NFL rookie quarterbacks: Ranking the preseason debuts of first rounders

Five quarterbacks were taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, the second-most in history. The rookie quarterbacks made their NFL preseason debuts, including the top three picks in the draft: Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance.

Pro Football Focus released grades for all five of the rookie first-round quarterbacks in their first bit of NFL action. Here are how they ranked, from five to one.

5. Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers (48.8)

Lance finished 5-of-14 for 128 yards passing and a touchdown in a 19-16 loss to Kansas City. That doesn’t look like a bad stat line at all, though the completion percentage could be higher.

His low grade here comes from a few of what PFF deemed “turnover-worthy plays” and sacks that Lance took. His lone touchdown was an 80-yard bomb to Trent Sherfield; so he had great and bad moments.

Although he had the worst NFL preseason debut of the rookie quarterbacks, it was only one game. Don’t read too much into the poor grade for the No. 3 overall pick.

4. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (58.7)

It’s surprising to see the No. 1 overall pick this low on the list. The former Clemson quarterback won the national championship in 2019.

He played only 15 snaps, so didn’t get a chance to fully showcase his capabilities. He completed a 35-yard pass to Marvin Jones, but also took an unnecessary sack and fumbled the ball (though he recovered). He finished 6-of-9 for 71 yards passing

If we got more from Lawrence, his grade might be higher but as it stands it was an up-and-down performance.

3. Justin Fields, Chicago Bears (64.0)

Fields put up the gaudiest numbers of the NFL’s rookie quarterbacks in his preseason debut. The former Ohio State Buckeye led two touchdown drives in a 20-13 victory against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday. He finished with 170 total yards as well as a touchdown apiece through the air and on the ground.

His 14-of-20 passing numbers were also extremely efficient.

He did, however, fumbled the ball and throw a pass that was nearly intercepted. He also took the longest time of the five rookies to throw, something else PFF docked him for.

2. Mac Jones, New England Patriots (79.5)

The quarterback situation in New England is certainly interesting. Cam Newton apparently has yet to hear from coach Bill Belichick that he will start in week one.

That put a lot of pressure on Jones in his NFL debut, which was essentially a tryout to be the starter. He was very efficient, going 13-of-19 for 87 yards passing. He also didn’t commit a turnover-worthy play all game.

Is Jones good enough to start for the Patriots?

1. Zach Wilson, New York Jets (80.3)

Wilson was the quickest to throw the ball of all five first-round rookie quarterbacks, getting rid of it in 2.4 seconds on average. He finished 6-of-9 passing for 63 yards in just 22 snaps.

The Jets traded Sam Darnold to make Wilson the starter. If his preseason debut is any indication, he will be the best of the NFL’s rookie quarterbacks