The upcoming draft class has a plethora of quarterbacks in it, and here are the top six best NFL teams for each incoming rookie.
It is no secret that the quarterback is the most important position for any given NFL team. While strong defenses and built-up offenses are important, plenty of teams have possessed both and still been non-contenders.
Just think what Tom Brady did for the Buccaneers, turning them into an elite team after years of mediocre quarterback play. With the draft featuring six top quarterbacks, every team should be keeping an eye on who may be the next franchise quarterback from this class. Here are the top six rookie quarterback’s best NFL team fit for 2022.
Best NFL fit for Sam Howell: Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a team in a weird spot. They have a fine roster, and one capable of winning (as evident by their early success this past season), but they needed a quarterback that could do more.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an obvious choice for them at quarterback in this draft class, but if they were willing to wait an extra season, Sam Howell would make a lot of sense.
Howell had a down year due to most of his offense leaving for the draft. That said, he has still flashed the ability to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.
He can make plays with his legs and can hit on most passes. The Broncos possess some good offensive weapons as well as reuniting Howell with his college running back in Javonte Williams. It may take some time, but Howell would do well in a Broncos offense filled with talent.
Best NFL fit for Desmond Ridder: Tennessee Titans
The Titans aren’t exactly looking for a quarterback this offseason, but if the opportunity presents itself, they should look at getting better t the position. While Ryan Tannehill has had a career resurgence with the franchise, he showed a lot of regression this season.
While he will stick with the team through next season, long-term the Titans will have to look elsewhere.
An interesting fit for their offense would be Desmond Ridder. The Bearcat was electric during his time in college, and now he seeks to have a similar impact at the NFL level. He has great athleticism for a quarterback and has the ability to do damage through the air.
Unfortunately, his accuracy has proven to be an issue and he would greatly benefit in an offense where the run game is the focus.
No offense fits him better than the Titans. If he were drafted there, he would have a season to sit behind Tannehill and get ready or an NFL defense. Meanwhile, he would be functioning in an offense that features the best running back in the game.
He wouldn’t be lacking targets either, as A.J. Brown is an ascending receiver that could be a security blanket for Ridder. While he wouldn’t start right away, he is a nearly perfect it or the Titans in this draft.
Best NFL fit for Carson Strong: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brady shocked everyone this offseason by announcing his sudden retirement. Without him, the Buccaneers were one of the most mediocre teams in the league, but his consistency and talent made this team an instant Super Bowl contender.
With their salary cap space not great, this team will have to find a new franchise quarterback on the cheap.
With their offense as good as it is, adding a rookie like Carson Strong could be a solid move for the team. Strong has the arm strength and accuracy to make any throw at the NFL level. His main issue is his mobility, as he is essentially a statue in the pocket.
In a league where quarterback mobility is almost required, Strong’s fit with a team is very much in question.
That all said, it isn’t like Brady was some sort of mobile quarterback. The Buccaneers have a great line and a slew of receiving targets even if Chris Godwin departs this season. Strong would have time to sit back in the pocket and pick apart a defense.
While his mobility is a real concern, the Buccaneers were successful without a mobile quarterback. They could find similar success with Strong at the helm.
Best NFL fit for Matt Corral: New Orleans Saints
Matt Corral is a really interesting name in this draft class and one that I frankly can’t figure out as a prospect. He developed as a passer at Ole Miss and cut his turnovers back substantially, but one could easily argue that he was a beneficiary of the system he was in more so than what he was doing as a developing passer.
That said, his quick timing and sharp accuracy should be appealing to an offense that doesn’t need to go deep often.
The best NFL fit I came up with was the Saints. Not known for their aggressive downhill passing attack, Corral should be able to be used in a similar way as he was used in college. He can run a lot of options with Alvin Kamara in the backfield and target Michael Thomas in the short passing game. Offensively adding Corral makes sense.
The biggest counter to this has less to do with Corral and more to do with the Saints in general. New Orleans is almost $75 million over the cap right now. This means a slew of veterans are going to be cut and this roster will essentially be gutted. They may just opt to wait a season, tank due to their losses, and start again in 2023.
If they want to get their quarterback this offseason though, Corral makes the most sense.
Best NFL fit for Malik Willis: Pittsburgh Steelers
While the Steelers need a lot more than a quarterback to succeed, they appear to be infatuated with Malik Willis. It isn’t hard to see why, as the former Liberty product has been impressive at the Senior Bowl despite struggling last year in college. He has all of the tools to be a great NFL quarterback, but his competition level and lack of dominance at that level leaves him with question marks.
In terms of what the Steelers want in a new quarterback, Willis fits the bill. He has the mobility that Mike Tomlin has made clear he wants, and he has the second-best arm in the draft behind Strong.
His decision-making, technique, and adjustment to NFL competition will lead to a lot of growing pain, but if everything comes together for Willis, he should easily be the best quarterback from this class.
Why do the Steelers make a good fit for Willis? Beyond just their fit matching up well, the team is one of the more patient ones in the NFL. Players like Bud Dupree and even Terrell Edmunds were given ample time to develop despite early struggles.
With Mason Rudolph under contract through next season as well, Willis can take his first season to get acclimated before jumping into the game. The fit and the team’s patience make Willis to the Steelers the best bet.
Best NFL fit for Kenny Pickett: Atlanta Falcons
Pickett is essentially the opposite of Willis. He is the most NFL-ready quarterback in this class, but he lacks some of the traits that would make him an elite quarterback. He needs to go to a team that is relatively built already and that he can go in and lead. While there will be some more development there still, Kenny Pickett could realistically lead an offense in his rookie season.
The Falcons are one such team. While there are still quite a few questions surrounding their roster, it was pretty clear that Matt Ryan is beginning to hold this offense back. They need their future at quarterback, and if Pickett falls to them, he should be their guy. He would have quite a few weapons to choose from and would have a decent line blocking for him.
While the Falcons would still need to get better elsewhere, Pickett makes sense for this team. He would likely become the rookie of the year throwing to Kyle Pitts and potentially Calvin Ridley. While he wouldn’t solve all of their problems, he would be a huge get for them. It would signal their new era at quarterback that they desperately need.
This quarterback is lacking a true start, but each of the top six has traits that can lead to NFL success. It will likely depend on what team they end up with, but if they find their way to an offense that best fits their style, any of these players can succeed. As of now, these seem to be the best fit for each of the top quarterbacks in this class.