Deshaun Watson earns NFL All-Rookie honor

Watson was one of 10 QBs drafted and three in the top-12 picks, and he was able to earn All-Rookie honors in only seven games played (USA TODAY Sports-David Kohl).

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Sat Jan 27 11:34:30 GMT-04:00 2018

Former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson made quite the impression over seven games in his NFL debut for the Houston Texans last season.

So much so, Watson was named to the NFL.com All-Rookie team by former NFL executive Gil Brandt this week.

"In less than half a season, Watson showed the makings of a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback who's capable of taking a team to the playoffs," Brandt said.

Watson was the final of three QBs to go in the 2017 NFL Draft first round at No. 12 overall and one of 10 QBs drafted overall. Before a November knee injury, Watson was tied for the league-lead in passing touchdowns (19) and fresh off winning AFC offensive player of the month for October.

Watson passed for just short of 1,700 yards (1,699) with 19 TDs to eight interceptions and also contributed 269 rushing yards (7.5 per carry) with two more scores. His 81.7 total QBR (ESPN) would have led the league if carried over the entire regular season.

Other rookies with significant playing time all rated 57th or lower in QBR, including Cleveland’s Deshone Kizer (29.2), Chicago No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky (28.9) and Buffalo’s Nathan Peterman (11.1). No. 10 overall pick Kansas City Chiefs pick Patrick Mahomes was a backup on an NFL Playoff team, seeing action in one game.

Among other Clemson rookies, New York Giants fourth-round pick Wayne Gallman rushed for 476 yards and hauled in a touchdown reception in his 34 catches for 193 yards. Third-round Miami Dolphins pick Cordrea Tankersley worked his way into a starting role at points in the season and totaled 31 tackles and seven pass breakups. L.A. Chargers No. 7 overall pick Mike Williams missed significant time with back and knee injuries, but he tallied 11 catches for 95 yards. New York Jets fifth-round pick Jordan Leggett sat out the season on injured reserve (knee). L.A. Chargers free agent signing Artavis Scott spent the season on the practice squad and signed a futures contract with the Chargers recently.