Daniel Kelly spent four years in pro scouting with the New York Jets. He is the published author of the book “Whatever It Takes,” the story of a fan making it into the NFL.
With preseason football in full swing, attention has rightfully focused on the rookie quarterbacks drafted in the first round — Bryce Young (Carolina), C.J. Stroud (Houston) and Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis) — but three other QBs have also captured my attention. Each was drafted in the lower rounds. All three play for franchises featuring veteran starters.
Keep an eye on Cleveland’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson (fifth round), the Los Angeles Rams’ Stetson Bennett (fourth round) and Las Vegas’ Aidan O’Connell (fourth round).
In April, I had a second-round grade on Thompson-Robinson, noting at the time to expect him to be one of the biggest surprises in the preseason. I was spot-on.
In games against the Jets and Commanders, DTR has completed 17-of-21 passes for 184 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He earned a 90.3 passing grade, a good grade, from Pro Football Focus.
In his preseason debut against the Chargers, Bennett — a two-time national champion at Georgia — got off to a rocky start, but he settled down, going 17-for-29 for 191 yards and a touchdown pass. In April, I had a seventh-round grade on Bennett, noting he was more practice-squad material than a backup QB.
Meanwhile, I pegged O’Connell with a fourth-round grade, noting he is “exactly the type of QB who will do well during the preseason.” Against the San Francisco 49ers, O’Connell earned attention for his strong play, with PFF writing:
O’Connell’s Raiders debut was reminiscent of his 2021 season at Purdue, when he earned an elite passing grade. [He] finished his first game in the pros 15-of-18 passing (with two drops, 94.4% adjusted completion percentage) with 141 yards and two big-time throws. The performance earned him a 90.8 passing grade on the day. We’re hoping to see him against some first-team defenses at some point before the regular season begins.
Here’s what I’ve seen thus far on game film from each of these rookies: