Even though there isn’t a “can’t-miss” quarterback prospect in the 2022 NFL draft, multiple signal callers are expected to be picked on Day 1. With less than 10 days until the first round starts, mock drafts are predicting a few teams to target the most important position in football.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions are the top candidates to select a quarterback in the first round, according to the latest mock drafts. Pittsburgh owns the No. 20 overall pick. Carolina has the No. 6 selection. Detroit has the No. 2 and No. 32 picks in the first round.

Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement has created a need at quarterback for the Steelers. Roethlisberger was Pittsburgh’s starter for 18 straight seasons, during none of which the team finished with a losing record. The Steelers signed Mitchell Trubisky in free agency, but he probably isn’t the long-term answer under center.

NFL Network’s Peter Schrager has predicted Pittsburgh to select Liberty quarterback Malik Willis in his latest mock draft. Charles Davis of NFL.com believes it will be Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder who goes to Pittsburgh at No. 20.

There’s also a chance that Kenny Pickett stays in the city where he played college football and becomes a Steeler.

Pickett’s rising draft stock might prevent him from remaining in Pittsburgh. The quarterback’s meeting with Carolina went really well, Schrager reports, potentially making him the Panthers’ top choice.

Carolina is intent on acquiring a franchise quarterback. The Panthers tried and failed to trade for Deshaun Watson. Sam Darnold wasn’t the answer in 2021. Pickett or Willis might be considered a reach at sixth overall, but Carolina might take a chance because of the team’s need at the position.

Detroit picks ahead of Carolina and Pittsburgh, but the Lions aren’t expected to take a quarterback at No. 2. Instead, the Panthers could grab the best available signal caller left with the final pick of the first round.

If Pickett and Willis are off the board, Detroit could take a shot on Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral. Ridder might also be an option for the Lions.

Jared Goff returns as Detroit’s starter in 2022 after going 3-10-1 with a 91.5 passer rating for the Lions in 2021.

The Atlanta Falcons are also a candidate to draft a quarterback in the first round. Atlanta traded Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts.

Kenny Pickett Pittsburgh
Kenny Pickett #QB11 of the Pittsburgh Panthers throws during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 03, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Justin Casterline/Getty Images
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