NFL draft quarterback class 2022 - Do the stats match the tape for Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, others?

The 2022 NFL draft quarterback class might not be at the same level as most years, but there are still plenty of talented signal-callers set to be drafted at the end of April. We have dug deep on each passer's game tape and analyzed strengths and weaknesses. But what happens when we compare those evaluations with statistics in a handful of areas? Does it all match up?

We took the top seven QBs in this class — Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder, Matt Corral, Sam Howell, Carson Strong and Bailey Zappe — and dove in on five key statistical areas. ESPN Stats & Information's John Parolin pulled two telling stats from each quarterback's 2021 season for each of those categories, including deep-ball prowess and production under duress. Then NFL draft analyst Todd McShay evaluated the numbers against what he sees on tape, with some additional context from Parolin.

What matches the film, and what doesn't? Numbers don't tell the entire story, but they help support and complement evaluations, and sometimes they can even force a scout to go back to the tape and take another look from a different angle. So let's dig in, beginning with how each quarterback handles pressure.

Jump to:Pressure | Deep ball | AccuracyPocket | Out route

McShay: I love doing this exercise each year because it provides a cross-check. If the numbers line up with what I see on tape, great. If they don't, that's when I go take another look. And while all of these categories matter, the pressure numbers are probably the biggest factor. What happens when things break down and quarterbacks have to make quick decisions with NFL pass-rushers in their face? What we see here sort of speaks to the 2022 class as a whole — four of the top seven aren't even above