2022 NFL Draft: Re-Assessing the ‘Weak’ Rookie Quarterback Class

The 2022 quarterback class was labeled a weak one heading into the NFL Draft last year. As a result, only one signal-caller came off the board in the first two rounds. Surprisingly, the most impactful rookie (so far) happens to be the last one selected.

2022 NFL Draft: Re-Assessing the ‘Weak’ Rookie Quarterback Class

What does the future hold for this eclectic group of quarterbacks? How many deserve a fair shot at earning the starting role in 2023?

Round 1, Pick 20: Kenny Pickett (Steelers)

PFF Passing Grade: 73.0 (third among rookies)
2022 Stats: 12 starts, 63% completion, 2,404 passing yards, 7 TDs, 9 INTs, 4 game-winning drives

I was low on Kenny Pickett heading into the 2022 NFL Draft. His hand size and overall lack of arm strength downfield scared me away. While I still stand by those concerns, Pickett went a long way as a rookie to prove his viability as a starting quarterback.

Pickett provided steady, if not unspectacular, play for Pittsburgh. The Steelers won five of the final six games in 2022, nearly clawing themselves into a postseason berth.

Offensive coordinator Matt Canada will return next season. Steelers’ fans hope Canada opens the playbook up more and gives Pickett a chance to carry more of the load. We’ll see if the second-year quarterback is ready to propel his squad to playoff success.

Round 3, Pick 74: Desmond Ridder (Falcons)

PFF Passing Grade: 60.1 (fifth among rookies)
2022 Stats: 4 starts, 63.5% completion, 708 passing yards, 2 TDs, 1 game-winning drive

Desmond Ridder was my QB1 in the 2022 NFL Draft. I fell in love with his maturity, natural leadership, and underrated arm talent. As a rookie, Ridder took over for veteran Marcus Mariota in Week 15.

In four starts, the Cincinnati alum played better than the numbers would indicate. Ridder completed more than 63 percent of his passes in the final three games, showing poise in the pocket that Mariota lacked.

Entering the offseason, the Falcons are flush with a full slate of NFL Draft picks and over $50 million in cap space. General manager Terry Fontenot should accumulate as much talent as possible around Ridder. The NFC South is winnable for Atlanta with the correct moves.

Round 3, Pick 86: Malik Willis (Titans)

PFF Passing Grade: 39.8 (last among qualified rookies)
2022 Stats: 3 starts, 50.8% completion, 276 passing yards, 3 INTs; 123 rushing yards, 1 TD

Malik Willis started three games as a rookie but found little success for the Titans. Willis was thrust into the lineup due to an injury to Ryan Tannehill, eventually leading Tennessee to a narrow victory over the lowly Texans in his first career start.

In two other starts, Willis flexed his running prowess but never found a rhythm as a passer. In a must-win game in Week 18, the team turned to long-time backup Joshua Dobbs rather than its 2022 third-rounder.

Dobbs played well enough, but Tennessee ultimately came up short, missing the playoffs and losing the division title to the upstart Jaguars. General manager Jon Robinson was relieved of his duties midway through the season, making the future of Willis in Nashville cloudy at best.

Round 3, Pick 94: Matt Corral (Panthers)

PFF Passing Grade: N/A
2022 Stats: N/A

Matt Corral suffered a season-ending foot injury in the preseason that kept him on the shelf for all of 2022. The Panthers are still without an answer at quarterback, giving Corral an outside chance to compete for a backup role in 2023.

Round 4, Pick 137: Bailey Zappe (Patriots)

PFF Passing Grade: 74.0 (second among rookies)
2022 Stats: 2 starts, 70.7% completion, 781 passing yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs

Bailey Zappe appeared in four games as a rookie, spelling Mac Jones due to injury early on. Zappe showed impressive accuracy, but his lack of top-end arm strength was apparent.

On top of that, Zappe’s ability to diagnose the defense was questionable, as he threw three interceptions in the four-game stretch. The WKU alum showed enough to be a high-end backup in the league, with spot-starter potential.

Round 5, Pick 144: Sam Howell (Commanders)

PFF Passing Grade: 61.5 (fourth among rookies)
2022 Stats: 1 start, 57.9% completion, 169 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 35 rushing yards, 1 TD

Sam Howell is the biggest wildcard of the class right now. He was once considered a potential No. 1 overall selection, but a subpar final year in college sent him tumbling down the draft board.

The Commanders scooped up the former Tar Heel in the fifth round. Howell started the final game of the season vs. Dallas, and although his stats don’t jump off the page, he showed the ability to lead a football team.

I’m still skeptical about his potential as a long-term starter, but Howell has shown enough to challenge for the starting gig in 2023. A productive offseason could cement his status as QB1.

Round 7, Pick 241: Chris Oladokun (Steelers)

PFF Passing Grade: N/A
2022 Stats: N/A

Chris Oladokun is currently on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. Oladokun is a solid dual-threat player, but he profiles as a practice squad player going forward. Worst places to be than Kansas City!

Round 7, Pick 247: Skylar Thompson (Dolphins)

PFF Passing Grade: 59.1 (sixth among rookies)
2022 Stats: 3 starts (1 playoff), 52% completion, 754 passing yards, 2 TDs, 5 INTs

Who would have guessed this one? Of all the rookies, the final two quarterbacks taken are the only ones to start a playoff game for their respective teams. Due to the Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater injuries, Skylar Thompson took over as the starter for Miami in the wildcard round.

Thompson looked like a seventh-round rookie for much of the contest. The Kansas State product completed an abysmal 40 percent of his passes with three interceptions in the regular season. Thompson is not a starting-caliber player, but he will be a backup quarterback for the next decade.

Round 7, Pick 262: Brock Purdy (Niners)

PFF Passing Grade: 75.2 (first among rookies)
2022 Stats: 7 starts (2 playoff), 66% completion, 1,644 passing yards, 14 TDs, 2 INTs; 2 rushing TDs

The man, the myth, the legend: Brock Purdy. Purdy has elevated himself from the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to starting in the NFC Championship game this coming weekend.

He has taken care of the football (albeit with some incredible interception luck) for the Niners. Impressively, Purdy has completed more than 65 percent of his passes as a starter, including in the playoffs.

The debate about Purdy retaining the QB1 spot in 2023 is already raging. San Francisco made a major investment by trading multiple first-rounders for Trey Lance; would they give up on him for the No. 262 pick in the draft?

While Lance is undoubtedly more talented and came at a much higher cost, the decision should not be based solely on these factors. Purdy steering the ship and guiding his team to multiple playoff wins has to count for something.

I expect to see both Trey Lance and Brock Purdy competing for the top spot on the depth chart next off-season. If Lance proves to be the better player, you have a capable backup in Purdy. If Purdy wins the gig, general manager John Lynch can either trade Lance or slot him in as a high-end backup.

The adage says, “if you have two quarterbacks, you actually have none”. However, I’ve never subscribed to this way of thinking. Imagine if the Niners didn’t have three quarterbacks ready for the season. They certainly would not still be alive. Simply put, there is no such thing as ‘too many’ quarterbacks.