QB Stock Market Week 3: Kyler Murray is back. Has Sam Darnold arrived?
This week marked a significant turnaround for quarterbacks across the league.
Week 1 was a lackluster display from many of the league’s passers. Josh Allen’s performance stood out, featuring two rushing touchdowns among four total scores. During that week, five quarterbacks struggled to reach even 5.0 yards per attempt, reminiscent of a golfer focusing solely on short putts.
However, this week showcased a marked improvement, with several quarterbacks displaying their skills. Notably, Kyler Murray delivered an exceptional performance that turned heads.
Let’s explore this week’s quarterback stock market, where one question reigns supreme: What have you done for your team lately?
Previous weeks: 1, 2
1. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (↑12)
Murray undoubtedly earned the Throw of the Week award, surpassing Anthony Richardson’s previous week. The challenge lies in selecting which of Murray’s remarkable passes to highlight.
The third-and-5 touchdown to tight end Elijah Higgins stands out as a prime example of Murray’s capabilities, showcasing his elusiveness, arm strength, and pinpoint accuracy.
Yet, the volume of impressive plays makes the selection difficult.
In the opening quarter, Murray reminded fans why Marvin Harrison Jr. was the top wide receiver in this year’s draft. During a three-play sequence, he connected with Harrison for three receptions, amassing 98 yards and two touchdowns. Murray also demonstrated his versatility by distributing the ball to seven different receivers. His deep passes were particularly striking, as he completed all five attempts, showcasing extraordinary efficiency in a challenging area of the field.
This performance was a rare combination of explosive and technically sound football, where intelligence meets excitement.
Murray’s confidence was palpable, especially when he made a stunning cross-body throw to Trey McBride.
Comparing Murray’s season-opening effort to what Buffalo’s defense did to Tua Tagovailoa further emphasizes his achievement. In Week 1, Murray’s stats included a 67.7% completion rate, 162 passing yards, one touchdown, and five carries for 57 yards. This performance stands in stark contrast to Tua’s three-interception outing, which ended with a significant concussion.
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (↓1)
3. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans ()
4. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (↓2)
Mahomes remains in the top four due to his ability to convert a crucial fourth-and-16 play and secure a victory against the Bengals for the first time in the regular season. He continues to hold a high stock in the quarterback market, similar to the tech giant Nvidia.
The positive note for the Chiefs is their 2-0 record, largely attributed to Mahomes’ exceptional game management skills.
However, a concerning aspect is the apparent disconnect between Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce.
5. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (↑11)
While Darnold’s statistics may not shine like those of Derek Carr, his interception rate isn’t as low as Joe Burrow’s, and his touchdown count doesn’t rival Baker Mayfield’s. Yet, he has emerged as a leading figure among pocket quarterbacks.
Darnold’s performance has exceeded expectations, achieving a 2-0 record despite facing challenges that Carr and Mayfield have not encountered.
This week, Darnold shone brightly, even with Justin Jefferson sidelined due to injury. The Vikings were already missing Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.
Darnold demonstrated that he could still connect with Jalen Nailor, showcasing his adaptability within coach Kevin O’Connell’s system. His recent performances hint at the possibility of a resurgence akin to what Geno Smith experienced.
Darnold’s journey reflects the struggles many quarterbacks face, particularly those who have been with teams like the Jets and Panthers, which have historically hindered their development.
On the other hand, Lamar Jackson seems to be grappling with timing issues with his receivers. Despite his rushing prowess, he struggled to generate explosive plays against the Raiders.
This is not the Lamar Jackson fans have come to admire.
13. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (↑12)
Daniels is off to a strong start statistically.
However, film analysis reveals some concerns regarding the Washington Commanders’ offensive strategy. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has leaned heavily on wide receiver screens, which are not sustainable long-term. The Commanders’ receivers are being targeted behind the line of scrimmage at a staggering rate of 37.9%, compared to the league average of 11.3%.
This trend slightly dampens Daniels’ impressive 79.3% completion rate.
Interestingly, Daniels’ performance changed after an injury scare. Before the injury, he rushed the ball on 38% of his dropbacks, completing all nine attempts for an average of 7.0 yards per attempt. Post-injury, he averaged 8.2 yards per attempt with fewer rushing attempts.
This suggests a potential shift in his approach, indicating that he might rely more on his passing abilities.
14. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (↓4)
15. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (↑2)
16. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (↓8)
17. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (↑2)
18. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (↑8)
19. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (↓13)
20. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (↓11)
21. Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots (↑2)
22. Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (↓10)
23. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (↓2)
Lawrence continues to demonstrate elite skills on about 70% of his plays. However, the remaining 30% reveals inconsistencies that resemble those of a rookie or an underdeveloped quarterback.
When performing well, Lawrence is impressive. He made an accurate throw to Brian Thomas Jr. that resulted in a 66-yard gain, showcasing his decision-making and precision. Additionally, he executed well-timed throws, akin to a gymnast perfecting a landing.
However, there were instances where Lawrence hesitated, waiting for receivers to become open instead of progressing through his options. An overthrow on a crucial third-and-5 play left his receiver visibly frustrated. Lawrence must improve in these situations.
Some of the play calls also contributed to the issues, with certain plays taking too long to develop, including the one leading to a safety. Lawrence’s tendency to lock onto his primary option and neglect to throw the ball away at the right time also needs addressing.
While his potential remains evident, Lawrence’s inconsistency raises concerns about his development.
24. Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (↓4)
25. Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders (↓1)
26. Daniel Jones, New York Giants (↑2)
27. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears ()
28. Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers (new)
29. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos (↑2)
30. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (↑2)
31. Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (↓2)
Levis has been making puzzling mistakes regularly, reminiscent of another quarterback who struggled to find his footing. His attempts to emulate Mahomes are misguided, as he lacks the awareness and processing skills required to execute such plays effectively.
Levis must recognize that he is not yet capable of mimicking the elite skills of established players.
32. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (↓2)
Young’s future remains uncertain. He might find another opportunity, similar to Zach Wilson’s fight for a job in Denver or Darnold’s resurgence in Minnesota. Despite being a top-five pick, Young faces the challenge of rebuilding his career after a rocky start in Carolina.
While he was once a promising prospect, Young risks leaving Carolina with a tarnished reputation. His journey to becoming a starting quarterback in the NFL is just beginning, and he must embrace the challenge ahead or risk fading into obscurity.
Unfortunately, this trend of franchises moving on quickly from quarterbacks who struggle is likely to continue. While Young bears some responsibility for his performance, many prospects may not receive a fair chance due to systemic issues within their teams.
