Passes To The Sticks: Evaluating quarterback performance on throws at or beyond the first-down marker
2WE5KYK BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, JAN 20: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws the ball in the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Texans 34-10. (Photo by Image of Sport/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
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Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
It’s never too early to start preparing for next season, and for PFF, that means looking at ways to improve PFF Premium Stats. One way we’re looking to enhance the experience is by introducing more data into the mix.
This week, we’re looking at how quarterbacks have performed when throwing to or beyond the first-down marker.
We have two metrics below: The first looks at how often a passer throws to the first down marker or beyond, while the second looks at how they perform in those situations.
Here is how the league’s passers have fared through eight weeks of action.
Passing to the sticks percentage and grade (Min. 50 dropbacks)
| Name | Team | Dropbacks | Atts. to sticks | Sticks % | Grade |
| Lamar Jackson | Ravens | 293 | 109 | 37.20% | 94.8 |
| Joe Burrow | Bengals | 310 | 111 | 35.81% | 94.0 |
| Derek Carr | Saints | 147 | 54 | 36.73% | 93.9 |
| Justin Herbert | Chargers | 234 | 73 | 31.20% | 93.2 |
| Jayden Daniels | Commanders | 278 | 96 | 34.53% | 91.5 |
| Jameis Winston | Browns | 59 | 32 | 54.24% | 90.9 |
| C.J. Stroud | Texans | 326 | 116 | 35.58% | 90.7 |
| Aaron Rodgers | Jets | 327 | 119 | 36.39% | 90.2 |
| Malik Willis | Packers | 56 | 14 | 25.00% | 90.1 |
| Brock Purdy | 49ers | 305 | 132 | 43.28% | 88.4 |
| Trevor Lawrence | Jaguars | 283 | 119 | 42.05% | 87.8 |
| Kyler Murray | Cardinals | 278 | 101 | 36.33% | 86.3 |
| Josh Allen | Bills | 277 | 105 | 37.91% | 86.1 |
| Baker Mayfield | Buccaneers | 344 | 110 | 31.98% | 84.5 |
| Kirk Cousins | Falcons | 313 | 126 | 40.26% | 84.4 |
| Justin Fields | Steelers | 212 | 59 | 27.83% | 83.2 |
| Sam Darnold | Vikings | 243 | 104 | 42.80% | 82.8 |
| Andy Dalton | Panthers | 185 | 67 | 36.22% | 82.2 |
| Geno Smith | Seahawks | 378 | 136 | 35.98% | 81.7 |
| Russell Wilson | Steelers | 68 | 26 | 38.24% | 81.2 |
| Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs | 276 | 81 | 29.35% | 79.9 |
| Jalen Hurts | Eagles | 235 | 73 | 31.06% | 77.4 |
| Drake Maye | Patriots | 115 | 40 | 34.78% | 77.0 |
| Daniel Jones | Giants | 340 | 108 | 31.76% | 74.7 |
| Deshaun Watson | Browns | 290 | 69 | 23.79% | 74.6 |
| Gardner Minshew | Raiders | 251 | 80 | 31.87% | 73.2 |
| Jordan Love | Packers | 230 | 95 | 41.30% | 71.7 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | Dolphins | 118 | 40 | 33.90% | 71.5 |
| Joe Flacco | Colts | 125 | 48 | 38.40% | 71.0 |
| Jared Goff | Lions | 221 | 80 | 36.20% | 70.9 |
| Spencer Rattler | Saints | 127 | 33 | 25.98% | 69.6 |
| Caleb Williams | Bears | 293 | 99 | 33.79% | 66.6 |
| Jacoby Brissett | Patriots | 198 | 57 | 28.79% | 65.9 |
| Tyler Huntley | Dolphins | 91 | 30 | 32.97% | 65.3 |
| Bo Nix | Broncos | 322 | 115 | 35.71% | 64.8 |
| Will Levis | Titans | 160 | 49 | 30.63% | 63.8 |
| Dak Prescott | Cowboys | 312 | 119 | 38.14% | 62.6 |
| Matthew Stafford | Rams | 266 | 99 | 37.22% | 57.5 |
| Mason Rudolph | Titans | 113 | 44 | 38.94% | 55.5 |
| Anthony Richardson | Colts | 161 | 75 | 46.58% | 49.0 |
| Aidan O’Connell | Raiders | 90 | 33 | 36.67% | 48.3 |
| Bryce Young | Panthers | 126 | 48 | 38.10% | 41.1 |
