DeShaun Watson: The best rookie quarterback ever?

Houston Texans rookie quarterback DeShaun Watson is having an historic season. Is it the best we’ve ever seen from a rookie quarterback?

When you think of some of the best individual seasons for rookie quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, names like Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, and Robert Griffin III come to mind. But what DeShaun Watson is doing is absolutely other-worldly in comparison.

Despite losing to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Watson’s five-touchdown performance will forever be remembered as one of the best of his young NFL career, as he shattered any expectation of what the vaunted Seahawks defense would — or could — do to defend against him.

Look at the incredible pace Watson is on this season:

With 19 touchdown passes already, Texans rookie Deshaun Watson is on pace to finish the season with 43 touchdowns.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 30, 2017

Statistically, rookie seasons don’t get much better than what we saw from Russell Wilson in 2012. Not only did Wilson come into the NFL and look like one of the most refined passers in the game, he had an elite defense backing him when he made mistakes (which were few, and far between).

Wilson completed over 64 percent of his passes in 2012 with 26 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and an additional four rushing touchdowns.

Here at the end of October, Watson already has 21 total touchdowns (19 passing, two rushing) and despite having nine interceptions already, it’s not much of a stretch to say his performance this year is the best we’ve ever seen from a rookie quarterback.

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Against Seattle, Watson became the first player in NFL history to throw for 400 or more yards, four or more touchdowns, and rush for 50 or more yards in a single game.

Seeing him now, it’s a wonder that Watson wasn’t the top overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. There is nothing we’re seeing him do now that we didn’t see him do at Clemson, he’s just doing it against the best of the best in the NFL.

Up until Sunday, the Seahawks hadn’t allowed a first quarter touchdown. Watson got the Texans in twice. Richard Sherman said it was the best performance by any opposing quarterback against the Seahawks, noting they had played ‘all the legends’.

If the season ended today, Watsons numbers would stand up against some of the best rookie seasons in NFL history. He still has half of a season left to play.

This kid is special, and rewriting the history books one game at a time.

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