New York Giants rookie quarterback Daniel Jones is more known for his futility these days than anything else. That aside, the No. 6 overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft is quietly putting together some impressive numbers in the midst of this lost Giants’ season.
The reason few are pounding the drum for Jones is because he is the face of a floundering franchise that has lost seven straight games. He also leads the NFL in fumbles with 14.
Here’s what most people are missing about Jones. He leads all rookie quarterbacks in touchdown passes with 17 versus just eight INTs. Keep in mind, he’s only started nine ballgames.
From the Giants:
Jones has thrown for at least one score in each of his first nine career starts.
That makes him a) one of eight quarterbacks since the 1970 merger with at least one touchdown pass in each of his first nine starts, and b) part of a five-way tie for fourth place among the quarterbacks who have accomplished the feat in those 50 seasons.
It’s an eclectic list. The top three includes two Super Bowl winners, one a Hall of Famer, and a former No. 1 overall draft choice who is in his second season. But the four quarterbacks tied with Jones are perhaps best described as journeymen.
Kurt Warner tops the list with 23 followed by Baker Mayfield (17) and Brad Johnson (15). Jones is tied with Jay Fiedler, Tim Rattay, Jay Cutler and Seneca Wallace. Jones can move into fourth place with a TD pass against the Packers this Sunday.
Another reason why Jones isn’t getting enough street cred is because of the way he’s eased into the job. Many see his arrival as an extension of the Eli Manning era. Giant fans have become so use to having a calming presence under center — and Jones conveys that at age 22 — that the bar is set a little higher for him.
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