NFL Draft

The San Francisco 49ers reportedly believed the New England Patriots could have traded up to No. 3 in the 2021 NFL draft to select Mac Jones, spurring their own move for a quarterback, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

San Francisco gave up two future first-round picks and a future third to the Miami Dolphins to trade up from No. 12 to No. 3, eventually selecting quarterback Trey Lance.

New England stayed put at No. 15 and still ended up with Jones, who earned the starting job in Week 1 after the team released veteran Cam Newton.

There was plenty of speculation leading up to the draft that the Alabama product would end up in New England. According to Schefter, "The 49ers considered the well-documented relationship between Bill Belichick and Nick Saban and knew that New England was doing legwork on the quarterback prospects in the draft."

The 49ers, meanwhile, said they would be happy with a variety of quarterbacks.

"That's why we thought [No.] 3 was a good spot to go to," head coach Kyle Shanahan said in April. "After going through this whole process, I felt good about five guys at [No.] 3."

Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson were long expected to be taken with the first two picks, leaving the 49ers to choose between Jones, Lance and Justin Fields at No. 3. The Chicago Bears ultimately selected Fields 11th overall.

The 49ers are rolling with veteran Jimmy Garoppolo to begin the season, though it's only a matter of time before Shanahan and Co. turn the offense over to the North Dakota State signal-caller.  

On the eve of the 2021 NFL regular season, the B/R NFL Scouting Department dropped a shiny new 2022 mock draft Wednesday.

And despite the fact that 11 quarterbacks have been selected with top-seven picks in the last four drafts, our freshest mock has just one signal-caller—Oklahoma's Spencer Rattler—coming off the board as a single-digit selection and just three—Rattler, North Carolina's Sam Howell and Liberty's Malik Willis—listed as first-round picks. 

In other words, we may finally be due for at least a mild drought when it comes to the entry-level quarterback supply. That's always arguably been an inevitability because the recent pace has often felt unsustainable when compared to the past, but that'll be no consolation to teams looking for new starting quarterbacks next offseason. 

It's possible other quarterbacks will emerge this season as blue-chip options in the college game, but it's also possible that even Rattler, Howell and/or Willis will fall out of favor. Rattler threw a pair of interceptions as the No. 2-ranked Sooners barely beat Tulane this past weekend, while Howell tossed three picks and took six sacks as the 10th-ranked Tar Heels were upset by Virginia Tech. Willis looked strong in a victory over Campbell, but he has a lot more to prove because he's facing teams named Campbell. 

All three quarterbacks deserve to take heat for their decision-making. Willis needs to prove he has the accuracy to make every throw and can avoid sacks more frequently than he has, Rattler has to avoid plays like these and needs more pocket/read discipline, and Howell faces similar issues while severely lacking consistency. 

Height has become less of a point of emphasis in recent years, but it's also worth noting that all three of those guys are shorter than 6'2".

So don't be surprised if we enter the 2022 draft with some teams under the impression that there are no clear-cut future franchise quarterbacks in that class, or that there aren't very many. 

That could be problematic for a lot of teams. In fact, a dozen come to mind. 

Washington Football Team: They missed on the big five quarterbacks in this year's draft and are using the 38-year-old Ryan Fitzpatrick in what should be a competitive season. But we know Fitz isn't the long-term answer and this squad is too talented to remain in quarterback limbo for years to come. 

Denver Broncos: They passed on both Justin Fields and Mac Jones in April, possibly because they believed they could land Aaron Rodgers in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. Of course, they'd also invested in vet Teddy Bridgewater to push 2019 second-rounder Drew Lock. It's likely to be confirmed this year (if it already hasn't) that Bridgewater can't carry an NFL offense and Lock can't be relied upon as a starter.

Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson faces 22 lawsuits and 10 criminal complaints from women accusing him of sexual assault or sexual misconduct committed (allegations he denies). There's a decent chance he never plays for the Texans again, and 32-year-old journeyman Tyrod Taylor isn't likely the long-term solution. 

Philadelphia Eagles: This season should serve as an audition for 2020 second-rounder Jalen Hurts. If he doesn't deliver, general manager Howie Roseman will probably feel the need to upgrade at quarterback as soon as possible. 

Carolina Panthers: It's also unlikely that the Panthers give Sam Darnold more than one season to prove himself. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: They haven't ruled out a Ben Roethlisberger return for 2022, but he'll be 40 next offseason. Another mediocre season could force Pittsburgh to move on, even if Big Ben decides not to retire. 

New Orleans Saints: There's no way the Saints give a two-year leash to either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill. They were spoiled by Drew Brees, and the rest of the roster is too good for them to waste multiple seasons on a quarterback like that. 

New York Giants: There's also a decent chance the Giants give up on third-year quarterback Daniel Jones if he doesn't improve this season. There's too much pressure to get it right in New York, and Jones hasn't been close as a 2019 first-round pick. 

Miami Dolphins: First-round pick Tua Tagovailoa did not impress as a rookie in 2020, and there's already talk that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross wants Watson. It's entirely possible they give up on Tua after just two seasons. 

Detroit Lions: It would hardly save them a dime to release Jared Goff prior to June 1 next offseason, but the Lions could decide this year he isn't their guy and attempt to find an heir apparent immediately. 

Indianapolis Colts: Carson Wentz might have a couple of seasons to right the ship in Indy, but he was one of the worst quarterbacks in football last season. If this year is just as disastrous, it's hard to see the Colts standing by him. 

Atlanta Falcons: They moved on from Julio Jones this offseason. If they miss the playoffs again in 2021, it's easy to imagine them finally doing the same with Matt Ryan. The 36-year-old hasn't been at his best since 2016, and it's also possible he'll walk away on his own.

You can see how the supply-and-demand dynamics could become ugly if you're one of the teams above and you're lacking draft and/or financial and/or trade capital in 2022. And even if you do have money to spend or capital to trade, there's no guarantee anyone attractive will be made available. 

Beyond the passers in what looks like a weak quarterback class, we could be looking at Rodgers, Watson, Ryan and possibly some quarterbacks cast aside by other teams (Fitzpatrick, Bridgewater, Lock, Taylor, Hurts, Darnold, Roethlisberger, Winston, Hill, Jones, Tagovailoa, Wentz, Jimmy Garoppolo?). 

That is...not inspiring. 

For the quarterback carousel to spin effectively, it requires a certain number of seats and riders. In 2022, we may be lacking one with yet another excess of the other. 

Brad Gagnon has covered the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012. Follow him on Twitter: @Brad_Gagnon.

ESPN NFL draft and college football analyst Todd McShay is stepping away from the network for a period of time. 

McShay announced on Twitter he is taking a leave of absence to focus on his health:

McShay was part of the ABC broadcast crew for Saturday's game between Alabama and Miami at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. 

During one of his hits on the telecast about Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal, fans expressed their concern on social media as McShay appeared to be disoriented. 

This echoed a similar incident last season during a Wisconsin-Northwestern broadcast. McShay was pulled from the broadcast after struggling to deliver a sideline report about the Badgers offense. 

Sean McDonough, who was doing play-by-play for the Wisconsin-Northwestern game, said during the broadcast that McShay left due to an illness. 

McShay has worked for ESPN since 2006. The 44-year-old's primary responsibilities have been as an NFL draft analyst, alongside Mel Kiper Jr., providing in-depth scouting reports on the best prospects. 

He became a regular sideline contributor on the network's college football broadcasts starting in 2014.    

The 2021 NFL regular season hasn't even commenced yet, but ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. is already looking ahead to the 2022 NFL draft with his big board of the top college football prospects.

Topping his list is Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux. He called the junior "an elite pass-rushing talent with the quickness and bend to get double-digit sacks annually at the next level."

In his first two seasons at Oregon, Thibodeaux has posted 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss in 20 games. As Kiper noted, the last non-quarterback to go No. 1 overall in the NFL draft was edge-rusher Myles Garrett in 2017.

Thibodeaux may not end that trend in 2022—if a quarterback-needy team lands the top overall pick, Thibodeaux will drop—but he may very well be the most talented player in the country this season.

He certainly has high expectations for himself.

"Perfection. Winning every game. Being able to play for a national championship, and winning in fall camp," Thibodeaux told reporters about his goals for the upcoming season in early August. "Me personally, I am trying to be in the Heisman race and be in that Heisman conversation, so 20 sacks would be a blessing for me, but just kind of growing and winning every game with my team."

Kiper didn't wait long to get a quarterback on his big board, however, listing "Heisman Trophy favorite" Spencer Rattler at No. 2. Oklahoma's third-year sophomore "has a big arm and can also beat teams with his legs, though he'd much rather sit in the pocket and dice up defenses."

He did so in 2020, throwing for 3,031 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games while completing 67.5 percent of his passes and rushing for another 160 yards and six scores. If he builds on those numbers, the Heisman Trophy and top overall selection in the NFL draft will be within his sights.

Rounding out Kiper's top five were LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal and Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton. Kiper had three quarterbacks in his top 25—Rattler, North Carolina's Sam Howell (No. 7) and Liberty's Malik Willis (No. 15).

A little more than one week away from the start of the college football season, ESPN's Todd McShay is taking an early look at the top stars who are draft-eligible in 2022. 

In his first ranking of the top 50 NFL draft prospects, quarterbacks Spencer Rattler of Oklahoma and Sam Howell of North Carolina lead the way for next year's class. 

Todd McShay's Top 10 2022 Draft Prospects

1. Spencer Rattler, QB (Oklahoma)

2. Sam Howell, QB (North Carolina)

3. Derek Stingley Jr., CB (LSU)

4. Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE (Oregon)

5. Kyle Hamilton, S (Notre Dame)

6. Kaiir Elam, CB (Florida)

7. Malik Willis, QB (Liberty)

8. Andrew Booth Jr., CB (Clemson)

9. DeMarvin Leal, DL (Texas A&M)

10. Chris Olave, WR (Ohio State)

Unlike the 2021 class, when it was known years in advance that Trevor Lawrence was going to be the No. 1 pick, there is going to be a battle for the top spot in 2022. 

McShay's scouting reports for Rattler and Howard don't suggest much separation between the two. 

"Rattler shows quick feet both in the pocket and extending plays, and unleashes a fast release to get the ball out, often changing his arm angle to make impressive off-platform throws," McShay wrote about the 6'1", 200-pound sophomore. 

As for the 6'1¼", 220-pound Howell, McShay notes he "can manipulate coverages with his eyes, and I love the way he gets the ball out quickly when he has a clean pre-snap read."

Willis plays at a school that doesn't get nearly as much attention as Oklahoma or North Carolina, but the 22-year-old has an excellent pedigree. He began his college career at Auburn before transferring to Liberty after the 2018 season. 

After sitting out the 2019 campaign because of transfer rules, the 6'1", 215-pound Willis threw for 2,250 yards, ran for 944 yards and accounted for 34 touchdowns in 10 games last season. 

There are six quarterbacks among the top 32 players on McShay's list. USC's Kedon Slovis (No. 11), Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder (No. 19) and Nevada's Carson Strong (No. 31). 

The 1983 draft set the record for most quarterbacks taken in the first round with six. Last year's highly regarded class produced five first-rounders, all within the first 15 picks. 

While the quarterbacks will command most of the attention, this looks to be a very good draft class on the defensive side of the ball. LSU's Derek Stingley Jr. and Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux are already well-known prospects based on their performances over the past two years. 

Notre Dame's Kyle Hamilton is a do-it-all safety who can line up in coverage and play close to the line of scrimmage to stop the run. 

One important thing to keep in mind, especially with the quarterback rankings, is there will in all likelihood be at least one player not being considered right now who will emerge as the season goes on. 

No one was predicting Zach Wilson to be a first-round pick in the 2021 draft prior to the start of last season. Joe Burrow wasn't considered a first-round talent after the 2018 season. 

Rankings are always fluid. Players change from year to year, for better and worse. All of the questions about these prospects will start to come into focus when the college season begins Aug. 28.