The 2022 NFL season is finally here. Despite the regular season only now beginning, the debates never end. Who’s the best quarterback in the NFL? Who’s the worst? We can’t answer that second one, but we have prepared a fresh batch of NFL QB rankings where we rank the top-20 quarterbacks in the league today.
Deshaun Watson‘s 11-game suspension prompted us to remove him from this list, where he had been ranked ninth. The same goes for Dak Prescott‘s injury. Let’s give a couple other QBs a chance for a few weeks until they can take the field again.
Updated weekly throughout the football year, here are our top-20 NFL QB rankings.
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NFL QB Rankings countdown from 20-1
20. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (Last week: 20)
- Jared Goff stats (2022): 56.8%, 215 passing yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
- 9 rushing yards
We’re expecting a bounceback year from Jared Goff in 2022. Not like ‘elite’ Goff, like we saw glimpses of with the Rams, but the former No. 1 overall pick should improve now that he’s equipped with a respectable group of receivers. Unfortunately Jameson Williams is still sidelined. And Goff still makes some stupid mistakes. Even a top receiver won’t help him if that continues. We’ll get an awkward matchup with Goff battling Carson Wentz and the Commanders in Week 2, pitting the top two picks from the 2016 Draft against each other. Who knows what to expect, but we’re guessing both teams will be disappointed in their quarterbacks, yet one will be given the win.
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19. Baker Mayfield, Carolina Panthers (LW: 18)
- Baker Mayfield stats (2022): 59.3%, 235 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Baker Mayfield gets the fresh start he wanted. He even got the matchup he likely hoped for right away, yet couldn’t get the win against his former team. Instead, Myles Garrett wreaked havoc. But Mayfield did lead an inspiring comeback, leading the Panthers to 17 points in the final frame. Mayfield has another chance at victory this week, but he’ll have to travel to MetLife stadium to take on the Giants to do so.
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18. Mac Jones, New England Patriots (LW: 20)
- Mac Jones stats (2022): 70%, 213 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
The best rookie quarterback from 2021 wasn’t the first, second, or even third one selected. Instead, it was Mac Jones who slipped under the radar, then proceeded to be the QB who brought the Patriots back to the playoffs. But showing growth in his second season isn’t a given. With zero WR1 options on the roster and questionable play-calling, Jones will have his work cut out for him. Managing just one touchdown won’t do anything to squash concerns about the Patriots’ offense, and now he has to take on Mike Tomlin’s Steelers defense. Good luck Mac.
17. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (LW: Unranked)
- Tua Tagovailoa stats (2022): 69.7%, 270 passing yards, 1 TD
Playing in a high-powered offense that features two 1,000-yard receivers and another in Mike Gesicki who’s not far behind, Tua Tagovailoa should have no trouble staying and likely climbing up these NFL QB rankings this season. Obviously, that’s up to Tagovailoa, but the Week 1 showing against a Bill Belichick defense was impressive enough to shush some naysayers. Does that mean he’ll ever ascend to the levels of Mahomes now that he has Tyreek Hill. Of course not, but if he can limit mistakes while putting 25+ points per game on the board, the Dolphins won’t have any complaints.
16. Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders (LW: 19)
- Carson Wentz stats (2022): 65.9%, 313 passing yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
- 12 rushing yards
Now on his third team in as many seasons, Carson Wentz finds himself with a stronger core of pass-catchers than he had in his lone season with the Colts. Yet, it might also be his last chance to prove he can be an above-average starter. He didn’t pass his first test, yet he still provided reasons for hope in Week 1. Like usual, Wentz showed he can be a playmaker, but he also gave us a glimpse of why he’s been shown the door twice since becoming the No. 2 overall pick in 2016. The Commanders didn’t trade for him so they could narrowly lose games, so he’ll have to dig deep for a win against Detroit in Week 2.
15. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (LW: 16)
- Ryan Tannehill stats (2022): 60.6%, 266 passing yards, 2 TD
- 7 rushing yards
In a perfect world, the Tennessee Titans would have at least tried to move on from Ryan Tannehill in search of an upgrade this offseason. Contractual ties prevented such a move, but he’s not in the top half of NFL starting quarterbacks, which means he may not have enough to carry the King Henry-led squad to the promised land. We saw signs of those struggles in Week 1, losing to the Giants after putting up just 20 points. It may take time for Tannehill to get in sync with his new receivers, but if the Titans dig themselves into a hole vs the Bills, Raiders, and Colts, it may not be long until Malik Willis gets a chance.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Titans, check out #Titans rumors, rankings, and news here.
14. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 15)
- Jalen Hurts stats (2022): 56.3%, 243 passing yards
- 90 rushing yards, 1 TD
Everyone in the NFL will be watching Jalen Hurts closely to see if he can help the Eagles soar to new heights. One of the best dual-threat QBs in the league, Hurts offers a high floor and an even higher ceiling as he continues to develop and build chemistry with his now deeply talented receiver corps. The biggest question is his arm, and Hurts didn’t do much to quell those concerns in Week 1. Still, he leads one of the most potent offenses in football thanks to being able to operate a dominant ground game. Does that make him a top quarterback? Not from a pure passing perspective, but the NFL is all about wins, so he deserves some respect.
13. Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts (LW: 14)
- Matt Ryan stats (2022): 64%, 352 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Matt Ryan didn’t find himself in a good situation with the Atlanta Falcons. Playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in football with a thin cast of weapons, he managed what production he could. Now he’s in a run-heavy offense with possibly the best running back in football. Still, putting up over 500 yards of offense couldn’t get Matty Ice to sting the Texans. He’ll get another chance against an AFC South inner-divisional matchup this week against the Jaguars, where he should be able to get the W.
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12. Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (LW: 12)
- Derek Carr stats (2022): 59.5%, 295 passing yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
We’re eager to see how Derek Carr adapts to the Josh McDaniels system over time. Now that Davante Adams has landed in Vegas, Carr could have his best season yet, which is no small feat. Can Carr drive the new-look Raiders back to the playoffs in a loaded AFC West? His first test against the Chargers didn’t go well, with Carr making multiple mistakes. This is expected when learning a new offense. The talent that surrounds him should help keep Carr among the best quarterbacks in football. Anything less would be a disappointment with three Pro Bowl pass-catchers by his side. Carr will bounce back against the Cardinals this week.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Raiders, check out #RaiderNation rumors, rankings, and news here.
11. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (LW: 11)
- Kyler Murray stats (2022): 64.7%, 193 passing yards, 2 TD
- 29 rushing yards
Everyone piled on Kyler Murray this offseason. It’s not exactly justified. He’s steadily improved as he gains experience, and when his playmakers aren’t on the field as we saw in 2021, more falls on Murray’s shoulders. Yet, that may also be a problem. In Week 1, without DeAndre Hopkins due to suspension, Murray looked like he was nowhere close to being able to go round-for-round with Patrick Mahomes. Few can, but now in his fourth season, it shouldn’t matter so much who his receivers are. He’s supposed to elevate the entire team. We just haven’t seen it yet.
NFL QB Rankings Top 10
10. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (LW: 13)
- Kirk Cousins stats (2022): 71.9%, 277 passing yards, 2 TD
Opinions on Kirk Cousins are all over the place, but he’s never had a season where he’s thrown more than 13 interceptions. He’s not armed with a cannon like Mahomes or Allen, but he also doesn’t hurt you on gameday. Simply put, when given a strong supporting cast, Cousins can thrive. Usually, when learning a whole new offense, there are some hiccups. Not for Captain Kirk, as he’s used to it. That’s exactly what we saw in Week 1, where he routinely found Justin Jefferson running free. Yet, that’s just one game. Can he do it again against the Eagles on Monday night? With an 8-17 record in primetime, history suggests he can’t.
Related: Overpaid or underrated: 2022 outlook for Vikings QB Kirk Cousins
9. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (LW: 8)
- Matthew Stafford stats (2022): 70.7%, 240 passing yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
- 2 rushing yards
After 12 seasons toiling in Detroit in which they never won a playoff game, Matthew Stafford teamed up with Sean McVay in L.A. and immediately won a Super Bowl. The presence of Cooper Kupp gives Stafford one elite option, but the absence of Odell Beckham Jr. might be more impactful than we thought. In Week 1, Stafford’s Rams didn’t have much of a downfield threat nor the time to connect, even if there was one. Allen Robinson’s disappearance, along with a shoddy offensive line, and Stafford’s surgically-repaired elbow are all cause for concern. Expect pure dominance from the Rams in Week 2 against Atlanta. Anything less, and L.A. should be hitting the panic button.
8. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (LW: 7)
- Lamar Jackson stats (2022): 56.6%, 213 passing yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
- 17 rushing yards
While Lamar Jackson largely had a down season impacted by injuries, there’s no one worried about his future success. Equally as much of a fantasy star as he is a dangerous game-breaker, expect Jackson to return to his 2019 MVP form. Facing a much-improved Jets defense, Jackson once again struggled with accuracy, a concern that’s plagued him his entire career. Yet, he made just enough plays to lead a convincing victory. He has what could be another tough battle in Week 2 vs Miami.
7. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos (LW: 9)
- Russell Wilson stats (2022): 69%, 340 passing yards, 1 TD
- 2 rushing yards
We didn’t get to see Russell Wilson cook a year ago, but the nine-time Pro Bowl QB didn’t suddenly drop off after years of playing smart football. The Broncos are banking on that with their blockbuster trade for the SB XLVIII winner. The Broncos offense struggled against Wilson’s old team, but it wasn’t his fault their running backs both fumbled near the goal line. The game-ending kick was also a big mistake. Who not put the ball in the hands of your $245 million face of the franchise? Wilson should have no issues getting to 1-1 with a win over Houston this week.
6. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (LW: 5)
- Aaron Rodgers stats (2022): 64.7%, 195 passing yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
- -1 rushing yards
Looking to win back-to-back-to-back MVPs, Aaron Rodgers will return to top form in 2022. Yet, like last season, it will have to come after a slow start. To be fair, Rodgers’s Week 1 numbers would look a lot better had his rookie receiver, Christian Watson, hauled in an easy 75-yard touchdown reception. But, growing pains were always expected after Davante Adams was traded to Vegas. Luckily Rodgers gets to own the Bears again in Week 2.
5. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (LW: 4)
- Joe Burrow stats (2022): 62.3%, 338 passing yards, 2 TD, 4 INT
- 47 rushing yards
No one anticipated Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals would reach the Super Bowl for the first time in 33 years. It further exemplified just how much a premier quarterback can elevate the rest of his squad in a short amount of time. Their first response to losing the Super Bowl didn’t go well. Burrow was still highly productive, a theme we can expect all season, but he also forced errant throws. It doesn’t matter how many turnovers Burrow has, he’s still going to stay cool and give his team a chance until the final seconds tick off. Facing Trevon Diggs in Week 2, Burreaux could throw a couple picks, but he could just as easily take advantage of the young corner’s gambling ways.
4. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 2)
- Tom Brady stats (2022): 66.6%, 212 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- -1 rushing yards
We can all thank the football gods for Tom Brady realizing he’s not quite ready to retire. There’s no reason for him to place his jersey in the rafters just yet. Brady’s coming off a season in which he led the NFL in attempts, completions, yards, and touchdown throws. There’s no doubt he’ll remain one of the very best in his age-45 year, which is why he lands back near the top of our NFL QB rankings.
Brady was under fire all afternoon against Micah Parsons and the Cowboys in Week 1. Starting the game off with two offensive linemen who have never started an NFL game, he also lost starting left tackle Donovan Smith to injury. It led to a not-so-spectacular game where the Bucs put up just 19 points. Facing the Saints, a team Tampa Tom has thrown eight interceptions to in four regular season games, TB12 could be in for a rough day at the office in Week 2.
3. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (LW: 6)
- Justin Herbert stats (2022): 76.4%, 279 passing yards, 3 TD
- 1 rushing yard
Few quarterbacks have raised their stock as much as Justin Herbert has ever since he entered the NFL as the sixth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Now Herbert is widely regarded as one of the few young marquee names that many would select if they were starting an NFL franchise from scratch. Somehow Herbert avoided getting sacked despite taking on the ferocious pass-rush duo of Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones in Week 1. Not only that, Herbert was cool as a cucumber taking down his AFC West rivals. Can he give us a repeat performance going head to head vs Patrick Mahomes this week? It should be a shootout.
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2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (LW: 3)
- Patrick Mahomes stats (2022): 76.9%, 360 passing yards, 5 TD
- 5 rushing yards
Anyone who’s ever witnessed Patrick Mahomes understands why he’s a perennial MVP candidate. He’s fun to watch because he plays backyard football, yet his cannon arm leads to Madden-like video game performances. Few players can release the ball accurately from numerous arm angles on the run, whether he’s looking at his receiver or not. Missing Tyreek Hill, well, Mahomes didn’t miss a beat. The Chiefs ran up 44 points in what was an efficient day on the gridiron. Mahomes seems like a safe bet for MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and why not the title as the game’s best quarterback? Let’s see how he does against the new-look Chargers defense that forced three Derek Carr interceptions a week ago.
Check out our latest NFL defense rankings and how they impact fantasy QBs
1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (LW: 1)
- Josh Allen stats (2022): 83.3% comp pct, 297 passing yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
- 56 rushing yards, 1 TD
There’s a reason why the Buffalo Bills have annually become a top pick to reach the Super Bowl, his name is Josh Allen. The league has never seen a quarterback who’s as naturally gifted as Allen is. Not only can he uncork a 60-yard airstrike, Allen causes headaches for defenses thanks to a willingness to put his body on the line, stretching to pick up more than just the first down.
Because of his ability to do everything, from scrambling, to firing lasers, to being able to knock a dime off the top of a pylon, Allen ranks No. 1 in Sportsnaut’s NFL QB rankings. Allen was simply surgical in his 2022 debut, displaying not only top-notch accuracy but also getting rid of the ball at the second-quickest rate of his magical career, with an average of 2.47 seconds per throw. There’s no reason to hold him out of your lineup against the Titans on Monday night.
This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.
