Offensive Rookie of the Week:
Emeka Egbuka - WR/Tampa Bay
Defensive Rookie of the Week:
Deone Walker - DT/Buffalo
Quarterback
Dillon Gabriel / CLE (Round 3)
The third rookie to start a game at quarterback this season nearly pulled off the upset across the Atlantic. Gabriel played a clean game as Head Coach Kevin Stefanski kept the concepts quick and simple. Gabriel threw his first career touchdown to fellow rookie Harold Fannin Jr. and carried a lead all the way to the 0:25 mark before the defense blew it. Gabriel did not turn the ball over, made good decisions, and remained on time. With Joe Flacco shipped to Cincinnati, he now holds the keys to the bus.
Honorable Mention: Cam Ward / TEN
Running Back
Jacory Croksey-Merritt / WAS (Round 7)
15 rookies carried the ball in week five, 30% of the backs who carried the ball. Croskey-Merritt led all 15 rookies and was fourth in the NFL with 111 yards. The 245th pick of the draft was the only first-year back to score a touchdown and he actually had two, the second of which gave Washington the lead in Los Angeles (A) which was never given back.
Honorable Mention: Quinshon Judkins / CLE
Wide Receiver
Emeka Egbuka / TB (Round 1)
The early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year took his impressive rookie campaign to new heights in Seattle. In a high-scoring, back and forth battle Egbuka was the team’s top threat on offense with Bucky Irving out. He caught all seven targets for 163 yards and a third quarter touchdown that gave them the lead in addition to a two-point conversion reception. Let’s put some context into how strong of a game this was. 6 of his 7 catches went for a touchdown or first down. Baker Mayfield had a perfect 158.3 passer rating when targeting him. And of the 52 players with five-plus catches in week five around the league, Egbuka’s 23.3 yards per were second most.
Honorable Mention: Travis Hunter / JAX
Tight End
Tyler Warren / IND (Round 1)
Mr. Automatic caught all four targets for four touchdowns which included the team’s first touchdown. He continues to get open in a hurry with reliable hands and the ability to carry defenders for extra yards. All of his production came in the first half as the Colts ran away with sizable margin over Las Vegas.
Honorable Mention: Mason Taylor / NYJ
Offensive Tackle
Will Campbell / NE (Round 1)
Short arms? Historically small wingspan? No problem for the week one starter for the now-second place Patriots. Campbell continued his rock-solid play as he did not allow a single sack of QB hit for the fourth time this year respectively. He is playing the game with his feet, angles, and anticipation to win nearly all of his matchups play after play.
Honorable Mention: Josh Simmons / KC
Guard/Center
Tate Ratledge / DET (Round 2)
Detroit is now leading the NFL in scoring. No Ben Johnson and new faces along the interior offensive line. A team does not score 52, 38, 34, and 37 points over the past four games. You don’t do that without quality offensive line play and Ratledge is a key part of that. His speed and control to the second level helped them rush for 100+ yards for the fourth straight week and he allowed just one pressure on the day, a late stunt by defensive end Myles Murphy.
Honorable Mention: Jonah Monheim / JAX
Edge
Donovan Ezeiruaku / DAL (Round 2)
While it was not the strongest week for the defensive rookies overall and the edge guys in particilar, Ezeiruaku did lead the group with four pressures. He also made a key stop on a QB sneak attempt and pressured Justin Fields on a failed fourth down conversion attempt. His snaps have increased every week as the team continues to experiment on defense.
Honorable Mention: Abdul Carter / NYG
Defensive Tackle
Deone Walker / BUF (Round 4)
Walker is becoming one of the more important defenders on this team, a defense that has let them down in key moments for multiple straight years. The mammoth-sized tackle came up in big moments as both a pass rusher and run defender. He came up with his first sack and added another tackle for loss in addition to taking on multiple double steams with stout presence.
Honorable Mention: Mason Graham / CLE
Linebacker
Teddye Buchanan / BAL (Round 4)
It was an ugly game in a really ugly stretch for the banged up Ravens but Buchanan not only led all rookies, but he led all NFL linebackers with 15 tackles and not a single miss. He played all 70 snaps without Roquan Smith on the field and added a pressure as well.
Honorable Mention: Jihaad Campbell / PHI
Cornerback
Will Johnson / ARZ (Round 2)
After missing two games with a groin injury, Johnson came back to a banged up seondary and played a rock-solid game. He was blanketing Titan receivers in space, allowing just two of four passes to be completed. He broke up a pass as well along with four tackles and zero misses. Johnson currently leads NFL corners with five pass break ups despite missing two games.
Honorable Mention: Jahdae Barron / DEN
Safety
Jonas Sanker / NO (Round 3)
After a coming out party last week against Buffalo, Sanker added seven more tackles to his season total and missed just one (after five misses a week ago). He held NYG pass catchers to minimal production, just nine yards on three catches. Sanker has been on the field for 253 snaps this season and has not been flagged once.
Honorable Mention: Nick Emmanwori / SEA