National Football League

Which sophomore QB is primed for biggest leap this season?

Updated Aug. 31, 2022 2:04 p.m. ET

Sophomore seasons can often make or break NFL quarterbacks.

Signal-callers like Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow wowed in their second years as pros, while other QBs like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold cemented their status as shaky starters in Year 2.

For the group of first-round quarterbacks taken in last year's draft, the time is now to show their worthiness of their respective teams' trust. And while each is determined to excel, Nick Wright believes only a select few will.

Here's how the "What's Wright" host ranked the second-year class.

Best Year Next Season:

Trey Lance
Trevor Lawrence
Mac Jones
Justin Fields
Zach Wilson

Wright's thoughts: "If you just looked at your quarterback rating, TDs, yardage, I think [that's the order.]"

Best Overall Career:

Trevor Lawrence
Trey Lance
Justin Fields
Mac Jones
Zach Wilson

Wright's thoughts: "Because of the [Bears'] offensive line and receiver issues, I think Justin Fields is going to have real trouble having a monster year. But I think he'll still show flashes, enough to where he jumps above Mac Jones in the rankings.

"I think Trey Lance is going to have a better year than Trevor Lawrence, but I think Lawrence is going to have a good enough year, with the talent around him, that people will say, ‘OK, he’s the best.'

"I think there are two future Pro Bowl, star-level quarterbacks of these five: Lawrence and Lance. I think Mac Jones' ceiling is mediocre, Justin Fields might be screwed by the franchise, and Zach Wilson's probably screwed. He's hurt already, plays for the Jets, I don't like it."