RANKING THE 2022 NFL STARTING QUARTERBACKS
Note: OurLads.com depth charts were used to determine starters for each franchise.
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32. Zach Wilson, Jets
Wilson needs time, and some support, and the Jets are poised to give him both. They went all-in on this draft, and Wilson could skyrocket up this board with the infusion of resources. Modern-era quarterbacks need to prove they can be franchise leaders in less than three years, so Wilson needs to climb toward the top 20 this season; it's a tall feat, but not impossible.
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31. Geno Smith, Seahawks
Geno Smith is the placeholder for the Seahawks at this point. Seattle could also go with Drew Lock or swing for a big trade. No matter what, it will be a long season on the Puget Sound. The Seahawks are rebuilding for life after Russell Wilson.
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30. Justin Fields, Bears
The Bears could be the worst team in the league this year, but Justin Fields can't be held accountable for all of that. The franchise also lost Khalil Mack and Allen Robinson and didn't have a first-round draft pick. Fields is young and developing, but he's not ready to will this franchise to more wins on his own. This season is about learning and making strides.
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29. Davis Mills, Texans
A pleasant surprise in Houston last year, Davis Mills may have been the best rookie quarterback. He started slow and the Texans were bereft of support, but Mills improved and shined late in the season. It's still going to be a long road back to the top for the Texans, but Mills may just be the solution at quarterback. Houston is going to give him every chance to prove it.
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28. Mitch Trubisky, Steelers
It's only a matter of time before Kenny Pickett takes the starting job, but as it stands, Trubisky is QB1 on the Steelers depth chart. Trubisky received positive reviews during his time as a backup in Buffalo, so a strong turn in Pittsburgh could be an audition for a new starting role in a new city.
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27. Jacoby Brissett, Browns
Brissett is just keeping the seat warm until Deshaun Watson takes over--which may be 2023. Brissett is a well-traveled veteran whose greatest strengths are his intangibles; he's known as a smart, high-character guy who will be good in the locker room. He may not win a lot of games, but the Browns are good enough that he just has to keep things close.
26. Marcus Mariota, Falcons
The Falcons are in a curious position. One on hand, Mariota deserves a second chance to prove he can be a long-term starter. His time with the Titans didn't set the world on fire, but he was a reliable backup in Vegas. On the other hand, they drafted Desmond Ridder as a high-ceiling project quarterback. 2022 will probably belong to Mariota, but what happens after this year?
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25. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
The Dolphins did everything possible to make life easier for Tua. Trading for Tyreek Hill, adding Terron Armstead and Connor Williams on the offensive line, and signing a whole stable of running backs--the Dolphins are all-in on winning now. Tua may get tagged with the "game manager" designation, but if he cleans up his play just a little bit, that could be all the Dolphins need.
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24. Daniel Jones, Giants
It's now or never for "Danny Dimes." The Giants have been impressively patient with the Duke alum, but his numbers and results have not improved over his three-year career. A change of leadership, hiring offensive wizard Brian Daboll as head coach, could be the secret sauce that unleashes Jones' potential.
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23. Jameis Winston, Saints
The quarterback wheel keeps spinning in New Orleans. It's Jameis Winston for now, but will it land on Andy Dalton? Ian Book? Taysom Hill? Drew Brees? Whether they are stunning wins or improbable loses, at least Jameis Winston games are never dull.
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22. Jared Goff, Lions
Habitually underrated and underappreciated, Jared Goff is much better than people want to admit. He has a tremendous arm and can make big plays. There is a rare level of buzz around the Lions with young guys like Aidan Hutchinson, Penei Sewell and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Goff can captain this team to a decent number of wins; the Lions are not a bottom-five team.
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21. Carson Wentz, Commanders
Forever unpredictable, Wentz is a challenge to pin down. After flaming out in Philadelphia he posted a more than 3,500 yards and 27 touchdowns in Indianapolis. Good Wentz and bad Wentz both appear throughout the season. If he improves in crunch time, the Commanders can win the NFC East.
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20. Mac Jones, Patriots
Jones' rookie campaign wasn't one for the ages, but he did flash enough to look like the future for New England. The Patriots limited the playbook and didn't ask him to sling it, but another year should mean more explosive playcalling. He is firmly entrenched as the starter and should take a leap forward.
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19. Baker Mayfield, Panthers
Baker is ahead of Sam Darnold on the depth chart heading into training camp, so he gets the nod here. Mayfield is talented, maybe not first overall draft pick talented, but he has starter traits. Nobody plays with a bigger chip on their shoulder and he is always fired up for the game; that demeanor can be infectious, in a good way. If Mayfield makes smarter plays, the Panthers could have their best QB since peak Cam Newton.
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18. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
The chosen one had a sluggish start to his career, but nobody could have thrived in the miasma that was the Jacksonville Jaguars franchise last year. Bringing in Doug Pederson as coach should pay dividend for Lawrence, and the entire organization. Lawrence has all the tools and the front office got him new weapons; expect Lawrence to flirt with the top 10 rankings by year's end.
17. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Jalen Hurts played his way into the "best dual threat quarterback" conversation last year, bolstered by his 10 rushing touchdowns. He needs to tighten up his passing game to reach the levels of Josh Allen, Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson, but he fits perfectly into this ranking position--he is a quality starter, but he's not quite a long-term franchise cornerstone, yet.
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16. Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers
What do the Niners have planned for their quarterbacks? Most pundits expect Garoppolo to get jettisoned in favor of Trey Lance, but maybe, just maybe, he can show he belongs on the top of the chart. Garoppolo is a winner and belongs as a starter in the NFL, the question is whether that's in the Bay Area or elsewhere.
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15. Ryan Tannehill, Titans
2022 feels like a year of transition for the Titans. A.J. Brown and Julio Jones are gone, Derrick Henry is coming back from a crushing injury and the team drafted Malik Willis as a backup quarterback. But with all the hype around Willis, how long do they want him riding the bench? Tannehill has been an underappreciated star in Nashville and is a significant reason the Titans have become a mainstay in the postseason.
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14. Kirk Cousins, Vikings
The Vikings seem addicted to throwing money at Kirk Cousins, albeit with questionable results. He hasn't led the team to the postseason results commensurate with his pay, but the question becomes, "who else would they get?" Cousins isn't a perennial All-Pro, but there aren't many people walking the earth better than him at playing quarterback in the NFL.
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13. Derek Carr, Raiders
Carr, Cousins, Tannehill and Garoppolo all feel like they are similar quarterbacks--talented, sometimes Pro Bowlers, but not consistent high-level winners or MVP candidates. Carr's 2022 potential is tantalizing; the Raiders traded for his old pal Davante Adams, arguably the best receiver in the league, to go with Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow. Vegas is shooting for the moon this year.
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12. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
Murray has all the talent in the world, but the wins need to materialize for the Cardinals. If he is finally happy in Arizona and the contract-related distractions are gone, his on-field play could be electrifying. He's doing battle in a tough division, but he's going to war as perhaps the most dangerous single weapon in the sport.
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11. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
The hype around Lamar Jackson has cooled since his 2019 MVP season, but he is a peerless talent in some regards. He's only 25 years old and the Ravens made a concerted effort in the offseason to get him more help on the field. His production took a major step backward last year, but a bounce back 2022 would catapult him back near the top five.
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10. Matt Ryan, Colts
What will Matt Ryan's second act look like? He is a former MVP, but the entire Falcons franchise was disintegrating around him. It was time to move on. The Colts are the quintessential "a quarterback away" team. Jonathan Taylor is a monster at running back, Michal Pittman, Jr. is ready to break out at receiver and Quenton Nelson is the best lineman in the game. If anywhere near prime Matt Ryan shows up, the Colts are Super Bowl contenders.
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9. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
Dak Prescott had a career year and a remarkable bounce-back campaign, and it feels like nobody paid attention. An injury-plagued 2020 campaign took the shine off of Prescott, but he is still an elite quarterback. The Cowboys lost a lot of talent in the offseason, and if they have a chance at the postseason, Dak will have to carry the load.
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8. Matthew Stafford, Rams
Stafford finally got the respect he deserved after guiding the Rams to a Super Bowl victory. He finally reached the pinnacle of the sport and became more than the guy who posts big numbers but doesn't win big games. The Sean McVay offense has been perfect for Stafford, and his career renaissance should continue in 2022.
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7. Justin Herbert, Chargers
Herbert is still a bit more sizzle than steak right now, but all the tools are there. Athleticism? Check. Football IQ? Check? Rocket arm? Check and check. Herbert is a complete quarterback, now he just needs to win.
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6. Josh Allen, Bills
Ranking Allen this low may be blasphemy, but all of the quarterbacks ahead of Allen have something he doesn't--a Super Bowl appearance. Allen is just coming into his prime, and his best days are ahead. He is in position to take over the "best in the game" superlative from the likes of Tom Brady, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers when they retire.
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5. Joe Burrow, Bengals
The darling of the NFL, Joe Burrow has captivated the imagination of fans. The talent, the swagger and the fact that he's doing it for the Cincinnati Bengals--he's an original. Burrow's early years are comparable to Patrick Mahomes', and the two could have the next mythical quarterback rivalry in the NFL.
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4. Russell Wilson, Broncos
Russ is cooking in a new kitchen in 2022. The (potentially) greatest Seattle Seahawk of all time got his wish and moved on to Denver. The narrative around the Broncos for a while has been, "if only they had a quarterback, they'd be contenders." They now have a future hall-of-famer who can maximize their loaded cache of weapons.
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3. Tom Brady, Buccaneers
The ageless wonder soldiers on. Brady matures but he never decays. The Buccaneers should be back in the Super Bowl hunt with #12 leading the way. In 2021, Brady set career records for yards, completions and attempts. Somehow, his best may be yet to come.
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2. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Mahomes is entering his sixth NFL season, and it almost feels like he's taken for granted. His greatness is just expected at this point; 4,500 yards and 40 touchdowns are the baseline. He is the most talented passer in the game and one of the few who can truly heft a team on his back and propel them to victory. The Chiefs will contend as long as Mahomes is under center.
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1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
He's the back-to-back MVP and the Packers look like the best team in the league. Rodgers has been reinvigorated in recent years and that trend should continue in 2022. He's best offensive player, if not all-around player, in the league.
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