2021 was bad, but somehow the 2022 QB draft class was even worse

By Trevor Speetzen November 26, 2024 05:42

Photo by Chris Seward/Associated Press

The 2021 NFL quarterback draft class had an incredible amount of hype because of the amount of prospects who were projected to be selected in the first round.

Quarterbacks such as Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones were thought to be the next great group of quarterbacks in the NFL.

However, since that year only Lawrence is still on the team that drafted him. Wilson, Lance, Fields and Jones are all on other teams as backup quarterbacks.

While the 2021 quarterback class was over-hyped and underwhelming, it at least had talent to begin with. The 2022 NFL draft only had one quarterback taken in the first round.

Kenny Pickett was the only quarterback taken in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft compared to five being taken in 2021.

Pickett was selected with the 20th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers and he didn’t last long with the team. Pickett was the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh from 2022-2023 and he struggled during that time.

Despite a winning record, Pickett failed to make the playoffs in either season and never threw more than 2,400 passing yards. He was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the start of the 2024 season as a backup to Jalen Hurts.

The next quarterback wasn't taken until the third-round. Desmond Ridder was the next one taken with the 74th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons and he was also traded after two seasons.

Two other quarterbacks were selected in the third-round: Malik Willis and Matt Corral. In Willis’ first season with the Titans he didn’t throw one touchdown pass and went 0-3 as a starter.

Corral only lasted one season with the Carolina Panthers and is currently unsigned in the NFL. Corral last played in the UFL for the Birmingham Stallions in 2024 and was cut by the Minnesota Vikings this past offseason.

The next QBs taken were Bailey Zappe in the fourth-round and Sam Howell in the fifth-round. Zappe had minor success with the New England Patriots as a rookie, but struggled in his sophomore season and is now signed with the Cleveland Browns as a backup.

Howell was yet another quarterback in the 2022 draft that was traded after his first two seasons. He started every game for the Washington Commanders in 2023, but he led the league in Interceptions with 21. He now plays for the Seattle Seahawks.

Three more quarterbacks were taken in the seventh-round, but only one is worth mentioning: Brock Purdy. Purdy was selected with the last pick in the draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

Purdy bursts onto the scene as a rookie for the 49ers. After injuries to Lance and Jimmy Garaopplo, Purdy took over as the starting quarterback.

Purdy led the Niners to the NFC championship game where they eventually lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. The next season, Purdy led the league in passer rating and was named to the pro bowl.

He took San Francisco all the way to the Super Bowl, but ended up losing to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Purdy continues to be the 49ers starting quarterback and is the only remaining starting quarterback for the 2022 NFL draft.