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After five quarterbacks were selected in the top 15, one of them was selected in the 73rd pick. 2022 NFL draft. Only two more were on the roster before Round 7, and three others were drafted prior to Round 3. The quarterback class had a difficult year. However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be some rookies starting at the center of the lineup in the next round. 2022 season.
What time will we see these young QBs make their debut? Could first-rounder Kenny Pickett Beat Mitch Trubisky Are you ready to go for the Steelers’ gig right away? Will Atlanta’s Desmond Ridder Carolina’s Matt Corral Encourage them to get started on their rebuilding franchises. How long will it take? Malik Willis Have to wait Ryan Tannehill Tennessee
Our NFL Nation reporters provided a breakdown of the odds that each rookie QB could be in the starting lineup in Week 1. We also take a look at the expected roles of the Washington and New England midrounder QBs. Let’s get to work in Pittsburgh.
Jump to a QB
Pickett | Ridder | Willis | Corral
Midrounder roles for 2022
Drafted: Round 1, No. 20
It’s time for competition to begin: Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph
Chance to win the job opening in Week 1 2%. Pickett was consistently third-string behind Rudolph and Trubisky throughout OTAs and minicamp. Pickett must be the second coming Johnny Unitas to replace Trubisky by Week 1. He would need to do this as soon as he arrives at training camp. This is not possible. It’s fine. The Steelers don’t have to hurry Pickett’s progress.
Trubisky’s offseason workouts have been a success. His early interactions with the locker room show that he is confident and comfortable. Trubisky will likely be the Steelers’ starting quarterback when they play the AFC champion Bengals.
Chance of sitting throughout the season: 40%. Pickett must be believed by the Steelers as the future of their organization. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have chosen him in the first round. He’s not the future, but that doesn’t necessarily make him the best. Instant future. They should stay with Trubisky if the Steelers make it through the season-opening hurdles that include games in Cincinnati, Cleveland, and home games against Tampa Bay, New England.
Steelers should be able to provide a solid defense and an offensive line that aids in running back. Najee HarrisThey need a consistent quarterback who doesn’t make huge mistakes. It’s safe to say that Trubisky is a mature and well-rounded player who has learned a lot in Buffalo. Josh AllenHe will be that guy.
Best prediction for the NFL’s first start: Week 18 vs. Cleveland Browns. Pickett may make the 2022 NFL roster in just two weeks. The first is Week 10 vs. the Saints The bye. The Steelers can use the bye to give Trubisky a break and make a quarterback change if he isn’t performing. If Trubisky is performing well, it’s not a good idea to make a change.
Week 18 is the second and most likely date. The Steelers have had a fighting chance in the playoffs in previous years, even though they weren’t supposed. It’s possible that this season will be no different. As long as Trubisky doesn’t lose the team games it makes sense for him to stay. However, if Week 18 turns out to be a formality match with only bragging rights in it, the Steelers could give Pickett a glimpse of an AFC North rivalry. — Brooke Pryor
Drafted: Round 3, No. 74
It’s time for competition to begin: Marcus Mariota
Chance to win the job opening in Week 1 5%. Mariota is clearly ahead of Ridder, and Atlanta brought Mariota to the team to help him. He has a good understanding of what coach Arthur Smith expects from his offense. Mariota’s OTAs have been a great help. Why the 5%? Ridder could injure and Ridder may make a big leap once training camp begins. Atlanta loves what Ridder has done so far but it seems like a stretch to make Ridder debut in Week 1.
Chance of sitting throughout the season: 20%. If Mariota plays well, and the Falcons remain mathematically eligible for postseason play, Ridder will be the quarterback. Ridder has several options to play at this point.
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Mariota struggled as a starter.
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The Falcons are out of playoff contention and decide to go see Ridder.
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Mariota is injured.
More likely? More likely?
Best prediction for the NFL’s first start: Week 15 at New Orleans Saints. The Falcons are due to have a bye and will know if they are still in playoff contention at that time. Mariota will likely continue to be the starter if they are. If they are not, it might be a good opportunity to make the change (unless Mariota has been playing very well). Ridder would get an extra week of preparation and Ridder four more games. Atlanta will have a fair sample to evaluate its potential needs at quarterback for the 2023 season.
Mariota’s situation could be a problem. Week 11 against Chicago is another game to watch. The Falcons are coming off a Week 10 Thursday night game, giving rookies more time to get ready for a switch to the starter position. — Michael Rothstein
Drafted: Round 3, No. 86
It’s time for competition to begin: Ryan Tannehill
Chance to win the job opening in Week 1 5%. Tannehill will be taking the majority of snaps this season, barring injury or a catastrophic failure. The Titans have taken an entirely new approach to Willis development. They started by getting him used to calling plays in a huddle and work from under center. Quarterbacks coach Pat O’Hara worked with Willis extensively to adjust his mechanics and improve his accuracy. Although Willis is a favorite of the coaching staff, it’s still a work in process.
Chance to sit all season 75%. Despite drafting the quarterback they believe will be their future quarterback, the Titans remain in win-now mode. Tannehill started every game since he took over in Week 6 for the 2019 season. He’ll likely return to the starting lineup in 2022, and he’ll probably have a rebound year.
Best prediction for the NFL’s first start: Week 15 of the 2023 Season. Tannehill’s contract includes $9.2million in dead money. Before they decide to trade for Tannehill, the Titans will have to look at Willis. Willis should have the opportunity to prove his abilities in live game action, even if Tennessee isn’t competing for a playoff slot. Turron Davenport
Drafted: Round 3, No. 94
It’s time for competition to begin: Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker
Chance to win the job opening in Week 1 5%. This might seem a bit extreme, as offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo explained in detail how Corral will have to learn a different language. It will take time and it won’t be an easy task. McAdoo said that he will be hard on Corral to ensure the former Ole Miss star is ready for whatever comes his way. Except Corral makes a significant jump in training camp it is unlikely that Week 1 will be the time.
It is the plan to have a veteran, whether Darnold or not. Baker Mayfield Or someone else — Start the season, and keep Corral available to take over if the player fails.
Chance of sitting throughout the season: 0%. Darnold hasn’t shown that he can win consistently in four pro seasons. There’s no reason to believe this will change. If Darnold struggles, he could be benched and Corral given a chance to win. McAdoo enjoys the enthusiasm of the rookie and McAdoo appreciates his contributions to the team.
Best prediction for the NFL’s first start: Week 6 at Los Angeles Rams. Although the early schedule is difficult, five games is enough time to determine if Darnold or another veteran can win. While Corral’s road matchup against the Super Bowl champs might seem unfavorable, it would not be unreasonable to expect him to win. This would also help relieve the pressure. His mobility against the Rams could prove to be a plus. — David Newton
What role will midround QBs have in 2022?
Bailey Zappe, New England Patriots (Round 4, No. 137): Most likely, Zappe will be the Pats’ third-quarterback. Mac Jones is the No. 1. The question now is whether Zappe could challenge veteran Brian Hoyer For the No. 2 role. This seems like a distant possibility, but Hoyer was seen the same way in 2009 when he competed against Kevin O’Connell for that job. — Mike Reiss
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders (Round 5, No. 144): Washington’s third quarterback will be Howell. The Commanders will be starting Carson Wentz Consider these things Taylor Heinicke It is a backup for high-end operations. Heinicke being in his final year of his contract, Howell may be the primary backup in 2023. Washington hasn’t had a quarterback play every Washington game since. Kirk Cousins Left after the 2017 season — it has used at most three starters each subsequent season. — John Keim