USAT: Washington Wire audio clip

USAT: Washington Wire

Feb 16, 2022

With Ron Rivera openly saying Washington will definitely pursue a quarterback, a question comes to mind, “Will Washington reach on a QB at No. 11?” - Thus, Washington fans are checking mock drafts and draft boards to see what quarterbacks are listed in the top 15 picks. Those old enough may perhaps still have nightmares about Washington taking Heath Shuler No. 3 in the 1994 NFL Draft. - You see, the primary issue in an NFL draft is positional value. For instance, let’s say an inside linebacker is testing off of the charts, his game film is unbelievable. - However, the positional value of an inside linebacker is much less than a quarterback. Consequently, general managers do not value an inside linebacker as highly.  On the other hand, quarterbacks have accelerated up the mock drafts, though they may be ranked much lower on draft boards and top 50 lists. - A case in point this 2022 offseason is Daniel Jeremiah’s early work on the 2022 NFL Draft, and in particular the quarterback position, since Washington openly covets a new quarterback. - In Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects a quarterback does not appear until No.18 Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh). Other quarterbacks making Jeremiah’s top 50 list are: No. 34 Matt Corral (Mississippi), No. 35 Malik Willis (Liberty) and No. 36 Sam Howell (North Carolina). - With the positional value of quarterbacks being higher than any other position, one can expect most quarterbacks to be drafted higher in the first round particularly than they are listed in just about everyone’s top 50/draft boards. - Consequently, Jeremiah has Kenny Pickett going No. 9 to Denver up nine spots. Matt Corral would thus be selected by Washington at No. 11, up 23 spots. Jeremiah has Malik Willis going to Detroit with the last pick in the first round (32). - With the 2022 NFL Draft scheduled for April 28-30, the one absolute you can rest assured of is that there will be plenty more mock drafts and draft boards leading up to the draft. - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Washington Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Washington Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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