2022 NFL Draft: Which Rookie Quarterback Will See the Field First?

3. Malik Willis (Tennessee Titans)

Personally, I had Malik Willis as a first-round prospect entering the 2022 NFL Draft. The Titans wisely fought the urge to take Willis on day one, knowing that he would be available for them in round three still. At pick 86, the former Auburn Tiger and Liberty Flame became a Tennessee Titan. Willis has a bazooka attached to his right shoulder and otherworldly speed with his legs. The fact that he is raw is what led to his free fall in the draft, but in round three and with Ryan Tannehill locked in at QB1 for the Titans, they are the perfect spot to let Willis develop. Willis immediately lays claim to the backup spot on the depth chart, and will be hot on the heels of Tannehill if he struggles this season. The veteran quarterback will likely hold on to the mantle, but don’t be surprised if Willis is inserted into the lineup late in the season.

(30% chance)

2. Desmond Ridder (Atlanta Falcons)

The Atlanta Falcons are in phase one of a full scale rebuild. They traded away franchise legend Matt Ryan this offseason, and signed Marcus Mariota as a placeholder at quarterback. Mariota reunites with his former offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, and thus will retain the starting spot as long as he plays up to par. The 74th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Desmond Ridder, has other plans though. Ridder is the most pro-ready quarterback of the bunch, and received a strong first-round grade from myself and many others. He has a chance to make a Dak Prescott type of impact in season one, although the roster is not near what the Cowboys were during Prescott’s rookie season. Prescott is consistently the name you hear when comparisons are brought up, and I don’t disagree. Odds are, Mariota starts for the first half of the season. If things are going south, Ridder is the easy choice to take over midway through the campaign. I’ll keep it at a true 50-50 shot, because Atlanta has no incentive to rush Ridder.

(50% chance)

1. Kenny Pickett (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Ben Roethlisberger decided to hang up his cleats after an 18th season as quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After the untimely and tragic death of Dwayne Haskins, the quarterback room is not exactly strong. Mitchell Trubisky was signed to a two-year deal, and looks to be the week one starter as of today. The fact that the Steelers took Kenny Pickett in the first round (No. 20 overall) means that he will see the field sooner rather than later. The interesting wrinkle is that Trubisky has shown the ability to lead a team to the playoffs, not only once but twice. The Steelers have a better supporting cast than the Bears did, so Trubisky game managing the team to ten wins would not surprise me at all. That being said, there’s a reason he is on his third team in three years. If Pickett can put hand size issues to rest, he’s got a prime opportunity to hit the ground running as a rookie. Will he beat out Trubisky before the season? I doubt it. Will he overtake Trubisky at some point in 2022? My guess is yes.

(60% chance)