I’m surprised how quickly the Browns have soured on Cody Kessler. Hue Jackson says Kessler not only has lost the starting job (to DeShone Kizer) but also won’t even be the team’s backup quarterback. They’re instead going with Kevin Hogan.
I understand that Kessler has limited physical ability. His arm isn’t strong enough, and that makes him a poor fit for what Jackson wants to do. He can’t drive the ball downfield the way Kizer can.
But Kessler has shown some ability to work the underneath routes. He’s accurate, makes good decisions and doesn’t turn the ball over.
Since 2000, there have been 47 rookie quarterbacks who’ve attempted at least 100 passes. Only three completed a higher percentage of their passes than Kessler, and only four finished with better passer ratings.
| HIGHEST-RATED ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Pct | Yards | TDP | Int | Rate |
| 2016 | Dak Prescott, Dall. | 67.8% | 3,667 | 23 | 4 | 104.9 |
| 2012 | Robert Griffin III, Wash. | 65.6% | 3,200 | 20 | 5 | 102.4 |
| 2012 | Russell Wilson, Sea. | 64.1% | 3,118 | 26 | 10 | 100.0 |
| 2004 | Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt. | 66.4% | 2,621 | 17 | 11 | 98.1 |
| 2016 | Cody Kessler, Clev. | 65.6% | 1,380 | 6 | 2 | 92.3 |
| 2015 | Marcus Mariota, Tenn. | 62.2% | 2,818 | 19 | 10 | 91.5 |
| 2006 | Jay Cutler, Den. | 59.1% | 1,001 | 9 | 5 | 88.5 |
| 2008 | Matt Ryan, Atl. | 61.1% | 3,440 | 16 | 11 | 87.7 |
| 2014 | Teddy Bridgewater, Minn. | 64.4% | 2,919 | 14 | 12 | 85.2 |
| 2011 | Cam Newton, Car. | 60.0% | 4,051 | 21 | 17 | 84.5 |
| 2015 | Jameis Winston, T.B. | 58.3% | 4,042 | 22 | 15 | 84.2 |
| 2013 | Mike Glennon, T.B. | 59.4% | 2,608 | 19 | 9 | 83.9 |
| 2012 | Nick Foles, Phil. | 63.1% | 1,699 | 6 | 5 | 82.1 |
| 2011 | Andy Dalton, Cin. | 58.1% | 3,398 | 20 | 13 | 80.4 |
| 2008 | Joe Flacco, Balt. | 60.0% | 2,971 | 14 | 12 | 80.3 |
| 2016 | Carson Wentz, Phil. | 62.4% | 3,782 | 16 | 14 | 79.3 |
| 2013 | EJ Manuel, Buff. | 58.8% | 1,972 | 11 | 9 | 77.7 |
| 2014 | Derek Carr, Oak. | 58.1% | 3,270 | 21 | 12 | 76.6 |
| 2012 | Andrew Luck, Ind. | 54.1% | 4,374 | 23 | 18 | 76.5 |
| 2010 | Sam Bradford, St.L. | 60.0% | 3,512 | 18 | 15 | 76.5 |
| 2012 | Ryan Tannehill, Mia. | 58.3% | 3,294 | 12 | 13 | 76.1 |
| 2010 | Colt McCoy, Clev. | 60.8% | 1,576 | 6 | 9 | 74.5 |
| 2006 | Matt Leinart, Ariz. | 56.8% | 2,547 | 11 | 12 | 74.0 |
| 2003 | Byron Leftwich, Jac. | 57.2% | 2,819 | 14 | 16 | 73.0 |
| 2012 | Brandon Weeden, Clev. | 57.4% | 3,385 | 14 | 17 | 72.6 |
| 2002 | Patrick Ramsey, Wash. | 51.5% | 1,539 | 9 | 8 | 71.8 |
| 2007 | Trent Edwards, Buff. | 56.1% | 1,630 | 7 | 8 | 70.4 |
| 2005 | Charlie Frye, Clev. | 59.8% | 1,002 | 4 | 6 | 70.2 |
| 2011 | Christian Ponder, Minn. | 54.3% | 1,853 | 13 | 13 | 70.1 |
| 2014 | Blake Bortles, Jac. | 58.9% | 2,908 | 11 | 17 | 69.5 |
| 2006 | Vince Young, Tenn. | 51.5% | 2,199 | 12 | 13 | 66.7 |
| 2013 | Geno Smith, NYJ | 55.8% | 3,046 | 12 | 21 | 66.5 |
| 2011 | Blaine Gabbert, Jac. | 50.8% | 2,214 | 12 | 11 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | Jared Goff, LAR | 54.6% | 1,089 | 5 | 7 | 63.6 |
| 2009 | Mark Sanchez, NYJ | 53.8% | 2,444 | 12 | 20 | 63.0 |
| 2001 | Quincy Carter, Dall. | 51.1% | 1,072 | 5 | 7 | 63.0 |
| 2002 | David Carr, Hou. | 52.5% | 2,592 | 9 | 15 | 62.8 |
| 2001 | Michael Vick, Atl. | 44.2% | 785 | 2 | 3 | 62.7 |
| 2003 | Kyle Boller, Balt. | 51.8% | 1,260 | 7 | 9 | 62.4 |
| 2009 | Matthew Stafford, Det. | 53.3% | 2,267 | 13 | 20 | 61.0 |
| 2002 | Joey Harrington, Det. | 50.1% | 2,294 | 12 | 16 | 59.9 |
| 2009 | Josh Freeman, T.B. | 54.5% | 1,855 | 10 | 18 | 59.8 |
| 2005 | Kyle Orton, Chi. | 51.6% | 1,869 | 9 | 13 | 59.7 |
| 2010 | Jimmy Clausen, Car. | 52.5% | 1,558 | 3 | 9 | 58.4 |
| 2004 | Eli Manning, S.D. | 48.2% | 1,043 | 6 | 9 | 55.4 |
| 2007 | John Beck, Mia. | 56.1% | 559 | 1 | 6 | 50.3 |
| 2005 | Alex Smith, S.F. | 50.9% | 875 | 1 | 11 | 40.8 |
—Ian Allan