Fantasy Index

header banner img
OUR FANTASY BASEBALL MAGAZINE IS BACK! PRE-ORDER NOW
Win here.

Around the NFL

Opening Daniel Jones' locker

Giants benching Eli, as expected

The Giants have announced that the Eli Manning Era is over, at least until they change their mind or Daniel Jones gets hurt. After a couple of dud games to open the season (granted, the team has been missing its top wideouts), Eli will take a set on the bench and top pick Daniel Jones will take over.

It's not surprising. When quarterbacks are drafted in the first round, and especially the top half, they usually play a lot in their first seasons.

Since 2000, there have been 40 quarterbacks selected in the first 16 picks of the draft (including this year's three: Jones, Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins). Of those previous 37, only 5 (14 percent) didn't attempt at least 100 passes in their rookie season. Only 9 (24 percent) didn't attempt at least 200, starting for half the season or more.

FIRST-ROUND QUARTERBACKS, PICKS 1-16 (2000-2018)
YearPkPlayerComAttYdsTD
20121Andrew Luck, Ind.339627437423
20162Carson Wentz, Phil.379607378216
20101Sam Bradford, St.L.354590351218
20151Jameis Winston, T.B.312535404222
20111Cam Newton, Car.310517405121
20181Baker Mayfield, Clev.310486372527
20128Ryan Tannehill, Mia.282484329412
20143Blake Bortles, Jac.280475290811
20021David Carr, Hou.23344425929
20083Matt Ryan, Atl.265434344016
20023Joey Harrington, Det.215429229412
20037Byron Leftwich, Jac.239418281914
20183Sam Darnold, NYJ239414286517
201110Blaine Gabbert, Jac.210413221412
20122Robert Griffin III, Wash.258393320020
201810Josh Rosen, Ariz.217393227811
20091Matthew Stafford, Det.201377226713
200610Matt Leinart, Ariz.214377254711
20152Marcus Mariota, Tenn.230370281819
20095Mark Sanchez, NYJ196364244412
20063Vince Young, Tenn.184357219912
20172Mitchell Trubisky, Chi.19633021937
20187Josh Allen, Buff.169320207410
201316EJ Manuel, Buff.180306197211
200411Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt.196295262117
201112Christian Ponder, Minn.158291185313
20161Jared Goff, LAR11220510895
201712Deshaun Watson, Hou.126204169919
20041Eli Manning, NYG.9519710436
20051Alex Smith, S.F.841658751
200611Jay Cutler, Den.8113710019
20011Michael Vick, Atl.501137852
20071JaMarcus Russell, Oak.36663732
20118Jake Locker, Tenn.34665424
201710Patrick Mahomes, K.C.22352840
20044Philip Rivers, S.D.58331
20031Carson Palmer, Cin.0000

Jones looked good in the preseason; really good. And there's nowhere to go but up for the Giants offense. So if you're sitting on Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard or Golden Tate, I don't think this is bad news. Could be good for all three of them; Saquon Barkley, too.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index