Last season was a testament to how quarterback-needy some teams were. The idea of rookie quarterbacks learning the system while playing only a few games like the Kansas City Chiefs did with Patrick Mahomes II is apparently old news. All the five quarterbacks taken in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft played in over half of their team’s games. Four of them were a starter in over 10 games. Each of the five rookie quarterbacks played in a significant amount of their team’s games and made an impact in their rookie seasons. Now they are progressing towards becoming potential long-term starters going into their second season. Each of these second-year quarterbacks does have an obstacle that could derail any success of their personal accomplishments or with their team.
Second-Year Quarterbacks Challenges in 2019 NFL Season
Cleveland Browns Quarterback Baker Mayfield’s Hubris
2017 Heisman Trophy winner and first overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield rose to a high-level due to his explosive dual-threat playing ability. There was also a huge risk-taking Mayfield with the high-level of ego and attitude he has on and off the field. This is similar to former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel as he had the same mentality but less potential than Baker. Mayfield was chosen to be the future and, so far, his performance as a playmaker is backing it up. Last season, he threw for 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions on 310 completions (out of 480 attempts). His performance was named a part of the 2018 PFWA all-rookie team and their rookie of the year.
Mayfield now goes into year two of his NFL career with more explosive receivers. The Browns were in the off-season news for the right reasons when they traded for New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Cleveland now has a reliable young quarterback and an elite wide receiver that accounted for at least 1,300 yards in 10 touchdowns in three healthy seasons. Adding Beckham to a talented list of targets with wide receiver Jarvis Landry and tight David Njoku will boost Mayfield’s confidence and ability to test out his potential. Mayfield’s high-confidence and swagger will give the energy to help turn Cleveland into a potential playoff team. He will need control any chance of over-confidence and ego that can limit his potential as it did to Manziel.
New York Jets Fans High Expectations for Sam Darnold
It was finally time for the Jets to get a franchise quarterback after years of busts. They selected a 2017 All Pac-12 first-team player in former USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold with the third overall pick. Jets fans were happy as their team finally selected a potential “messiah” to lead them out of years of mediocrity. Things did not start off well for him as his first career pass was a pick-six against the Detroit Lions. He did lead the Jets to a 48-17 victory over the Lions. The Jets finished the season 4-12 but Darnold had a starting record of 4-9 in his first season. While he showed flashes of potential in his rookie season, he also showed that he has a lot to learn.
In his 13 starts, he accounted for 2,865 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions on 239 completions (out of 414 attempts). He accounted for the second amount of interceptions thrown throughout the regular season. Not all of this can be blamed on Darnold, however, as he was one of the few offensive players with Pro Bowl potential talent. Outside of Robby Anderson (an undrafted third-year veteran), the Jets did not have high-caliber talent. Jets fans are hoping the addition of three-time Pro Bowl running back Le’Veon Bell will provide the support for Darnold to get better and become their next Joe Namath.
Accuracy and Offense Surrounding Buffalo Bills Quarterback Josh Allen
Going into the 2018 NFL Draft, the biggest concern with former Wyoming Cowboys strong-armed quarterback Josh Allen was his accuracy. This continued to be the case throughout the 2018-2019 NFL season despite some successful moments. In the 12 games he played (11 starts) for the Buffalo Bills, Allen accounted for 2,074 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions on 169 completions (out of 320 attempts). Overall, he accounted for a passing percentage of 52.8 percent throughout the season. He was, however, an efficient rusher with his large frame. He rushed for 631 yards and eight touchdowns on 89 carries.
After one season, the Bills welcomed Allen as the main centerpiece of their offense. This is an offense that encountered more flaws than his accuracy issues. Six-time Pro Bowl running back LeSean McCoy accounted for 117 less rushing yards than Allen and with 72 more carries. Buffalo continued to develop wide receiver Zay Jones and they saw the rise of undrafted rookie Robert Foster. They did, however, encounter a failed experiment with a former first-round selection in wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. The offensive line was also a main concern as Allen was sacked 28 times. The Bills selected serious offensive draft needs in the 2019 NFL Draft in guard/tackle Cody Ford (second round) and running back Devin Singletary (third round) to surround Allen.
Timeframe Future of Miami Dolphins’ Josh Rosen
It only took one season for the Arizona Cardinals to decide that their first-round (10th overall pick) quarterback in Josh Rosen wasn’t going to be their franchise leader. Of all the rookie quarterbacks selected in the first round, Rosen had the most difficult transition to the NFL. Rosen threw for 2,278 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions on 217 completions (out of 393 attempts). He also accounted for a QBR of 26.6. Rosen’s 14 interceptions were among the fifth highest in the league last season. He also fumbled the ball 10 times. Finally, he accounted for a league-high four pick-sixes.
The Cardinals decided to go with another option at quarterback in Kyler Murray with the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Rosen was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a 2019 Draft second-round pick (62nd pick) and a 2020 fifth-round pick. He was traded to Miami to contend for the starting quarterback position. Recent reports are that he might lose out to 36-year-old Ryan Fitzpatrick. With Miami on the verge of looking for elite prospects for the 2020 Draft, they may not be set on Rosen. Miami may “contend” for the season and acquire a top quarterback prospect like Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Georgia’s Jake Fromm, or Oregon’s Justin Hebert. Unless Rosen performs more efficiently with his second team in two seasons, he may find himself on the road again soon.
Passing Development of Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson
The last pick (32nd) of the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft was probably one of the most surprising. This pick would signify many different angles of former general manager Ozzie Newsome’s last big pick. By selecting the 2016 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in Lamar Jackson, the Ravens expressed their interest in an RPO playing system. They also showed they have a time limit on former first-round pick Joe Flacco. Jackson played in every game that Flacco started as the wildcat play-caller. The Ravens made the transition of starting quarterback to Flacco to Jackson after the Week 10 bye week. Baltimore finished the season 10-6 and first place in the AFC North, securing their playoff spot. The Ravens were 6-1 with Jackson as their starting quarterback. Jackson almost led Baltimore to a victory at the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jackson accounted for 1,201 yards, six touchdowns, and only three interceptions on 99 completions (out of 170 attempts). He also rushed for 695 yards and five touchdowns on 147 carries thus averaging 4.7 yards per rush. While Jackson has shown the first steps to being a potential franchise quarterback, he has shown he has a lot of development to do as a passer. He will get the chance to develop himself into a more prestigious passer especially with the Ravens drafting former Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Marquise Brown in the first round this past April.
