Offensive Rookie of the Week:
TreVeyon Henderson - RB / New England
Defensive Rookie of the Week:
Jalon Walker - ED / Atlanta
Quarterback
Tyler Shough / NO (Round 2)
Shiough led the rookie class with 282 yards and two touchdowns on just 27 pass attempts in the upset win over Carolina. The 10.2 yards per attempt number ranked number one in the NFL among the 26 quarterbacks who threw the ball over 12 times.
Honorable Mention: Jaxson Dart / NYG
Running Back
TreVeyon Henderson / NE (Round 2)
If you can remember back to last April, there were two backs coming off the National Championship Ohio State squad available on day 2 of the NFL Draft. Quinshon Judkins came off the board at 36 overall and two picks later, New England went with Henderson. They were a thunder and lightning duo and it was Henderson that was the explosive homerun hitter. It has been a slightly slower than expected start for him that saw a few struggles with fumbles and pass protection but this it was only a matter of time. Henderson led the rookie class with 147 yards and actually gained 162 yards after contact with how often he was getting hit behind the line of scrimmage. His two long touchdown runs are two of the three longest of the season for rookies. He simply has a gear very few do.
Honorable Mention: Woody Marks / HOU
Wide Receiver
Emeka Egbuka / TB (Round 1)
Once again Egbuka led the receivers with six catches and 115 yards. Five of those catches resulted in a first down or a score as the rookie receivers on Tampa Bay are keeping that passing game above water. He also caught his sixth touchdown of the season which leads all rookie pass catchers.
Honorable Mention: Tez Johnson / TB
Tight End
Tyler Warren / IND (Round 1)
Mr. Automatic produced overseas just like he has stateside as the Colts won their International game against Atlanta. He was the overall rookie leader in catches with eight on just nine targets and also led the class with 65 yards after the catch. He was a yard shy of the century mark, a number he has not reached yet. He has, however, breached the 60-yard mark six times this season.
Honorable Mention: Colston Loveland / CHI
Offensive Tackle
Armand Membou / NYJ (Round 1)
On 49 snaps against a formidable Cleveland defensive line, Membou continued to play clean and physical football. He did not receive much help all afternoon, being left alone on an island in pass protection for most of the afternoon including a matchup against Myles Garrett. He allowed just one pressure and created plenty movement in the run game.
Honorable Mention: Kelvin Banks Jr. / NO
Guard/Center
Tate Ratledge / DET (Round 2)
For the second straight week, Ratledge pitched a shutout in pass protection. He has been playing with full confidence and awareness, showing snappy initial movement in pass protection and winning the initial battle repeatedly. For the seventh time this year he was not flagged either, minimizing the negative plays.
Honorable Mention: Donovan Jackson / MIN
Edge
Jalon Walker / ATL (Round 1)
History was made Sunday in Germany. Walker and fellow teammate James Perace Jr. are the first rookies from the same team to each record a sack, a forced fumble, and a recovered fumble in the same game. Walker, a linebacker who played off the ball with the occasional alignment along the line, is quickly progressing as a full time edge defender for Jeff Ulbrich’s defense. His sudden burst and underrated power have made him a handful for tackles to handle. He is more than a pass rusher, too. Walker dropped into coverage three times and made tackles in space and also took down Colts running back Jonathan Taylor at the line of scrimmage twice.
Honorable Mention: Mike Green / BAL
Defensive Tackle
Mason Graham / CLE (Round 1)
Graham has not been racking up the sacks but his impact has been consistent and heavy. He had three pressures against the solid interior Jets offensive line and he was the only rookie interior defensive lineman with multiple hits on the quarterback. His lateral quickness and refined hand techniques helped free him up to record three stops in the run game as well.
Honorable Mention: Elijah Roberts / TB
Linebacker
Teddye Buchanan / BAL (Round 4)
It was a quiet week for rookie linebackers, as only four played defensive snaps. Buchanan was a key part to Baltimore’s dominant defensive effort over Minnesota on the road. He finished with four solo tackles and was the only one to not miss any. He also had a pressure on one of his three blitzes and allowed just one short completion in coverage.
Honorable Mention: Carson Schwesinger / CLE
Cornerback
Maxwell Hairston / BUF (Round 1)
For the second straight week, Hairston picked off a fourth quarter pass on a deep ball. The Bills’ defense had a disappointing effort in Miami but Hairston’s quick impact is a good sign for what they will need in the coming months.
Honorable Mention: Nikko Reed / LAC
Safety
RJ Mickens / LAC (Round 6)
The Chargers defense dominated the Aaron Rodgers-led defense on a national stage Sunday night. Mickens picked off a second quarter pass intended for DK Metcalf and finished with four tackles and zero misses.
Honorable Mention: Malaki Starks / BAL