With rookie quarterbacks, you typically want to look at guys who can run. It’s early, but Deshaun Watson and DeShone Kizer definitely pass that test. After three weeks, both are averaging better fantasy numbers than Dak Prescott and Russell Wilson did in their rookie seasons.
Say what?
Part of that can be attributed to statistical inflation. The game has changed. But Watson and Kizer have put up viable fantasy stats.
Key is rushing production. In typical fantasy leagues, quarterbacks get 1 point for every 10 rushing yards and 6 for each rushing touchdown, making those stats more valuable than the passing numbers that more typically are talked about.
It’s early, and both of these quarterbacks will no doubt struggle in many games. But both can definitely run. Watson has run for 108 yards and a touchdown in the two games he’s started (he also ran for 2 TDs in the preseason). Kizer is averaging 29 rushing yards, with 2 TDs in three games.
Since 2000, 40 rookie quarterbacks have started at least half of the season. Only two of those quarterbacks averaged more fantasy points (per game) in their first season than what Watson has done in his first two starts. Only three others outperformed Kizer.
Best rookie numbers tend to come when quarterback is not only passing but also running. On the chart below, the top 10 running quarterbacks (standard scoring) have a black dot by their name.
Players are in order of fantasy points per game. The final column (“rank”) shows where the quarterbacks placed in that year relative to all other quarterbacks starting at least half of the season.
ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS SINCE 2000 | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Player | St | Pass | TDP | Run | TDR | Pts | Rk |
2011 | • Cam Newton, Car. | 16 | 253.2 | 1.31 | 44.1 | .88 | 27.8 | 4 |
2012 | • Robert Griffin III, Wash. | 15 | 213.3 | 1.33 | 54.3 | .47 | 24.2 | 5 |
2017 | Deshaun Watson, Hou. | 2 | 213.0 | 1.00 | 54.0 | .50 | 23.1 | --- |
2012 | • Andrew Luck, Ind. | 16 | 273.4 | 1.44 | 15.9 | .31 | 22.9 | 10 |
2015 | • Marcus Mariota, Tenn. | 12 | 234.8 | 1.58 | 21.0 | .25 | 22.2 | 16 |
2015 | • Jameis Winston, T.B. | 16 | 252.6 | 1.38 | 13.1 | .38 | 21.8 | 17 |
2017 | DeShone Kizer, Clev. | 3 | 215.3 | 1.00 | 29.0 | .67 | 21.7 | --- |
2016 | • Dak Prescott, Dall. | 16 | 229.2 | 1.44 | 17.6 | .38 | 21.2 | 17 |
2012 | • Russell Wilson, Sea. | 16 | 194.9 | 1.63 | 30.6 | .25 | 20.8 | 12 |
2009 | Matthew Stafford, Det. | 10 | 226.7 | 1.30 | 10.8 | .20 | 19.0 | 14 |
2006 | • Vince Young, Tenn. | 13 | 158.9 | .85 | 40.6 | .54 | 18.8 | 9 |
2014 | Teddy Bridgewater, Minn. | 12 | 230.8 | 1.17 | 15.2 | .08 | 18.6 | 21 |
2016 | Carson Wentz, Phil. | 16 | 236.4 | 1.00 | 9.4 | .13 | 17.8 | 27 |
2013 | EJ Manuel, Buff. | 10 | 197.2 | 1.10 | 18.6 | .20 | 17.7 | 25 |
2013 | • Geno Smith, NYJ | 16 | 190.4 | .75 | 22.9 | .38 | 17.1 | 27 |
2011 | Andy Dalton, Cin. | 16 | 212.4 | 1.25 | 9.5 | .06 | 16.9 | 21 |
2006 | Matt Leinart, Ariz. | 11 | 226.6 | 1.00 | 5.1 | .18 | 16.9 | 14 |
2009 | Josh Freeman, T.B. | 9 | 204.3 | 1.11 | 17.3 | .00 | 16.8 | 23 |
2010 | Sam Bradford, St.L. | 16 | 219.5 | 1.13 | 3.9 | .06 | 16.2 | 24 |
2014 | Blake Bortles, Jac. | 13 | 206.5 | .69 | 29.9 | .00 | 16.2 | 27 |
2013 | Mike Glennon, T.B. | 13 | 200.6 | 1.46 | 2.8 | .00 | 16.2 | 31 |
2011 | Christian Ponder, Minn. | 10 | 175.4 | 1.30 | 21.1 | .00 | 16.1 | 24 |
2014 | Derek Carr, Oak. | 16 | 204.4 | 1.31 | 5.8 | .00 | 16.0 | 28 |
2001 | • Chris Weinke, Car. | 15 | 195.4 | .73 | 8.5 | .40 | 16.0 | 19 |
2008 | Matt Ryan, Atl. | 16 | 215.0 | 1.00 | 6.5 | .06 | 15.9 | 21 |
2003 | Byron Leftwich, Jac. | 13 | 207.3 | .92 | 8.3 | .15 | 15.8 | 20 |
2012 | Brandon Weeden, Clev. | 15 | 225.7 | .93 | 7.4 | .00 | 15.8 | 27 |
2012 | Ryan Tannehill, Mia. | 16 | 205.9 | .75 | 13.2 | .13 | 15.6 | 28 |
2004 | Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt. | 13 | 188.1 | 1.15 | 11.1 | .08 | 15.6 | 24 |
2010 | Colt McCoy, Clev. | 8 | 197.0 | .75 | 17.0 | .13 | 15.3 | 27 |
2008 | Joe Flacco, Balt. | 16 | 185.7 | .88 | 11.3 | .13 | 14.8 | 26 |
2009 | Mark Sanchez, NYJ | 15 | 162.9 | .80 | 7.1 | .20 | 13.5 | 28 |
2002 | David Carr, Hou. | 16 | 162.0 | .56 | 17.6 | .19 | 13.5 | 28 |
2002 | Joey Harrington, Det. | 12 | 186.8 | 1.00 | .3 | .00 | 13.4 | 29 |
2006 | Bruce Gradkowski, T.B. | 11 | 149.2 | .82 | 14.6 | .00 | 12.2 | 32 |
2007 | Trent Edwards, Buff. | 9 | 170.3 | .78 | 5.4 | .00 | 12.2 | 29 |
2016 | Cody Kessler, Clev. | 8 | 171.1 | .75 | 2.3 | .00 | 12.0 | 31 |
2011 | Blaine Gabbert, Jac. | 14 | 154.4 | .86 | 6.9 | .00 | 11.8 | 33 |
2001 | Quincy Carter, Dall. | 8 | 134.0 | .63 | 18.8 | .13 | 11.8 | 30 |
2003 | Kyle Boller, Balt. | 9 | 138.9 | .78 | 6.9 | .00 | 11.6 | 31 |
2010 | Jimmy Clausen, Car. | 10 | 149.9 | .30 | 5.7 | .00 | 9.3 | 32 |
2005 | Kyle Orton, Chi. | 15 | 124.6 | .60 | 2.9 | .00 | 8.9 | 32 |
—Ian Allan