Introducing Sideline-Passing Grade: The NFL's best quarterbacks at targeting players down the sideline

• Jayden Daniels‘ exceptional season: The Commanders QB has earned a 93.9 grade when throwing within two yards of the sidelines. No other quarterback is above 90.0.

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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. And one way we’re looking to enhance the experience is by introducing more data into the mix.

This week, we're introducing a metric called “Sideline-Passing Grade,” which looks at how quarterbacks perform when throwing down the sideline.

What is a Sideline-Passing Grade?

This metric evaluates all throws a quarterback attempts within two yards of the sidelines to determine who performs best in that area. It also accounts for plays nullified by penalties.

Here is how the league's quarterbacks have fared so far, with 2023 data included for some historical context.

SIDELINE-PASSING GRADE THROUGH FOUR WEEKS (Min. 8 dropbacks)

Name	Team	Grade	Comp. %	Yards	Big-time throws
Jayden Daniels	Commanders	93.9	66.67%	88	1
Josh Allen	Bills	88.9	55.56%	93	3
Derek Carr	Saints	88.3	36.36%	38	1
Kyler Murray	Cardinals	84	47.06%	114	2
Geno Smith	Seahawks	80.5	45.45%	119	1
Aaron Rodgers	Jets	80.5	40.00%	81	2
Justin Fields	Steelers	77.4	61.11%	172	2
Daniel Jones	Giants	73.2	40.00%	106	1
Lamar Jackson	Ravens	71.1	36.36%	99	1
Patrick Mahomes	Chiefs	69.9	50.00%	108	1
C.J. Stroud	Texans	69.5	50.00%	99	2
Will Levis	Titans	68.5	50.00%	50	0
Baker Mayfield	Buccaneers	68.2	27.27%	35	1
Sam Darnold	Vikings	66.1	66.67%	155	0
Jordan Love	Packers	65	53.85%	101	1
Dak Prescott	Cowboys	61.2	50.00%	121	2
Joe Burrow	Bengals	59.9	20.00%	60	2
Deshaun Watson	Browns	59.6	52.63%	116	2
Brock Purdy	49ers	59.2	47.06%	87	1
Trevor Lawrence	Jaguars	56.6	23.53%	44	0
Jared Goff	Lions	52.2	53.85%	39	0
Bo Nix	Broncos	40.2	30.77%	35	1
Gardner Minshew	Raiders	38	40.00%	96	2
Jalen Hurts	Eagles	35.5	38.89%	99	1
Jacoby Brissett	Patriots	31.2	11.11%	8	0
Caleb Williams	Bears	29.8	22.22%	40	0
Matthew Stafford	Rams	27.7	35.71%	93	0

SIDELINE-PASSING GRADE FROM 2023 (Min. 25 dropbacks)

Name	Team	Grade	Comp. %	Yards	Big-time throws
Brock Purdy	49ers	92.2	60.00%	288	5
Russell Wilson	Broncos	91.2	42.86%	434	10
Joe Flacco	Browns	89.1	54.84%	321	3
Matthew Stafford	Rams	88.3	42.19%	460	11
Sam Howell	Commanders	85.4	45.90%	478	14
Jordan Love	Packers	82.1	46.77%	358	10
Josh Allen	Bills	81	49.33%	619	10
Geno Smith	Seahawks	78.7	47.13%	548	10
Tyrod Taylor	Giants	77.5	33.33%	220	8
Aidan O'Connell	Raiders	76.7	42.42%	194	4
Lamar Jackson	Ravens	76.7	47.06%	336	8
Trevor Lawrence	Jaguars	76.4	36.59%	471	10
Jalen Hurts	Eagles	75.1	42.17%	514	12
Derek Carr	Saints	69.7	46.25%	507	9
Dak Prescott	Cowboys	69.7	46.43%	435	7
Tua Tagovailoa	Dolphins	69.3	42.00%	361	6
Baker Mayfield	Buccaneers	68.6	49.12%	394	4
Joe Burrow	Bengals	68.4	42.42%	338	6
Justin Fields	Bears	68.3	43.10%	308	7
Jake Browning	Bengals	67.5	53.85%	217	4
Deshaun Watson	Browns	66	29.63%	142	3
Patrick Mahomes	Chiefs	65.8	48.39%	264	7
Desmond Ridder	Falcons	64.2	46.34%	259	2
C.J. Stroud	Texans	64.1	41.10%	432	4
Ryan Tannehill	Titans	63.3	45.16%	189	2
Kenny Pickett	Steelers	62.7	43.55%	359	5
Jared Goff	Lions	61.2	42.86%	199	2
Tommy DeVito	Giants	59.2	38.46%	174	4
Justin Herbert	Chargers	58.8	40.00%	351	4
Joshua Dobbs	Vikings	58.2	38.00%	297	2
Kyler Murray	Cardinals	56.6	37.93%	143	2
Bryce Young	Panthers	54.2	39.51%	402	10
Zach Wilson	Jets	53.5	39.58%	227	2
Will Levis	Titans	51.9	45.24%	239	4
Gardner Minshew	Colts	49.9	34.78%	241	1
Mac Jones	Patriots	39.2	37.04%	93	0