Tracking Our Heisman Winners In The NFL

It’s time to take our first look at how our Heisman winners are fairing in the NFL. Some are having breakout years, some are waiting to break out.

Perhaps one of the surprises in the league, and not just among the Heisman Fraternity, is the play of 2017 Heisman winner Baker Mayfield. 

Mayfield won the Tampa Bay starting job in training camp and has led the Buccaneers to a 3-1 start heading into Sunday (which follows a bye week) when they host upstart Detroit.

The Sooner great is sixth in the NFL in quarterback rating (70.1) and in four games has a touchdown to interception ration of 7-to-2. He is completing almost 70% of his passes, averaging 220.5 yards per game.

In fact, ESPN.com published a great piece here on his recent resurgence. Look for Mayfield Sunday in the Bucs’ throwback jerseys too.

2020 winner DeVonta Smith has been an integral part of Philadelphia’s success since becoming an Eagle and he’s off to a solid start. He’s got 23 receptions for 290 yards and two touchdown catches for the unbeaten Eagles.

Joe Burrow, our 2019 winner, is battling through a calf injury suffered in training camp but seems to be rounding into form following a slow start. He spoke here about his good his leg has felt lately.

He led the Bengals to a Week 5 win to get to 2-3 and Cincinnati is just a game out of first. Burrow completed 36-of-46 passes in the win over the Cardinals, throwing for 317 yards en route to NFL Player of the Week honors. He has passed for 1,045 yards with a modest five touchdown passes. 

2021 winner Bryce Young is going through the growing pains often associated with rookie QBs. The Alabama Heisman recipient has 750 yards passing and five TDs to go with four interceptions while also battling nagging injuries.

Derrick Henry (2015) is one of the grizzled vets of the Heisman group in the NFL. He has rushed for 328 yards on 86 carries, scoring twice, while also making seven receptions for 45 yards. He has also thrown for a score, marking the third straight season he’s had a passing touchdown. Fun fact: he’s 6-of-8 for his career through the air for 25 yards.

Lamar Jackson (2016) has the Baltimore Ravens off to a 3-2 start with 1,030 yards passing with four touchdowns and two interceptions. His current completion percentage of 69.9% is at a career-best pace. Jackson has also rushed 265 yards on 47 carries and has four scores on the ground.

Kyler Murray, our 2018 winner, is still rehabbing his severe knee injury suffered last season, though he appears ready to soon be activated. How his return to the Cardinals goes is one of the hotly anticipated storylines in the NFL season.

A pair of Heisman winners are serving as backups. Jameis Winston is the Saints No. 2 QB and has seen limited action, completing 10-of-17 attempts for 101 yards.

Marcus Mariota is the backup in Philadelphia behind Heisman finalist Jalen Hurts but has yet to see action for the 5-0 Eagles.