NFL QB Rankings: Tua Tagovailoa moves into top ten, and Kirk Cousins freefalls heading into Week 3

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 season, here are our top-20 NFL QB rankings after Baker Mayfield and Matt Ryan fell off the map.

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NFL QB Rankings countdown from 20-1

20. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans (LW: 15)

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’ve seen plenty signs of those struggles through two weeks. Maybe the three-INT playoff game got him rattled, but Tannehill hasn’t been able to recover since. He’s officially on the hot seat, and at 0-2, if the Titans continue to dig themselves into a hole vs the 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.

19. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (Last week: Unranked)

Two years after the Jaguars selected Lawrence No. 1 overall, a prospect who was hyped to be a generational QB held in the same regard as Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning, no one would have guessed it would take so long to start showing his potential. But here we are, and the Tank for Trevor process is finally bearing fruit. Placed in an offense that actually has some playmakers outside and in the backfield, along with a coach who knows what he’s doing, and boom, Lawrence looks like an NFL QB who has the chance to become special. But we’re a long way away from cracking the top ten.

Check out our latest fantasy football rankings

18. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers (LW: Unranked)

A Trey Lance injury isn’t the way anyone wanted to see Jimmy G re-enter the starting lineup, but football is truly unpredictable. Despite having played parts of one game, Garoppolo is an easy choice to add to any top NFL quarterback ranking list. He’s proven to be a smooth operator who has a knack for leading his teams to victory. Now he gets to pick up right where he left off, with George Kittle and Deebo Samuel making Garoppolo look like a wizard in the Bay Area.

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17. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (LW: 20)

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. While Goff’s back to completing just under 60% of his passes, he’s also helping lead a more explosive Lions offense that’s currently tied for the most point in the NFL through two games. We’re in for another rollercoaster season.

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16. Mac Jones, New England Patriots (LW: 18)

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. So far, Jones has done just enough to cling to being in the bottom half of these NFL QB ranks. He’s such an unknown. The Patriots have never given him much to work with, but he’s always managed to help them stay afloat, which is better than we can say for several others, such as Daniel Jones.

15. Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders (LW: 16)

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. It hasn’t gone well through two games. Like usual, Wentz has shown he can be a playmaker, but he’s also given 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 Philly in Week 3.

14. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (LW: 9)

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 typically you on gameday. When given a strong supporting cast, Cousins can thrive. We saw that in Week 1, but not at all in Week 2. Cousins was under fire, sure, but he started pressing, making blind throws into the teeth of the defense, almost making Kellen Mond‘s preseason performance look legit. Atrocious against a tough Philly secondary, Cousins can bounce back against the Lions, a team he has a 19:2 TD-INT ratio against.

Related: Overpaid or underrated: 2022 outlook for Vikings QB Kirk Cousins

13. Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders (LW: 12)

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. While Carr didn’t turn the ball over at all in Week 2, he’s still not on the same page with his targets. He has to do better this week against the Titans to avoid an 0-3 start.

Related: If you’re a fan of the Raiders, check out #RaiderNation rumors, rankings, and news here.

12. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (LW: 11)

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. Well, that’s exactly what happened in Week 2. Murray put his team on his back, carrying them to overtime. He’s a dynamic player, but his consistency is still a concern.

11. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (LW: 9)

• Matthew Stafford stats (2022): 72.7%, 512 passing yards, 4 TD, 5 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. The Rams squeaking past the Falcons shouldn’t have anyone feeling good about this team. Once again, Stafford leads the NFL in interceptions, and he’s not connecting on any plays downfield. Both are big red flags.

NFL QB Rankings Top 10

10. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos (LW: 7)

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. Yet, Denver’s offense has struggled under Nathaniel Hackett, and there’s reason to be concerned long-term. Through two games, Wilson hasn’t looked the part or come close to living up to outside expectations, and now he takes on one of the best defenses in football with the 49ers paying a visit to Empower Field at Mile High.

9. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (LW: 14)

Everyone in the NFL is watching Jalen Hurts 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 to this point has been his arm but Hurts clearly heard these knocks, and he’s come back much improved. The Vikings did him a favor by playing soft shell coverage, allowing receivers to have plenty of space, but it was still Hurts who delivered accurate throws. He should be able to get on a roll, with the Commanders, Jaguars, and Cardinals as his next three matchups.

8. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (LW: 17)

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. Wait. Maybe he can. Six touchdowns in one game, with four in the final frame? Let’s not put a ceiling on this kid yet. His next test comes against the Bills, a team he’s struggled greatly against, with a 56.4% completion rate and four picks to just one touchdown toss.

WATCH: Tua Tagovailoa leads one of the best comebacks in NFL history, throws six touchdowns

7. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (LW: 5)

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. However, that honeymoon period is over. The Bengals are looking more like the Bungles after an 0-2 start that has left Burrow battered behind what’s seemingly an even worse protection scheme. A chance to get right against the Jets is just what this team needs.

6. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (LW: 4)

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. While the seven-time Super Bowl champ is off to a rough start, 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 has been under fire through two games against teams with a haunting pass rush. Questions about his offensive line will linger all season long. For now, Brady has navigated the murky waters just fine, but he also has a career-low completion rate thus far. This week we get a battle of MVPs as Brady takes on Rodgers, but TB12 might not have his top target.

5. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (LW: 6)

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. Rodgers may need time to get on the same page as his new-look receiver room, but we fully expect him to be in the MVP conversation by season’s end. Seeing how he handles a much better Buccaneers defense could be telling compared to his first two opponents. Rodgers has thrown an uncanny three interceptions to the Bucs in his last two matchups.

4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (LW: 8)

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. Just when we thought Jackson was set to turn in yet another fantastic game-winning performance, Tua Tagovailoa shows up out of nowhere. Still, the Ravens QB was incredible against the blitz, completing 13-of-16 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns for a perfect passer rating. He’s been impressive, both while throwing and, of course, while running. His 11 100+ yard rushing games are a new NFL record.

3. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (LW: 3)

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. It’s not hard to see why when he toughs it out through a gutsy performance where he suffered fractured rib cartilage in Week 2. Had it not been for a missed communication between Herbert and Gerald Everett, who requested to be removed from the game due to fatigue, the Chargers could be 2-0. A battle against Jacksonville can get Herbert back on track.

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2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (LW: 3)

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 a variety of arm angles on the run, whether he’s looking at his receiver or not.

Mahomes has squashed the idea that he’d miss Tyreek Hill, leading the Chiefs to an average of 35.5 points scored through two games. Teams have tried to pressure the 4x Pro Bowl QB, but it hasn’t worked. Mahomes faced a career-high blitz rate in Week 1 (54%) but still threw four touchdowns when blitzed. Now he’s up to six touchdowns against the blitz. He’s also been great outside the pocket (92.3% completion rate, 121 yards, 3 TDs on 13 attempts). Defensive coordinators don’t know how to limit the 26-year-old gunslinger. We’ll see what Gus Bradley’s Colts defensive unit can cook up in Week 3.

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1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (LW: 1)

The Bills are good, but Josh Allen is the reason why they’re such a popular Super Bowl pick. Most QBs either have arm strength, accuracy, or mobility. Allen has all three. He wasn’t always this good, but adding Stefon Diggs has seemingly helped Allen go from an inaccurate cannon to being able to sink your battleship with a single strike. He ranks fourth in the NFL in average time to throw (2.54 seconds), and getting the ball out quicker than he has in the past (eighth-slowest in 2021) makes Allen even more lethal both in short-areas and deep downfield.

Unless he hits a sudden interception spell against Xavien Howard this week, it will be tough to dethrone Allen’s No. 1 spot in Sportsnaut’s NFL QB rankings.

This article was originally published on Sportsnaut.com and is republished here with permission.