Breakout QB Candidates for the 2020 NFL Season
Every season in the NFL, and to be fair, each of the major team sports, you’re going to have surprises crop up. Whether a relative unknown breaks out and has a massive season that no one in their right mind would have projected or a former star falls off a cliff, you’re going to be caught off guard at least a couple times a season. Look at last season: there were few that would have expected like Le’Veon Bell to put up the worst yard per carry average in the franchise history of the Jets.
On the flip side, there are those guys that inevitably come out of nowhere with a big showing. Maybe experience pays dividends, perhaps there’s an improvement in weapons to work with or maybe everything clicked. Look at Lamar Jackson last year. With that said, today we take a look at a few of the quarterbacks that have the potential to break out and be a surprise this season.
Josh Allen, Bills: Allen made strides last season as the Bills went 10-6 to make the playoffs for the second time in three years before losing in overtime to Houston in the wild card round. His completion percentage jumped six percent from 2018 to 2019. In addition, he threw for an additional 1,015 yards over his 2018 mark, doubled his touchdown passes (from 10 to 20) and cut his interceptions from 12 to nine. In addition, he led four fourth-quarter comebacks and five game-winning drives. He’s dangerous with his legs as well as he ran for 510 yards and nine scores last year. With John Brown, Cole Beasley and the addition of Stefon Diggs, to go with a returning offensive line plus second-year back Devin Singletary, this is a big opportunity for Allen to really step forward and shine.
Kyler Murray, Cardinals: Sure, Murray was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season and completed 64.4 percent of his throws for 3,722 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He added 544 yards and four scores on the ground. On the flip side, he was sacked 48 times, which tied for the most in the league, and lost 309 yards in sack yardage, fourth-most in the league. His chances to break out come from multiple reasons. For starters, he has a year of experience under his belt, giving him a chance to refine his skills. On top of that, the Cardinals added DeAndre Hopkins, who is tied for the most touchdowns on a pass from outside the pocket over the last two years in the league. Pair him with a veteran like Larry Fitzgerald, a future Hall of Famer, and Christian Kirk for a pretty solid triumvirate of targets. Throw in Kenyan Drake on the ground and the Cardinals have weapons to help Murray evolve.
Drew Lock, Broncos: Lock played only five games last season but in those games, he showed why the Broncos made the move to pick him up with the 42nd pick in the 2019 draft. He hit 64.1 percent of his throws for 1,020 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions with one fourth-quarter comeback and two game-winning drives. With Courtland Sutton, rookies K.J. Hamler and Jerry Jeudy, tight end Noah Fant and a trio of talented running backs in Philip Lindsay, Royce Freeman along with Melvin Gordon, there is plenty of talent to work with offensively. Lock just needs to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants: Jones played solidly in his rookie year as he took over the reins from Eli Manning. He hit 61.9 percent of his throws for 3,027 yards with 24 touchdowns and 12 picks while adding 279 yards and two scores on the ground. One thing that Jones has to be better about is protecting the ball as he led the league in fumbles with 18 despite playing in only 13 games, starting 12. The Giants do have Saquon Barkley and some young receivers that have potential. Still, the Giants have to be better on their offensive line to give Jones an opportunity to set up and make plays. He needs to cut down on the turnovers to take the next step as well.
Dwayne Haskins, Redskins: Haskins was the 15th overall pick last season but needs to work on things in order to improve. He was thrown into a tough situation last year with a weak Washington team and his numbers were middling at best. Haskins completed 58.6 percent of his throws for 1,365 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions in nine games, seven of which were starts. Washington has to replace some pieces with Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis both retiring in the offseason. He can rely on his former college teammate Terry McLaurin but the Redskins have to give him some pieces to work with in order for him to improve.