NFL Preseason Week Two: Rating the Rookie Quarterbacks

Preseason football isn't very exciting to most folks, but to the players and the coaching staff it is a crucial time. It's an opportunity to give all the talent on your roster a chance to show what they can do without worrying too much about winning. It is also a chance to see how good your draft strategy was. We are half way through the preseason and with two weeks down its time to look at how the top drafted rookie QBs did in week two.

Andy Dalton

Andy Dalton earned the dubious distinction of having the worst performance of the rookie QB class in week two. His eight for nineteen passing performance for 86 yards with two interceptions yielded a dismal QB rating of 16.4 as the Bengals were drubbed by the Jets.

Ricky Stanzi

Stanzi nearly brought up the rear going 6 for 12 for 58 yards and one interception. His QB rating was a humble 29.2 in the Ravens 31-13 win over Kansas City.

Jake Locker

After a strong showing in week one, Locker faltered a bit in week two going 8 for 18 and 82 yards with one interception in the Rams 17 - 16 win over the Titans. His rating, a weak 35.0.

Ryan Mallett

After blasting off in week one, Mallet came back down to earth in week two in the Patriots 31 -14 victory over Tampa Bay. He was nine for 14 and 71 yards with an interception. His rating, a more earthly 47.0.

Blaine Gabbert

Gabbert always looks good. His stats however could look better. He was eleven for 23 and 96 yards without an interception in the Jaguars narrow victory over the Falcons. His rating, a pedestrian 59.3.

Cam Newton

Newton had a decent week two despite a foolish, helmet-losing run that left him sitting on the field grinning like a fool. Keep that up and the grin will soon become a grimace. Newton was seven for 14 and 66 yards in the Panthers loss to the Dolphins 20 -10. His rating, a 63.4.

Christian Ponder

Ponder continues to do well in the middle of the rookie QB class. He was six for 12 and 63 yards and no interceptions as the Vikings handled the Seahawks 20 - 7. His rating for the week was a steady 65.6.

Tyrod Taylor

Taylor had his second good week going five for 11 and 88 yards as the Ravens topped the Chiefs 31 -13. His rating was 73.3.

Colin Kaepernick

Among the early round draftees, week two belonged to former Nevada QB, Colin Kaepernick. He was much improved over week one and was six for eight and 52 yards without an interception as the 49ers beat the Raiders 17 - 3. Kaepernick's rating was 91.7. Perhaps most interesting was that the transition to the NFL style of play was much more evident in week two. For the first time in his life, Kaepernick got through a game without running the ball.

Greg McElroy

Among all the drafted rookie QBs however, Greg McElroy had the best day going six for nine and 59 yards with a TD as the Jets won 27 - 7 over the Bengals. His QB rating was 122. Last week he was 23 / 29 for 208 yards and a TD earning a rating of 82 in the Jets loss to the the Texans. Two weeks in to the preseason and so far, this seventh round draft pick is leading the rookie class.

Nathan Enderle

Former Idaho QB Nathan Enderle of the Chicago Bears has yet to play a second preseason game. Enderle was seven for ten and 110 yards with 1 interception in his first preseason game against Buffalo. His QB rating in that game was 66.7.