Atlanta Falcons could ignore quarterbacks in 2022 NFL Draft

An underwhelming quarterback class could cause the Atlanta Falcons to postpone their search for a new face of the franchise for another year.

Quarterbacks in the 2022 NFL Draft

It’s still early. We don’t know who is planning to declare for the NFL Draft in April yet. The early shine seems to be wearing off, though, and many of the players who were once considered future franchise quarterbacks are no longer as highly regarded. Spencer Rattler, the pre-season favorite to win the Heisman trophy and be taken with the first overall pick, was benched. He will likely delay entering the draft for a season and might need to transfer away from Oklahoma as he attempts to restore his stock.

Sam Howell, another candidate for the first selection, hasn’t taken the step that many were hoping for. He’s struggled at times without his top weapons from last season. Running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter spearheaded the offense, but both were taken early in the 2021 NFL Draft. Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome, his two top receivers, were also drafted.

All isn’t lost for the class. Ole Miss QB Matt Corral is making a push to be the first quarterback drafted. He’s answered questions over his inconsistency with 15 touchdowns and only two touchdowns to start the season, and scouts will like his SEC pedigree. Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett, Liberty’s Malik Willis, and Nevada’s Carson Strong have all impressed enough to warrant consideration in the first round at this stage. Each will have naysayers, though, who point to concerns over their level of competition, size, or health.

As always, there will be plenty of time for players to be put under the microscope. Few would have had Zach Wilson or Mac Jones as top 15 picks this time a year ago. As things stand, though, it doesn’t look as if the star power will come from the defensive side of the ball.

Is Matt Ryan still good enough for the Atlanta Falcons?

Two disappointing performances have bookended Matt Ryan’s 2021 season so far, but the five games in the middle have shown that he’s still capable of playing quarterback at a high level, even at the age of 36. Sure, the arm may not be what it was when he was 25, but his accuracy and ball placement are still as good as ever. He’s even made a few plays with his legs with the style and grace that only he’s capable of.

Ryan is unlikely to ever reach the levels of his 2016 MVP season again. He’s looking comfortable in the offense, though, and performing well. Ryan has thrown for 13 touchdowns and 6 interceptions behind a bad offensive line and with one of the worst receiving groups in the league. A rebuild is coming. It has to. But Ryan’s playing well for the most part and certainly isn’t the competitive disadvantage that a player like Ben Roethlisberger is with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He can keep the offense moving and allow Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith to continue with their “best player available” philosophy for at least another year.

A quarterback being drafted early isn’t a foolproof determination of their professional career. Tom Brady, Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins, and others are excelling in the NFL after being drafted in the third round or later. Mitchell Trubisky, Blake Bortles, Marcus Mariota, and the Falcons’ very own Josh Rosen were all taken early and are nowhere near starting roles. The odds of finding a long-term starter decrease as the draft progresses, though. With Matt Ryan’s contract situation, the Atlanta Falcons could be content to wait for their guy.