Ranking 1st-round rookie QBs after the preseason

The preseason has provided a month's worth of tape on the first-round quarterbacks selected in this year's draft.

Here's how we rank those five passers entering the regular season:

5. Josh Rosen

Preseason: 16-for-29, 148 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs

If this were a grading system, Rosen would receive an "incomplete" on his paper. We just have not seen enough of him to properly evaluate his game at the NFL level.

Rosen saw his most work in Week 2 of the preseason. He was then held out of Week 3 after hitting his right thumb on a helmet in practice. He expressed hope he'd play in the exhibition finale, however, head coach Steve Wilks chose to exercise caution with his prized possession.

Although he'll begin the year backing up veteran Sam Bradford, Rosen showed the skills capable of leading the Cardinals in his limited preseason action.

4. Josh Allen

Preseason: 24-for-44, 210 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs

Allen isn't solely to blame for his poor performance in Week 3.

Handed the start for the regular-season dress rehearsal, Allen was under siege all day behind a leaky offensive line. The rookie absorbed five sacks and completed just six of 12 passes for 34 yards in one half of play.

When he did have time to throw the football, he continued to showcase his rocket arm. Accuracy was an issue, though, as Allen lacked the touch needed in situations that required better ball placement.

The afternoon was a disappointment and a step back in Allen's development.

"He didn't have any help. Guys weren't going for contested balls, poor blocking all the way around," Bills head coach Sean McDermott said to FOX's Pam Oliver at halftime.

But Allen put the onus on himself, admitting he could have done a better job of getting the ball out on time.

Before the game, Allen was challenging for the No. 1 job. He was held out of the preseason finale, having seemingly done enough in exhibition action. Ultimately, Allen remains too raw to start in the NFL.

3. Lamar Jackson

Preseason: 34-for-69, 408 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
136 rushing yards, 3 TDs
Week 4: 9-for-15, 109 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs

What a difference two weeks make.

Jackson got off to a rocky start in his first two appearances under center but made great strides with extended work in Week 3 and 4 of the preseason.

He stuck to mostly short throws and check-downs in last week's game, but seemed to gain confidence from his second rushing touchdown of the preseason. From that point on, Jackson appeared more comfortable.

He started Thursday's preseason finale and led three scoring drives in one half. Of his 109 passing yards, 74 came on completions to his tight ends.

Perhaps Lamar Jackson's best pass of the first half. Dunno why Mark Andrews decided to stop running at the end. Odd. #Ravens #WASvsBAL ( @MarkBullockNFL) pic.twitter.com/owROp6vLXU

- Ben Krimmel (@BenKrimmel) August 31, 2018

The Ravens are mixing in run-pass options and play-action rollouts for their rookie passer. He even showcased his arm with a beautiful 50-yard rainbow to the end zone (his receiver didn't fight for the ball, but the resulting interception was negated by a penalty).

Baltimore should be concerned about the hits he's taking when he escapes the pocket as he opts not to slide. However, his newfound confidence and three rushing touchdowns are encouraging signs for the future.

2. Baker Mayfield

Preseason: 35-for-61, 501 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Week 4: 9-for-16, 138 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs

The Cleveland Browns got a glimpse of life with Mayfield as their starting quarterback.

The No. 1 overall draft pick was thrown into action and got a chance to play with the ones for the first time after Tyrod Taylor briefly left last week's game with an injury. Facing the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive starters, Mayfield fumbled once, was intercepted, and sacked twice.

"Not my best game by any means. Whenever you turn the ball over, it is not your best. We just have a ways to go. Disappointed in myself," Mayfield said of his performance. "I got in there with the first team and have to get the ball out quicker."

The Eagles played off coverage all game and dared him to throw the ball underneath. For the most part, Mayfield took what he could, but the pressure might have gotten to him.

In Thursday's preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Mayfield led three scoring drives but looked uneasy at times in the pocket. He appeared to have happy feet even when he had a clean pocket, and would take his eyes off his receivers downfield in order to look at the rush around him.

Mayfield still has the arm, smarts, and instincts to start and thrive. And his ball placement and ability to lead his receivers to gobble up yards after the catch is still a strength.

Baker Mayfield has a rocket for an arm pic.twitter.com/yJY2dPnGA3

- Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 30, 2018

1. Sam Darnold

Preseason: 29-for-45, 244 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

How well has Darnold played this preseason? So well the Jets traded Teddy Bridgewater and reportedly named the rookie the opening day starter a week before the end of preseason.

Darnold won the job with his performance in the all-important third week. He went 8-for-16 for 86 yards and a touchdown, but those numbers don't tell the full story.

Darnold led two touchdown drives against the New York Giants' defensive starters, including an 11-play, 75-yard march on the first series with six first-down conversions.

Of his eight incompletions, four were balls Darnold intentionally threw out of bounds, two were well-placed passes dropped by receivers, and one was an accurate throw to the boundary that his tight end caught but was unable to stay inbounds.

Another good play from Darnold that goes down as an incompletion on the much overrated stat sheet. Sterling runs an out n up from the slot who sells it well with the head whip. Darnold sees Collins taking a flat angle driving on the out, so Darnold knows NS will have position. pic.twitter.com/UJj1yepE8y

- Joe Blewett (@Joerb31) August 29, 2018

In his audition for the starting job, Darnold showed awareness beyond his 21 years and impressive decision-making. He made a point to avoid negative plays and even ran for a first down on third and long when the pocket broke down.

When he did throw the ball to his receivers, he hit the bull's-eye.

"I've seen Sam perform tonight better than I've seen any rookies that I can remember, really," Jets legend Joe Namath said on the television broadcast.

The Jets don't need to see any more from their first-round pick. The Darnold era begins now.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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