Buffalo Bills: A+
Options: Josh Allen: Josh Allen is a top three quarterback in the league with a massive arm and a great ability to run the ball. He’s been able to will the Bills to a handful of wins over the course of his career. Allen has a bright future ahead of him and the Bills have got to be thrilled about having him at the helm of their offense.
New York Jets: C-
Options: Zach Wilson: Zach Wilson’s not very good…or at least the ensemble cast he has around him isn’t very good. Wilson is solid when he has a good pocket to throw out of and moves well when forced out of the pocket. As a rookie, Wilson threw for 2,334 yards and 9 touchdowns with 11 picks and also rushed for 185 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Jets have surprisingly added more weapons for Wilson so his sophomore season could be more fruitful.
New England Patriots: B-
Options: Mac Jones: Of all the rookie quarterbacks in 2021, Mac Jones saw the most success. He threw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while also making the playoffs. New England has put the right mix of speed and power around Jones and things can only up from where he was in 2021.
Miami Dolphins: C
Options: Tua Tagovailoa, Teddy Bridgewater: I think that there could be a slight quarterback competition in training camp between Bridgewater and Tua; a very slight one. Tua has below average arm strength and isn’t very accurate while Teddy Bridgewater is somewhat the same, just a bit older. Miami can add all the weapons they want, but with the quarterbacks they currently have, I just don’t see them succeeding.
Baltimore Ravens: B+
Options: Lamar Jackson: The only reason that I don’t have Baltimore at an A is the fact that Lamar was injured in 2021 and missed a handful of games. In the 12 games he did play, Jackson passed for 2,882 yards and 16 touchdowns while also rushing for 767 yards. With new pieces on their offensive line, I think Lamar will stay healthy and be successful this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers: C+
Options: Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett: This is one of the most intriguing quarterback battles to watch during camp. Mitch Trubisky made one Pro Bowl (some how) with Chicago and spent last season as Josh Allen’s backup. For Trubisky, this is a last ditch effort to revive his career, and for Pickett it’s a chance to fill the massive shoes that Big Ben left behind. Pickett is better scrambler with good arm strength while Trubisky is more comfortable inside the pocket. It’ll be interesting to see who the Steelers ride with.
Cincinnati Bengals: B+
Options: Joe Burrow: It’ll definitely be tough to follow up the season that Burrow just had, but he looked great the entire 2021 season. He was 6th in the league in passing with 4,611 yards and 8th with 34 touchdowns. The Bengals added great offensive line help this offseason that will boost Burrow’s efficiency this season.
Cleveland Browns: B
Options: Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield (maybe), Jacoby Brissett: Here is an interesting quarterback situation. Deshaun Watson could get suspended for the whole season, but if he doesn’t, then Cleveland will be dangerous. Now say he gets suspended, there is a 1% possibility Baker Mayfield and the Browns put their disdain for one another aside and he does play for them; that’d be alright, but he’s not Deshaun Watson. Now factor in Watson getting suspended and Mayfield not playing, they have to start Brissett which is not ideal. Not ideal in any way.
Indianapolis Colts: B-
Options: Matt Ryan: The Matty Ice experience in Indy could go one of two ways; it could be a massive disaster as Ryan is older, or it could be great for the Colts as they’ll have a vet who has had success in the NFL at the helm. With how weak the AFC South is, I think option two is more likely. With a nice arsenal of weapons and a top ten offensive line, I think Ryan will throw for over 3,500 yards. Great offseason addition by the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars: C
Options: Trevor Lawrence: While Trevor Lawrence may not have been great last season, let’s not forget that he was a great college QB. With the additions of Christian Kirk and Evan Engram, Lawrence will be far more productive in 2022. I think that this offseason, Lawrence will progress and help Jacksonville not be the league’s laughing stock.
Houston Texans: C-
Options: Davis Mills: Is Davis Mills the ideal option to start a quarterback? Probably not; but he isn’t the worst option. Last season in Houston, Mills was thrust into the starting role and in 13 games threw 16 touchdowns and for 2,664 yards. While he doesn’t have great weapons around him, I think he’ll be sufficient for the Texans.
Tennessee Titans: B-
Options: Ryan Tannehill: After drafting Malik Willis, the Titans have lit a fire under Tannehill’s ass. Year after year Tannehill is sneaky productive as the Titans second option to the run game; in 2021, he threw for 3,734 yards and 21 scores while also rushing for 7 touchdowns. It’s a two dog fight in the AFC South between Indy and Tennessee and as long as Tannehill plays sharp, they’ll win the South for the third year in a row.
Las Vegas Raiders: B+
Options: Derek Carr: Personally, I think Derek Carr is the most underrated QB in the NFL. He’s had 4 consecutive 4,000 yard seasons and by adding Davante Adams, he’ll only become more productive. Carr is very talented and shows up in big moments. In a loaded division, I think Carr can help push the Raiders back to the playoffs.
Los Angeles Chargers: A
Options: Justin Herbert: Justin Herbert is good. Like really really good for how young he is. Herbert has all the important intangibles to be great this season; he has a massive arm, great accuracy, and plays with a ton of guts. Last season he went for 5,014 yards and 38 touchdowns and he’s only going to improve in 2022.
Denver Broncos: A-
Options: Russell Wilson: This offseason, Denver turned into me during physics my senior of high school; they boosted their grade from a D+ to an A- in a short amount of time. Going from Drew Lock to Russell Wilson is a massive upgrade as Wilson has proved that he’s a winner in the NFL. He has a 9-7 record in the playoffs and is 1-1 in Super Bowls. Major upgrade for the Broncos.
Kansas City Chiefs: A+
Options: Patrick Mahomes: Patrick Mahomes is the hands down most dynamic gunslinger the NFL has to offer. He’s won an MVP and led Kansas City to two Super Bowls and he’s only 26. Kansas City will continue the trend of that A+ grade as long as Patrick Mahomes is still suiting up for them.
