Teams show future has arrived for young QBs
The future is now.
That’s the conclusion the Bills, Browns and Cardinals all reached over the last few weeks after initially opting for conservative approaches with their rookie quarterbacks to start the season. Each team’s intended bridge quarterback struggled, and wins proved elusive. So the coaches in Buffalo, Cleveland and Arizona all decided that playing their rookies offers greater benefit rather than hoping they’ll develop in backup roles.
Now, all four quarterbacks taken in the top 10 of this year’s draft are starters. The Jets’ Sam Darnold (picked third overall) has been in the lineup since Week 1. Josh Allen (seventh) made his first start for Buffalo in Week 2. Baker Mayfield (first) and Josh Rosen (10th) will make their first starts for Cleveland and Arizona, respectively, this Sunday after taking over during last week’s games.
But how will these quarterbacks fare? Here’s a look at each team’s outlook from best to worst:
Browns
No change was met with more anticipation than Cleveland’s. Coach Hue Jackson trusted Tyrod Taylor because the veteran takes care of the football, yet the offense remained stuck in neutral with Taylor serving as a game manager. Mayfield infused the team and fan base with life after Taylor was hurt.
Before the draft, Cleveland’s talent evaluators drew comparisons between Mayfield and Brett Favre. Last Thursday, the Oklahoma product showed why. He carries himself with swagger and plays with an aggressive style that proves infectious. His gunslinger mentality enabled him and his receivers to connect on big plays that otherwise likely would not have happened with more conservative Taylor under center.
Though aggressive, Mayfield wasn’t reckless. His accuracy was on display as he completed 73.9 percent of his passes. The challenge now for Mayfield is to prove that he can remain effective when he’s facing a defense that has game-planned for him. But based on what he showed — feel for the game, pocket presence and a knack for making off-script plays — Mayfield appears to have a legitimate chance to spark the Browns to wins.
“Mayfield is a guy that can scramble and extend plays,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said on a conference call this week ahead of Sunday’s game against the Browns.
“He has incredible vision down the field. That guy has eyes on the back of his head. You have to know that he is a great creative player. ... We know that Mayfield is a great competitor and a very competitive player indeed.”
Cleveland remains a work in progress, and Mayfield isn’t a cure-all. But with his abilities and leadership, six to eight wins becomes a realistic expectation for Cleveland, multiple league insiders believe.
Jets
Like, Allen and Mayfield, Darnold has the backing of quality defense. But that’s obviously not always enough. Darnold’s collection of skill position players isn’t as deep as Cleveland’s, so that could handicap him this season.
One factor working in Darnold’s favor, however? He just might have the strongest offensive coaching staff among his peers. Coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates is well-regarded for his knowledge, creativity and skills as a teacher.
Darnold has displayed great pocket presence and has also proved resilient. The Southern California Trojans product has the ability to shrug off miscues and continue to execute. But ball security and decision-making rank high on his list of required areas for growth. Through three games, he has thrown five interceptions.
Bills
Allen showed grit and competitive fire last week as he helped Buffalo earn its first win of 2018. He did so while completing 15 of 22 pass attempts for 196 yards and a touchdown while rushing for two more scores. Allen benefited from a robust defensive effort that forced three turnovers while dismantling a normally high-powered Vikings offense.
But Allen will have to avoid youthful mistakes and take care of the football, something Taylor routinely managed to do for Buffalo last season during its playoff drive.
Allen has to prove he can be effective while shouldering a heavy load, especially when he’s not backed by a supreme defensive effort. In his first start, he completed just 55 percent of his 33 passes and threw two interceptions while getting sacked five times.
Cardinals
Rosen could wind up bringing up the rear after taking over for struggling Sam Bradford. Rosen has Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson as go-to options. However, Arizona’s roster is talent-depleted otherwise. The offense and defense rank among the bottom quarter of the league statistically.
Rosen is an intelligent and gifted athlete. However, regardless of his readiness as a starter, he will have trouble adequately masking his club’s deficiencies.
Ups, downs and growing pains lie ahead for all four quarterbacks. But what each represent for their teams is hope — something all these clubs have largely lacked at their most important position for some time.