OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Isaac Guerendo – RB / SF
Next man up. There is not a single position group from one team that embodies that classic football mantra than the Niners backfield since Kyle Shanahan took over the Niners in 2017. Carlos Hyde, Matt Breida, Alfred Morris, Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, Jeff Wilson, Jared McKinnon, Elijah Mitchell, Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason, and now Isaac Guerendo. That list of ELEVEN running backs have all scored multiple touchdowns for the Niners since 2017. With the injuries piling up in the 2024 version of the San Francisco backfield, the fourth rounder was a key ingredient to the team’s 38-point performance, a season-high for the team and a point more than what the offense as a whole has produced over the previous three weeks combined.
Guerendo made a name for himself with a position best 4.33 forty at the combine. The 221-pounder produced for just one year in college after transferring from Wisconsin to Louisville. That one year was enough to impress Shanahan and company, who can spot running back talent as well as anyone in the league. In his first career start, he rushed for 78 yards on 15 carries and caught both targets for another 50. The 128 yards from scrimmage were a league wide rookie-high this week.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Byron Murphy – DT / SEA
We have seen a former Texas Longhorn defensive tackle on the All-Rookie team multiple times. Prior to the year, most would have assumed it would be Murphy, who was among national leaders in pressure rate last fall. But T’vondre Sweat, the mountain of a man, has been the more impactful rookie in year one. We aren’t done yet. Murphy is heating up and his multi-faceted impact showed up all afternoon in Arizona as Seattle moved into sole possession of first place in the NFC West.
Here is an excerpt from my report on Murphy last spring: “Murphy even splits the double team at a high success rate. His best fit would be in a three-tech role, but he can be moved around a bit and will support the run defense”. Against Arizona, Murphy lined up as a three-tech 25 times and at nose tackle 11 times. He added a rookie-high four pressures against the pass and finished with three tackles against the run. His ability to play low and screw himself into the ground helped Seattle control the inside run. Even on plays where he doesn’t end up with the announcer calling his name, Murphy’s impact was felt through the entire unit from all angles.
QB
Caleb Williams – CHI (Round 1)
Williams was the only rookie quarterback to play in week 14. He did throw for multiple touchdowns without any interceptions for the third straight week in their loss to San Francisco.
Honorable Mention: N/A
RB
Isaac Guerendo – SF (Round 4)
See above.
Honorable Mention: Isaiah Davis (NYJ)
WR
Jalen McMillan – TB (Round 3)
McMillan was one of two rookies to catch not one, but two touchdowns in week 14. It was the first time he caught one in the end zone since week one. He caught four passes for 59 yards in Tampa Bay’s win.
Honorable Mention: Rome Odunze (CHI)
TE
Brock Bowers – LV (Round 1)
Bowers did not have his usual self, but the league’s leader in yards by a tight end still led rookies with three catches for 49 yards, 21 of which came after the catch.
Honorable Mention: AJ Barner (SEA)
OT
Joe Alt – LAC (Round 1)
Alt allowed just one pressure in the Chargers’ loss to the AFC favorite Chiefs on the road, a team that is top four in both pressure percentage and QB hits. Alt is making the game look easy.
Honorable Mention: JC Latham (TEN)
OG/OC
Beaux Limmer – LAR (Round 6)
The Rams scored a season-high 44 points and gained a season-high 457 yards in their statement win over the Bills. They were effective in all areas of offense and Limmer was a linchpin to the success they had up front.
Honorable Mention: Cooper Beebe (DAL)
ED
Chop Robinson – MIA (Round 1)
Robinson, one of the hottest edge rushers in the entire league, had three pressures against the Jets in their win over the division rival. All three came on third down where he could really pin his ears back and let it rip.
Honorable Mention: Jalyx Hunt (PHI)
DT
Byron Murphy – SEA (Round 1)
See above.
Honorable Mention: Evan Anderson (SF)
LB
Tyrice Knight – SEA (Round 4)
Knight joins his front seven teammate on this week’s squad after leading all rookies with 10 tackles, multiple of which came after a lengthy pursuit to the outside.
Honorable Mention: Payton Wilson (PIT)
CB
Jarrion Jones – JAX (Round 3)
Jones broke up two passes on just 25 snaps in coverage, the only rookie corner to do so. He also recorded his first career sack on his lone blitz of the day in their hard-fought win over Tennessee.
Honorable Mention: Quinyon Mitchell (PHI)
S
Tykee Smith (TB)
The only rookie to interecept a pass in week 14 was Smith. He was targeted seven times and only allowed three completions. Raiders passers had a 14.9 passer rating when looking his way.
Honorable Mention: Malik Mustapha (SF)