Three members of the 2024 rookie quarterback class made their NFL debuts on Sunday and shortly realized they don’t seem to be in faculty anymore. Here is how the first-rounders fared of their first NFL recreation, together with a grade based mostly on every participant’s efficiency.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
With a 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans (0-1) on Sunday, Williams grew to become the primary quarterback who was chosen No. 1 general to win his first profession begin since David Carr with the Houston Texans in 2002. Williams has his protection and particular groups unit to thank for serving to him accomplish this feat, although, because the extremely touted prospect underwhelmed in his NFL debut.
Williams, who notably mentioned he does not “get nervous” for video games throughout a latest “Hard Knocks” episode, clearly had some nerves towards a revamped Titans protection. The USC product struggled to discover a rhythm along with his receiving corps, ending the sport 14-of-29 passing for simply 93 yards and no touchdowns, fumbling as soon as whereas being sacked twice. Moreover, Williams was 0-of-6 when throwing underneath strain and 4-of-13 for 40 yards on throws of greater than 5 air yards, based on ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.
It is value mentioning that the Bears dropped a number of passes within the contest — together with one within the second quarter by six-time Professional Bowler Keenan Allen — which might’ve been Williams’ first profession passing landing. Nonetheless, Williams misfired on a number of comparatively easy passes and sometimes held the ball too lengthy in an try to make an enormous play. Williams might want to enhance shortly in these areas if Chicago hopes to have any probability of profitable its Week 2 matchup towards the Houston Texans (1-0).
Grade: D+
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Though Daniels, the second general decide in April’s draft, regarded like essentially the most snug rookie quarterback enjoying on Sunday, it is protected to say it is going to be a long season within the nation’s capital. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was the lone shiny spot in an in any other case forgettable season opener for the Commanders, who fell 37-20 by the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0).
Daniels did not make a lot of an impression by means of the air, finishing 17 of his 24 passes for 184 yards and no touchdowns. Nonetheless, it is laborious to carry the lackluster passing output from Daniels towards him, seeing as if Washington boasts one of many worst receiving corps within the NFL.
Even so, Daniels shined on the bottom, exhibiting the NFL world why he is the one participant in FBS history with 12,000 passing yards and three,000 speeding yards in a profession. The 23-year-old rushed for a team-leading 88 yards and a pair of touchdowns within the second half on 16 makes an attempt (5.5 yards per carry). As identified by Pro Football Network, Daniels had essentially the most speeding yards by a rookie quarterback in a Week 1 debut since 2000.
