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NFL Rookie Highlights: Top plays from all 6 first-round quarterbacks

matt urben
·1 min read
Aug 9, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) calls a play at the line against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter during preseason at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) calls a play at the line against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter during preseason at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons surprised the rest of the league by taking Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Penix was part of one of the most unprecedented runs at quarterback in NFL draft history. A total of six quarterbacks were selected in the first 12 picks, and all six made their preseason debut over the weekend.

While a learning curve is expected for any rookie QB, this year's batch got off to a promising start. Bears No. 1 pick Caleb Williams made some impressive throws against the Bills. Jayden Daniels marched the Commanders down the field like he was still at LSU. J.J. McCarthy bounced back from an early interception to toss a pair of touchdowns for the Vikings.

Lastly, Bo Nix led the Broncos on four scoring drives on Sunday. Check out the top highlights from each rookie quarterback in their preseason debut below:

Bears QB Caleb Williams vs. Bills

Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) on the sidelines in the second quarter of a pre-season game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) on the sidelines in the second quarter of a pre-season game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels vs. Jets

Aug 10, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws the ball during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws the ball during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots QB Drake Maye vs. Panthers

Aug 8, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) lines up against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) lines up against the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. vs. Dolphins

Aug 9, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter during preseason at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter during preseason at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy vs. Raiders

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) passes against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos QB Bo Nix vs. Colts

Aug 11, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) points during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) points during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

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This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: NFL Rookie Highlights: Top plays from all 6 first-round quarterbacks