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All-Rookie Team - WEEK 13

Dave Syvertsen, Senior Draft Analyst
10/30/2023 4:16PM ET

QB

 

Drew Lock – DEN (2nd round)

 

In Drew Lock’s first start, DEN ended up winning a tight division contest at home against LAC.  Lock was protected in this one, as they didn’t ask him to do much but he orchestrated an efficient game, throwing for 134 yards on 18/28 and 2 touchdowns.  He did turn the ball over once but overall it was a solid first look for Lock.

 

RB

 

Miles Sanders – PHI (2nd round)

 

In a losing effort, Sanders finished with 105 total yards including a touchdown catch.  His burst and immediate acceleration is a weapon this struggling PHI offense needs to take advantage of more in the coming weeks as they are still in the NFC East hunt.

 

WR (2)

 

Deebo Samuel – SF (2nd round)

 

Samuel had just 2 catches but he made the most out of them, as he scored one of 2 touchdowns for SF on the day in their toughest game to date at BAL.  He also added a 20 yard gain on a reverse run.

 

Kelvin Harmon – WAS (6th round)

 

The Redskins are in the process of building their future offense and while Dwayne Haskins has a ways to go, the rookie receivers are making strong impressions in year one.  Harmon had 3 catches for 51 yards, the third of which was a 26-yard gain that set up Adrian Peterson for a touchdown run on the very next play.

 

TE

 

TJ Hockenson – DET (1st round)

 

It was a quiet week for the rookie tight ends, but Hockenson led the way with 6 catches / 18 yards with a backup QB at the helm.  He also graded out above the line as a blocker against a stingy CHI defense.

 

OT (2)

 

Cody Ford – BUF (2nd round)

 

Ford has been splitting snaps at right tackle for nearly the entire season but he played 100% of them Thursday in Dallas.  He responded with his best performance of the season and it looks like the patient, piece by piece approach BUF used with him is working.    Ford was up against Demarcus Lawrence most of the day and if I had to pick one that won the matchup, it was the rookie.

 

Dennis Daley – CAR (6th round)

 

There is an internal debate coming in CAR as Daley continues to impress as the team’s left tackle in Greg Little’s absence.  While CAR did lose to WAS and Daley still shows some core weakness, he is a fighter that once again proved he can keep it together on the blind side.

 

OG (2)

 

Dalton Risner – DEN (2nd round)

 

Risner re-appears on the all-rookie team as he has for most of the 2019 season.  He was all over the field in a good way against LAC, as he was sent across the line as a lead blocker several times and made a difference in addition to his normal effective self in short spaces.

 

Max Scharping – HOU (2nd round)

 

The Texans made a statement at home against the Patriots and it can be largely attributed to the Houston OL taking care of things up front.  Scharping didn’t allow a sack of pressure as Deshaun Watson roasted the NFL’s top defense.

 

OC

 

Patrick Mekari – BAL (UDFA)

 

The injury to starter to Matt Skura a couple weeks ago opened the door for the UDFA from California and he isn’t looking back.  Mekari was up against one of the top defensive fronts in their matchup against SF and he excelled.  He was singled out by coaches for how well he handled assignments and blocks in an offense that continues to dominate.

 

EDGE

 

Josh Allen – JAX (1st round)

 

Allen finished with 6 tackles / 1 sack / 2 pressures in their divisional loss to TEN and even though their defense has been underwhelming this season, Allen remains a bright spot.

 

Montez Sweat – WAS (1st round)

 

As the WAS defense continues to strengthen, as does Sweat with his 1.5 sack / 1 pressure / 3 tackle performance in their road win at CAR.

 

DT (2)

 

Ed Oliver – BUF (1st round)

 

We may be in the presence of an Ed Oliver breakout, as things are starting to mentally click and the team is figuring out how to best use him.  He finished Turkey Day with 4 tackles / 2 sacks / 1 PD /1 FF against arguably his toughest opponent of the year.

 

Dexter Lawrence – NYG (1st round)

 

Lawrence held one of the top running backs of the 2019 season to 1.6 yards per carry by himself with dominant trench-play where he demanded double and in come cases triple team action from the GB offensive line.  He added 3 tackles as well.

 

LB (2)

 

Devin White – TB (1st round)

 

White is getting better week by week and now his playmaking skills are being put on display.  He finished with 7 tackles / 1 TFL / 1 INT / 2 PD and returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown.  Talk about a three down player for the TB defense that has some pieces to work with moving forward.

 

Drue Tranquill – LAC (4th round)

 

Tranquill finished with 7 tackles, 3 of which were for a loss which led all rookies.  He is also a factor on every down as the former safety looks fluid and smart in coverage.

 

CB (2)

 

Sean Murphy-Bunting – TB (2nd round)

 

The physical and long corner from Western Michigan is raising eyebrows around the league.  He finished with 2 pass break ups and an interception against the Jaguars.  He appears to be the top defensive back on the young, growing defense.

 

Ken Webster – MIA (7th round)

 

Webster finished with 7 tackles, a team lead, and a pass break up over PHI in their upset win at home.  The speedster was tested deep and allowed minimal separation but also showed effective short area quickness and physical tackling.

 

S (2)

 

Juan Thornhill – KC (2nd round)

 

In their dominant, statement-win over OAK, Thornhill was a key cog in shutting down Derek Carr’s offense.  He picked off a pass via a great read and returned it for a touchdown while adding 3 tackles.

 

Darnell Savage – GB (1st round)

 

Savage picked off an errant Daniel Jones pass, making it 2 on the year for the spark plug of the GB secondary.  He added 4 tackles and helped shut down the downfield passing attack of NYG.