QB
Kenny Pickett / PIT (Round 1)
Pickett remains the lone weekly contributing rookie quarterback in the NFL. He did not have any competition for the spot but he did throw for 265 yards and added 14 more on the ground. More importantly, Pickett has now gone two straight games without turning the ball over.
RB
James Cook / BUF
After a mess of a week for the team that forced them to (barely) fly out of snow-filled Buffalo and play a home game in Detroit, Cook ended up being a key part to their come from behind win against CLE. Cook rushed for 86 yards on just 11 carries including three runs of over 15 yards. His role appears to be growing in this offense as we enter the final third of the season.
Honorable Mention: Isaiah Pacheco (KC)
WR
Chris Olave / NO (Round 1)
Olave led the Saints in receiving and receptions with a line of 5/102 on just 6 targets. He burned All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey in the third quarter for a 53-yard score where he displayed the top shelf route running, acceleration, and final-gear speed. NO won the game by seven.
Honorable Mention: Wan’Dale Robinson / NYG
TE
Greg Dulcich / DEN (Round 3)
While Dulcich is playing more slot than in-line (20 to 9 snaps), he stood out among the other rookies at the position. He had 4 catches for 30 yards, 3 of which went for a first down.
Honorable Mention: Jake Ferguson / DAL
OT
Braxton Jones / CHI (Round 5)
Jones' pass protection continues to improve each quarter of the season. For the second straight week, he allowed just 1 pressure. While he was penalized once, Jones also proved to be reliable in the running game.
Honorable Mention: Nicholas Petit-Frere (TEN)
OG/OC
Cole Strange / NE (Round 1)
For the third time this season, Strange has now gone consecutive games without allowing a sack. In the defensive battle against the division rival Jets where not a single offensive touchdown was scored between the two teams, Strange’s play was one the biggest positives to take away from the game. He was matched up against All-Pro candidate Quinnen Williams a bunch in this one and Strange easily walks away the winner.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Linderbaum (BAL)
EDGE
Aidan Hutchinson / DET (Round 1)
Hutchinson made two big-impact plays in their win over the 7-2 Giants. He intercepted a pass on a zone blitz that had him drop back and he recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. He added 3 tackles and 3 pressures. Defensive Coordinator is shifting his rush lanes inside and outside to fully take advantage of his skill set and hustle.
Honorable Mention: Arnold Ebiketie (ATL)
DT
John Ridgeway / WAS (Round 4)
After his strong but small sample size last week against PHI, Ridgeway saw his playing time more-than double and he kept that level of play high. He had 2 tackles, both of which were right at the line of scrimmage and helped keep linebackers clean in the team’s dominant run defense against HOU.
Honorable Mention: Neil Farrell / LV
LB
Quay Walker / GB (Round 1)
Walker is running away with the top rookie-linebacker spot and is almost a sure-thing to end on the Ourlads' All Rookie First Team in January. His strong season got even stronger with his 12 tackle, 1 TFL, 0.5 sack performance against TEN. He showed off both range and stoutness and was the one guy on that defense that was able to take Derrick Henry on in the hole and knock him straight to the ground. In 3 of his last 4 games, including this one, Walker has not missed a tackle.
Honorable Mention: Troy Andersen (ATL)
CB
Samuel Womack / SF (Round 5)
The SF defense was back to their dominant ways in the high elevation of Mexico City as they took on the ARZ offense missing their starting quarterback Kyler Murray. Early on, it seemed like their offense was playing more efficiently because of how quickly McCoy was getting the ball out. As things progressed, however, Womack and the secondary really stepped up. He finished with 4 tackles, 2 pass break ups, an interception, the first of his career.
Honorable Mention: Damarri Mathis (DEN)
S
Kyle Hamilton / BAL (Round 1)
Hamilton made a huge impact in just 21 snaps as the BAL defense held CAR to just three points. He had 4 tackles, 1 TFL, and a pressure. His coverage was top notch as well, allowing just two yards on three catches allowed, showing how fast he was to get on top of the receiver. Hamilton was quick to diagnose and continued his streak of not missing any tackles, which is now at three games.
Honorable Mention: Kerby Joseph / DET