With the 2024 regular season officially here, you don’t want to belabor the past when the present is upon us. However, there are times when it is worth looking back at both the good, and bad, of them not-so-distant past. In this case, just going back to 2022 and the draft class many bemoaned saying it was awful.

Come to find out, all those who declared the crop of quarterbacks entering that year’s draft were some of the worst in recent history were actually right. But how bad was the quarterback class in 2022? Let’s take a look at the quarterbacks who were selected, what they’ve done in the league so far, and where they are now.

It isn’t pretty, so buckle up…

2022 NFL Draft QB Class

Round 1

Kenny Pickett

Pickett was the only quarterback taken in the first round of the draft (20th overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers), but his time in Pittsburgh was short-lived. After being thrust into the starting role in Week 4 of 2022, Pickett held the starting role heading into 2023. After an injury in 2023, Pickett never regained the starting role with Mason Rudolph quarterbacking the team into the playoffs, and this past offseason he didn’t like the thought of the team bringing in Russell Wilson and requested a trade. The Steelers obliged. He ended his Steelers tenure with a 14-10 record, 13 TDs to 13 INTs, and a 78.8 rating.

Current Team: Philadelphia Eagles Back-Up

Round 3

Desmond Ridder

Ridder was the second quarterback selected, but it didn’t happen until the 3rd Round. Ridder was placed in Atlanta where he became the starter after Marcus Mariota failed to solidify the starting role. 2023 Ridder got every chance to prove himself worthy as a starting quarterback, and he failed to do so in the Arthur Smith offense. It resulted in him being traded to the Arizona Cardinals this offseason.

Current Team: Arizona Cardinals Practice Squad

Malik Willis

Willis, who many thought was the most talented quarterback in the class out of Liberty, was selected shortly after Ridder by the Tennessee Titans in the 3rd Round. Willis was the back-up in 2022, getting a few chances to play due to injury, but never showing the flashes many expected. After a year as the back-up in 2023, Willis was traded to the Green Bay Packers this offseason.

Current Team: Green Bay Packers Back-Up

Matt Corral

Corral was known as the pin-point accurate passer of the bunch coming out of Ole Miss. He was selected by the Carolina Panthers, but a Lisfranc injury in his foot ended his rookie season before it began. He was waived by the Panthers the next season and picked up off waivers by the New England Patriots; however, he was placed on the exempt/left squad list after leaving the facility and not showing up for two days. He was eventually released and signed to the Patriots’ practice squad after clearing waivers. Corral went to the UFL and signed with the Birmingham Stallions in February, but terminated that contract to join the Vikings as a back-up after the injury to J.J. McCarthy.

Current Team: Minnesota Vikings Back-Up

Round 4

Bailey Zappe

Zappe was a relative unknown by most coming into the draft, but was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 4th Round to back-up Mac Jones. Jones fell out of favor quickly in New England, and that resulted in Zappe getting an opportunity to show he could be a capable starter in the league. In 2023 he went 2-4 with a 68.8 rating and was released during roster cuts in 2024.

Current Team: Kansas City Chiefs Practice Squad

Round 5

Sam Howell

The North Carolina signal caller was thought to have some of the best arm talent in this class, but the rest of what Howell brought to the table resulted in him not being drafted until Round 5. Selected by the Washington Commanders, he got to see some early action due to injury, but his performances were far from what an organization would choose to build around. The result? He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks to be a back-up.

Current Team: Seattle Seahawks Back-Up

Round 7

Chris Oladokun

Oladokun was selected out of South Dakota State by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 7th Round, and while Oladokun didn’t stick with the Steelers, he found himself in a good spot. What spot is that? How about being on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad and winning two Super Bowl wins the past two seasons. The Steelers let Oladokun go early to help him out, and he got two rings in the process. Nonetheless, with Zappe now with the Chiefs, Oladokun found himself as the odd man out in the quarterback rotation.

Current Team: Free Agent

Skyler Thompson

Thompson was the quarterback no one mentioned in this draft class coming out of Kansas State, but he has stuck with the team who drafted him. In fact, Thompson has been with the Miami Dolphins since he was drafted, and remains with the team. Only Thompson and Brock Purdy can say they are still with the team who drafted them out of the 2022 NFL Draft. I’m not sure if that speaks more to the quarterbacks, organizations, draft crop, or everything.

Current Team: Miami Dolphins Back-Up

Brock Purdy

Who would have thought the best quarterback in this draft class would come from Iowa State, and would be Mr. Irrelevant. In other words, Purdy was the last player selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. Once Purdy got into the starting position, he solidified his spot in the Kyle Shanahan offense on his way to an NFC Championship game in 2022. In 2023, following elbow surgery in the offseason, Purdy led the 49ers to the Super Bowl. What’s next for Purdy, the forgotten man in the draft? How about a big-time contract, that’s what’s next for the man most deemed to be irrelevant.

Current Team: San Francisco 49ers Starter