Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrow continues to rank among the very best from his draft class in 2020.
Granted, it’s only three games into his debut season as the possible savior of the Bengals. But given some of the surrounding circumstances, his performance has been both encouraging and obviously deserving of a high grade.
While the Bengals offense hasn’t figured out how to get the deep-passing game going and the offensive line continues to struggle (don’t forget a defense that looks lost at most times, superb rarely), Burrow’s been good enough to slot as one of the five highest-graded rookies so far at Pro Football Focus:
Highest-Graded Offensive Rookies through W3:
1. Michael Onwenu – 87.6
2. Justin Jefferson – 85.3
3. Mekhi Becton – 76.9
4. James Robinson – 76.4
5. Joe Burrow – 76.1 pic.twitter.com/9b3jk2g2vv— PFF (@PFF) September 29, 2020
Burrow has been borderline elite in the short passing game, though not so much when it comes to pass attempts of 20-plus yards. He’s sitting on a 64.5 completion percentage with five touchdowns and one interception while visibly still trying to figure out what will and won’t work in the pros — something he would’ve normally done during the preseason.
If Burrow can continue on this pace he’ll perform up to expectations of being the first overall pick. And if the team around him makes some strides, the wins should follow.
