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Jared Goff is the homecoming king who isn't allowed at the dance. In a year marked by atypical success from unseasoned quarterbacks, and in an era when players take over the position sooner than ever, Goff is a spectator. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, acquired by a Los Angeles Rams team that moved an unprecedented 14 spots to take him first, and yet he sits. The Rams had the worst passing attack in the NFL last season. Their current starter, Case Keenum, shoulders the worst QBR of starters this season. But the thought of starting Goff has yet to become a serious consideration. At least not for Rams coach Jeff Fisher, a man who mainly kept Steve McNair on his bench until he had accumulated two years as a professional. Rams offensive coordinator Rob Boras said late last week that Goff's progression is "going in the right direction, without a doubt." Former Rams quarterback Jim Everett believes Goff "can visualize the deep ball as best as any quarterback on that team." But he’s still a 21-year-old who entered the NFL without having called a play from the huddle or taken a snap from under center, and that is no small thing. So the Rams will wait. And as long as Keenum plays at the tolerable level he has the past two weeks -- 32-of-56, 429 yards, two touchdowns, one interception -- Goff will remain a backup, forced to watch other, less-heralded newbies shine while he sits. Below is a look at the guys getting all the action.   Jacoby Brissett, New England Patriots (1-0)
What has made him successful: Maturity and poise were critical as he was thrust into action earlier than anticipated. In just his third career NFL game -- in a prime-time moment that has eaten up other rookie signal-callers in the past -- Brissett stayed within himself during the game, didn’t turn the ball over, and used his legs/athleticism to his advantage on a 27-yard touchdown run. What's next: Ideally, the Patriots would like him to return to a backup role, but the health of Jimmy Garoppolo's right throwing shoulder -- and Brissett's sprained right thumb -- will ultimately determine if he’s on the field Oct. 2 against the visiting Bills. Once Tom Brady returns from suspension on Oct. 3, and Garoppolo returns to full health, Brissett will be the No. 3 option. -- Mike Reiss Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots (2-0) What has made him successful: Getting off to a fast start has built him a margin for error, as he sizzled on opening TD drives against the Cardinals and Dolphins. In games he played, the Patriots outscored opponents 24-0 in the first quarter. Garoppolo's poise, decision-making and accuracy have been notable, and his ability to read defenses and get the Patriots into the right play also shouldn't be overlooked. Perhaps the best example was his first TD pass, to receiver Chris Hogan against Arizona, when he isolated an advantageous one-on-one matchup by changing the playcall at the line of scrimmage. What's next: The health of the sprained AC joint in Garoppolo's right throwing shoulder will determine that. If he's recovered enough by Oct. 2, he should be starting at home against the Buffalo Bills. If he isn't, he returns to a backup role the following week when Tom Brady returns from a four-game NFL suspension. -- Mike Reiss  Cody Kessler, Cleveland Browns (0-1)
What has made him successful: Kessler's definition of success is very Browns. He threw for 244 yards in a 30-24 overtime loss in Miami, but would have won if a kicker signed on Saturday had made a field goal on the last play of regulation. In Browns world, that is successful. Kessler earned a lot of respect from teammates for the way he handled himself and for the way he prepared. He is not the biggest quarterback, nor does he have the strongest arm, but his work ethic from the day he arrived can't be questioned. From gathering rookie receivers in his room during rookie minicamp to learn the playbook, to spending countless extra hours preparing for his first start against Miami, Kessler has been dedicated to doing all he can to be ready. He has room to grow, but his play in his first game gives him a good foundation. What's next: Kessler's second start also comes on the road, in Washington against the Redskins. Kessler has a coach in Hue Jackson who will give him a game plan he can make work. He has Terrelle Pryor, who can play quarterback and run the read-option, and he has Josh McCown, a coach on the field who has helped immensely. Teams have game film on Kessler, so they might squeeze the field on him. He'll have to prepare for that. But if he continues preparing the way he did his first week, he should get a little better every game. -- Pat McManamon  Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
What has made him successful: Prescott has played with a poise and composure not usually seen in a rookie quarterback. He doesn’t have an interception in 99 passes, and that’s not because he is just checking it down. He has completed passes to 10 different receivers, tight ends and running backs. This is not a slight at Prescott, but what has helped him most is the supporting cast. He has the best offensive line in football. He has Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. He has Ezekiel Elliott, the fourth pick in the draft. There isn’t the pressure on Prescott to be forced to carry the offense. What's next: The Cowboys play at San Francisco this week, and Prescott has already shown he can handle the pressures on the road with a fourth-quarter comeback against the Washington Redskins. The Cowboys have consistently said the job will be Tony Romo's when he returns from a compression fracture in his back. Prescott can make the choice more difficult for the coaches by continuing to play at such a high level. -- Todd Archer   Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos (3-0)
What has made him successful: The NFL draft is about potential, not college production. Sure, it matters what you did in college, and who you did it against, but what really matters is what you might become. Siemian took what he brought to the table, a power arm and an uncanny composure, and won the starting job for the defending Super Bowl champions. He also dropped a 300-yard, four-touchdown game on a perennial playoff team -- on the road, no less -- in his third career start. Yes, he's backed by an elite defense and a productive run game, but if you want to look at one play that has the Broncos excited about Siemian's potential, look at the 55-yard touchdown to Demaryius Thomas on Sunday. The pass came on a third-and-11, with the Broncos trying to protect a five-point lead with 4:32 left in the game. What's next: With the roster of a defending champion around him, Siemian has outdueled two No. 1 picks already this season in Cam Newton and Andrew Luck. He gets his third in the first four games in Jameis Winston in Tampa on Sunday, followed by another in Matt Ryan on Oct. 9 in Denver. -- Jeff Legwold  Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)
What has made him successful: A combination of elite physical ability and intelligence. Coach Doug Pederson noted Wentz's memory and recall is so good, he only needs to see a defensive look once to diagnose and dissect it. "If he sees that front or that coverage, that look again he knows exactly what's coming defensively, and he can put us in the right play. For a young quarterback after just a few weeks to have that type of recollection is something special." What’s next: The Eagles are on a bye this week before playing at the Detroit Lions on Oct. 9. Wentz has thrown 102 pass attempts without an interception, the second most in league history for a player’s first three career games behind only Warren Moon, according to Elias Sports Bureau research. If he can extend that streak in Detroit, Wentz and the Eagles have a great shot at improving to 4-0. -- Tim McManus
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