The 2022 NFL Draft QB class, how does it stack up?

In the run-up to the 2022 NFL Draft, comparisons were made time and time again on the quality of the quarterbacks with the years prior. 

The consensus was that the class of 2022 didn’t stack up well. And in Las Vegas, we saw only one QB taken in the middle of round one. Zero were taken in the second round. 

Compare this to just a year earlier, where the first three picks were all quarterbacks and a further two selections later in the opening round. 

All five of those players were expected to start for their respective franchises, if not from week one but certainly as the 2021 season developed. Similarly, three of the first six taken in 2020 were the signal callers. Of those guys, both Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow have already looked like true franchise superstars for their respective teams.

So, does it seem that 2022’s quarterback draft class is already a bust? Let’s take a look…

Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers (No.20 overall)

I made no secret in my last post that Pickett had some excellent upsides. I’m excited to see him suit up in Black and Yellow for the Steelers. He’s agile and accurate, though many question whether he lacks out-and-out arm strength to become an elite player in the NFL.

Pickett played five years, four as a starter, in college for Pittsburgh – a rarity in today’s game. This was as a result of the players being given the option to extend their college playing eligibility by the NCAA due to COVID-19. 

In his final year, Pickett led the Panthers to the ACC Championship, picking up First Team All-American honours and a third place finish in the Heisman Trophy in the process.

A lot has been made of his hand-size, described to be small for a QB. And he throws with a glove. Some believe this could mean more drops and more fumbles, especially in inclement weather.

But with the credentials he has and a record of four pre-NFL seasons as a starter for a top tier college football team, I feel Pickett will have found out by now if there were grip issues.

I’m certain he will be competing with Mitch Trubisky for the starting position during training camp. Head coach Mike Tomlin has said as much.

If my money is on it, he’ll have his first start within the first six weeks. 

Trubisky is tested at NFL level, but has failed to deliver to now. I think Tomlin will give him his chance but with a pretty short lead.

Prediction: Pickett to be the full-time starter before the halfway point of the 2022 season.

Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons (No.74 overall)

Desmond Ridder is a tough and athletic player with the physical traits to hold his own as an NFL quarterback.

He joins the Falcons ready to compete for a starting place from day one. Atlanta have just said goodbye to long-time franchise QB Matt Ryan, having drafted him way back in 2008. 

Ryan was a starter from the get-go after a messy 2007 season Michael Vick was suspended and Joey Harrington was forced into the starters seat.

Ryan was better than solid. He was dependable. 

But as he continued to age, the Falcons traded him over to the Colts, while snapping up former Titans first round pick Marcus Mariota. 

Mariota failed to make it in Tennessee, with injuries partially to blame. After being eventually benched for Ryan Tannehill, the former Oregon star went to suit up for the Raiders for a couple of seasons, in a limited role behind Derrick Carr.

So, this is what Ridder must compete with. A player who has failed to be the number one slinger for his team when pitched against two good, but perhaps not elite, quarterbacks. 

Scouting reports suggest that Ridder’s accuracy and tendency to throw from the back foot, as well as being slow in read progression are all weaknesses with an upside in his mobility and stature. 

All-in-all, he could well be an upgrade on Mariota. But the Falcons roster is a mess whichever way you slice it up. 

For sure, they are plummeting down the rankings towards the No. 32 spot in many power rankings from across the league.

It’ll be interesting to see what comes of this duo. They have THE potential world beater at tight end in Kyle Pitts and an exciting fresh talent in Drake London. But are otherwise thin on the ground in receiving talent.

Prediction: Both Ridder and Mariota guys will be given a chance during 2022 and will flatter to deceive during the season.

Malik Willis, Tennessee Titans (No.86 overall)

Malik Willis was favoured by many to be drawn as the first QB in the 2022 draft. There were talks in the media that he may even go in the top ten in certain circles. 

But, alas, the Liberty man had to wait until late on day two to get the call. It came from the AFC South in the form of the Titans.

As a side that went 12 – 5 last year, surely the QB position is adequately filled? Well, yes, and no. 

The Titans 0.471 strength of schedule and the fact that they could lean on King Henry to bulldoze D-Lines like no other perhaps puts shade on their record from 2021. 

Couple that with Tannehill having a howler in Tennessee’s one-and-done playoff run and maybe you can see why the team are keeping their options open.

Willis is a solid dual-threat option who has already come out with some spicy lines since arriving at Nashville. This having been prompted by Tannehill’s apparent disinterest in the thought of taking his QB rival under his wing to show him the ropes at professional level.

Willis is a real talent, great arm strength and superb mobility. Who knows, could Tennessee have landed a new Lamar?

Ultimately, Tannehill must perform this year if he wants to keep his QB throne. If he doesn’t, I can hear the crowds baying for fresh blood with the memory of the postseason defeat to the Bengals last year still at the front of people’s minds. 

He is two years on from his Comeback Player Of The Year award. Now, he really needs to cut the mustard.

Prediction: Following a solid start, tables finally turn on Tannehill and an in-the-hunt Titans throw their weight behind Willis to start.

Matt Corral, Carolina Panthers (No.94 overall)

This is a tough one. Sam Darnold hasn’t been the success story many predicted when he came into the league. 

I do feel for him, he has had no real support during either of his spells as starter either in New York or Carolina. Lack of receiver talent coupled with O-Lines primarily  in either organisation impacted his decision making ability and no doubt his confidence has taken a knock.

Matt Corral joins the organisation as they undoubtedly look to rebuild. Commentators seem to rate Carolina’s draft value in 2022 quite favourably, with Corrall being a very positive part of that conversation. 

He should enjoy at least a modicum of additional protection if he gets the nod as starter at the Panthers in 2022.

Three years as a starter for Ole Miss and an appearance (cut short following an injury) in the Sugar Bowl, Corral has a solid if not spectacular college resume. 

My feeling is that we are going to see a hot race for the starter slot in pre-season. Perhaps I’m being a little harsh on Darnold, but Corral has the skillset to be a threat from the off.

Even with his modest size and stature (just a shade over 6’ 1”), there is enough to like about Corral and what he did at Ole Miss to warrant more than a second glance.

Prediction: Carroll starts following a Darnold shocker pre-season.

Bailey Zappe, New England Patriots (No.137 overall)

Originally, I had only planned to review the five quarterbacks that offGrid had picked out pre-draft.

But with Bailey Zappe going before Sam Howell in round, it would seem odd not to include him in the article.

Bill Belichick is an old hand at this nowadays. Far be it for me to dismiss this thinking but with a potential star in the making with Mac Jones, I don’t see why Zappe was picked up when perhaps other areas of the Patriots game could have been improved instead?

Zappe is a stocky pocket-passer known for his production. But unless Jones goes down injured this year, I don’t think he gets a look in.

Prediction: Bench-warming for the foreseeable.

Sam Howell, Washington Commanders (No.144)

Sam Howell was well thought of prior to the draft. He ranged from QB3 to QB7 depending on who you were listening to. Some expected him to go in the first round.

 But with the way things occurred in Vegas, Howell didn’t go until the fifth round. The FIFTH round?! He went behind a kicker and two punters.

For the North Carolina QB to go at 144 is a huge slide. Perhaps, a bit like Corrall, Howell’s height and size restricted his potential to be a higher selection. It could have also been down to passing inconsistency. 

Whichever way you cut it, he’s lining up behind Carson Wentz in 2022 for the Commanders. 

Wentz’s move from Indy in the off-season followed an up-and-down year for the Colts. At times he was sublime, at times ridiculous. The former second overall pick couldn’t quite find his groove following his departure from Philadelphia. 

Wentz has shown in the past that he has the tools to play with the best of them. But it’s now been a good few seasons since we’ve seen that Carson Wentz.

Howell has good up-side but is it potentially elite quarterback play that Wentz might bring to the table? I remain unconvinced.

Prediction: Wentz has a solid if unspectacular season as a Commander, Howell gets his chance in year two.