Week 5 News! 2-2! Should we hold open auditions for OLine?

By Chris Trapasso

The rookie class is on the board! Two first-year quarterbacks were forced onto the field in Week 4, with Bailey Zappe providing the Patriots with a relief appearance after Brian Hoyer was knocked out of the game against the Packers, and Kenny Pickett replacing a benched Mitch Trubisky in the Steelers contest against the Jets.

Speaking of Gang Green, Zach Wilson made his 2022 debut, and he actually held his own on the road in Pittsburgh.

A total of six quarterbacks selected in the past two NFL draft classes -- all from 2021 -- saw considerable playing time during Week 4's action.

Let's dive deep into the individual efforts of each quarterback and assign a grade on a per-snap basis, taking every individual aspect of their performance into account. At least 10 attempts are needed to qualify for this piece, which is published each Tuesday during the NFL season.

Kenny Pickett

High-Caliber Throws:

Pickett's first completion was impressive, while rolling left with a defender in his face, he was able to throw accurately to Pat Freiermuth for 14 yards.
In the third quarter, Pickett threw with perfect placement on a back-shoulder throw down the left sideline to George Pickens.
While taking a shot up the middle early in the fourth quarter, Pickett got the ball to Freiermuth down the seam for a sizable gain.
Low-Caliber Throws/Plays:

While not the worst pass I've seen, Pickett's first NFL throw, a deep ball to Chase Claypool hung in the air forever and was tipped and intercepted.
His second interception came after retreating in the pocket and floating the ball into the flat. Way late. Should've simply been a throwaway.
Summary: About as expected for a rookie called into his first NFL action mid-game from Pickett in Week 4. Most of his drop backs gave way to easy, underneath throws, but I like that he did make some tosses at the intermediate level and down the field. His accuracy was mostly good, and his interceptions came off bad decisions.

Grade: C-
Season Grade: C-

Zach Wilson
High-Caliber Throws:

Late in the first, Wilson had a miraculous escape from multiple Steelers defenders before throwing the ball away.
On the next play, he zinged a strike from the far hash to the opposite sideline against reasonably tight coverage. Perfect timing, velocity, and ball placement.
In the third, he dropped it down almost to a sidearm delivery to rip the ball to Tyler Conklin over the middle.
On his last throw of the day, Wilson started by looking left then got all the way back to the right side of the field before finding Corey Davis for a 17-yard gain. Wasn't the most accurate throw but got there in a hurry.
Low-Caliber Throws/Plays:

While under pressure in the second, he pumped inside the pocket, then threw way too late near the numbers on a throw that was nearly intercepted.
With under a minute to go in the first half, Wilson significantly retreated in the pocket and lofted a long ball to Corey Davis that forced the wideout out of bounds.
His interception on the next play was simply an overthrow on an incredibly long throw across the field on a deep over.
Wilson also missed badly on a straight-forward throw into the flat.
Summary: Wild ride from Wilson in this contest, his first action of the 2022 regular season. He had some insane escapes from inside the pocket and flashed his arm talent throughout. But he also had a few misfires on easy throws. Overall, a solid outing, on the road, against what's been a stingy defense.

Grade: B-
Season Grade: B-