Arizona Cardinals passer certainly not rookie class’s best

Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Josh Rosen has failed to live up to the brash proclamations he made after being drafted

It can never be said that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen lacks confidence. Shortly after being drafted back in April, the club’s first-round pick made the proclamation heard ’round the world. Rosen, who was selected 10th-overall, boldly stated that the nine teams that picked before Arizona had made a mistake by not taking him.

Well, up until now at least, Rosen has failed to back up his words. Its not all because of him, mind you. Incompetent coaching, a makeshift offensive line and a lack of quality pass-catchers have all contributed to Rosen’s mediocre play.

The first-overall pick of the 2018 draft, Baker Mayfield, is having a much easier go of it. Playing for the lowly Cleveland Browns has not hindered the former Oklahoma Sooner’s progress. Mayfield has completed 63.9% of his passes for 3,065 yards, with 21 touchdown tosses and just 11 interceptions.

Sam Darnold, taken two slots after Mayfield by the New York Jets, has also been impressive. The former USC Trojan has thrown for 2,357 yards, while completing 56.7% of his passing attempts. Darnold’s biggest negative is his interception total (15), but the first-year performer has produced 14 scores through the air and another one rushing.

The Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, drafted seventh-overall, is not lighting the league on fire with his passing statistics. The University of Wyoming product has completed just 52.2% of his throws for 1,633 yards, with six touchdown passes and nine picks. Allen has used his legs as a weapon however, rushing for 506 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

Rosen, who’s already operating under his second professional offensive coordinator, has had an up and down rookie campaign. The former UCLA Bruin has compiled a 55.7 completion percentage, 2,042 passing yards and 10 touchdown throws. Rosen’s two interceptions this past weekend have raised his season total to 14, second only to Darnold’s 15 among first-year signal-callers.

The beating that Rosen is taking behind the depleted line in 2018 has been a concern. Beleaguered head coach Steve Wilks had mercy on the Cards’ blue-chip passer this past Sunday. Rosen was pulled during the squad’s lopsided loss to the Atlanta Falcons, putting an end to the awful pounding that the 21-year old was absorbing.

Rosen certainly has the skill-set and moxie to back up the boasts he made on draft day. For that to become a reality, the Cardinals’ front office must put some quality pieces around their new “face of the franchise”. When Rosen is one day given the help he needs, those nine organizations who passed on him may eventually regret that they did.