Where Should Expectations Be For 2014 NFL Draft Quarterbacks?

Dec 28, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) prepares to pass against the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 47-14. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr, Teddy Bridgewater and Blake Bortles all have something in common. They started as rookies at quarterback, coming straight out of the 2014 NFL draft. Results, as can be expected were mixed. There was some good and plenty of bad. In the end it was exactly what every first year always is.

A learning experience.

Now, with the sophomore season approaching is when the real evaluations and assessments begin. Each of them will be expected to take on more responsibilities and carry more of the load, as comes with the position they’ve chosen to play. The question that most fans are asking is just how high should their expectations be placed?

To help answer, here is a list of some prominent quarterbacks around the league who started all or most of their rookie seasons, the stats they posted and then what they did the following year.

Andrew Luck

2012: 4,374 yards, 23 TDs, 18 INTs, 11-5 record
2013: 3,822 yards, 23 TDs, 9 INTs, 11-5 record

Peyton Manning

1998: 3,739 yards, 26 TDs, 28 INTs, 3-13 record
1999: 4,135 yards, 26 TDs, 15 INTs, 13-3 record

Ben Roethlisberger

2004: 2,621 yards, 17 TDs, 11 INTs, 13-0 record
2005: 2,385 yards, 17 TDs, 9 INTs, 9-3 record

Russell Wilson

2012: 3,118 yards, 26 TDs, 10 INTs, 11-5 record
2013: 3,357 yards, 26 TDs, 9 INTs, 13-3 record

Andy Dalton

2011: 3,398 yards, 20 TDs, 13 INTs, 9-7 record
2012: 3,669 yards, 27 TDs, 16 INTs, 10-6 record

So what stick out right away? Almost to a man every quarterback become significantly more efficient than the previous year, either throwing fewer interception or a higher amount of touchdowns. Also, most of them produced far better records in their second seasons. The only one who didn’t was Ben Roethlisberger but that cancels out by the fact that he won the Super Bowl that season.

So Carr, Bridgewater, and Bortles have their tasks firmly in mind. It’s to play smarter and, above all, to win more games than they did a year ago. With help from the experience they’ve gained as well as stronger rosters around them, the chances are certainly in their favor.

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