Going into the 2022 NFL draft weekend, many pundits expected at least three quarterbacks to be selected in the first round. More than a few believed the Detroit Lions would take Liberty QB Malik Willis with the No. 2 overall pick.
Yet when the dust settled on the first two days, Kenny Pickett from Pittsburgh wound up being the first QB selected at No. 20 overall. No other QBs came off the board until Atlanta chose Desmond Ridder with the 10th pick of the third round. The Cincinnati Bearcats QB was the No. 74 overall choice.
Willis had to wait even longer. He wound up being picked by the Tennessee Titans at No. 86 overall. Several QB-needy teams passed on Willis, Ridder and Matt Corral (No. 94 overall to the Panthers) multiple times.
