NFL Rookie Quarterback Watch: How Did Caleb Williams, Rookie Quarterbacks Play in Preseason Debuts?

NFL history was made during the 2024 NFL Draft when six quarterbacks were taken in the first 12 picks of the draft. The only previous draft that saw six quarterbacks off the board in the first round of the draft was during the 1983 NFL Draft. This year’s class saw six quarterbacks off the board in not just the entire first round but within a record 12 picks.

All six first-round quarterbacks — along with multiple quarterbacks selected later in the draft — made their debuts during Week 1 of the preseason, in what each fanbase hopes will just be the start of a successful career for their new franchise quarterback. Statistically, that won’t be the case.

In the best quarterback draft classes, three or even a rare four quarterbacks become solid or great starting quarterbacks. For all six to work out would prove unprecedented.

While one preseason game won’t necessarily mean much in the long run of how each quarterback’s career goes, here’s a closer look at how each quarterback fared in their debut.

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

The No. 1 overall pick out of USC lived up to high expectations in his much-anticipated debut. The Bears did not punch the ball into the end zone in Williams’ first NFL action, but the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner showed off the playmaking ability that made him the top prospect at the position.

Williams made his most impressive throw of the day when he completed a 26-yard pass to tight end Cole Kmet while rolling out to his right and throwing across the body. The angle and accuracy of the pass with pressure coming at him demonstrated the difficulty Williams can pull off.

He also impressed on third down, earning his first completion on 3rd-and-long and converting another 3rd down with his legs.

Williams finished 4-7 (including a couple of drops) for 95 yards. He added one 13-yard carry.

Jayden Daniels, Washington Daniels

It took just one throw for Daniels to hype up Washington D.C., as the No. 2 overall pick and reigning Heisman Trophy launched a 42-yard pass down the right sideline to Dyami Brown. Daniels placed the pass perfectly in his receiver’s hands even with Brown facing tight coverage from the Jets’ defensive back.

Daniels capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown run, showcasing the legs that helped him rush for over 1,000 yards in college.

Daniels attempted just three passes in his debut, finishing 2-3 for 45 yards and the three-yard rushing touchdown.

Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Like Daniels, Maye only attempted three passes and saw just one drive on the field. Unlike Daniels, who made a statement with his deep pass down the sideline, there wasn’t much to take away from Maye’s first action. The No. 3 overall pick out of North Carolina finished 2-3 for 19 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

The No. 8 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons, Penix was the most shocking pick in the draft. The Falcons took Penix despite signing Kirk Cousins to a huge $180 million deal this offseason, and ideally plan to sit Penix for multiple seasons behind Cousins.

Penix had some highs and lows during his debut. He missed a few throws but went 9-16 for 104 yards overall. While Penix mostly connected with receivers on shorter passes, the power in his arm was evident in his debut.

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

The No. 10 overall pick in the draft cast all doubts over his arm coming out of Michigan to the side with two deep touchdown passes to preseason standout Trishton Jackson. McCarthy rebounded with the two touchdowns after throwing a rough interception on his first drive.

After that interception, McCarthy looked like a natural in Kevin O’Connell’s offense as he successfully executed play-action, intermediate, and deep throws down the field. McCarthy also impressed with a couple of plays under pressure, delivering an intermediate throw to Jackson before getting taken down, and escaping pressure to run for a first down on third-and-five.

McCarthy was pulled during the third quarter after going 11-17 for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

Like McCarthy, Nix got off to a shakier start. He nearly was picked off on his first throw and also threw an incompletion on his second attempt. The No. 12 overall pick soon found his rhythm and threw a touchdown pass to Marvin Mims Jr. His day was additionally highlighted by a 22-yard completion along the sideline on 3rd-and-long to Courtland Sutton.

Nix finished 15-21 for 125 yards and a touchdown through the air, and three carries for 17 yards.

Spencer Rattler, New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints fifth-round pick showed his grit as he rushed for a touchdown at the pylon and led a game-winning field goal drive against the Arizona Cardinals. His solid back-shoulder pass was a key throw during the Saints’ final drive. He went 9-17 for 70 yards and one rushing touchdown.

Joe Milton, New England Patriots

The New England Patriots-Carolina Panthers preseason game was intended to focus on Maye, but Milton ended up stealing the show. After Maye was limited to just one drive, Milton put on a show later in the game. Milton fired a laser of a 38-yard touchdown pass to Jaquae Jackson, going 4-6 for 54 yards and a touchdown. He also used his wheels, making Panthers defenders look silly as he ran across the backfield before going downhill for a first-down run. He finished with a total of 22 yards on five carries.

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