Chronicling the careers of the five quarterbacks taken in the first-round of the 2018 NFL draft. Now preparing for year five.
Josh Allen
Allen, in two playoff games last season, officially stamped himself as a franchise quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. He was already established in this position but despite a loss in the Divisional round to the Kansas City Chiefs, Allen truly arrived.
A 47-17 win in the Wildcard round saw the Bills score touchdowns on each of their first seven drives. And if it weren't for a Chiefs team that matched offensive prowess, and perhaps a change in overtime rules, Allen and the Bills would have been playing for a berth in the Super Bowl.
Allen was 48-62 in the playoffs, throwing for 637 yards and 9 touchdown passes without an interception.
The talent and efficiency basically mirrored Allen's regular season, though struggles did occur. He set career-highs in completions and attempts (409-646), while throwing for less yards (4407) and (36) touchdowns than the previous season.
Allen also had a career-high in interceptions, with 15. But, he also let his ground game doing much of the talking, racking up 763 yards (6.3 ypc) and six touchdowns.
The sky continues to be the limit for Allen and the Bills. Buffalo went 11-6 last season as Allen improved to 39-21 as a starter. The Bills, as long as Allen stays healthy and continues to put up solid numbers, should win an improved AFC East. The next step this season? An AFC Championship Game appearance, and with any luck, a Super Bowl berth. First, though, a harrowing road trip and tough schedule to open the season.
First four games: @ LAR (9/8), vs TEN (9/19), @ MIA (9/25) @ BAL (10/2)
Lamar Jackson
For the first time in his career, Lamar Jackson did not lead the Baltimore Ravens to a playoff berth.
Jackson had his fair share of struggles last season, battling injury and other health issues. Playing in only 12 games, Jackson had a 7-5 record but that came after a 6-2 start in which the wheels slowly came off the Ravens.
Jackson has a career-record as a starter of 37-12.
Playing with a limited running game, Jackson managed to put up (or was on track to) passing numbers on par with the rest of his career. He completed 64.4 percent of his passes, throwing for 2882 yards. Jackson had 16 touchdown passes but his 13 interceptions were the most of his career.
Handling the bulk of the running attack, at least in the early going, Jackson ran for 767 yards but only two touchdowns.
The Ravens start the season with an even split of road and home games, all against AFC East teams. A healthy Jackson and others should allow Baltimore to get back to their winning ways. And a fantastic season from the team could go a long way in Jackson and the Ravens finally agreeing on the long-awaited contract extension. Hopefully it's that, and not a season-long distraction for both.
First four games: @ NYJ (9/11), vs MIA (9/18), @ NE (9/25), vs BUF (10/2)
Baker Mayfield
Fresh digs was not exactly how Baker Mayfield imagined things going a year ago.
Coming off a season in which Mayfield led the Cleveland Browns to a playoff victory, the future looked bright. That mostly unraveled in 2021-22 as Mayfield battled injury and the Browns couldn't quite recapture the magic of the previous season.
That led to an offseason filled with drama and a new quarterback in Cleveland, with Mayfield eventually finding his way to the Carolina Panthers. And earning a new starting job to go with it.
Mayfield started three (plus) seasons for the Browns, compiling a record of 29-30. He went 6-8 as the starter last season, playing through a shoulder injury (among other things). Mayfield's accuracy was off at key points, and indecision and bad decisions often hampered outstanding drives.
Dropped balls were also an issue, helping stall out promising chances at scoring.
Mayfield completed 60.5 percent, with 3010 yards. He tossed 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions
A change of scenery might re-invigorate Mayfield. Plus, he has some big-name receivers and a talented running back, when healthy, to help ease the transition. This season might be Mayfield's best chance to prove he can be a consistent, above-average quarterback in the NFL. And of course, it all starts with a week 1 matchup against his former team.
First four games: vs CLE (9/11), @NYG (9/18), vs NO (9/25), vs ARI (10/2)
Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold and his string of bad luck continued in recent weeks. First, he lost out to Mayfield in the race to be starter for the Panthers.
And in Carolina's most recent preseason game, Darnold suffered a nasty high-ankle sprain and will likely miss the first 4-6 weeks of the season.
Darnold's career has been bumpy at best. Peaks of greatness have been followed by deep, deep valleys of despair. Injuries and illness have prevented Darnold from playing a full season through his first four years. He's played in a total of 50 games, starting 49 of them. Darnold is 17-32, going 4-7 in 2021-22.
A change of scenery when arriving in Carolina seemed to suit Darnold well, as he and the Panthers started off in a blaze of glory. However, struggles and injuries doomed the team and, once he made a return, couldn't quite locate that early-season mojo.
Darnold finished with a 59.9 completion percentage, throwing for 2527 yards. He also threw nine touchdown passes (five in the first four weeks) against 15 interceptions.
The running game of Darnold did take hold last season, with 222 yards and five touchdowns.
Things look bleak for Darnold at the moment. He has shown flashes throughout his career of having what it takes to be a starter in this league. Inconsistency and staying healthy have been Darnold's main obstacles to overcome. If he can find that, Darnold could have one hell of a back half of his career.
If not, the backup slot on teams will be his to lose.
First four games: vs CLE (9/11), @ NYG (9/18), vs NO (9/25), vs ARI (10/2)
Josh Rosen
Josh Rosen could soon find himself again looking for a new team.
Hopes were that Rosen could stick with the Cleveland Browns, especially with Deshaun Watson suspended for the first 11 games. A special preseason might have even seen him wrestle the starting job away from Jacoby Brissett.
Instead, Rosen struggled, was outplayed by Joshua Dobbs, and could be facing a release as teams make cuts to reach the 53-player limit.
Rosen played sparingly last season with the Atlanta Falcons, appearing in four games. He was 2-11 for 19 yards, throwing two interceptions. Rosen was never going to supplant Matt Ryan last year but a lost opportunity to perform well in blowouts was lost.
If he doesn't stick with the Browns, opportunities might be running low for a quarterback who is 3-13 as a starter. Not exactly the plan that was in place when entering the league. At best, it looks like a career as a backup for Rosen at this point. At worst, well, there's always a couple of fledgling pro leagues in the United States for Rosen to try and latch onto.
First four games: @ CAR (9/11), vs NYJ (9/18), vs PIT (9/22), @ ATL (10/2)
Follow along for the 2022-23 season and the progress of these five quarterbacks, with updates following weeks 4, 9, 13, and 18.
picture credit: Wikimedia Commons
2018 NFL draft 1st-round QBs, year 1
2018 NFL draft 1st-round QBs, year 2
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