This lauded Fab Five NFL rookie quarterback class is turning out to be the real deal. Four of the five rookies have basically hijacked starting positions just three games into the season and all of them have seen action.
NFL Research on Twitter
With @josh3rosen playing Sunday, all 5 first-round QBs from the 2018 NFL Draft have played (@bakermayfield, Sam Darnold, @JoshAllenQB & @Lj_era8). It’s the 1st time in the Common Draft Era (since 1967) that 5 first-round QBs played in the first 3 weeks of their rookie season.
Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield
No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold has been the Jets starter all season and is experiencing the growing pains of being a rookie while also showing himself to be very capable of being a franchise quarterback.
Darnold got out-rookied by the emotional arrival of No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield on Thursday night after Tyrod taylor got injured, but everyone would agree that watching the two new jacks faceoff in an up-for-grabs fourth quarter gave us a glimpse into a positive future for both the Jets and Cleveland Browns franchises.
Bleacher Report NFL on Twitter
Browns will name @bakermayfield as their starter on Monday, per @MaryKayCabot https://t.co/0aABu2lVfi
Its still early in the game, but both of these guys look like the real deal and signal callers who can lead teams for the next 10 years.
Art Stapleton on Twitter
Watching Tom Brady tonight, it’s pretty clear the Patriots made a mistake when they passed on the chance to draft Sam Darnold.
Before yesterdays breakout performance, the verdict was out on Allen, who couldn’t beat out Nathan Peterman, of all people, in the preseason. In addition to his shaky preseason play, some folks were still sour on him for his racist Tweets from high school that were revealed on Draft night in one of the greatest ambushes in the history of pro sports drafts.
None of that matters after Sunday’s 27-0 win over the heavily-favored Minnesota Vikings. Allens performance was his coming out party. The No. 7 overall pick threw for 196 yards and a TD and most importantly no picks after throwing two against the Chargers in Week 2.
He had energy, toughness and showed he could fling the rock. After being labeled potential AFC East doormats, all of a sudden the Bills have hope for a winning season with the arrival of Allen, a guy they traded up in the draft to get a crack at. They are currently in a three-way tie for second with the Jets and Pats in the AFC East.
Bleacher Report on Twitter
What can’t Josh Allen do today? (via @NFL) https://t.co/nPdrWEN7a0
The Arizona Cardinals are on 0-3 and on their way to another Top 5 Draft slot, but 2018 draft pick Rosen looks ready to make an impact. The confident Rosen was sitting behind Sam Bradford whos known to be steady, reliable and complete a high percentage of passes, but the Cardinals offense ranked dead last in the NFL.
Arizona head coach Steve Wilks said the team desperately “needed a spark” and he brought Rosen in with 2:00 left and the Cardinals needing a game-winning drive against the Bears on Sunday in a 16-14 loss.
Rosen was 4-7 for 36 yards and the drive ended on a pick. He didnt get the win but he looked fearless and ready to assume the starting position on a permanent basis.
Arizona Sports on Twitter
Rosen debuted by engineering at least a breath of life – before throwing an interception. Who will Wilks go with for Week 4? https://t.co/MASur8yxtf
The only QB thats not starting going forward is Lamar Jackson, who is still a backup. He got in against the Bills in Week 1 and completed a pass for 24 yards in four attempts. Since then, Joe Flacco has been balling and the Ravens are 2-1 and tied for first place in the AFC North.
UNDISPUTED on Twitter
It just hurts my heart to watch Lamar Jackson have to trot onto the field and run some gadget play. I just don’t like it. … I would go with Lamar Jackson over Joe Flacco because I’ve seen enough.” – @RealSkipBayless https://t.co/aC3TsnaqDk
Overall, however, we learned in week 3 that this crop of rookies is ready to break out and be the future of their respective franchises sooner rather than later.
