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Rookie QB grades: First-rounders face steep learning curve in NFL debuts
Three members of the 2024 rookie quarterback class made their NFL debuts on Sunday and quickly learned they're not in college anymore. Here's how the first-rounders fared in their first NFL game, along with a grade based on each player's performance.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
With a 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans (0-1) on Sunday, Williams became the first quarterback who was selected No. 1 overall to win his first career start since David Carr with the Houston Texans in 2002. Williams has his defense and special teams unit to thank for helping him accomplish this feat, though, as the highly touted prospect underwhelmed in his NFL debut.
Williams, who notably said he doesn't "get nervous" for games during a recent "Hard Knocks" episode, clearly had some nerves against a revamped Titans defense. The USC product struggled to find a rhythm with his receiving corps, finishing the game 14-of-29 passing for just 93 yards and no touchdowns, fumbling once while being sacked twice. Additionally, Williams was 0-of-6 when throwing under pressure and 4-of-13 for 40 yards on throws of more than five air yards, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin.
It's worth mentioning that the Bears dropped a few passes in the contest — including one in the second quarter by six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen — which would've been Williams' first career passing touchdown. Still, Williams misfired on several relatively simple passes and often held the ball too long in an attempt to make a big play. Williams will need to improve quickly in these areas if Chicago hopes to have any chance of winning its Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans (1-0).
Grade: D+
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Although Daniels, the second overall pick in April's draft, looked like the most comfortable rookie quarterback playing on Sunday, it's safe to say it's going to be a long season in the nation's capital. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was the lone bright spot in an otherwise forgettable season opener for the Commanders, who fell 37-20 at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0).
Daniels didn't make much of an impact through the air, completing 17 of his 24 passes for 184 yards and no touchdowns. Nonetheless, it's hard to hold the lackluster passing output from Daniels against him, seeing as though Washington boasts one of the worst receiving corps in the NFL.
Even so, Daniels shined on the ground, showing the NFL world why he's the only player in FBS history with 12,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a career. The 23-year-old rushed for a team-leading 88 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the second half on 16 attempts (5.5 yards per carry). As pointed out by Pro Football Network, Daniels had the most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback in a Week 1 debut since 2000.
First career TD for Rookie Jayden Daniels!
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2024
: FOX pic.twitter.com/a0IsdZnHu9
There goes Jayden Daniels
— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
: #WASvsTB on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/qdQX6oxT1M
While he didn't have much success on designed run plays outside of his short-yardage rushing touchdowns, Daniels' improvisation skills provide plenty of confidence that he can be a dynamic dual-threat talent at the NFL level. But Daniels will need Washington to keep him healthy and surround him with better talent in order for him to have a successful career.
Grade: B-
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
The 12th overall pick became the first rookie quarterback to start a Broncos opener since Pro Hall of Famer John Elway (1983). On a positive note, Nix enjoyed a more productive debut than Elway, but that's not saying much — especially considering Elway threw for 14 yards and one interception on 1-of-8 passing in his first NFL game.
Ultimately, Nix and the largely stagnant Broncos offense were the driving forces behind the team's 26-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks (1-0). Nix completed 26-of-42 passes for 138 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in the contest while adding 35 rushing yards and one touchdown on five carries. The rushing touchdown made things interesting late, as it cut Seattle's lead to six points, but it wasn't enough to make up for Nix's earlier mistakes.
Nix, who averaged a mere 3.3 yards per pass attempt in the loss, struggled when asked to throw downfield, which led to a number of incompletions and the untimely interceptions. On throws that traveled more than five yards downfield, Nix went 5-for-19 for 66 yards and two INTs, per ESPN's Brady Henderson.
At times, Nix seemed to tip his hand before throwing the ball, staring down his intended target, which was noticeable during the plays on which he threw each of his interceptions.
Love LOCKDOWN. pic.twitter.com/fyeqYzuAT1
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 8, 2024
"OH NO"
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) September 8, 2024
- @AdamArchuleta before Bo Nix's pass even landed in the Seahawks hands pic.twitter.com/8sCkVTwm17
In fairness to Nix, he might've played against the toughest passing defense of any of the trio of rookie QBs who trotted out in Week 1. However, Nix must prove he's more like the efficient game manager he showed flashes of being in the preseason or Denver could end up regretting its decision to select him.
Grade: D
More must-reads:
- Week 1 NFL losers: Bears offense looks shaky in Caleb Williams' debut, former No. 1 pick shows regression
- Week 1 knee-jerk reactions: Jim Harbaugh is back, Joe Schoen on thin ice
- The 'Most prominent quarterbacks in Chicago Bears history' quiz
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