Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels live up to hype, J.J. McCarthy wows and more: Grading NFL rookie QB preseason debuts

Week 1 of the 2024 NFL preseason provided an opportunity to see the rookie quarterbacks from a strong draft class play their first professional games. And while a series or two to start a career is the smallest of sample sizes, it's still fun to consider how good (or bad) their initial impressions were.

The top two overall picks performed well in starter-like short stints. Still, as in late April, there were some twists with the rest of the first-rounders in early August. In addition, a few late-rounders and undrafted rookies also got their feet wet.

Here's ranking and grading every key rookie QB's preseason debut from Thursday through Sunday's action.

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NFL rookie quarterback grades after preseason Week 1

1. Caleb Williams, Bears (Round 1, No. 1 overall, USC)

Grade: A

Stats: 4-of-7, 95 yards passing, 13.6 yards per attempt, 101.8 passer rating, 1 rush, 13 yards

Williams didn't need to sell much in his debut against the Bills. He was the real playmaking deal from the get-go. His easy highlight was a play-action bootleg, during which he gave the defense a nasty pump fake on the run before zipping a ball downfield to tight end Cole Kmet for a 26-yard gain on a second-possession field goal drive. Between his arm and legs, the Bears should feel confident they've finally found "that guy."

ROOKIE QB HIGHLIGHTS: Caleb Williams | J.J. McCarthy

2. Jayden Daniels, Commanders (Round 1, No. 2 overall, LSU)

Grade: A

Stats: 2-of-3, 45 yards passing, 15.0 yards per attempt, 109.7 passer rating, 1 rush, 3 yards, TD

Daniels also didn't need to do much to show the Commanders they have their own electric, dual-threat franchise QB. Daniels crushed a deep ball for his first-ever completion, a 42-yard hookup with untapped speedster Dyami Brown. Then Daniels did a little move and scampered into the end zone for what should be one of many rushing TDs. He's Kyler Murray Part II for Kliff Kingsbury, only bigger in size and arm.

3. J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (Round 1, No. 10 overall, Michigan)

Grade: A

Stats: 11-of-17, 188 yards passing, 11.1 yards per attempt, 2 TDs, INT, 116.8 passer rating, 2 rushes, 18 yards

So much for McCarthy struggling in practice and Sam Darnold seeming to have a hold on the No. 1 job for Week 1. Darnold does tend to practice well wherever he is, but McCarthy exploded in game action and made his case to start right away.

McCarthy's terrific deep ball came to play, as he hit a perfect 45-yard scoring strike to Trishton Jackson in the second quarter. Before that, McCarthy made an early mistake on an errant pass to Jackson that was snagged by Raiders cornerback Jack Jones, but he more than made up for it.

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4. Bo Nix, Broncos (Round 1, No. 12 overall, Oregon)

Grade: A

Stats: 15-of-21, 125 yards passing, 6.0 yards per attempt, TD, 102.3 passer rating, 3 rushes, 17 yards

Nix came in behind Jarrett Stidham against the Colts on the road Sunday and wasted no time telling Sean Payton he needs to start in Week 1 when it counts. As expected, Stidham looked shaky facing the Colts' starting defense. He continues to look like a bridge to nowhere.

Nix was calm, accurate and rhythmic in getting the ball out of his hands. He made nice throws everywhere to first-stringers, including a downfield dart to Courtland Sutton and a tough short red zone TD pass to Marvin Mims  Nix also was confident in taking off an running with his plus athleticism. Payton and Joe Lombardi should want to stop the Stidham charade, stat.

5. Joe Milton, Patriots (Round 6, No. 193 overall, Tennessee)

Grade: A-

Stats: 4-of-6, 54 yards passing, TD, 9.0 yards per attempt, 134.7 passer rating, 5 rushes for 22 yards

The strong-armed Milton was taken in the same round as Tom Brady once was and has done everything he can to make sure he makes the team in a mix with Jacoby Brissette, Bailey Zappe and fellow rookie Drake Maye. He showed great comfort and command of the offense coming in late, including zipping a 38-yard scoring strike. He also showed his athleticism can be a key factor when needed. Milton's best bet is to displace Zappe off the roster with much greater upside than the young holdover.

6. Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (Round 1, No. 8 overall, Washington)

Grade: B

Stats: 9-of-16, 104 yards passing, 6.5 yards per attempt, 76.0 passer rating

Penix knows he won't be starting for Atlanta as long as Kirk Cousins doesn't have any more injury obstacles in 2024. Perhaps that allowed the big-armed talent to relax and let the ball fly, with quick, fluid motion and expected deep-ball accuracy. It was an auspicious debut for the Falcons' future at QB.

7. Spencer Rattler, Saints (Round 5, No. 150 overall, South Carolina)

Grade: B-

Stats: 9-of-14, 70 yards passing, 4.1 yards per attempt, sack, 63.4 passer rating, 2 rushes, 8 yards, TD

Rattler got on the board well for the Saints by rushing for a TD and looking like a polished college product who had played a lot in similar systems. There wasn't a big throwing highlight in the books, but there might have been on a deep ball had there not been pass interference. He gets points for the command and comfort aspect, as he looked good doing what's expected in a reined-in version of Klint Kubiak's offense.

8. Michael Pratt, Packers (Round 7, No. 245 overall, Tulane)

Grade: B-

Stats: 5-of-7, 46 yards passing, 6.6 yards per attempt, 89.0 passer rating

Pratt, just like Sean Clifford and Jordan Love playing well before him vs. the Browns, kept on proving Matt LaFleur is a great quarterback coach in addition to a great head coach. There was a comfortable, natural feel to his game with flashes of top offensive execution, from accurate throws to toughness hanging in the pocket and even throwing blocks.

9. Drake Maye, Patriots (Round 1, No. 3 overall, North Carolina)

Grade: C

Stats: 2-of-3, 19 yards passing, 6.3 yards per attempt, 84.0 passer rating

Maye received just one series in his preseason debut, meshing with his struggles in training camp and the Patriots' desire to not overexpose him. His status in the game indicates that Jacoby Brissett is on track to start for Jerod Mayo in Week 1 of the regular season. While Milton has shown his draft calling card, Maye has shown he still needs time to put together his immense skill set.

10. Devin Leary, Ravens (Round 6, No. 216 overall, Kentucky)

Grade: C

Stats: 6-of-10, 37 yards passing, 3.7 yards per attempt, sack, 67.5 passer rating, 1 rush for 1 yard and a TD

Leary was average with his control of a reined-in passing offense and made a little like Lamar Jackson with a rushing score on a sneak. Undrafted rookie Emory Jones came in late after Leary and was sacked on his only drop-back. Leary has some upside, but he's a total developmental project.

11. Jack Plummer, Panthers (undrafted, Louisville)

Grade: D

Stats: 11-of-21, 86 yards passing, 4.1 yards per attempt, 62.8 passer rating, 5 sacks, 2 rushes for 4 yards

Plummer was overwhelmed vs. the Patriots' defense with Bryce Young and Andy Dalton not in action. He didn't prove close to worthy to being the No. 3 over Jake Luton, who easily outplayed him as a young veteran.