Madden 19 Ratings: Best rookie quarterbacks (QB)

2018 saw five quarterbacks taken in the first round of the draft, a very high number compared to recent seasons. With so many teams chasing a new signal caller, or taking one later in the draft to groom as the replacement for an aging star, there are plenty of new young quarterbacks in Madden 19.

How to choose the best rookie quarterbacks in Madden 19's Franchise Mode

The main thing you want in a young quarterback is accuracy. Arm strength is a nice bonus to pair with it, but you'd rather have a low-powered sniper of a quarterback than a wild cannon, so it isn't vital. Athleticism is also a very useful trait to have, along with durability and a good development trait so you can coach them up for years to come. Here are all the best rookie quarterbacks in Madden 19.

Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns (OVR 81)

Age: 23

Development Trait: Star

Contract: 4 years/$32.7m

2018 Cap Hit: $7.94m

Best Stats: Speed (81), Short Accuracy (88), Medium Accuracy (83), Deep Accuracy (80), Throw Power (94), Throw On The Run (88), Play Action (85), Throw Under Pressure (87)

No surprise that the #1 overall pick in 2018 is also the best rookie quarterback. Mayfield had a terrific college career at Oklahoma, finishing his three years there with 119 touchdowns, 12,292 yards, and a passer rating of 189.4. He also won the Heisman trophy in 2017.

Mayfield has good accuracy in Madden 19. His short accuracy (88) is on a par with Derek Carr and Kirk Cousins, and his medium accuracy (83) is equal to Jimmy Garoppolo and Dak Prescott. That makes him a legitimate starting quarterback in Madden from day one. He has good speed (81) for the position, meaning you can always scramble for yards when the pass isn't there, and he also has useful play action (85) and throw under pressure (87) stats for a rookie. 

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (OVR 79)

Age: 21

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$9.47m 

2018 Cap Hit: $2.27m

Best Stats: Speed (91), Short Accuracy (83), Medium Accuracy (80), Deep Accuracy (74), Throw Power (94), Throw On The Run (85), Play Action (75), Throw Under Pressure (75)

Lamar Jackson was the 32nd pick in 2018, the last pick of the first round. Jackson was the 2016 Heisman winner and one of the most exciting players in college football during his time at Louisville. Jackson finished his three years there with 9,043 passing yards, 69 touchdowns and a passer rating of 142.9. He also racked up 4,132 yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground.

Jackson is the fastest quarterback in Madden 19, and that speed (91) makes him a deadly force. Defenses will have to account for his running ability. While he is less accurate (short 83, medium 80, deep 74) than most of the other rookie quarterbacks, he is good throwing on the run (85) and at just 21 years old there is plenty of time to improve his accuracy. His 79 OVR is the same as Ravens starter Joe Flacco, making him a viable starter.

Josh Rosen, Arizona Cardinals (OVR 78)

Age: 21

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$17.6m

2018 Cap Hit: $4.25m

Best Stats: Speed (75), Short Accuracy (89), Medium Accuracy (85), Deep Accuracy (77), Throw Power (93), Throw On The Run (76), Play Action (79), Throw Under Pressure (78)

Rosen was taken by Arizona with the tenth pick this year after three strong seasons with UCLA. Rosen threw for 9,340 yards and 59 touchdowns in his college career, finishing with a passer rating of 140.1. He was considered by many to be the best passer in the draft class, but some character concerns meant he slipped down draft boards.

Rosen is the most accurate rookie quarterback in Madden 19. His short (89) and medium accuracy (85) make him ideal starter if you like throwing short and intermediate routes. The technical side of his game isn't great. His play action (79) needs improving, and he can't really throw on the run (76), but if you want a young pocket passer then Rosen is your guy.

Sam Darnold, New York Jets (OVR 75)

Age: 21

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$30.2m

2018 Cap Hit: $7.33m

Best Stats: Speed (77), Short Accuracy (86), Medium Accuracy (82), Deep Accuracy (73), Throw Power (91), Throw On The Run (85), Play Action (82), Throw Under Pressure (80)

Sam Darnold was the #3 pick in 2018, and for a while seemed to be in the running for the #1 spot. A two-year starter at USC, Darnold completed 64.9 percent of his passes with the Trojans, throwing for 7,229 yards and 57 touchdowns. He finished his college career with a passer rating of 153.7.

Darnold is a terrific underneath passer. With solid short accuracy (86) and medium accuracy (82) that rivals Mayfield and Rosen. His deep accuracy (73) is pretty poor and will need improving, but the technical side of his game is strong. He can throw on the run (85), doesn't panic under pressure and has solid play action (82) ability.

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (OVR 74)

Age: 22

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$21.2m

2018 Cap Hit: $5.13m

Best Stats: Speed (82), Short Accuracy (77), Medium Accuracy (78), Deep Accuracy (75), Throw Power (99), Throw On The Run (84), Play Action (81), Throw Under Pressure (73)

Drafted seventh overall by the Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen was another in contention for the #1 spot this year. He played three years at Wyoming, a very small school compared to his draft mates. Allen finished his career there completing just 56.2 percent of his passes for 5,066 yards, with 44 touchdowns and a 137.7 passer rating.

Allen's poor college accuracy is mirrored in his bad Madden 19 stats. He has worse short (77) and medium (78) accuracy than some mid-round picks, and while his throw power (99) is the best in the game, that doesn't really make up for it. Allen requires a lot of development before you can use him with confidence.

Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers (OVR 72)

Age: 23

Development Trait: Quick

Contract: 4 years/$3.79m

2018 Cap Hit: $890k

Best Stats: Speed (76), Short Accuracy (83), Medium Accuracy (80), Deep Accuracy (81), Throw Power (90), Throw On The Run (78), Play Action (74), Throw Under Pressure (79)

Mason Rudolph was a third-round pick for the Steelers, #76 overall. He played four years at Oklahoma State, completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 13,618 yards, 92 touchdowns, with a passer rating of 159.7. He won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 2017 for the country's outstanding senior quarterback.

In Madden 19 Rudolph has solid accuracy, including the best deep accuracy (81) among all rookie passers. His throw power (90) is great, but like others the technical side of his game needs work. His play action (74) is especially poor, and with so many quality passing plays featuring play action it's vital to improve that aspect of his game.

Kyle Lauletta, New York Giants (OVR 71)

Age: 22

Development Trait: Quick 

Contract: 4 years/$3.1m

2018 Cap Hit: $720k

Best Stats: Speed (79), Short Accuracy (84), Medium Accuracy (82), Deep Accuracy (76), Throw Power (90), Throw On The Run (82), Play Action (78), Throw Under Pressure (77)

Kyle Lauletta was a fourth-round pick for the Giants, going #108 overall. He played four years at Richmond and threw for a school-record 10,465 yards and 73 touchdowns in his time there. He tore his ACL in 2016 but made a full recovery. Lauletta completed 63.5 percent of his passes and finished with a passer rating of 151.4.

In Madden 19 Lauletta has nice short (84) and medium (82) accuracy. For a quarterback with just a 71 OVR it's better than you would expect. His throw power (90) is fine, and while his play action (78) needs work it isn't vital to improve. What you will want to improve on is his throw under pressure (77), getting that up will help his overall game.

Other rookie quarterbacks