Best Rookie QB today

Tony C

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Apr 13, 2000
14,444
As one of the few who defended Atlanta picking him, I'm excited to see Penix (lose his virginity/pierce that pocket -- the dick jokes are just endless, albeit endlessly dumb) debut. I'm no scout, but Penix looked to me at UW like a stud pro in the making. And you don't pass on that even if you have made the mistake of overpaying for a mediocrity. Penix has twice the arm as Cousins and, while not the most mobile QB, can at least move in the pocket and reach his RBs on hand-offs.

My good impression means nothing and he might fall on his face this week or over the final weeks of the season. If that happens, this post was never posted. But until then I'm here for it and predict good things.
 

BusRaker

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 11, 2006
3,243
Weekly update

Caleb Williams: 288/465, 61.9%, 2937 yards, 17/5 TD/INT, 87.7 rating, 58 sacks, 408 rushing yards, 0 TDs
Jayden Daniels: 277/393, 70.5%, 3045 yards, 17/6 TD/INT, 101.2 rating, 37 sacks, 656 rushing yards, 6 TDs
Drake Maye: 191/270, 68.5%, 1898 yards, 12/9 TD/INT, 88.4 rating, 27 sacks, 359 rushing yards, 2 TDs
Bo Nix: 297/467, 63.6%, 2972 yards, 20/11 TD/INT, 86.1 rating, 20 sacks, 327 rushing yards, 4 TDs

Pro-rated Maye: 303/442, 68.5%, 3011 yards, 19/15 TD/INT, 88.4 rating, 44 sacks, 588 rushing yards, 3 TDs
The 2024 QB class is certainly living up to its billing. We have to be pretty happy to tank at such an opportune time.
All part of BB's master plan (except the firing part)
 

bsartist618

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 5, 2007
858
I thought Penix looked good today. While he was known for throwing balls deep in college, he was getting it into tight gaps today. If it wasn't for his receivers juggling balls, Penix would have had a clean sheet.
 

Tony C

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Apr 13, 2000
14,444
I thought Penix looked good today. While he was known for throwing balls deep in college, he was getting it into tight gaps today. If it wasn't for his receivers juggling balls, Penix would have had a clean sheet.
I thought better than good. In total control of the offense. Can throw to 3 levels. Can avoid the rush and runs bit. Strong as an ox. He was a steal at #8 for the Falcons.
 

jk333

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 26, 2009
4,520
Boston
Could this be the best quarterback class in twenty years (2004)? Possibly forty (1983)?
I was thinking the same. Then, I was thinking that the NFL needs it to be as league-wide QB play has been poor.

Finally, worth mentioning the curious 2018 QB class. They have always had Allen and Jackson but if Darnold and Mayfield continue their career comebacks, this would be a very strong class. (Probably not quite on the 2004 or 1983 level but on a next tier)
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
56,112
New numbers, with a Penix inserted!

Caleb Williams: 314/505, 62.2%, 3271 yds, 19/5 TD/INT, 89.3 rating, 442 rushing yards, 0 TDs
Jayden Daniels: 301/432, 69.7%, 3303 yds, 22/8 TD/INT, 101.3 rating, 737 rushing yards, 6 TDs
Drake Maye: 213/315, 67.6%, 2159 yds, 14/10 TD/INT, 88.6 rating, 389 rushing yards, 2 TDs
Bo Nix: 326/507, 64.3%, 3235 yds, 22/11 TD/INT, 87.7 rating, 352 rushing yards, 2 TDs
Michael Penix: 21/32, 65.6%, 240 yds, 0/1 TD/INT, 75.0 rating, 3 rushing yards, 0 TDs
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
38,527
306, row 14
For ESPN+ subscribers, Solak makes the argument that Maye has been the best of the rookie QB's.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/43125683/nfl-week-16-solak-chiefs-offense-playoffs-patriots-drake-maye-rookies

Unbridled optimism for Maye is warranted. Sure, he hasn't been as polished as Houston's C.J. Stroud was last season, nor as field-tipping a force as Mahomes and Jackson were in their debut sophomore campaigns. But flick on the film, and the future explosion is not hard to see. If he's this good on an uphill sled, I cannot imagine how this offense would emerge with a playmaker or two. The Pats could complement all of Maye's peak plays with a few assists from, say, Tee Higgins, or give him an extra beat for downfield shots with someone like Ronnie Stanley burying blitzers.

Overall, I think this 2024 quarterback group might be historically spectacular, so this take on Maye vs. Daniels vs. Nix might end up pointless. But I won't let the Patriots' record stop Maye from getting his deserved day in the sun in this crowded rookie class. He has been at least as good -- and I'd say better -- as all of his contemporaries. And with good team building, the Patriots should be ready to vault into AFC East contention as soon as next season.
 

BusRaker

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 11, 2006
3,243
For ESPN+ subscribers, Solak makes the argument that Maye has been the best of the rookie QB's.
"And with good team building, the Patriots should be ready to vault into AFC East contention as soon as next season"
So he's implying it will take at least three years?