When Patriots rookie Drake Maye played Sunday, he became the fourth quarterback picked in the first round this year to start for his team. He figures to be there to stay, too, after holding his own.
The Bears’ Caleb Williams and the Commanders’ Jayden Daniels are doing even more than that. Here’s a look at where the rookies stand after six weeks:
No. 1 overall pick: Bears QB Caleb Williams
Williams is the first quarterback drafted first overall in the modern era to win four out of his first six career games. He enters the bye week with an 88.7 passer rating, the highest of any Bears rookie through the first six games of their careers. He has the most passing yards and passing touchdowns, too.
No. 2 overall pick: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels
Daniels, though, would be the Rookie of the Year if the season ended today. He’s got a 107.1 passer rating, which trails only Joe Burrow, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson this year. Even after losing to the Ravens, the 4-2 Commanders are the third-best team in the NFC.
No. 3 overall pick: Patriots QB Drake Maye
His first start, a 20-point home loss to the Texans, showed promise nonetheless: the former North Carolina star threw three touchdown passes but also turned the ball over three times. Jacoby Brissett, who started the season at quarterback, threw two scoring passes all season.
No. 12 overall pick: Broncos QB Bo Nix
All 16 points the Broncos scored Sunday came in the last 10 minutes of a blowout home loss to the so-so Chargers. Nix remains a punchless player — among quarterbacks with at least 100 passes, his 5.5 yards per pass is better than only one starter — the dreaded Deshaun Watson, who might not be one for long.