Entering Week 2, Anthony Richardson is coming off the best debut of 2023 rookie QBs

Throughout the history of the NFL, quarterbacks selected in the same draft class are forever linked together. Their stats will always be measured against each other and their head-to-head matchups will always carry a little more weight, as everyone tries to figure out if they were drafted in the right order. That’s now playing out with the 2023 Draft class.

Three quarterbacks were drafted in the first round of the 2023 Draft, all three in the top four picks. Bryce Young went first overall to the Carolina Panthers, CJ Stroud went second overall to the Houston Texans, and Anthony Richardson went fourth overall to the Indianapolis Colts. All three rookies earned the starting spot for their respective teams and had their first starts in Week 1.

As expected, all three of their teams loss. However, it’s the individual performances that everyone cares about. How did they look? Is the future bright? Were they the right pick? As is the case with rookies, all three had some good and some bad. However, in this world of comparing, people were quick to decide who had the best debut. Lucky for Colts fans, it was Anthony Richardson that played the best in Week 1.

Anthony Richardson outplayed rookie quarterbacks in Week 1

Richardson faced off against the Jacksonville Jaguars and completed 24-of-37 passes (65%) for 223 yards, one passing touchdown, one interception, and carried the ball 10 times for 40 yards and another touchdown. CJ Stroud went against the Baltimore Ravens, completing 28-of-44 passes (64%) for 242 yards. Stroud also ran the ball four times for 20 yards.

Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick, completed 20-of-38 passes (53%) for 146 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. He ran three times for 17 yards, as the Panthers lost to the Atlanta Falcons.

Richardson was the most efficient and effective with his arm and his legs, but Stroud was the only one that didn’t throw an interception. As expected, all three have a lot of growing to do, but they should be a fun trio to watch in the coming years. On Sunday, in Week 2, they’ll have the first QB matchup, as Richardson and the Indianapolis Colts take on Stroud and the Houston Texans. The performance of the rookie QBs will certainly be something to watch.

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