Five quarterbacks were taken in the first-round of the 2018 NFL draft and are now at the midpoint of their fifth season.
Halfway through the 2002 season, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson continue to be the standouts among the five quarterbacks taken in the 1st-round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
And no, that's not simply because they are the only ones playing on a consistent basis (but it certainly helps).
The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens are right back among the teams battling for AFC supremacy. Buffalo (6-2) and Baltimore (6-3) lead their respective divisions and are at a similar spot they were in 2021, where the Bills were 5-3 and the Ravens were 6-2.
Buffalo is hoping for a repeat of last year, where they went on to win the AFC East and advanced to the AFC Divisional Round
Baltimore is looking to avoid a repeat of last year, where the Ravens stumbled down the stretch. Jackson missed most of Baltimore's last five games and the Ravens were merely spectators in the playoffs for the first time in Jackson's career.
Injuries are again rearing their ugly head for both teams but the next few weeks should allow for both to build momentum before heading into the home stretch.
Josh Allen
The biggest concern for Allen and the Bills at the moment is the quarterback's injured elbow. The good news is the UCL on Allen's throwing elbow is only sprained. Though he's currently listed as "day-to-day", the bad news is that Allen missed time with a similar injury in 2018.
Allen is in a two-game mini-slump, completing only 31 of 59 passes in a 10-point win over Green Bay and three-point loss to the New York Jets. The two losses for Buffalo this season have happened by a combine five points.
The loss against the Jets marked the first time in 2022 that Allen did not throw for a touchdown. Allen did have nine carries for 86 yards and two scores.
Prior to the last two weeks, Allen had been setting a blazing pace. (Did the bye week stall this team out?) Allen had four games of over 300 yards passing, and almost fifth. He's thrown for 2403 yards and 19 touchdowns but has been bitten by the interception bug, with eight so far. This puts him on pace to throw more than the 15 he threw in 2021.
Allen's completion percentage (64.1) is slightly better than last season's 63.3. He's also been sacked 16 times behind an offensive line that has been injured off-and-on this season.
Allen is also the team's top rusher, gathering 392 yards this season. Though one doesn't want to take away this attribute, seeing Devin Singletary carry more of the load might ease some of the wear on Allen.
The schedule isn't much of a cakewalk in the coming weeks. If Allen plays in all four, a 3-1 record in this stretch is perfectly acceptable. Anything less, and the final five weeks might be pressure-packed for the Bills.
Next four weeks: vs MIN (11/13), vs CLE (11/20), @ DET (11/24), @ NE (12/1)
Lamar Jackson
Jackson and the Ravens have collected three straight wins. This, despite injuries to their top two running backs, tight end Mark Andrews, and a season-ending injury to wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
The bye week comes at a perfect time as this team tries to get healthy and build off a solid defensive effort in last Monday's win against the New Orleans Saints.
Jackson is again finding ways to get things done with his feet. He's only found the end zone twice but he's collected 635 yards, almost double that of leading running back Kenyan Drake. More impressive is the 7.4 yards per carry Jackson is averaging. If this holds up, it would go as the best of his career.
Jackson's passing has been consistent, despite the injuries. After throwing at least one interception in five of Baltimore's first six games, he hasn't thrown one in the three games since. In two of those games, Jackson failed to reach 25 pass attempts and crack 150 yards but Baltimore still has found ways to win.
On the season, Jackson is completing 62.3 percent of his passes while throwing for 1768 yards. He has 16 touchdown passes and six interceptions, with already 20 sacks taken on this year's resume.
After the bye week, Baltimore comes backs with three very winnable games. This would set them up in prime position, with a playoff spot firmly in view.
Next four weeks: BYE, vs CAR (11/20), @ JAX (11/27), vs DEN (12/4)
Baker Mayfield
A fresh start with the Carolina Panthers has been a disappointment so far for Baker Mayfield.
An injury to his ankle derailed an already tough beginning in a week five loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Mayfield sat out the following three weeks, acting as a backup to PJ Walker.
And, even in a decent showing in relief of Walker in a 42-21 loss in week nine to the Cincinnati Bengals, Mayfield will again be the backup this week against the Atlanta Falcons.
Mayfield had his best game of the season, completing 14-20 for 155 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. He's thrown for 1117 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt (the lowest of his career). Mayfield has thrown over 200 yards only twice in 2022, with six touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Panthers essentially tore everything down midseason, with the trade of Christian McCaffrey and the firing of head coach Matt Rhule. Mayfield, barring a major turn of events, will likely see the field again this season.
Injuries have plagued Mayfield the last two years as he looks to recapture that All-Pro worthy season of 2020. But there remains an opportunity for him to prove himself as a valuable player and teammate, and if that happens in '22, it best be an opportunity not wasted.
Next four weeks: vs ATL (11/10), @ BAL (11/20), vs DEN (11/27), BYE
Sam Darnold
The debut for Sam Darnold could arrive sooner rather than later for the struggling Carolina Panthers (2-7).
Carolina activated Darnold for the first time in 2022. Though it might not come in week 10, with Walker getting the start, a chance to get Darnold some reps could be on the horizon. It's hard to imagine him not getting any playing time this season, unless Walker shines or Mayfield gets on the field and stays healthy as well as being productive.
Darnold has the tools to still be a starter in the league but that window is quickly closing, especially for a player that hasn't played a full season to date.
Next four weeks: vs ATL (11/10), @ BAL (11/20), vs DEN (11/27), BYE
Josh Rosen
Josh Rosen spent the first six weeks of the 2022 season on the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns. In early October, with the suspension of quarterback Deshaun Watson close to coming to end, Rosen was released by the Browns.
A free agent, it could be until the offseason that Rosen gets another shot, if indeed that happens. While the on-field product wasn't too great since his arrival in the NFL, Rosen also was given up on rather quick in both of his starting opportunities. Perhaps a career as a backup still awaits but for now, it truly is a waiting game.
Follow along in following the careers of these five quarterbacks, with the next update coming after week 13 of the 2022 season.
photo credit: Flickr
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