CBS Sports Analysis: Rookie QB Rankings and NFL Valuations Post-Week One

CBS Sports has published a detailed analysis of Week One of the National Football League preseason, offering an institutional review of rookie quarterback performances and broader league dynamics. The newsletter, authored by Zach Pereles, ranks 15 rookie quarterbacks based on their debut appearances, providing a structured assessment of early-season indicators for franchise planning.

Drew Allar of the Pittsburgh Steelers topped the rankings after a statistically dominant performance in a 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Allar completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, displaying arm strength and accuracy that Pereles noted as impressive even against backup defenses. Fernando Mendoza of the Las Vegas Raiders secured the second spot, leading four drives against the Arizona Cardinals, including a touchdown against the starting defense. Ty Simpson of the Los Angeles Rams rounded out the top three with 21 completions for 190 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The publication also scrutinised the unresolved quarterback competitions in Atlanta and Cleveland. In Cleveland, the battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders was highlighted, with Watson given the edge for the week after throwing no interceptions in a loss to the Chicago Bears. Conversely, Sanders was noted for a significant error, throwing a pass intended for the wrong team. The analysis suggested that while Watson performed better, the overall competitiveness of these roles remains a point of contention heading into the regular season.

In terms of team dynamics, the newsletter identified DJ Moore’s debut with the Buffalo Bills as a positive development. Moore recorded three receptions for 61 yards, establishing an early rapport with quarterback Josh Allen. This performance was viewed as a potential solution to the Bills' need for a primary wide receiver following the trade of Stefon Diggs. Meanwhile, concerns were raised regarding Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward, who completed only five of 12 passes for 57 yards, though the analysis cautioned against overreacting to his struggles in a new offensive system.

Beyond player performance, the report utilised data from Sportico to examine the economic landscape of the league. The Dallas Cowboys were identified as the most valuable franchise at $15.5 billion, a significant return on owner Jerry Jones’ 1989 purchase price of $140 million. At the other end of the spectrum, the Cincinnati Bengals were valued at $7.4 billion, the lowest in the NFL, though still representing a substantial increase from a decade ago when eight teams were valued below $2 billion.