The first week of NFL preseason action always comes with this promise: Fans get to see the future of the quarterback position right away, even in brief action.
Though the sample size was small, members of the stacked 2024 QB class put on a show when thrust onto the football field. From Caleb Williams to Jayden Daniels to even Day 3 selection Joe Milton, here’s a recap of how each rookie passer has fared.
Caleb Williams Puts on a Show: ‘Makes it Look Effortless’
It took two preseason games for the Chicago Bears to throw Williams out on the field as he didn’t play in last week’s Hall of Fame Game.
The top overall pick, however, wasted no time throwing darts against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.
Caleb Williams with a dart 🎯 for his first NFL completion
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/mDMNYTO428
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 10, 2024
But then he pulled off some wizardry — somehow completing this pass with a defender’s hand in his face.
“You’re a Wizard Caleb Williams” 😳
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/asoNn4j5CP
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 10, 2024
Even Chase Daniel, a former NFL quarterback and current analyst for The Athletic, couldn’t help but marvel at the play of Williams — including saying how the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner “makes it look effortless” on this deep completion.
This is NOT an easy throw…Caleb Williams makes it look effortless pic.twitter.com/Www17vbD2s
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) August 10, 2024
Williams ended the day completing 4-of-7 passes for 95 yards, plus added 13 rushing yards in the Bears’ 33-6 romp in Western New York.
Williams wasn’t the only one firing on all cylinders from this famed ’24 class.
Jayden Daniels Goes Off Right Away
The No. 2 overall pick for the Washington Commanders walked in paying tribute to franchise legend Doug Williams by wearing his jersey.
Daniels then proceeded to deliver his “Welcome to the NFL” moment with this explosive 42-yard bomb.
Welcome to the NFL Jayden Daniels🫡 pic.twitter.com/ekO9Q2Pphg
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 10, 2024
Daniels capped off that drive by calling his own number and scoring a rushing touchdown.
Another former Washington star and past Heisman winner, Robert Griffin III, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to rave about Daniels following that completed deep pass.
FREE: Subscribe to PFN’s NFL Newsletter
“It’s fitting that Jayden Daniels’ first preseason completion was on a deep ball and his first touchdown was on a QB run. He was the most explosive passer and runner in all of college football last year. THAT’S HOW YOU HEISMAN,” Griffin, the ESPN personality, posted.
Daniels went 2-of-3 on that opening drive for 45 yards to go along with the 3-yard rushing touchdown in a 20-17 Jets win.
Daniels, though, had a 109.7 passer rating on the day.
Justin Jefferson Impressed by J.J. McCarthy Showing
J.J. McCarthy earned one loud fan in his NFL preseason debut: All-Pro Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
The quarterback’s future target wasn’t on the field when McCarthy tossed his first touchdown. Yet, Jefferson was heard loud and clear from the sidelines on this touchdown.
"GOT 'EM! (x4)" – @JJettas2
The @vikings WR1 saw the @jjmccarthy09's 2nd TD right away 🔥
📺: #LVvsMIN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/C7Ntlq01sj— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2024
Unlike Williams and Daniels, the 10th overall pick got more extensive action and ended his afternoon throwing 11-of-17 for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
McCarthy helped Trishton Jackson turn in a four-catch, 100-yard day. McCarthy also hit Trent Sherfield Jr. for his second TD pass in the 24-23 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Bo Nix Flashes in Backup Debut
For Denver Broncos’ first-round pick Bo Nix, he didn’t get the start in his pro debut, Jarrett Stidham did. With Stidham getting most of the work with the starters, Nix got most of the first half and third quarter. He left the game finishing 15-of-21 for 125 yards and one touchdown. He also had three rushing attempts for 17 yards, including an 11-yard run.
Nix didn’t do a ton of downfield, impressive passing. However, he led the Broncos to points on four out of the five drives he played: Two field goals, two touchdowns.
His most impressive play came in the redzone, when he threw a one-yard touchdown to Marvin Mims Jr. on 3rd & 1. Nix’s two rushes on that drive, for six and 11 yards respectively, were also key in moving down the field.
Bo Nix ➕6️⃣
The 12th overall pick finds Marvin Mims Jr. for the @Broncos first TD of preseason!
📺: #DENvsIND on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/8CTfxfIP7Y— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2024
Patriots Witness Different Rookie Star in Debut
The New England Patriots happen to turn to more than one rookie quarterback on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers.
While much of the anticipation was for third overall selection Drake Maye, it was the 193rd pick, Joe Milton III, who impressed the most.
The rookie from Tennessee completed four passes out of six attempts, racking up 54 total yards. But he was right on target on this throw that got his name trending on social media.
Joe Milton with a dart 🎯 for a @Patriots TD!
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/8PKXv1oSuF
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 9, 2024
Daniel was in awe of Milton’s performance, even tweeting out, “maybe the reports of Joe Milton having a better camp than Drake Maye are true.”
Could this cause a renewed QB conundrum in Foxborough? Milton cleared the air there with PFN Patriots reporter Dakota Randall after his epic, surprising debut.
“I mean, I feel like we’re both humble enough to be centered and just go out there and do what we can do, and just put our best foot forward every day,” Milton told Randall. “… I feel like that’s the only thing we can do.
” … I don’t feel like Drake, neither do I, look on social media and look up stuff for that. I feel like we’re both just so focused on being where our feet are at right now.”
As for Maye, he only threw three total passes — completing two for just 19 yards.
Michael Penix Earns Rave Reviews Despite Falcons’ Offensive Struggles
PFN Dolphins reporter Adam Beasley mentioned the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons combined for 45 incompletions. He later described both passing attacks as ugly.
Michael Penix Jr., though, looked nothing like the “U” word and drew rave reviews from the NFL world.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
NFL Network analyst and former offensive lineman Brian Baldinger became a fan of Penix’s deep touch.
.@AtlantaFalcons @themikepenix had a nice debut. Has the same goid touch on his deep ball that we saw @UW_Football #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/Yvt0jKUz4c
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 10, 2024
Daniel pointed out how Penix carried his accuracy from his Washington days over to the Hard Rock Stadium field. The No. 8 pick of the draft finished 9-of-16 for 104 yards in Miami’s 20-13 home win.
The lone first-round rookie QB who didn’t play between Aug. 8-10 was Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos. But the 12th pick of the 2024 draft is expected to line up against the Indianapolis Colts for their preseason contest on Sunday.
Join Theo Ash: Your Football Opinion
Listen to the Your Football Opinion with Theo Ash! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Find us on the Pro Football Network YouTube Channel!