Each of the NFL‘s six first-round quarterbacks saw their first pro snaps during the first week of the preseason. A few of those rookies played extensively in their NFL debuts, while others only received a cup of coffee during preseason Week 1.
What’s next for the NFL’s Round 1 rookie QBs? Here’s what to expect from the six first-round signal-callers in Week 2 of the exhibition season.
What Comes Next For First-Round NFL Rookie QBs?
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Week 1 stat line: 4-of-7 for 95 yards, 13 rushing yards
Caleb Williams looked like a seasoned pro in his NFL preseason debut, consistently hitting targets on the move in the Bears’ Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills.
The No. 1 overall pick used his creativity to flip a short pass to RB D’Andre Swift, who took the catch for a 42-yard gain.
“You’re a Wizard Caleb Williams” 😳
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/asoNn4j5CP
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 10, 2024
Williams shifted the pocket and appeared in control on play-action bootlegs, ran for a first down against two-high coverage on third-and-9, and placed an end zone shot where only his receiver could catch it.
“It’s good for him,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said. “It’s the fruits of his labor. He’s been working his tail off for 15 practices and then even before that all through the summer. So it’s good to be able to say, ‘Hey, all this drill work, all the things I’ve been doing, it’s paying off, and I can see improvements.’”
There wasn’t much not to like from Williams’ first NFL action. Eberflus said he expected the USC product to play roughly half of Chicago’s offensive snaps during the preseason, so Williams will likely see more playing time against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Week 1 stat line: 2-of-3 for 45 yards, 3 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD
While the Commanders haven’t named Jayden Daniels their official Week 1 starter (as the Bears have with Williams), the reigning Heisman winner is on track to be under center when Washington faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to kick off the regular season.
Daniels didn’t get many opportunities in the Commanders’ preseason debut, but he made the most of them. After missing high on an RB screen, Daniels found WR Dyami Brown for a 42-yard deep shot on a beautiful pitch-and-catch. Daniels later explained that he checked out of a WR screen and into a vertical attempt after seeing the New York Jets’ defensive look on the play.
The offense was firing on all cylinders on the first drive pic.twitter.com/cZT2U5AHod
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 11, 2024
Once Washington got near the goal line, Daniels showed off his rushing ability, scampering into the end zone for a TD on a three-yard zone read.
The Commanders likely want to give their rookie quarterback more than three preseason passing attempts, so we’ll likely see Daniels against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday.
Full-progression reads and throwing on the run might be on the docket for Daniels in preseason Week 2.
Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Week 1 stat line: 2-of-3 for 19 yards
Although the Patriots gave Drake Maye the same number of attempts as the Commanders gave Daniels, the two teams’ situations are pretty different.
Barring a complete surprise, Daniels will start for Washington in Week 1. And barring another complete surprise, Maye will not start for New England in Week 1. Giving the rookie more reps — instead of turning things over to third-stringer Bailey Zappe after one drive — might’ve made more sense for Maye.
Pats head coach Jerod Mayo defended his club’s quarterback plan after the game, noting that Maye could see more time with New England’s starters moving forward.
Zappe isn’t even a lock to make the Patriots roster, so there’s little reason for him to receive snaps instead of Maye.
The North Carolina quarterback was considered raw entering the draft; the preseason is the perfect time for Maye to see live action. Hopefully, he’ll play most of New England’s snaps against the Philadlephia Eagles on Thursday.
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Week 1 stat line: 9-of-16 for 104 yards
The Falcons hope Michael Penix Jr. doesn’t see the field for at least two years while sitting behind veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Thus, the preseason is an ideal environment for watching the No. 8 overall pick in live action.
For the most part, Penix played well against the Dolphins’ backup defense in Week 1 while seeing time on Atlanta’s first five possessions. His best throw came on the Falcons’ third drive when he found WR Chris Blair for a 41-yard hole shot down the right sideline.
Penix makes the connection downfield!
📱: Stream #ATLvsMIA on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/fJcfCmUO2x
— NFL (@NFL) August 9, 2024
Penix was pressured three times but didn’t take a sack. He’s not a mobile quarterback, but his average time to throw — 2.14 seconds — ranked fourth-best among passers with at least 10 passing attempts in preseason Week 1, according to TruMedia.
What can Penix improve on in Week 2? Full progressions and ball placement. Penix consistently went to his first read in his NFL debut, while several of his targets were inaccurate, even if they were technically catchable.
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
Week 1 stat line: 11-of-17 for 188 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 18 rushing yards
Unfortunately, J.J. McCarthy’s injury situation has overshadowed his impressive NFL debut.
On Monday, McCarthy was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McCarthy will undergo surgery, which will determine the length of his absence.
Sam Darnold is the Vikings’ unquestioned starting quarterback with McCarthy out indefinitely. While Minnesota hopes Darnold can resurrect his career under head coach and offensive play-caller Kevin O’Connell, McCarthy’s first NFL snaps were productive — making his injury all the more devastating.
#Vikings rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy has a torn meniscus in his right knee. He will undergo surgery to determine how much time he will be sidelined.
Sam Darnold is in line to start Week 1 pic.twitter.com/UmoVeR3Jo9
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 13, 2024
McCarthy’s first drive ended with an interception to Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones. Running back Kene Nwangwu was blown up in pass protection, forcing McCarthy to drift off his spot and make a mistake. It’s probably a good NFL lesson for McCarthy: don’t leave balls hanging for playmaking CBs like Jones.
Otherwise, McCarthy looked confident. He repeatedly stood in against pressure, worked with play-action, and found open receivers down the field.
McCarthy settled down as the game progressed, bouncing back from his rough start while hitting several downfield shots. He also scrambled three times, including on a third-and-5 when he evaded a sack and converted a first down.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Week 1 stat line: 15-of-21 for 126 yards, 1 TD, 17 rushing yards
Bo Nix’s first pass attempt as a Bronco almost A) got TE Greg Dulcich killed and B) got intercepted by Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross.
Thankfully, Nix’s inaugural pass was probably his worst of the day. Facing third-and-10 on the same drive, Nix demonstrated his mobility by sliding to the left to avoid pressure before finding WR Courtland Sutton for a first down.
First TD of the preseason. 🤩@marvindmims | 📺: NFLN pic.twitter.com/sIelvUk5n7
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 11, 2024
Nix throws on the well on the run, but his movement ability is a double-edged sword. The Oregon product can be too quick to exit the pocket and needs to be more confident in stepping up against pressure. Still, head coach Sean Payton won’t want to remove Nix’s creation talent.
Among the 58 quarterbacks with at least 10 pass attempts in Week 1, Nix’s aDOT ranked 36th. Those numbers won’t help him avoid questions about his willingness to go vertical, but he did attempt several downfield shots.
Nix will start Denver’s Week 2 preseason game against the Green Bay Packers and seems like the favorite to open the regular season as the Broncos’ QB1.
