QB
Brock Purdy / SF (Round 7)
Purdy is making himself a staple on the Ourlads All-Rookie Team and has a credible shot at finishing here at the end of the season. His game management, timing, and good decisions within the Shanahan scheme led the team to another win at Seattle with a line of 17/26 – 217 – 2 TD.
Honorable Mention: Desmond Ridder (ATL)
RB
Tyler Allgeier / ATL (Round 5)
The Falcons opted to turn things over to rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder down the stretch as they try and sneak into the playoffs. Allgeier took things into his own hands with one of the most physical games out of a back we have seen. He ran for 139 yards on just 17 carries and scored a touchdown. The 101 yards after contact (5.88 per carry average) were the fifth most in a game of all backs in the NFL from the entire season.
Honorable Mention: Brian Robinson (WAS)
WR
Jahan Dotson / WAS (Round 1)
Dotson re-appears on the Ourlads All-Rookie Team for the first time since early in the season after a four catch – 105 yards – one touchdown performance Sunday night against NYG. It was the second time this season that the WAS passer had a perfect passer rating when throwing the ball his way. His 26.3 yards per catch were a season high and he now has a six-game streak of no drops.
Honorable Mention: Garrett Wilson (NYJ)
TE
Trey McBride / ARZ (Round 1)
McBride makes his inaugural appearance on the Ourlads All-Rookie team after he led all rookies with 55 yards on four catches. He was targeted just five times. McBride gained 32 yards after the catch and gained three first downs.
Honorable Mention: Chigoziem Okonkwo (TEN)
OT
Zach Tom / GB (Round 4)
There may not be a better franchise at taking young linemen in the draft and getting early dividends from them. Tom is the next one on the list. He did not allow a sack for the third straight start and has allowed just two pressures over that span, including just one on Monday night against the Rams.
Honorable Mention: Braxton Jones (CHI)
OG/OC
Cole Strange / NE (Round 1)
For the second straight week, Strange pitched a shutout in pass protection. He was also a key piece to their running game gaining 206 yards on the ground. Strange has not allowed a hit on the quarterback since week 8.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Linderbaum (BAL)
EDGE
Kayvon Thibodeaux / NYG (Round 1)
The defense won the game for NYG in their big bout against WAS as both teams are trying to get over the hump into the playoffs. The biggest play of the game came from Thibodeaux as he hit the defensive Grand Slam. A sack + forced fumble + fumble recovery + touchdown scored the second and final touchdown for the eventual winners. His night did not end there. He had three tackles for loss, one pressure, and 12 tackles on the night. It was the best game we have seen out of a rookie edge defender all year.
Honorable Mention: Aidan Hutchinson (DET)
DT
Eyioma Uwazurike / DEN (Round 4)
We projected Uwazurike to eventually be one of the most important rookies for DEN and that is what he has become since week 12. They are using him as a pass-rush specialist but on 24 snaps, he has two tackles, one of which at the line of scrimmage, one pressure, and a pass break up. He is going to be an every down threat for this strong defense.
Honorable Mention: Devonte Wyatt (GB)
LB
Quay Walker / GB (Round 1)
Walker has been, by far, the top rookie linebacker in the NFL this season. The versatile skill set was put on display in a big way in GB’s national spotlight game against LAR. He finished with five tackles, one TFL, one sack, two pass break ups, and a forced fumble. The range to the outside and stoutness between the tackles was a major factor against the Rams' running game.
Honorable Mention: Damone Clark (DAL)
CB
Alontae Taylor / NO (Round 2)
While the top two rookie corners cannot be debated, Taylor is sneaking up the group’s strong power ranks and could make a case for being the number three guy. He finished with four tackles and three pass breakups in NO’s win over ATL, a win that kept their playoff hopes alive. The 42.4 passer rating when targeted was the seventh time the rookie has posted a number below 73.0 this season.
Honorable Mention: Roger McCreary (TEN)
S
Kyle Hamilton / BAL (Round 1)
The BAL defense is doing everything they can to keep the water from slipping out of the bucket full of holes while Lamar Jackson is out. Hamilton, albeit in a losing effort, did his part. His seven tackles, one sack, and two TFL performance was arguably his best of the season. Another subtle but important piece to his game was limiting yards after the catch. He was constantly on top of the pass catcher right away and getting him to the ground.
Honorable Mention: Jalen Pitre (HOU)