How 2022 NFL quarterback market will affect Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers
By Peter Panacy
49ers benefit from thin free agency, NFL Draft QB classes
Again, it’s a bad year to be in need of a high-quality quarterback.
The options under center in 2022 NFL free agency are led by the following signal-callers:
- Teddy Bridgewater
- Ryan Fitzpatrick
- Andy Dalton
- Cam Newton
- Tyrod Taylor
- Jameis Winston
- Jacoby Brissett
- Joe Flacco
- Marcus Mariota
That might have been an attractive QB class five years ago but certainly not entering 2022. None of those options should be considered as anything more than a stop-gap one-year fill-in option, or at the very least, a solid backup quarterback to an established starter.
The 2022 NFL Draft isn’t exactly chock full of top-level options either:
- Malik Willis, Liberty
- Kenny Pickett, Pitt
- Matt Corral, Ole Miss
- Carson Strong, Nevada
- Sam Howell, North Carolina
None of these prospects would have challenged the five quarterbacks taken in Round 1 of the 2021 draft, including the 49ers’ own, Trey Lance. But a thin draft class, plus the annual tradition of hyping up quarterbacks and the inevitability of teams reaching, will push at least one or two of those names into the top 10.
However, an ACC scout told Niner Noise he felt none of this year’s quarterbacking prospects showed signs of being truly franchise-changing players. Low-end starting options, perhaps, or maybe even a high-quality backup. But nothing more.
Good news for the Niners’ ability to move Jimmy Garoppolo, right?
Maybe.