Grading 2021 NFL rookie QBs: Trey Lance is the only first-rounder to get a passing grade for Week 3

Week 3 of the 2021 NFL season is formally within the books, and all 5 of this yr’s first-round quarterbacks have seen the sector early this yr, albeit in several capacities. Which means it is time to take inventory of the highest rookie signal-callers. Who improved their worth after the third week of video games? Who appears a little bit shakier, with 14 extra to go?

We’re glad you requested. This is how we might grade every of this yr’s prime first-year QBs primarily based on their Week 3 efficiency:

Stats: 22 of 34 (64.7%), 219 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 68.1 ranking

These numbers — unhealthy on their very own — do not embrace two misplaced fumbles, which gave Lawrence 4 turnovers in what started as a winnable recreation in opposition to Arizona. It appears like each dialog relating to the No. 1 choose should be prefaced with a reminder that Jacksonville is rebuilding, and Lawrence did present some actual NFL contact on his lone landing go to Marvin Jones. However this Week 3 outing by itself was extra regarding than promising. The Clemson product nonetheless appears fairly frantic, which is comprehensible however not a present profitable method.

Stats: 19 of 35 (54.3%), 160 yards, 0 TD, 2 INTs, 42.6 ranking

Let’s begin with this: The Jets are doing him completely zero favors. Whereas Sam Darnold is cruising post-New York, Gang Inexperienced is busy undermining one other younger QB with shoddy safety and game-planning. And but Wilson is not serving to issues. His pure athleticism remains to be obvious, however he is holding the ball approach too lengthy and subsequently strolling proper into large performs for the opponent. Recklessness can work if the remainder of the offense is clicking, however that is not the case right here, leaving him as a turnover ready to occur.

Stats: 1 rush, 1 yard, 1 TD

That is sort of an inexpensive “A” contemplating Lance noticed all of three snaps within the 49ers‘ shut loss to the Packers. However that is his function with San Francisco proper now: Purple-zone runner. There is definitely an argument to be made that his athleticism would develop the 49ers’ offense underneath middle, the place some followers are desperate to journey his upside over the protected, if unspectacular, resume of Jimmy Garoppolo. As purely a situational participant, nevertheless, he is doing his job on key downs.

Stats: 30 of 51 (58.8%), 270 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs, 55.2 ranking

Jones has simply been probably the most spectacular of the highest QB picks this yr, however Week 3 was a giant actuality verify. Down early in opposition to the Saints, the Patriots determined to dial up every kind of deep photographs for a man who’s thrived extra as a short-area decision-maker, and the outcomes weren’t fairly. The blame most likely lies extra with New England than Jones, who nonetheless had some sharp darts, but when we’re gonna dock Lawrence and Wilson for his or her unhealthy conditions, we’ve got to do the identical right here. Not an amazing week for the rookies.

Stats: 6 of 20 (30%), 68 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 41.2 ranking

The one cause this is not worse is as a result of the Bears clearly did not assist the rookie up entrance, out broad or from the sidelines in what was already a tricky matchup with the Browns protection. However let’s not sugarcoat issues, both: Fields was dazed and confused from the leap, and this is identical dysfunctional offense during which Andy Dalton mustered at the very least just a few factors in opposition to the Rams and Bengals. His legs, usually touted as a giant cause to pivot from Dalton, had been no issue. Does he deserve higher? Sure. Was he good? No.