Rookie Quarterback Impressions: Week 6

Story posted October 20, 2021 in CommRadio, Sports by Jakob Schnur

With Week 6 of the NFL season coming to a close, the ups-and-downs of being a rookie quarterback continued to be exhibited by this year’s rookie class.

With the adjusted 17-game schedule this season, Week 6 presented the first week of byes. Because of this, the second and third overall picks from the 2021 draft class, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance, didn’t play on Sunday, but we still got to witness four other aspiring franchise quarterbacks go to battle for their respective teams.

Trevor Lawrence

After a rocky start to his career, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft had his best game as a pro this weekend in a new environment in London, and looks to be hitting his stride.

Against the Miami Dolphins, Lawrence threw for 319 yards, his highest total since Week 1, and threw one touchdown pass while securing the first win of his young career.

However, the biggest story of this game for Lawrence is that he threw no interceptions. Through his first five games, Lawrence had eight interceptions which is underwhelming to say the least. The talent is all there, as he’s proven so far, but the key to his success will be limiting those silly mistakes.

While fans shouldn’t put too much stock into interception totals for rookie quarterbacks (Peyton Manning threw 28 his first year), if he can build off of this performance, he can inspire hope in a Jaguars fan base that hasn’t had much to look forward to in their lives. And who knows, maybe he can string together a few wins in America.

Mac Jones

The last quarterback selected in the first round, Mac Jones continued to prove the doubters wrong and play high level football against a tough Dallas Cowboys team on Sunday.

The Alabama product completed 71% of his passes this weekend and threw two touchdowns, including a 75-yarder that gave New England the lead late. The only blemish on his day was a pick six, but the interception, while credited to him, went through the hands of his intended target right into the hands of Trevon Diggs.

While the Patriots were unable to pull out the victory in this overtime thriller in Foxborough, Jones is looking more and more like a realistic successor to Tom Brady with every game.

Justin Fields

While the other two quarterbacks have been starting since day one, Fields just finished his fourth game as a starter and understandably seems to be a few steps behind them.

Against the rival Packers, Fields completed just over 59% of his passes for 174 yards and a touchdown to go along with an interception in their loss.

While this performance from the 11th pick in the draft left a lot to be desired, he deserves credit for keeping his team in the game against their biggest rival who just so happen to be one of the best teams in the league.

Davis Mills

After being selected in the third round of the draft in April, Davis Mills was not expected to start for some time, but Deshaun Watson’s legal situation and desire to be traded along with Tyrod Taylor’s injury have forced Mills to be thrust into the starting job.

The Stanford product, while showing some promise at times, has been inconsistent to say the least. In Week 5, he threw for 312 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions against a tough Patriots defense, but followed it up with a zero touchdown and two interception performance against the Colts.

As of now, Mills has shown flashes of starting potential for the future, but with the Texans sitting at a 1-5 record, it’s hard to picture them passing on a quarterback at the top of the upcoming draft.

 

Jakob Schnur is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at jks6463@psu.edu.