NFL Draft: How top-3 QB picks have fared in their rookie seasons originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots are, in a word, unstable at the quarterback position.
Mac Jones’ predictable departure and Bailey Zappe’s unreliable play left the Patriots without a long-term answer at QB. Signing free agent Jacoby Brissett, known for his dependable backup status, didn’t settle the matter.
Though Jerod Mayo announced Monday that the Patriots are open to trading their third overall pick — weighing the benefits of securing additional draft picks further down the line in an attempt to steady other shaky offensive positions — he said securing a quarterback is still the team’s priority.
Should the Patriots choose to keep their No. 3 pick, they’ll be expected to pick one of the nation’s three top quarterback prospects: USC’s Caleb Williams, LSU’s Jayden Daniels or UNC’s Drake Maye.
But a Heisman-winning college career or early draft selection is no guarantee of success, especially for teams in the midst of a rebuild (just ask Trevor Lawrence or Zach Wilson).
Here’s a look at how quarterbacks drafted within the top three picks over the last 10 years have fared in their debut seasons.
Record as starter: 3-10
Rookie year stats: 2,908 yards, 58.9 CMP%, 11 TD, 17 INT, 69.5 passer rating
After being named starter ahead of Week 4 of his rookie season, the 6-foot-5 Florida native went 29-of-37 for 253 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, setting a league record for a rookie quarterback’s first start with a 78.4 percent completion rate. His impressive debut was slightly marred, however, by the four pick-sixes he tossed in his first five starts.
Throughout the rest of the season, Bortles established himself as a dual-threat QB, rushing more than 20 yards seven times that season. But he also led the NFL with a franchise record-breaking 55 sacks taken and 345 yards lost.
Record as starter: 6-10
Rookie year stats: 4,042 yards, 58.3 CMP%, 22 TD,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-draft-top-3-qb-194201377.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2024-03-26 19:42:01
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