THE NFL quarterback class of 2018 is now considered one of the best ever.
Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold all enjoyed incredible seasons to lead their teams to the playoffs.
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Although they all suffered tough defeats at different stages of the postseason, as a collective they enjoyed huge wins and put up monster stats.
In fact, they combined for 145 passing touchdowns against just 38 interceptions, all had a passer rating over 101 and also added 20 combined rushing touchdowns.
Their teams collectively won 49 regular seasons games and only Allen threw for less than 4,000 yards.
The five QBs selected in the first round is the joint-second highest ever, level with 1999 and 2021 and trailing 1983 and 2024 on six.
Mayfield, Darnold, Allen and Jackson makes four – so, what happened to No 5?
The name missing from that bunch is Josh Rosen, who was selected 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals, 22 picks ahead of Lamar Jackson.
Rosen was considered the ‘most NFL ready’ QB in the class by scouts after his time with the UCLA Bruins.
Most analysis and reports at the time ranked the pick in the A- to A+ range.
At the time, NFL.com wrote: “Rosen is the best pure pocket passer in the draft. The Cardinals need to protect him, but if they do, he’ll be a Pro Bowler.
Sports Illustrated described him as “the most polished QB in this draft.”
SB Nation wrote: “Josh Rosen is the best quarterback in this draft.”
He still holds the school single-season record for passing yards thrown (3,756) and appears on multiple lists for the Bruins all-time.
Rosen is fourth in career passing yards and fifth in passing touchdowns.
The Cardinals traded a first, third and fifth-round pick in order to move up five spots to pick him.
After being selected with the 10th pick, Rosen said “there were nine mistakes ahead of me.”
After being drafted he signed a four-year deal worth $17.84 million.
NFL WARNS OF CRIME RING
THE NFL issued an alert to team security directors and the player’s union about criminals targeting the homes of professional athletes.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs were both victims of burglaries on consecutive days in October 2024.
The following month, the home of former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph – now of the Dallas Cowboys – was burglarized.
Then, in early December, Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s home was broken into.
Days after Christmas, Luka Dončić and Dak Prescott’s girlfriend were both targeted.
The FBI is investigating the burglaries as part of an international organized crime ring.
The NFL Players Association and team security forces have both been monitoring the crimes, believed to be tied to a South American crime syndicate.
It is believed that the thieves often burglarize homes on game days when the players are not there.
They quickly steal items such as cash, jewelry, watches, and handbags.
At the time, NFL Security put out a statement warning players not to post on social media in real-time while reminding them to install security systems and keep valuables out of plain sight.
Rosen became the starter in Week 4 of his rookie season but the Cardinals were a disaster with offensive coordinator Mike McCoy fired after a Week 7 loss.
He eventually went 3-10 as the starter (3-13) with Steve Wilks fired at the end of the season.
Kliff Kingsbury came in as head coach and declared that “Josh is our guy”, but the Cardinals selected Kyler Murray with the No 1 pick in the next draft.
Rosen was then traded to the Miami Dolphins and replaced Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starter in Week 3.
However, three straight defeats saw him benched in place of Fitzpatrick – marking the final start of his career.
Rosen then bounced around multiple teams as a backup but only saw more playing time with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021.
He threw two interceptions in 11 pass attempts.
Rosen had one more season earning an NFL contract but has now been out of the league since 2022.
While others play in other leagues such as Canada or hang around on practice squads to try and earn another NFL shot, it appears Rosen is done with football.
During the game between the Bills and Ravens earlier this year, NBC play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico was discussing Allen, Jackson and the class of 18.
Tirico then revealed that Rosen is now erolled in the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania.
The business school was also founded by his great-great-great grandfather, Joseph Wharton.
