Film Room: How teams are maximizing the skills of each 1st-round rookie QB

Evaluating quarterback prospects is a two-fold process for NFL scouting departments.

At the outset, scouts are tasked with identifying and grading each player's individual traits - for example, a strong arm or quick decision-making. Beyond that comes the scheme question, which can be more difficult. NFL coaches and executives must decide if and how a player will be able to use their traits to run a professional offense effectively.

Now, after watching each of the 2018 first-round rookie quarterbacks in preseason action, we have a clearer picture of how their new offensive coordinators intend to maximize their current skill sets while supporting their transitions to life in the NFL.

Baker Mayfield: Air Raid touch

One of the bigger questions last draft season was how Baker Mayfield would adjust to running a more "pro-style" offense. That's because Mayfield spent his collegiate days in the wide-open Big 12, running a spread-heavy offense that relied on a lot of Air Raid concepts. While the Air Raid is becoming a bigger part of NFL offenses, there are still many who question the scheme's future in the league.

But after three preseason games, it's clear that Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley will try to ease Mayfield's transition with familiar plays.

Mayfield's first touchdown pass as a pro? It came on a "mesh concept" - a staple of Air Raid systems relied upon by giants of the scheme like Hal Mumme and Mike Leach:

The critical aspect of the mesh concept is the pairing of two shallow crossing routes, which we see in the play above. Then, coaches can add different route combinations both outside and down the field. On this play, the Browns implement a wheel route from the running back - one of the more common additions - plus a post route from tight end David Njoku (No. 80). Mayfield first reads the crossing routes underneath before finding his tight end on the post route deeper in the end zone.

Having a young quarterback run plays they're familiar with is a great way to improve their transition to the NFL. Expect the Browns to do more of the same going forward.

Sam Darnold: West Coast kid

At the University of Southern California, Sam Darnold displayed strong anticipation and athleticism. On the other hand, his inconsistent ball placement and his unorthodox footwork and mechanics made it more difficult to project him at the next level.

More specifically, there were questions about Darnold's scheme fit in the NFL, and how the New York Jets could maximize his skills early on.

First-year Jets offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates is a disciple of the West Coast system - an offensive philosophy predicated on the quick passing game. And that system might make the most sense for Darnold right now. For example, look at this play against the Redskins from a few weeks ago:

This is a dual-read passing concept that consists of two different West Coast core concepts. The Jets run a slant/flat combination on the right side of the formation and a "tosser" concept - a multiple-slant-route pattern - on the left.

Before the play, the defense shows a two-high-safety look, and Darnold wants to work the slant/flat combination. But as the play begins, one of the safeties crashes down toward the line of scrimmage to cover the flat route. So, Darnold uses his strong anticipation to identify that, flips his field of vision to the left, and makes a strong throw to move the chains. Plays like this illustrate the fit for Darnold in the West Coast offensive system.

Josh Allen: Getting vertical

While Darnold's scheme fit was more of a question mark, anyone who studied Josh Allen came to a similar conclusion: Get him in a downfield passing system and let him work with that huge arm.

And you can often get a sense of how a team views a rookie when you see their first offensive play. The Buffalo Bills and Allen were no exception:

While Allen failed to connect on this throw, you can see the pure talent in his right arm. There's a reason the former Wyoming quarterback flew up draft boards over the past two years. He's a perfect fit for an offense seeking to push the ball vertically, and will get opportunities to make plays that other quarterbacks can only imagine executing. A prime example came on Allen's first touchdown pass, when he challenged a narrow throwing window in the red zone that other quarterbacks would shy away from:

On this play, Allen throws a vertical route against a Cover 2 defense - between the cornerback in underneath coverage and the safety rotating over from the inside. With his powerful arm, the young pivot could give the Bills a chance to truly extend secondaries in the vertical passing game.

Josh Rosen: All about timing

One of the more fascinating pairings of a rookie quarterback with an offensive coordinator comes to us courtesy the Arizona Cardinals.

Last draft season, it was fascinating to see the "too smart" narrative develop around Josh Rosen. The former UCLA pivot was derided by some for being a "millennial" and for having opinions and interests outside of football. He now finds himself under the tutelage of Mike McCoy, an offensive coordinator often criticized for the complex nature of his systems. McCoy's schemes incorporate a variety of downfield concepts and West Coast elements, but regardless of the throw distance, he always stresses timing.

One example of this came against the Saints, when the Cardinals faced a 3rd-and-goal in the red zone. On the play, Rosen has a "sticks concept" to choose from, with each receiver running a curl route at the "line to gain" - or the end zone, in this case. The timing is critical, because if the ball is thrown too late, especially with a short field, the defenders can close in and break up the pass. Instead, the timing is perfect and Christian Kirk comes down with the touchdown:

Here's another example of critical timing with a more vertical concept. The Cardinals run a four-verticals route combination against a Cover 2, and Rosen throws an inside seam route:

If Rosen waits too long, he'll lead his receiver right into contact with the safety. But the rookie gets it out quickly and throws it low to protect his receiver, and the Cardinals have a fresh set of downs.

Rosen and McCoy might make for a perfect pairing, given how they both approach the mental side of the game. Plays like these illustrate the importance of timing in McCoy's offense, and how Rosen can deliver on that.

Lamar Jackson: On the move

Last draft cycle, a story that simmered below the surface - perhaps reaching a full-blown boil - was whether Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson should consider a position switch. However, Ozzie Newsome and the Baltimore Ravens' front office took a different view. The traded into the first round to select the former Heisman Trophy winner, and their plan is clear: Jackson is the quarterback of the future.

Similar to Allen, Jackson's first NFL play gave us insight into how the Ravens are looking to acclimate him early on. Specifically, the Ravens will look to use Jackson's big-time athleticism to get him on the move early and often. On his first offensive snap, Jackson ran a standard play-action rollout passing play, and then tucked away the football to pick up yards with his legs.

The rookie's running ability will be a big part of his transition, as highlighted by his 19-yard touchdown run this past weekend on a zone-read play. But Jackson's athleticism will also allow the Ravens to move the pocket side to side, giving the young pivot a pass/run decision on the edge of defenses. While Jackson took off with his legs on his first offensive play, he completed a touchdown pass on a similar design later in the preseason:

On this red-zone play, Jackson rolls to his right and makes a strong, accurate throw on the move.

Looking ahead, there are murmurs that Baltimore will give Jackson a package of plays to run each week, or will even get him on the field with Joe Flacco at the same time. If that does happen, you can expect to see more of Jackson on the move.

We still don't know which of these quarterbacks will be Week 1 starters, and which ones will have to wait. However, at this point in their inaugural seasons, we're beginning to see how their coaches are easing them into NFL life. Between identifying their traits and uncovering their best scheme fits, it looks like these five organizations truly did their homework.

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