History so often repeats itself. So again, NFL quarterbacks worked out at the annual NFL combine and as so often occurs, quarterbacks immediately began shooting up NFL mock drafts and draft boards.
This offseason the beating drum has been none of these top five quarterbacks in this 2022 NFL draft class would have ranked anywhere in the top five of the 2001 draft class.
Thus we have seen NFL analysts providing mock drafts with one or two, and occasionally three quarterbacks being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft beginning April 28.
But then came the annual NFL combine quarterback drills, and once again mock drafts and draft boards will be heavily revised as quarterbacks rise up the ladder from now until April 28.
Evidence of this was Friday’s newest CBS mock draft by Kyle Stackpole. (BTW, Washington fans probably recognize Stackpole was in the past employed and writing on the WFT web site.)
Stackpole was so impressed by the quarterback group that he has not three, not four, but FIVE quarterbacks he is projecting to be selected in the first round. How does this play out for Washington’s desire (and need) to improve and build on the position?
Pitt QB Kenny Pickett will go at No. 6 to Carolina, predicts Stackpole, agreeing with Bucky Brooks’ pre-combine prediction. Denver in need of a quarterback at No. 9 steps to the microphone and takes Liberty’s Malik Willis, no doubt having been in awe of some of the deep throws of Willis this week in Indy.
Washington then surprises taking Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder at No. 11. Ridder, in most mock drafts, thus far has not even been projected to be a first-round selection. Thus Stackpole was also very impressed with Ridder this week. Sure enough, Ridder had a HUGE week, as far as displaying athleticism.
Check out Ridder’s combine numbers:
He measured 6-foot-3, 211 pounds, with 10″ hands, ran a 4.49 40 yard dash, had a 36″ vertical jump, his broad jump was 10′ 7” which was the third-highest by a quarterback since 2003.
Now we understand why, when Ridder was asked was he going to compete in all the quarterback drills, he responded, “I’m going to be great at all of them.”
The other two quarterbacks Stackpole has going in the first round are Ole Miss QB Matt Corral selected by Pittsburgh at No. 20 and the Detroit Lions are projected to select North Carolina QB Sam Howell with the final 32nd pick of round one.
If this mock draft is any indication, the big winners at quarterback this week were Willis and Ridder, with Ridder making the largest jump up the draft boards.
Washington Wire will be watching closely next week to see if other mock drafts also escalate the rise of Desmond Ridder along with Malik Willis.