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Ranking rookie QBs from NFL preseason Week 1

Can Mitchell Trubisky now win Bears starting QB job? NFL preseason Week 1
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Going from college to the pros is oftentimes a brutal transition for rookie quarterbacks, but that wasn’t the case for some during NFL preseason Week 1.

In fact, if you didn’t know better, a few rookies played so well you’d have thought they were seasoned veterans. On the other hand, the first preseason game was a wake-up call for others who struggled with the speed of the NFL game.

With that in mind, it’s time to rank the rookie quarterbacks drafted in April who played during NFL preseason Week 1.

9. Josh Dobbs, Pittsburgh Steelers

We highlighted Dobbs in our weekly winners and losers column, and it wasn’t because he was a winner. Though Dobbs did throw a touchdown pass, he also looked very lost at times, displayed erratic accuracy and threw two interceptions. Dobbs was also sacked three times for a total of 22 yards, and he didn’t look comfortable in the pocket with bodies flying around him. In short, the speed of the NFL game appeared to eat him alive in his first game.

8. Davis Webb, New York Giants

The Steelers versus Giants game was not pretty, in general. Both teams struggled offensively, as did both rookie quarterbacks. Webb, in his first action as a rookie out of Cal, didn’t do anything egregiously wrong, but he didn’t do anything particularly impressive, either. Going 8-of-16 through the air for just 67 yards (4.2 yards per attempt), Webb was unable to generate any scoring as he closed the game out on the final two drives.

7. Nathan Peterman, Buffalo Bills 

Buffalo Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman in NFL preseason Week 1

Peterman’s overall performance didn’t do a lot to give Bills fans confidence that he’s the next Jim Kelly, but there was some shine to his game. The rookie out of Pitt struggled to complete half his passes (13-of-25) and averaged 4.5 yards per attempt, finishing with 112 yards. Peterman did throw a touchdown pass on an impressive first ever NFL drive, but it kind of all tumbled downhill from there, culminating with a fumble on the game’s final drive that cost Buffalo a chance to win.

6. Brad Kaaya, Detroit Lions

Once Matthew Stafford left the game, Detroit got some pretty impressive play out of its reserves. Kaaya came into the game early in the third quarter, following up Jake Rudock, and closed out the contest with some very strong throws. All in all, Kaaya finished with 71 yards on 8-of-11 passing, and he got some help on his touchdown throw, as Dontez Ford’s run after the catch was a thing of beauty.

5. C.J. Beathard, San Francisco 49ers

Beathard got off to a rocky start leading San Francisco’s offense. His first two drives ended with a three-and-out and a blocked punt, respectively, and his accuracy was not on point. However, once he settled in, the former Iowa Hawkeye started dealing. He ended up completing 7-of-11 passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns, and he converted a gorgeous two-point attempt on a pass to Kendrick Bourne. Watching him play down the stretch, it’s easy to understand why Kyle Shanahan has been so impressed. 

4. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

It’s too early to get overly excited. But Mahomes’ first NFL game showed off his insane potential and leads us to believe Andy Reid will have to fight off the urge to bench Alex Smith at some point this season. On his first play of the game, Mahomes found an open receiver 40 yards downfield. The play was called back due to a penalty, but that matters not in terms of evaluating what Mahomes did. All told, he didn’t play much but made the most of his time, finishing with 49 yards on 7-of-9 passing with one touchdown and no interceptions.

3. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

Texans rookie QB Deshaun Watson looks strong in NFL preseason debut

It’s going to be very hard to justify keeping Watson on the sideline if he continues to show up big this preseason. During his first game, Watson showed off all the skills that made him the No. 12 overall pick, though there were a few rough patches. Namely, he is still having issues with pocket awareness and was sacked three times. Watson did great through the air, finishing with 179 yards on 15-of-25 passing. He also ran in a touchdown, showing off the versatility he brings to the table and earning the praise of head coach Bill O’Brien.

2. DeShone Kizer, Cleveland Browns

Kizer was very impressive in his first NFL game. Playing the entire second half against the New Orleans Saints, he showed some advanced stuff in the pocket, moving up to avoid pressure a couple of times, then delivering strikes down the field. He finished with 184 yards on 11-of-18 passing with an absolute beauty of a 45-yard touchdown strike to Jordan Payton. If not for the three sacks Kizer took, and that he was up against New Orleans’ defense (reserves, no less), Kizer would be the top passer on this list.

1. Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears

The Bears, whether they want it or not, have a quarterback controversy on their hands. Mike Glennon was just awful in his Bears debut. He earned a 0.0 quarterback rating (that’s bad) and threw a nauseating pick-six to open the game. Then the Bears threw Trubisky into the game for a two-minute drill to close out the first half, and he proceeded to march right down the field for a touchdown, finishing off the drive with a strike to Victor Cruz. All in all, Trubisky played a clean, mistake-free game and finished with 166 yards on 18-of-25 passing. We’re not ready to anoint him as Chicago’s savior just yet, but what he accomplished was quite eye-opening.

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