NFL Draft Guide 2022

Quarterbacks

QUARTERBACKS

Matt Corral Ole Miss 6”1 205lbs

Athlete

  • Compact throwing motion perfect for RPO system

  • Ball barley gets back by ear- twitchy all around

  • Comfortable rushing (QB Draws) great athlete

  • Leadership met w/ teammates (5:30 A.M.)/ “Real Talk Wednesday’s”

  • Injuries (has played through them) slim build

  • Ankle injury (looked healthy at Pro Day)

Passing Accuracy/ Arm Strength

  • Consistent accuracy from firm base (scheme)

  • Works well on passes up the seams

  • Easy sidearm accuracy/ Live arm w/ some zip

  • Passing touch sort of unknown

Coverage Reads/ Pre-Snap/ Poise

  • Avoids sacks and finds a way to throw the ball away

  • Not a progression offense/ usually sticks to minimal reads based on LB play- some blind throws

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 1

QUARTERBACKS

Aqeel Glass 6”1 215lbs Alabama A&M

Athlete/ Rushing/ Notes

  • Can punt… Just not very well (Vs Alabama St)

  • Not afraid to run/ had designed runs

  • Ran the option smoothly- has some contact balance

  • Longer release/ cocks back behind head

  • Mobility likely won’t translate to the NFL/ however his pocket poise will

  • Competition (FCS)

Passing Accuracy/ Arm Strength

  • Sideline ball placement/ good touch

  • Has some impressive bucket passes (TD vs Texas Southern)

  • Consistent spiral

  • Noticeable touch over linebackers (RPO) - not afraid of window throws (good and bad)

  • Velocity on passes/ concerning for the NFL- needs a good base (Arm doesn’t come completely over)

  • Passes sort of float in the air/ dangerous backfoot shots

  • Needs more lead distance and lead on middle of field passes

  • Limited arm angles/ can struggle big time rolling left- has to set feet

  • No strikes downfield- has to lead w/ touch

  • Quick pass sets can be inaccurate- if he speeds up feet (no step into)

  • Underneath throws don’t have any pop

Coverage Reads/ Pre-Snap/ Poise

  • Anticipation ball placement based on defender (throws away from defender/down and away)- gets ball out early

  • Uses pre-snap motion well/ keys on man or zone coverage-

  • Works well w/ levels routes on sideline (exp: flat and corner) vs zone coverage

  • Moves zone defenders underneath and holds safeties for sideline shots

  • Attacks off-coverage (LB blitz moving S into man coverage)

  • Sells double moves w/ pump fake

Role/Grade: Glass’s top end maybe an NFL backup QB. Aqeel is a smart quarterback, with limitations he may not be able to overcome.

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 7/ UDFA

QUARTERBACKS

Sam Howell North Carolina 6”1 225lbs

Athlete/ Rushing/ Notes

  • Starter since Freshman season

  • Underrated runner (designed runs) tough mindset- if middle of field clears won’t hesitate to attack it/ searches for extra yards

  • Baseball background: snappy motion to release

  • Athletic quick feet from inside the pocket

  • Can reset throwing motion quickly

Passing Accuracy/ Arm Strength

  • Receivers didn’t help his completion percentage (2021)

  • Great timing on anticipation throws- outs/ RB wheel to outs/ comebacks/ posts or slants (progression timing offense)

  • Passes jump out of his hand w/ little effort or need to step in

  • Footwork- causes inaccurate passes (feet aren’t set)- will need to work on under-center drop-back

  • Can hold up receivers a tad on shot plays

Coverage Reads/ Pre-Snap/ Poise

  • Reacts well to blitzers during play- finds one on ones

  • Poise in the pocket to keep mechanics w/ pressure coming- quick release allows for shots attempts

  • Keeps eyes downfield from inside pocket-doesn’t hold onto first read too long, gets off to 2nd read to maintain great timing

  • Quick thinker from RPO sets

  • Not afraid to give his guys a chance one on one

  • Doesn’t give up on crucial plays/ needs to protect ball and himself “working on sliding”- good and bad trait

  • Checks come from sideline/ offense ran same rotation of plays

  • Offense crossers or timing set-ups/ rb texas route- deep poster overtop- spread out defense multiple vertical routes one comeback on sideline and hitch (one read and run) Layers concepts

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 2

QUARTERBACKS

Cole Kelley 6”7 248lbs SE Louisiana From Arkansas

Athlete/ Rushing/ Notes

Passing Accuracy/ Arm Strength

Coverage Reads/ Pre-Snap/ Poise

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Proj:

QUARTERBACKS

Kenny Pickett Pitt 6”3 220lbs

Athlete/ Rushing/ Notes

  • Critical downs will dive for the first (Clemson)

  • Great athlete escaping pocket- spin-out/ internal clock speeds up

  • Avoids taking hits

  • Hand size is a concern

  • Mechanics for timing need to be cleaned

Passing Accuracy/ Arm Strength

  • Impressive arm/Quick release completed passes late

  • Dual threat throws well on the move (right)- TD vs Clemson

  • High IQ Ball placement on sideline/back shoulder passes

  • Incredible off-platform throw (TD vs Georgia Tech)- many big plays have been created late

  • Precision passes on crosses when stepping into pocket

  • Passes can be a tad underthrown- quicker anticipation may help

  • Off-platform throws can be dangerous- often keeps passes in field play of play (more dangerous in the NFL)

  • Ball doesn’t fire off his hand

  • Inconsistent dropping passes in the bucket

Coverage Reads/ Pre-Snap/ Poise

  • Awareness from blitzes inside tackle box

  • Backs cornerbacks off in cover 3 looks by holding middle of the field first- then coming back to boundary

  • Has missed shot opportunities overtop

  • Anticipation throws behind Linebackers- holds off- prefers attacking the sideline

  • Caught holding onto ball hesitating missing anticipation reads

  • Hesitation in zone anticipation throws- passes come out late or not at all

  • Can be caught fading back w/ pressure (scrambles)

  • Head goes down w/ pressure in face- leaves pocket before he throws

  • Doesn’t have great feel for corner blitzes to find hole in defense

  • Too quick to look to escape the pocket/ lacks poise to get through progressions cleanly and find late developing routes

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 1

QUARTERBACKS

Desmond Ridder Cincinnati 6”4 216lbs

Athlete/ Rushing/ Notes

  • Leadership (met w/ teammates after practice)

  • Dual threat/ pro-style (under center Senior Bowl)

  • Protects the football from fumbles- moves w/ ball ready to throw

  • Not much make you miss in space like other QBs- solid speed however

  • Didn’t stand tall and deliver a strike on “have to have it” downs (vs Alabama) just flicked it out- incomplete after sliding short of a first down on 3rd & 15

Passing Accuracy/ Arm Strength

  • Ball placement waivers under pressure

  • Inconsistent accuracy on “easy” passes

  • Upper body passing mechanics- puts a lot on his arm, late follow through

  • Follow through hangs before taking a hit- leads to inaccurate throws

  • Route timing is a little late- can lead to batted balls

  • Could work on ball placement to lead receivers better

Coverage Reads/ Pre-Snap/ Poise

  • Footwork through progressions is smooth- pops through progressions/ ability to speed it up

  • Pre-snap CB leverage reads- safety tells

  • Ran the show: protections/run checks at LOS- audibles may have came from sideline

  • Stands tall vs pressure

  • Utilizes hard count to prepare pass protection

  • Pocket agility

  • Knows how to hold linebackers in soft zone coverage

  • Can hang on to first option too long

Role/Grade:

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 1-2

QUARTERBACKS

Conner Sampson Western Illinois 6”3 215lbs

Athlete/ Rushing/ Notes

  • Quick feet in RPO (short) pass sets

  • Speedy throwing motion- demonstrates arm angles

  • Tall standing the pocket

  • Handled a lot of movement pre-snap/ walked up to the line to ID- quick hikes

Passing Accuracy/ Arm Strength

  • Consistent release accuracy off back-foot/off-balance

  • Ball still pops out of hand (using all arm)

  • Would like to see more consistent step into deep throws w/ clean pocket- can rely on arm

  • Beautiful sideline throw/confident behind corner between safety (Eastern Washington)

  • Fantastic touch accuracy on sideline timing throws- back shoulder/sideline throws one on one

  • Asked to roll and reset feet often (clean)

  • Passes can rise underneath- come out of hand high

  • Receivers did not help completion percentage

Coverage Reads/ Pre-Snap/ Poise

  • (soft coverage)/ uses eyes to open up underneath throws vs zone (flats)

  • Command of the offense at the line (adjustment pre-snap vs Eastern Washington opened up receiver crosser for a TD)

  • Not afraid to throw into zone holes

  • Stands tall feeling pressure to keep read- takes the hit (3rd & 9 vs Montana)

  • Moves through pressure in pocket really well keeping eyes downfield

  • In-Pocket feet to slide up into second read- smooth

  • Attacks sagging corners pre-snap

  • Throws into pressure noted pre-snap

  • 14Ints- caught inside pocket/ forcing passes, anticipation throws can work against him… threw passes that didn’t open up (int vs Montana)

  • Should add looking off defenders through routes read pre-snap (not giving a tell)

  • ( Moved LBs 16:41 vs Montana)

Role/Grade: Rythem/Timing passer 6.1 Grade

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 5-6

QUARTERBACKS

Carson Strong Nevada 6”4 215lbs

Athlete/ Rushing/ Notes

  • Little run support

  • Can punt (Idaho State)

  • Escape ability limited (knee as well)/ no designed runs- can be forced to make contested passes

  • Knee injury (0 long term concern) Rams Doctors

  • Sells fakes hard

  • Pre-Snap command (motioned WR vs Kansas State opened up huge play, confused coverage)

Passing Accuracy/ Arm Strength

  • Big arm can launch passes if set/ rapid release (throw vs SDSU incomplete deep) potential & sidearm ability (every weapon active)

  • Compact release- can throw to the far sideline w/ ease

  • Adds touch to check-downs/ makes passes more catchable

  • Can sail underneath passes off backfoot

  • Vertical shots can sail (left side) also short at combine

  • Could improve lower base for shots and follow through/ stepping towards target (more consistent deep accuracy_ - hip fires off of backfoot/ misses throws (maybe due to leg brace- looks like he held back on some throws)

  • Not getting feet reset set after moving pocket

  • Drifts inside the pocket- puts added pressure on tackles not needed

Coverage Reads/ Pre-Snap/ Poise

  • Works through protections pre-snap

  • Pressures coverage w/ anticipation (PI)

  • Plays off safeties/ finds his guy w/ time

  • Pre-snap reads in coverage (motions/hard counts- attack holes in zone) commands offense

  • Hot routes receivers pre-snap based on looks and attacks it (SDSU)

  • Good Pressure feel from inside pocket- flows away

  • Keeps track of check-down option/ moves to keep him in vision w/ pressure- quick reaction to primary read covered up or slipped (Idaho State)

  • Finds coverage space for quick hitters pre-snap

  • Uses stepping up into pocket and eyes to open covered zone targets (first down to Doubs vs SDSU 13:59)

  • Gets passes out before he sees the receivers eyes (timing) exp: sideline or underneath

  • Trusts reads he makes (15:12 SDSU)

Role/Grade: 6.7 (rank #1)

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 1

QUARTERBACKS

Skylar Thompson Kansas State 6”2 220lbs

Athlete/ Rushing/ Notes

  • Can effectively run read option (near goal line)/ designed runs near end-zone

  • Has worked drop backs from under-center

  • Big time on 4th downs

Passing Accuracy/ Arm Strength

  • Early anticipation/ throwing before receiver comes out of break

  • Keeps tights spiral off-balance throws

  • Impressive route timing

  • Timing on posts/digs flashing middle (combine)

  • Arm strength can waiver not able to step into throws downfield

  • 2nd level passes can sail off-schedule

  • Deep curls sail a little high

  • Release could be cleaned up/ can be delayed (ball pats)

  • Passes don’t pop out of hand- can have a little flutter

  • Makes a lot of backfoot throws- not stepping into it

Coverage Reads/ Pre-Snap/ Poise

  • Pre-snap pressure awareness

  • High IQ broken down play- directs receivers (has thrown w/ left hand)

  • Held safeties and Linebackers post snap to open up reads

  • Has feel for moving linebackers underneath and safeties overtop

  • Creates shots plays moving safeties

  • Shown ability to quickly recognize coverage to find correct read

  • Not afraid to push sideline

  • Ball security inside pocket (can get loose w/ the ball)

  • Can be a tad to slow to get rid of football looking for bigger play

  • Plenty of Half-field progressions w/ some layer concepts

Role/Grade: Spread Offense

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 3-4

QUARTERBACKS

Malik Willis Liberty 6”0 225lbs

Athlete/ Rushing/ Notes

  • Teammates seemed to be drawn to him (senior bowl basket passes)

  • Fear as a ball carrier (elusive/body control) extends plays- well built lower body to keep contact balance/ can escape danger- TD vs Louisiana Monroe

  • Incredible plays on tape most QBs can’t make

  • Passion/energy (Pre-game/celebrations)

  • Put head down to convert third down vs NT

Passing Accuracy/ Arm Strength

  • Cannon for an arm/ can rifle passes on the move

  • At times impressive deep touch passes (bucket)

  • Sideline Vertical throws are incredibly consistent

  • Improved footwork in 2021 from 2020 in progressions (still work to do for consistency)

  • Ball velocity by route/ can make it tough on receivers (needs to let up sometimes)

  • 'Follow through- doesn’t always drive through release

  • Can fall away from passes

  • Flat passes little slow- gather and release aren’t snappy

  • Passes can get inaccurate when release is sped up

  • Delivery on RPO passes- no step through/ little torque twist- not snappy (can be jumped Louisiana Monroe)

Coverage Reads/ Pre-Snap/ Poise

  • Give and take- plays can stay alive long opening up big plays- also leads to bad sacks/ bad decisions (Flip to WR vs North Texas 20yds away/ throws into traffic that would be picked in the NFL)

  • Trusts arm too much/ late dangerous passes

  • Will give his guys a chance to make a play (contested)

  • Adjusted to right read cover 3 up seam/ just missed pass int (LM) last play

  • Works to keep eyes downfield once he breaks the pocket

  • Protection did not help him (part is due to scheme- shots and pulling OL)

  • Can overlook check-downs/ forces passes leads to picks- Syracuse blitz heavy too often no hot read (fall back reads are to outside receiver comeback route)

  • Lot of half field (1,2) reads- should get time to work on coverage recognition/ arm talent to make the throws (cover 3 seam beater vs UMass)

  • Mental release pause/ late window throws (12:30)/17:07 Playmaking comes late in zone

  • Not adjusting to blitzes (finding a checkdown)

  • Keeps pulling down anticipation throws w/ pressure vs North Texas

  • Vertical shot not timing underneath- needs to see the receiver open under

Role/Grade: Development QB/ simplified reads (layers) un-coachable traits

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 1

QUARTERBACKS

Bailey Zappe Western Kentucky 6”1 220lbs

Athlete/ Rushing/ Notes

  • Air raid system ran at a high level (Houston Baptist to Western Kentucky)

  • Will very likely see a big adjustment at the next level- shifting to a pro-style offense

  • Not an elite athlete pretty middling every category (ceiling maybe limited)

  • Not a designed run type of QB/ moves well enough to grab a few yards

Passing Accuracy/ Arm Strength

  • Lot of production on sideline throws outside the numbers

  • Very balanced passer- keeps great base/ poised in pocket- beat Indiana on a blitz, stay calm delivered to the right hot read

  • Shows touch up seams and vertical routes

  • Tasked w/ leading receivers on vertical routes (air raid) hitting them in stride

  • Arm strength is average (popped more at Senior Bowl) underthrows trying to rope passes

  • Does pat football before motion- like a lot college QBs

Coverage Reads/ Pre-Snap/ Poise

  • Pocket awareness to step up under pressure

  • Throws before he sees it/ didn’t need to see the break- confident in decision making

  • Made WR route adjustments pre-snap (TD vs Indiana) having slot sit and opening up outside double move/ setup big plays

  • Great feel for the offense/ quickly able to move through progressions

  • Works off cornerback to time up back-shoulder attempts

  • Filled w/ manufactured reads

  • Can put the ball in harms way leading throws- doesn’t always see defender throwing to a spot

Role/Grade: Zappe shows you want continuity within an offense can become

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 5-6