The 2022 NFL season isn’t over quite yet. But, that hasn’t stopped ESPN’s draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. getting a headstart for the upcoming draft season.
Kiper released his first mock draft of 2022 that featured Michigan star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson going first overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kiper has another defensive end going second overall with the Detroit Lions taking Oregon star Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Aside from the top-two picks, the next striking item in Kiper’s mock is no quarterback prospect going in the top-10 of the draft. Kiper’s first quarterback doesn’t come off the board until the 11th overall pick.
That happens to be the Washington Football Team, who will have a new name on Feb. 2. Washington is in the market of finding a franchise quarterback. For a team that has starved for decades for a signal-caller to hand the franchise over to, Kiper’s mock would give the team a great chance in finding one.
While Washington will have options on the trade market and free agency, many fans want the team to draft a high-value rookie. Kiper delivers a huge gift for Washington.
As for who is Washington’s selection? No, it’s not Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett or Mississippi’s Matt Corral. The pick, according to Kiper, is Liberty quarterback Malik Willis.
Willis stands at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds. He is a mobile quarterback with a cannon of an arm. His skill set puts him in the line of Kyler Murray. However, he has a bigger frame and stronger arm.
However, Willis’ areas of needs of improvement include his accuracy. Draft analysis who aren’t in favor of Willis will point to inconsistency and glaring bad misses throwing the football. Yet, he still managed to a 62.4% completion rate in his two seasons at Liberty after transferring from Auburn.
He’s a project for any offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach to improve his awareness and accuracy. But, he arguably has the highest-ceiling of any of the 2022 QB prospects. He would be a scheme fit as well for Washington’s offensive coordinator Scott Turner.
With that being said, whether it’s Willis or any of the other two top prospects, Corral or Pickett, Washington getting first call on either would be a perfect scenario for head coach Ron Rivera and the reset of Washington’s brass. Especially with them staying put at No. 11.
Remember the draft is three months away. A lot can change from now until then. The NFL Combine hasn’t even happened. But, without a bonafide blue chip in this year’s class, the draft could play right into the favor of Washington.
