2022 NFL Draft: 10 players to watch in college football
By Ryan McCrary
Who are the top 10 2022 NFL Draft prospects to watch in college football this season?
The 2021-2022 college football season is just seventeen days away, and there are many talented players all over the country. The 2022 NFL Draft class is interesting because it doesn’t feature a plethora of elite quarterbacks like the previous two have. Sure, there are some good quarterbacks, but none have showcased unbelievable talent like Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields did before being drafted.
This class does feature some amazing premium position players, though. If you need a star cornerback, edge rusher, or safety, this is the perfect draft to have a high pick.
In preparation for the 2022 NFL Draft, here are ten players to keep your eye on this season because they may end up being high first-round picks next April.
1. Spencer Rattler, Quarterback, Oklahoma
Spencer Rattler is expected to be in the conversation for the number one overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s also the favorite to win the Heisman trophy this season.
Rattler is a redshirt sophomore who entered college football in 2019 as the number one quarterback coming out of high school. He only played three games as a true freshman, but he claimed the starting job in 2020.
Last season, he played well, averaging 276 passing yards and 2.5 passing touchdowns per game. He also had a touchdown to interception ratio of 4:1, which is really good. Considering it was his first season as the full-time starter, he was impressive, but he didn’t play well enough to be considered an elite prospect.
Rattler is a good athlete with a fluid release and the arm strength to make various throws, but he needs to work on his decision-making and mechanics under pressure. There are too many times when pass rushers affect his base, which hurts his ability to throw the ball accurately.
The amount of playing time he got last year should help him out a lot. He could easily be worth a top-five pick if he is less radical as a decision-maker and more consistent overall. The talent is there, but the shoe needs a bit more polishing.