July 3rd, 2025

Summer is always a great time to revisit the previous year’s rookies and examine how they performed. When you consider how most of the first-round picks performed in 2024, it's clear they bring some intriguing storylines into their second year. That's probably why you've heard so much chatter about whether Jayden Daniels can replicate or even surpass his previous success.

You’ve also got Caleb Williams in Chicago, arguably the most hyped rookie in years, navigating the growing pains of being a franchise savior. Then there’s Bo Nix, who really exceeded expectations in Denver, giving Sean Payton a solid project to invest in. There are also others like Drake Maye who are still finding their rhythm in their teams.

And while fans and analysts are busy projecting who will break out, bettors are paying even closer attention. These second-year quarterbacks have become a key part of weekly betting strategies, with their matchups often shifting lines significantly. If you’re following the action, checking out free NFL expert picks each week can be a smart way to stay ahead. These insights often factor in quarterback performance trends and injury reports, helping you gauge the sophomore QBs to trust and the ones still finding their footing.

Jayden Daniel’s unmatched performance

No one had a louder rookie year than Jayden Daniels. And he did not just set an outstanding record in 2024 alone. Looking back at yesteryears, Daniels ranked sixth in EPA per play and third in success rate. He broke the rookie rushing record with 891 yards, thanks to what might be the most impressive scrambling season by a quarterback in recent memory. His 70 scrambles were the most by any QB in a single season this century.

After playing against the Cincinnati Bengals in a Monday Night Football match, Daniels received recognition as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. He then received the Offensive Rookie of the Month honors after completing 82.1% of passes in September. Interestingly, this was the highest percentage over a four-game span in NFL history.

And even after suffering serious injuries, Daniels had a way of resurfacing. Do you remember the rib cartilage injury he sustained in October during their match against the Carolina Panthers? Just a week later, he returned and helped his team win against the Chicago Bears. Surprisingly, this win would later be named the NFL Moment of the Year.

Bo Nix’s mastery and control

Although not as flashy as Daniels, Nix surprised many with his outstanding performance. And mark you: This came after most analysts had thought of him as a second-round prospect. But surprisingly, his 73.8 PFF passing grade proved that Nix could protect the football.

While other top performers often invited pressure and took more sacks, Nix kept things under control. He received pressure on just 28% of his drop backs, and only 13.4% turned into sacks, which was way below the league’s average. And it’s not as if he was relying on a lightning-fast release. Only 37.7% of his throws came out in under 2.5 seconds, the lowest rate among most of the rookies.

You may be surprised to learn that the last time the Broncos made a playoff appearance was in 2015. Thanks to Nix's contribution, the team could now appear in 2024. And just as a side note, this athlete was the first Broncos rookie to start a match since John Elway in the early 1980s.

Is there anything to admire about Caleb Williams?

For many, Williams’s debut season wasn’t a perfect one. He survived sixty-eight sacks, the third-most in NFL history. But the fact that he was able to put up twenty touchdowns and over 3500 passing yards speaks volumes about his sky-high potential.

Even after everything around him was crumbling, he was still able to devise ways to keep the offense afloat. Unfortunately, he ended up in the 33rd position in success rate and 30th in EPA per drop back among 40 QBs who had at least two hundred drop backs.

But these rankings do not mean he wasn’t instrumental. His more than 350 consecutive pass attempts without a pick set an NFL rookie record and ranked as the fourth longest in league history.

Was Drake Maye a problem for the Patriots?

Patriots’ fans might not be happy to see Drake Maye in these rankings, but that says more about how well the others performed than anything negative about him. There were already concerns about the limited talent around him in New England, which is likely why the team leaned heavily on Jacoby Brissett early on, doing their best to keep Maye on the sidelines.

The athlete worked hard to keep his head above water, but the results didn’t show up in the win column; he finished just 1-9 games he started and completed. One unexpected bright spot was his mobility, which resulted in 421 rushing yards on just 54 carries. But like many first-year quarterbacks in difficult situations, he had a challenge of avoiding turnovers, and as a result, threw 10 interceptions over his 12 starts.

The Year 2 season is around the corner, and these players have another chance to prove their prowess. Of course, it’s not definite that all of them will rise. But looking at their previous performances, you will agree that fans are in for one of the most fascinating seasons in NFL history. And by the time December rolls around, you will be able to tell who is building a legacy and who is still learning the ropes.

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