Wednesday 17 October 2018 14:40, UK
The NFL is a passing league.
Completions, completion percentage, passing yards, passing touchdowns, points scored, and TDs are the highest in the league's history this early in a season.
Teams are pass-happy, and quarterbacks are getting numbers like never before, particularly the young guns at the position.
Today, we ask the question: “Of all the quarterbacks taken in the last three draft classes, which one would you want to lead your franchise?” Read on below to look at the top QBs taken since 2016 and then rank them from first to worst…
Round one, first overall
"I think Baker Mayfield is this generation's Brett Favre or John Elway, if you will," Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale said this week. Elaborating, he praised Mayfield's accuracy and quick release, but also pointed to his "confidence and swag. When he comes out there, he thinks he's standing on top of the mountain."
It's high praise for this year's No 1 selection, but it's hard to argue with the comparisons from a stylistic standpoint. Mayfield has immediately come out slinging, earning the Browns their first win in 635 days when they toppled the New York Jets in Week Three and leading them to 42 points against the Oakland Raiders, albeit in a loss.
Round One, third overall
After he threw an ill-advised pass across the field on his very first throw in the NFL, which Detroit Lions defender Quandre Diggs subsequently returned for a touchdown, Darnold recovered quickly and had a tremendous Week One debut, going 16 of 21 for 198 yards and two touchdowns the rest of the way.
The rookie woes have crept in, as New York lost three straight after than opening win - putting up just 41 points in those games - but then Darnold got them back on track with back-to-back beatings of the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts. Darnold has potential, but his development may take time.
Round One, seventh overall
Allen, like Darnold, has experienced his fair share of rookie highs and lows already. In his first outing, he was not great - 18 of 33, 245 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. In his second, he went into Minnesota and had a tremendous game, completing 68 per cent of his passes and scoring three touchdowns in a shock 27-6 victory over the Vikings.
But, Week Three's shutout loss to the Green Bay Packers showcased everything sceptics of Allen had pointed out in the draft process: he was inaccurate, bad at making decisions, and held on to the ball way too long. He was sacked seven times and picked off two times in a rough outing. A Week Five win over the Tennessee Titans followed as his up and down start continued, while he was injured in the Week Six defeat to the Houston Texans. Can the pure 'arm talent' overcome the rest of his issues with time?
Round One, 10th overall
The sample size is extremely small, but if debut performances are anything to go by, Rosen has plenty of potential. The stat line - 15 of 27 for 180 yards and one touchdown - against the Seattle Seahawks in Week Fours did not do the rookie justice, as it was marred by drops and, after leading his team into field goal range with just two minutes left, a missed kick by Phil Dawson. Seattle drove down the field in response and stole the win.
But, a first NFL win swiftly followed a week later against the San Francisco 49ers. Rosen's mechanics and passing ability meant his was regarded by many pundits as the top signal-caller in a strong class, but he will need a stronger team around him - Arizona started the season 0-4 - before he gains more recognition.
Round One, second overall
Not to be outdone by draft-mate Patrick Mahomes' six-touchdown outing in Week Two, Trubisky had by far his finest game as a pro in Week Four, throwing for 354 yards, six scores, and adding 53 yards on the ground. He had thrown for just nine touchdowns in his first 15 games in the NFL, but managed two-thirds of that total in just three quarters against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Trubisky's progression has been slow, but paired with a top offensive mind in new head coach for 2018 Matt Nagy - who, coincidentally coached Mahomes as a rookie backup when offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs last season - the second overall pick from last year has shown his potential.
Round One, 10th overall
Through the first quarter of the season, Mahomes has been the talk of the NFL. He has 18 touchdown passes, just four interceptions, and a 5-1 record as the full-time starter in KC.
At the moment, he can do it all. Can he keep up this level of play over the coming weeks? He will be well on his way to an MVP season if so.
Round One, 12th overall
What Mahomes is doing this season, Watson was doing as a rookie in 2017. In a five-game stretch after taking over as a starter, Watson threw for 18 touchdowns, ran for another, and the Texans scored 33, 57, 34, 33 and 38 points. But, unfortunately, his season was cut short with an ACL injury.
This year, despite Houston's sluggish start, Watson has played very well. He might be under-rated while some other high-flying youngsters are breaking out.
Round One, first overall
Mahomes has received all the plaudits for his touchdown-scoring ability, but it's Goff who might well be the best QB in the league so far this season. He has a 69.1 per cent completion percentage, 321.3 yards per game, 12 touchdowns and a 110.9 passer rating.
He is the first player in NFL history to have 350 passing yards and a 75.0 completion percentage in three straight games - Weeks Two through Four - and the Rams are only the fifth team to score at least 30 points in each of their first five games to start a season. Three of the previous four teams to accomplish the feat reached the Super Bowl.
Round One, second overall
Goff and Wentz both had their ups and downs to start their careers and showed signs of promise. Although they both 'broke out' in 2017, Wentz had an astronomical year, leading his team to a 10-2 start to the season before they went on to win the Super Bowl in his absence with an ACL injury.
He broke the Eagles' single-season touchdown record (33) and became only the fifth QB in history to throw for 30 or more touchdowns in a season with fewer than seven interceptions. However, the Eagles have stuttered to 3-3 start in 2018 (2-2 since Wentz's return), but it appears he is beginning to remind people of his MVP capability with a three-TD performance in the Week Six win over the Giants.
Round Four, 135th overall
Although the two 2016 QBs above him are taking all the plaudits now, it was Prescott who was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned a Pro Bowl selection in his debut campaign. He threw 23 touchdowns to just four interceptions - and added six scores on the ground - as the Cowboys finished the season 13-3.
Since then, however, he has failed to live up to those standards. Last season, his touchdown tally dropped (by just one) but his interceptions rose to 13, while Dallas fell to 9-7 and missed out on the playoffs. Prescott has thrown over 200 yards just once over the first six games of 2018, and it has now been seven games since he has thrown for three touchdowns.
But, which of these QB's would you want leading your team for the next 10 years?
Have your say in our ranking list below...
