Bengals 2022 Draft Analysis - Quarterback: Team in enviable spot
NOTE: Starting Monday, April 18 and running through April 27, the day before the NFL Draft starts, Local12.com will be taking a position-by-position look at the Bengals' draft needs and then doing a final Mock Draft. Each breakdown will include who is currently on the roster, what round the Bengals are likely to make a selection at that position group, some names associated with those rounds and the top five players at each position according to NFL.com.
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The Bengals enter the 2022 NFL Draft in an enviable position at quarterback with a superstar in Joe Burrow entering the third year of his rookie contract.
All Burrow did in his second season as the starter following his selection with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft was finish second in the NFL in passer rating (108.3), toss a single-season franchise record 34 touchdowns passes and pass for a single-season franchise record 4,611 yards in leading the Bengals to the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and then helping them reach the Super Bowl.
After re-signing backup Brandon Allen this offseason the Bengals will likely go without taking a quarterback for the second straight year.
Here is a breakdown of the quarterback position and the Bengals' need there heading into the NFL Draft:
- On the roster: Joe Burrow, Brandon Allen, Jake Browning
- Likely round Bengals will select a quarterback: It's highly unlikely they draft a quarterback, but if they do it would be in the sixth or seventh round
- 5 highest rated quarterbacks overall and round they are graded (according to NFL.com): 1. Malik Willlis, Liberty (first round); 2. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (first round); 3. Matt Corral, Mississippi (first/second round); 4. Sam Howell, North Carolina (first/second round); 5. Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati (first/second round)
- 5 quarterbacks who could be available in sixth round or later: Cole Kelley (Southeastern Louisiana), Dustin Crum (Kent State), E.J. Perry (Brown), Cole Johnson (James Madison), Kaleb Eleby (Western Michigan)
The Skinny: Burrow will take every snap possible when healthy and Allen will only be used in an emergency, which is why the team likely won't spend a pick on a quarterback.
Browning will most likely compete with an undrafted free agent signee or perhaps even a veteran free agent still out there for the third quarterback spot, and that player will start the season on the practice squad.
The only question will be if Burrow gets hurt for an extended period of time is Allen really good enough to win at a consistently high level?
BENGALS DRAFT POSITION BY ROUND
- Round 1: No. 31 overall
- Round 2: No. 63 overall
- Round 3: No. 95 overall
- Round 4: No. 136 overall
- Round 5: No. 174 overall
- Round 6: No. 209 overall
- Round 7 (from New York Giants): No. 226 Overall
- Round 7: No. 252 overall
DAILY SCHEDULE OF POSITION ANALYSIS
- April 18: Quarterback
- April 19: Running Back
- April 20: Wide Receiver/Tight End
- April 21: Offensive Tackle
- April 22: Interior Offensive Line
- April 23: Defensive Line
- April 24: Linebacker
- April 25: Secondary
- April 26: Specialists
- April 27: Final Local12.com Bengals seven-round mock draft
- April 28: First round of NFL Draft (starts at 8 p.m.)
- April 29: Second and third round of NFL Draft (starts at 7 p.m.)
- April 30: Remainder of NFL Draft (starts at noon)
