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How NFL Rookie Starting QBs Have Fared

Jim in Tampa : 9/20/2019 9:21 am
With DJ’s first start coming up I thought it might be interesting to see how other rookie QBs did in their first starts.

The article linked below is about a year old and it only lists rookie QBs since 2008. It does include Darnold’s first start but none of the other 2018 rookie QB’s had made their first starts yet when the article was written.

Some interesting notes…

19 of the 22 rookie QBs on the list threw at least 1 TD pass in their first start.

13 of 22 threw at least one interception.

13 of 22 completed less than 20 passes.

Only 3 of the QBs topped 300 yards and only one of them (RG3) did so in a winning effort.

Their combined first game record was a surprising 10-12. (I thought it would be worse.)

Obviously 2008 is a random year to start the rookie QB comparison, but if Jones wants to beat some of those other QBs listed, here are some numbers he would have to top:

Most Yards Passing: Cam Newton-422

Most Yards Rushing: Geno Smith-47

Most TD Passes: Marcus Mariota-4

Most Completions: Sam Bradford-32

Most INTs: Brandon Weeden-4

(Let’s hope he gets them all but the last one ;& gt;)

Rookie QBs - ( New Window )
Thank you  
V.I.G. : 9/20/2019 9:25 am : link
Interesting to note that of the rookie records you listed

Cam - Shula OC
Bradford - Shurmur OC
Not surprised about the record, teams usually try to find a  
Zeke's Alibi : 9/20/2019 9:47 am : link
soft spot for first spot.
the end of your post is also a reminder....  
Britt in VA : 9/20/2019 9:53 am : link
not to put too much stock in the first game, as even a great performance doesn't always translate to a great career.

I'm super excited for Jones, I hope he lights it up.
It is easier  
Lines of Scrimmage : 9/20/2019 9:53 am : link
now. College offenses have advanced to more pass-oriented so they come to the league much more advanced.

What may be interesting is to have those stats from 15 and thirty years ago and I would think you would see some really terrible stats.
I was surprised to see Marriota, but that was such an abberration  
Zeke's Alibi : 9/20/2019 9:55 am : link
of a game. Played the worst team in the league and threw 15 passes for 200.
RE: the end of your post is also a reminder....  
Zeke's Alibi : 9/20/2019 9:56 am : link
In comment 14589284 Britt in VA said:
Quote:
not to put too much stock in the first game, as even a great performance doesn't always translate to a great career.

I'm super excited for Jones, I hope he lights it up.


The only guy to really light it up were RG3 and Cam, both pretty good QBs derailed by injury.
One really important factor  
Lines of Scrimmage : 9/20/2019 10:03 am : link
is the team around them.
Some of that info is outdated (it's from early last season)  
Gatorade Dunk : 9/20/2019 10:14 am : link
For example, Lamar Jackson had 119 yards rushing in his first start last season - way more than Geno Smith's 47.
And now I see  
Gatorade Dunk : 9/20/2019 10:16 am : link
that you did note that the article is a year old.

Still, Jackson's rushing total is pretty remarkable in and of itself, but even more so when you consider it was 2.5x the previous record.
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