In lieu of Week 3 takeaways, I’ve posted the first non-qualifying QB chart of the season. As of right now, only QBs with multiple graded outings qualify for the main list. To receive a grade, a QB must start the game and play at least into the second half OR relieve the starter from the bench before the end of the first quarter. A QB must have at least 5 graded games on the season to qualify for the final end-of-year chart.
+ Lamar Jackson and the new-look Ravens showed that their Week 1 explosion against the Dolphins was no fluke, and wasted little time doing so. After Arizona's first possession ended with a punt downed at the six yard line, the Ravens immediately trusted Jackson to let it fly and the second year QB completed a 15 yard first down laser with his heels in the end zone to tight end Nick Boyle on Baltimore's first offensive play. The Ravens were in the end zone six plays later. One area to keep an eye on is his rush attempts, which spiked back to 16 in Week 2 after his career-low of 4 in Week 1. Jackson is a uniquely tough and durable athlete at QB, with hundreds of college carries and hits absorbed in his past, but eventually high-volume QB carries catch up to everyone in the NFL.
+ Patrick Mahomes is yet to really hit his stride so far in 2019 but you would never know it looking at his stats or pass chart from Week 2. The superstar QB actually struggled in the first quarter in Oakland en route to an early 10-0 deficit. But Mahomes opened Q2 with a long TD bomb and continued the onslaught with three more gorgeous TDs before halftime. Three of the four 2nd quarter TDs were completed over 35 yards in the air from the line of scrimmage. While not remotely unexpected, Mahomes has been by far the most effective downfield passer in the NFL through two weeks.
+ Kyler Murray is making plus throws all over the place already in his brief time as an NFL starter and effectively moved the ball for most of the game in Week 2 against a good Ravens secondary. Murray was 7/11 on throws beyond 10 yards this week and 4/5 beyond 20 yards while also going 12/14 on quick-hitter line of scrimmage plays. The Achilles heel so far for the Cardinals? Red zone offense. Kliff Kingsbury has played it extremely conservatively inside the 10 so far this season and Murray hasn't yet found a comfort zone for making improvisational scoring plays near the goal line.
- Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears offense went from opening night let down to legitimate concern real quick after another underwhelming Week 2 performance. Trubisky completed just one 10+ yard pass the entire game against the Broncos and it came on his final attempt. 10 of his 27 pass attempts and 7 of his 16 completions were at or behind the line of scrimmage in the game. It's been blatant through two weeks how limited Matt Nagy's trust in Trubisky is as an attacking weapon in the Chicago offense.
- Kirk Cousins has hit some surprising early season struggles and is becoming an area of concern for an otherwise excellent Vikings team. His 14/32, 230 yard stat line in this critical divisional matchup at Lambeau is underwhelming at face value, but it was his inexplicable late 4th quarter red zone interception that really sunk the ship. On 1st and goal from the 8 with 5:10 left in the game and Minnesota trailing by 5, Cousins rolled back and to his right before heaving a desperation lob into the end zone from about the 20 yard line that was intercepted by Kevin King. The unacceptable error was only the period on the sentence: Kirk Cousins doesn't look right so far in 2019.
+/- Mason Rudolph and Teddy Bridgewater will take the reigns in Pittsburgh and New Orleans respectively moving forward after Week 2 injuries to Ben Roethlisberger and Drew Brees. Two of my particular favorites, each of these #2's has a chance to hit the ground running as both have been in their systems dating back to the start of last year. The biggest question for Teddy will be his ability to regain his knack for aggressive playmaking throws, the trait that got him drafted in the 1st Round in 2014 but was already missing in action toward the end of his Vikings tenure. Bridgewater also has Sean Payton favorite Taysom Hill hot on his heels for first team reps. For Rudolph, the challenge is greater as his team is worse and his experience much more limited. His legendary work ethic is already well documented during his time in Pittsburgh however and he will have an interesting opportunity to reignite his explosive collegiate connection with wideout James Washington over the course of the season.
+ Lamar Jackson and the Ravens enjoyed an ideal Week 1 scenario against a sorry Dolphins team. Yes the defense was horrible, but Jackson flashed in crucial areas and should tremendously benefit from the confidence-building performance. He was accurate, effective attacking the middle of the field and comfortable launching over the top, leading to an essentially unstoppable passing combination. The most exciting part of all? Only 3 rush attempts. Jackson had double-digit attempts in each of his 7 starts last season.
+ Dak Prescott has never looked so comfortable leading the Dallas passing attack. Not only have the good times since the acquisition of Amari Cooper appear to have carried over into this season, the emergence of Michael Gallup and the return of Jason Witten have them looking even stronger. Dak at his best has always been a precision operator inside of ten yards and 23 of his 32 throws against the Giants were ten yards or shorter from the line of scrimmage. The real question with him is his willingness and effectiveness attacking further down the field. In Week 1, Dak was 8/9 with 3 TDs when completing it ten or more yards down the field.
+ Week 1 can be a liar, but Carson Wentz appears to be back on his MVP-caliber form of two seasons ago. Wentz had an extremely accurate afternoon in leading Philadelphia back from and early hole against Washington and hooked up with returned Eagle DeSean Jackson for two TD bombs. Even more impressive was his ability to responsibly navigate his naturally individual playmaking style while still protecting himself. Wentz extended plays all day but only took one sack and gained only 5 yards on the ground. It’s an extremely promising area of development and one in which Deshaun Watson still struggled in Week 1.
+ It’s been a few years since we had a truly random QB underdog story but Gardner Minshew has a real chance to stick as the Jaguars QB this season. Minshew was shockingly accurate in relief of Nick Foles but most impressive was his ability to operate in the timing of the offense. His Week 1 processing speed was frankly higher than several more experienced QBs and he flashed enough arm as well to go 5/5 with 2 TDs throwing 10 or more yards downfield. Obviously, the Chiefs were surprised to see him and the real challenge will begin now that teams will be specifically preparing for the rookie QB week-to-week.
Results of Round 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft, including value scores for each pick and updated board for Day 2.
A collection of Duke QB Daniel Jones’ most notable throws for 2019 NFL Draft evaluation, with analysis.
A collection of Missouri QB Drew Lock’s most notable throws for 2019 NFL Draft evaluation, with analysis.
Mock Draft 1.0
Complete measurements for each QB participating in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.