NFL 2018: Ranking the new QB situations for 2018 season

The 2018 off-season began even before the Super Bowl 52 was played. The Washington Redskins agreed to trade for quarterback Alex Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs in late January thus resetting the QB market even before the season ended. Two teams already had two new quarterbacks before the Eagles could beat out the defending champions in February.

The trade freed the embattled ex-Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins to sign with the Minnesota Vikings in Free agency. The Vikings, who made it to the NFC Championship game, had three starting-caliber quarterbacks and let them all hit the free agency and signed Cousins to a first-ever full guaranteed contract.

Weeks prior to the start of free agency it was obvious that the Cousins-Vikings marriage is inevitable, which prompted the MVP of Vikings season Case Keenum to struck a deal with Denver Broncos even before the Cousins deal was finalized. This Keenum deal started the domino effect with many teams that are in the QB market started making deals.

Cleveland Browns traded for Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills, one of many trades they made this offseason. Arizona Cardinals signed Sam Bradford, New York Jets Signed Teddy Bridgewater and then traded him to the New Orleans Saints after an amazing preseason. AJ McCarron signed with the Bills and got beat out by rookie Josh Allen to become the starter which prompted the Bills to trade him to Oakland.

Speaking of rookies, the 2018 draft had as many as Five QBs taken in round 1. By Week 4, four of the 5 are starting and the fifth QB is already seeing some game action in trick plays.

Including both the Veterans and Rookies, there are as many as Eight teams who had new Quarterbacks starting for them this year. Let's take a look at how these QBs fared so far with their new teams.

Let's start with a Bonus player, the man who took the league by surprise and then crash landed in week 4:

---

BONUS: Ryan Fitzpatrick (2-2)

Oh, where to start. When I first started to think about this article after week 2, I had him competing for the number 1 spot with the current number 1 and then week 4 happened and the head coach Dirk Koetter has announced that Jameis Winston will be starting after the week 5 bye.

Since, FitzMagic is just a placeholder for Winston, who was serving his 3-game suspension, I decided not to include him in the rankings but thought he deserved a shout-out for his performance through the first three weeks. He went 2-2 in his starts when no one expected him to be anything better than 1-3.

He faced three playoff teams from last year and went 2-1 in those games and came close to being 3-0 while trying to make an epic comeback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 3. He posted 400 yards in each of his first three games, an NFL record.

But week 4 proved why Fitzpatrick is who he is, a journeyman quarterback. The four-game stretch should help him get more money in the next offseason and will be a highly paid backup QB.

#8 Josh Rosen/Sam Bradford, Arizona Cardinals (0-4)

Two teams have already started two quarterbacks who were not on their roster last season, one of them is Arizona Cardinals. Cardinals, who saw both their quarterback and head coach retire after last season had a complete overhaul in coaching and QB room. The added three quarterbacks including Mike Glennon.

Sam Bradford, who is coming off injuries, signed a 1 year 20 million dollar contract and became a presumed starter. But, the Cardinals are off to a terrible start losing out in all the three starts prompting the change to go with the rookie Josh Rosen. Bradford in his three starts completed 62.5% of his passes for 400 yards and two touchdowns. But, he also had four INTs to his name.

Bradford, couldn't move the ball well under Mike McCoy's game plan. He struggled in the first 2 games where the offense only scored 6 points in total. He started off well in the Week 3 matchup against the Chicago Bears where he tossed two TDs to start the game, but then couldn't find the momentum in the rest of the game which paved the way for the rookies Josh Rosen to come in the fourth quarter and try to win the game which was a very close contest.

Rosen was named starter for week 4 and quietly had an impressive debut. Rosen probably threw for only 180 yards but kept the Cardinals in the game without making any stupid mistakes. Cardinals eventually lost to the Russell Wilson's Seahawks, but had a glimpse of their bright future. The Cardinals running game needs to be picked up. The O-line has been one of the worst in the league, which handcuffed one of the elite tailbacks in David Johnson.

This Cardinals offense reminds me of 2016 Rams team which made Todd Gurley, Jared Goff and Case Keenum do nothing. This Cardinals offense is doing the same to David Johnson, Josh Rosen and Larry Fitzerald. Look for a coaching change to come this off season even though it is the first season as a head coach for Steve Wilks, at the very least the OC needs to be changed.

With the correct play caller, this offense is capable of some high flying action ala Chiefs, Rams and the Texans.

#7 Josh Allen/Nathan Peterman, Buffalo Bills (1-3)

Buffalo Bills had one of the strangest QB competition in NFL this offseason. They had three quarterbacks in the battle for the starting spot during the training camp. All thought that it would be AJ McCarron but instead as the preseason approached McCarron became third stringer and expendable, thus his trade to Raiders.

The Bill surprisingly announced Nathan Peterman over the rookie Josh Allen as the starter for week 1, but Peterman repeated his first start performance from last year when he threw for 5 picks. He threw 2 picks and scored nothing, which led for the rookie Josh Allen to take the reigns.

Allen in his three starts the next three weeks, completed only 53.4% of passes throwing just two touchdowns with four picks. His best game came in week 3 when the Buffalo Bills stunned the world by beating the Minnesota Vikings. Allen had three total TDs, 2 of them coming on the ground, showing off his athleticism in that game. But, he came back to earth in week 4, throwing 2 picks against an average Packers defense.

Allen, as expected, is raw and playing like a typical rookie. In an ideal scenario, he could use a redshirt season before taking over the reigns like Patrick Mahomes, but he did not have the luxury of learning under someone like Alex Smith, instead, the situation has thrust him into starting role early. He is going to have some growing pains but if week 3 is any indication he is going to be big in long term.

#6 Baker Mayfield/Tyrod Taylor, Cleveland Browns (1-2-1)

This is the second team in the list that already had two starters who were not on the roster last season. The Browns traded for Tyrod Taylor during the offseason. A month later the Browns picked Baker Mayfield with the number 1 overall pick.

Mayfield was supposed to be redshirted this season with Taylor holding the place for the year at least until the Browns are out of Playoff contention. But with Taylor's concussion in Week 3 Thursday Night matchup against the Jets, Mayfield came in late second quarter and helped Browns mount the comeback and give the franchise its first win in 17 games.

Browns had a great start to the season, mostly thanks to the defense which stifled Ben Roethlisberger in Week 1. Drew Brees also had a tough time playing against this defense. Browns started 0-1-1 in the first two weeks and entered week 3 as favorites for the first time in almost two seasons.

Tyrod Taylor apart from a couple of plays had a tough start to his Browns tenure. That bad form continued in week 3. The first half of that game was unwatchable with Tyrod under center. But, when Mayfield came into the game, the dynamics changed. Browns offense is fun to watch after a very long time, He made the plays that Tyrod Taylor would hesitate to do.

Mayfield brought the life back into the Browns fans. The stadium was lit during the Second Half. That Second Half started a new era in Cleveland Football History. Mayfield was named a starter for Week 4 and beyond as expected. On his first start though Mayfield came back to earth against the Oakland Raiders.

Mayfield threw for two touchdowns but also had four turnovers which resulted in 21 Raiders points. Mayfield showed off his athletic skills, but also showed it was premature to make him a HOF player after that amazing second half in week 3.

It is going to be interesting to see how the Browns and Mayfield will continue the rest of the way in all of a sudden new look AFC North that has Steelers tied at the bottom of the table instead of the top.

#5 Sam Darnold, New York Jets (1-3)

Darnold was the only rookie quarterback who was named the starting quarterback prior to week 1. He had to earn the job in a battle with Teddy Bridgewater. Both Darnold and Bridgewater had a good preseason leading the Jets to trade Bridgewater to Saints and announce Darnold as a starter.

Unlike other rookies, Darnold had an impressive start to his career. He completed 76% of his passes for 198 yards, 2 TDs and a pick with an impressive 116.8 rating. But after that, he came back crashing to earth. He had 4 more INTs to only 2 TDs in the remaining three games.

Darnold had his first career game without any interception in week 4 against a very good Jacksonville Jaguars defense. That should be considered a minor victory for a rookie QB who is struggling after a strong start.

Unlike other quarterbacks, Darnold isn't surrounded by high flying talent. His receivers and the running backs are well below league average. In order to succeed long-term, the Jets need to provide weapons around him as the Bears did with Mitchell Trubisky this year, which helped him go off in week 4.

Quincy Enunwa and the receivers need to step up and help the rookie QB to have any shot this year. Patriots, who had a slow start are getting back their groove right in time with Julian Edelman returning from his suspension.

Jets will be facing a tough Denver defense in week 5. if Darnold could escape that game without a Turnover, they could have a very good chance to escape with a W. He could take some pointer from his veteran backup and mentor Josh McCown.

#4 Alex Smith, Washington Redskins (2-1)

Alex Smith has been his typical self to start the 2018 season with his new team the Washington Redskins. He has a completed nearly 70% of his passes and scored 4 Touchdowns with a pick and a 2-1 record. That is a typical Alex Smith stat line.

Smith had a good start for his redskins tenure against the Cardinals, where he threw for 255 yards and a couple of TDs. But, in week 2 against a mediocre Colts defense Smith couldn't find the endzone even though completing nearly 72% of his passes. He and the Redskins bounced back in week 3 against the Packers where he outplayed Rodgers to upset the Packers.

Smith success correlates with the success of the running game. in the two wins, the Redskins new running back, Adrian Peterson rushed for nearly hundred yards and has scored a TD at least once, in the loss against the Colts he rushed 11 times for just 20 yards.

Smith is one of those QBs who needs all the dominoes around him should work efficiently to find the success. He does not commit any back-breaking mistakes but he does not even get you out of the gate if fallen behind.

NFC East is vulnerable right now and Redskins sit on top of the division even with their bye on week 4. The one difference between the Chiefs and the Redskins is that they lack that dynamic pass catcher that could help a QB out. Jordan Reed had some success in the wins but Jamison Crowder has yet to find the rhythm.

It will be interesting to see if Smith can help out the Redskins to remain on top of a very close NFC East race as he did with the Chiefs the past few Seasons.

#3 Case Keenum, Denver Broncos (2-2)

Case Keenum, an undrafted free agent out of the University of Houston, had one of the most unprecedented journeys to become the starting quarterback of Denver Broncos. After his amazing career year in 2017 with the Vikings, Keenum signed a 2 year 36 million dollar contract with the Broncos. But, so far Keenum was not able to replicate the kind of success he had last season.

Keenum had a total of 7 INTs in 2017 season has already thrown for 6 so far in four games and just tossing three touchdowns. Keenum's decision making at times seem erratic. He is trying to do more than what the defenses are giving him.

Even with his erratic play Keenum found some early success in the first two weeks by having two clutch game winning drives, which Broncos did not have last season. He almost had a third game winning drive on the MNF, week 4 against the Chiefs. He overthrew a wide open Demaryius Thomas which could have resulted in a game winning TD. In the next play he did connect to the rookie Courtland Sutton in an old-school hook and ladder play call.

Keenum, just like Smith is a game manager who needs to have a better player all around him. He has a solid running game with the two rookies, Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay sharing the work load, but the receivers apart from Emmanuel Sanders haven't really stepped up.

The reason for having Keenum just a tick above the

Last year with Vikings Keenum had Thielen and Diggs who had some amazing catches that helped out Keenum. Keenum knows that Demaryius Thomas is no longer in that elite group and need to be more careful forcing the ball into the tight coverage.

The reason I have Keenum a tick above Alex Smith is that of his Clutch performance in weeks 1 and 2 and his NFC Championship game appearance just a few months back. I still think that Keenum is an upgrade to what Denver had last season and could help them have a fighting chance to at least grab the Wildcard spot in the playoffs.

There is no panic yet in Denver, there is a lot of season left and with no viable back up option left this will be Keenum's Season. If he can clean up the turnovers, this Denver team could be in hunt for a playoff spot in December.

#2 Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings (1-2-1)

Kirk Cousins, signed a monster contract with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. After reaching the NFC Championship game a year ago with Keenum under center, the expectations very sky high for the Vikings fans. Some even considered this a Superbowl or bust move.

If indeed it is a Superbowl or bust move, the Vikings are off to a terrible start. They opened the season with a W against the 49ers but tied it up in week 2 with the Packers thanks to some head-scratching roughing the passer penalties. But the real stunner cam in Week 3 when Vikings and Cousins looked almost clueless against a bad Buffalo Bills team who scored a combined 23 points in the remaining three games.

Cousins was shutout for three quarters, he had a couple of strip sacks an INT and it was late in the 4Q that he tossed a TD almost in garbage time. Apart from that one week, Cousins was his usual self he completed nearly 70% of his passes, tossing 10 Touchdowns and just 2 picks. He has 1,387 yards in just 4 games and yet the record is 1-2-1 record.

Cousins tenure so far remained same like his Redskins tenure where he played very well when was not pressured too much. But, when pressured his performance goes down. In 2018 so far his rating when the pocket is clean was 112.2, but when he is pressured it dramatically drops down to 89.8.

Cousins even brought his fumbling issue from Redskins to Vikings, in which he is second most to fumble the ball since 2015. The Vikings O-line performance has been masked by Keenum's athleticism last season of avoiding the sacks, which Cousins clearly lacks.

If Vikings need to find success with Cousins under center they need to provide a clean pocket and give him time to make the plays that Keenum couldn't have done last season. The NFC North looks very interesting with Chicago Bears on Top with Packer right next to them. If the Vikings need to be in the Playoffs in a very tough NFC they need to keep teh pocket clean for Cousins.

#1 Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (4-0)

Patrick Mahomes is not a new player that was signed or added this offseason but he is the new starter for the Kansas City Chiefs after they traded Alex Smith to the Redskins. Mahomes did start in week 17 of last season but still, this is the first season as a full-fledged starter and thought he should be in this conversation. After the kind of start he had, he certainly should be.

Mahomes had one of the best starts since the Peyton Manning's record-breaking 2013 season. Mahomes even broke the Manning's record of 12 total touchdowns by tossing 13 through weeks 1-3. During the first three weeks, Mahomes was off to fast starts putting up 20+ points to start the game and make the opposing offenses play catchup to the Chiefs.

The real test for Mahomes came in week 4 against a very good Broncos defense in a very rowdy Denver environment in Monday Night Prime-time slot. He had a slow start where Denver's defense had his number during the first three quarters. But he remained calm and made some timely passes in the fourth quarter resulting in one of the most thrilling matches in 2018 season so far.

The most amazing fact about Mahomes' performance so far in 2018 is that he has yet to throw an interception. In his four starts this season he has 15 touchdowns and zero picks. This INT-less streak should be attributed to his redshirt year in 2017 under Alex Smith. There is no better player to learn from how to remain interception-free.

Mahomes performance so far is a reminiscence of Deshaun Watson's performance for Houston Texans last season. Mahomes is bound to be regressed in coming weeks, which could happen very well in week 5 against a very strong Jaguars defense, who allowed only a total of 4 touchdowns.

The sky is the limit for Mahomes and this Kansas City offense. All they could ask for is the defense to play some average level play who currently are last in passing yards allowed. If the defense is not improved, a very good offensive season could very well be ruined come January.

Mahomes, distanced himself from others atop of the MVP race, not a bad way to kickoff your first full season as a starting NFL QB. Let's hope the football gods spare Mahomes that bit the likes of Wentz and Watson last season during their own MVP campaigns.