NFL quarterback tiers going into 2022, where does Tua Tagovailoa land?
By Juan Vasquez
![Mike Gesicki #88 and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Mike Gesicki #88 and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fphinphanatic-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1289767899-850x560-19608a4483290665f955a402dbbeabe1ac52ff09ffe2b0e52a074ed0bc5caedb.jpg)
The rookies come in last but they pretty much have a blank slate to see how far they can go:
The rookie QBs this year weren’t anything crazy to hype up, and it might end up benefiting them because the pressure of expectation is not there. Kenny Pickett is the only possible starter for the 2022 season out of this year’s draft.
But it’s not guaranteed he will beat Mitchell Trubisky for the Pittsburgh Steelers job, and HC Mike Tomlin might want him to sit and learn his first year.
Desmond Ridder is a huge underdog vs Marcus Mariota for the Falcons, and we all know Ryan Tannehill is going to do everything he can to keep Malik Willis sitting on the Titans bench.
Will any of these QBs be anything special? probably not, but we’ve seen crazy stories written about players who were counted out as nothing special. Matt Corral competing against Sam Darnold gives him good odds to win the job if he’s good.
Quarterback tier F – The Rookies:
- Kenny Pickett – Pittsburgh Steelers
- Malik Willis – Tennessee Titans
- Desmond Ridder – Atlanta Falcons
- Matt Corral – Carolina Panthers
- Sam Howell – Washington Commanders
- Bailey Zappe – New England Patriots
Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis probably have the most chance at success, but who’s to say any of these guys can’t make a splash? After all, the pressure of having to be that guy is not there.