If the league could have a do-over, Brock Purdy would have likely been the first quarterback selected in the 2022 NFL Draft instead of the last.
2022 is a perfect example of why the NFL Draft is a complete craps shoot.
True, there are plenty of variables that work for (or against) any player selected at any point in the draft. It matters if the prospect is drafted to a good team with a good coaching staff. Hyped prospects drafted in Round 1 can easily wind up going to a bad situation, whereas unheralded prospects taken late on day three can end up being superstars, if the context is right.
Such is the case for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, the very last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, who was selected at No. 262 overall and has gone from being “Mr. Irrelevant” to very much relevant.
After a stellar 2023 campaign, one in which he was a top candidate for NFL MVP after his first full year as a starter, Purdy has become a household name.
In doing so, he’s risen above the entirety of other quarterbacks selected ahead of him that year.
So, who are the other signal-callers from the 2022 draft whom other teams hinged their hopes upon instead of Purdy?
Career stats in 25 games: 14-10 record, 62.6 completion percentage, 13 TDs vs. 13 INTs, 78.8 rating
The Pittsburgh Steelers were aiming to find an heir to a retiring Ben Roethlisberger under center, but the 20th overall pick being used on Kenny Pickett was still quite the reach.
After two uninspiring seasons in Steel City, Pittsburgh ultimately opted to bring in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, shipping Pickett off to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Career stats in 19 games: 8-9 record, 64.0 completion percentage, 14 TDs vs. 12 INTs, 84.1 rating
A run-first offense under then-Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith might have been a nice boost for Desmond Ridder, lessening the pressure on him when he was given the full starting job in 2023. But it doesn’t cover up the fact Atlanta’s pass offense was abysmal, which led to Smith’s firing after year was complete.
In bringing in former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Falcons opted to trade Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals in 2024 to serve as Kyler Murray’s backup under center.
Career stats in 11 games: 1-2 record, 53.0 completion percentage, 0 TDs vs. 3 INTs, 49.4 rating
Malik Willis was viewed as a raw-but-potentially promising prospect coming out of a small-school program at Liberty.
Sadly for him, he’s been nothing more than a backup with the Tennessee Titans, now serving as the No. 2 behind quarterback Will Levis.
Career stats: None
Matt Corral suffered a foot injury during the preseason that prematurely ended his rookie year with the Carolina Panthers, who waived him after training camp the following year.
He then had a rather odd stint with the New England Patriots, who claimed him off waivers but then placed him on the exempt/left squad list shortly thereafter after he literally went AWOL, which led to his release a few days later.
Corral is now in the USFL.
Career stats in 14 games: 4-4 record, 63.2 completion percentage, 11 TDs vs. 12 INTs, 78.5 rating
Bailey Zappe started his Pats career as a backup to Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer, starting two games late his rookie season and winning them both. A year later, Zappe helped push Jones to the periphery, and New England opted to let the second-year pro start six games down the stretch in relief of Jones, who’d be subsequently dealt the following offseason.
Jacoby Brissett and 2024 rookie Drake Maye are currently projected to be ahead of Zappe on the Patriots’ quarterbacking depth chart.
Career stats in 18 games: 5-13 record, 63.2 completion percentage, 22 TDs vs 22 INTs, 79.0 rating
Sam Howell started one game his rookie season and tossed both a touchdown and an interception in what turned into his first win, but 2023 was rough enough as a full 17-game starter in which he led the NFL in passing attempts (612), interceptions (21) and sacks taken (65).
With a new regime in Washington, the Commanders opted to trade Howell to the Seattle Seahawks before using the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft on quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Career stats: None
Chris Oladokun failed to make Pittsburgh’s 53-man roster his rookie year and subsequently signed to the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad where he spent all of 2023 and 2023 aside from being elevated for one game late in his second season in which he didn’t play.
Career stats in 7 games: 1-1 record, 57.1 completion percentage, 1 TD vs. 3 INTs, 62.2 rating
Injuries to both Miami Dolphins quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater led to Skylar Thompson getting the start in Week 6 during his rookie season, but it was more than apparent the seventh-round draftee was nothing more than a fringe third-stringer.
A year later during a crucial Week 18 game, Thompson secured his first win as a quarterback by beating the New York Jets and helping Miami secure a playoff berth. But that success didn’t carry over into the postseason, as Thompson was forced to start in place of an injured Tagovailoa, and the Dolphins ultimately lost to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round.
Thompson remains a backup to Tagovailoa.
