When evaluating Kelley the first thing that stands out is his size. He is listed at 6-foot-7 and 260 pounds which might make him too tall, although he does move well for someone his size. As a passer, he shows good accuracy and enough arm strength to play at the next level. If he has another strong season this year he could be a sixth or seventh-round pick in 2022.
Overall Rankings
1. Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma
2. Sam Howell, North Carolina
3. Jayden Daniels, Arizona State
4. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
5. Kedon Slovis, USC
6. JT Daniels, Georgia
7. Phil Jurkovec, Boston College
8. Malik Willis, Liberty
9. Brock Purdy, Iowa State
10. Carson Strong, Nevada
11. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
12. Tanner Morgan, Minnesota
13. Tyler Shough, Texas Tech
14. Matt Corral, Ole Miss
15. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
16. D’Eriq King, Miami
17. Jack Coan, Notre Dame
18. Dillon Gabriel, UCF
19. Michael Penix Jr, Indiana
20. Emory Jones, Florida
21. Charlie Brewer, Utah
22. Cole Kelley, Southeastern Louisiana
23. Levi Lewis, Louisiana
24. Dustin Crum, Kent State
25. Aqeel Glass, Alabama A&M
26. Drew Plitt, Ball State
27. Zarrick Cooper, Jacksonville State
28. Skylar Thompson, Kansas State
29. Malik Cunningham, Louisville
30. Kaleb Eleby, Western Michigan
31. Brandon Peters, Illinois
32. Chase Garbers, California
33. Myles Brennan, LSU
34. Adrian Martinez, Nebraska
35. McKenzie Milton, Florida State
36. Nick Starkel, San Jose State
37. Jack Sears, Boise State
38. Noah Vedral, Rutgers
39. Rogan Wells, Tusculum
40. Eric Barriere, Eastern Washington