Now that the 2022 NFL combine is in the books, we can begin to understand where teams could slot players in the upcoming 2022 NFL draft — especially at quarterback.
Sure, we haven’t even hit free agency yet, but there doesn’t appear to be any quarterback movement coming via trade, unless it’s Deshaun Watson, and who knows when that situation will be resolved.
There aren’t a lot of quarterbacks in the free-agent market who would be considered an answer for teams, although players like Jamies Winston and Mitchell Trubisky could allow teams to kick the proverbial can into 2023 for its quarterback search.
Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire recently completed one of the first post-combine mock drafts, and he solved the Washington Commanders’ search for a quarterback.
At No. 11 overall, Farrar has Washington selecting Liberty quarterback Malik Willis.
There appears to be a lot of smoke around Willis to Washington. We know the Steelers also like Willis, and other teams are also likely in the mix. While Washington would prefer a veteran quarterback, trades for Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson aren’t happening, and a trade for Deshaun Watson remains unlikely.
Fans will be enraged if Washington goes into the 2021 season with Trubisky, Winston, Marcus Mariota, Taylor Heinicke, or Teddy Bridgewater as the starting quarterback with no rookie in the mix. Washington will draft a quarterback at some point in the NFL draft.
Willis seems to be an ideal fit for the Commanders. Offensive coordinator Scott Turner could tweak his scheme to suit Willis’ strengths so he can play early, or Washington could sign a vet and give Willis a “redshirt” year.
Willis was the second quarterback in Farrar’s mock draft behind Kenny Pickett, who went No. 9 to the Denver Broncos.