The 2022 NFL Draft saw an almost unprecedented fall in the quarterback class this year. Not only was the first quarterback taken off the board later than expected—Kenny Pickett to the Pittsburgh Steelers at 20th overall—but there were zero quarterbacks taken in the second round at all. It was the first time since 2013 that fewer than two quarterbacks were taken in the first round, and the first time since 2000 that only one quarterback was taken in the first two rounds.
The Detroit Lions were seen as a team who could be interested in selecting a quarterback this year, and they certainly did their homework on the class, getting close looks at Malik Willis and Kenny Pickett in top-30 visits to Allen Park and getting their literal hands on several prospects at the Senior Bowl a few months backs.