Stafford, Sanchez Or Freeman: Who Makes a Bigger Jump in Year Two?

The 2009 NFL Draft saw three quarterbacks selected in the first round: Matthew Stafford from Georgia, Mark Sanchez from USC and Josh Freeman from Kansas State. Each quarterback played in their rookie season and each quarterback will be entering year two with high expectations. Which QB will make the biggest jump in year two?

Stafford was the No. 1 overall pick by the Detroit Lions. He won the job from the incumbent Daunte Culpepper in training camp and was the presumed savior of the Lions franchise.

Stafford played in only 10 games last season due to an assortment of injuries including shoulder and knee problems. In those 10 games he threw for 2,267 yards, 13 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He completed only 53 percent of his passes, had a passer rating of 61.0, and was sacked 24 times. Not good numbers but not the worst from a rookie QB.

The Lions finished a dismal 2-14 and remain one of the worst on-the-field products in the NFL.

Sanchez was selected fifth overall by the New York Jets after they traded up with the Cleveland Browns. Sanchez went from the glamour of Hollywood to the bright lights of New York. He was the starter almost from day one in Meadowlands.

Sanchez had a very productive rookie season and was helped out by one of the best offensive lines in the league and the leagues best rushing offense. He passed for 2,444 yards, 12 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. Sanchez wasn't supposed to win games for the Jets, he just wasn't supposed to lose them.

He had a passer rating of 63.0, completed 54 percent of his passes and was sacked 26 times but the Jets finished 9-7 and made the playoffs as a wild card. Sanchez helped lead the Jets to upset wins over the Cincinnati and San Diego before Peyton Manning and the Colts derailed the Jets' season.

Freeman was the 17th selection in the draft and was behind Byron Leftwich and Josh Johnson on the depth chart. He did not get his chance to start until Week 9 against Green Bay and led the Bucs to their first victory of the season.

Freeman threw for 1,855 yards, 10 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 59.8, completed 54.5 percent of his passes and was sacked 20 times.

All three quarterbacks are the clear-cut starters heading into the season and all have more talent surrounding them this season.

The Lions signed Nate Burleson and traded for Tony Scheffler to help take pressure off of Calvin Johnson. They signed Rob Sims to help shore up the offensive line and acquired Shaun Hill to mentor Stafford. The biggest addition, however, could be the drafting of Jahvid Best. The Cal product is a dynamic runner that brings an element to the Lions they have not had since Barry Sanders.

New York cut Pro-Bowlers Thomas Jones and Alan Faneca to let younger, cheaper guys step in and take their place. Shonn Greene replaces Jones at running back where the Jets also brought in LaDanian Tomlinson. Faneca was replaced by Vladimir DuCasse, a second round draft choice. Santonio Holmes was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers to shore up the receiving corps.

Antonio Bryant was not brought back and Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams were drafted to be the receivers of future for the Bucs. Benn is a terrific play-maker that was hampered by injuries at Illinois and Williams needs to keep his nose clean and stay out of trouble, something he couldn't do at Syracuse. Reggie Brown was also brought in from Philadelphia to add a veteran presence to the receiving corps.

Stafford has the best pure skill-set of the three quarterbacks while Freeman is full of raw potential and Sanchez is surrounded by the best team. Looking at all the additions and subtractions and the potential of each quarterback, Stafford should make the biggest jump this season. He could be looking at a 3,500-4,000 yard season with 25-30 touchdowns, if healthy.

Sanchez should throw for around 20 touchdowns and cut down on the interceptions but the Jets are a run-first team. Freeman has increased talent around him but his O-line is still pretty bad and he is still so raw at the position.