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All-Rookie Team - WEEK 5

Dave Syvertsen, Senior Draft Analyst
10/30/2023 4:18PM ET

QB

Kyler Murray – ARZ (1st round)

Murray finally got his career and the Kliff Kingsbury era out of the winless column, leading the Cardinals to a tight 23-20 win.  We are starting to see Murray use his legs more and more in big moments, as he finished with a rushing touchdown among his 93 yards on the ground.  He also had a game-sealing 24-yard run on a passing play to get ARZ within easy-field goal range at the end of the game.  Murray didn’t turn the ball over and had 253 yards in the air.

 

RB

Josh Jacobs – OAK (1st round)

Jacobs was a key component to the Raiders' upset win across the pond against the Bears, a top 5 defense in the NFL.  Jacobs finished with 123 yards on the ground and another 20 via the passing game with 2 touchdowns.  It would be a sin to overlook and not mention rookie fullback Alec Ingold, as he was setting the tone and making an impact as a lead blocker.  The CHI defense woke up a little extra sore the next day after dealing with these two.

 

WR (2)

Darius Slayton – NYG (5th round)

After what started off as a horrid start for Slayton during preseason stemming from drops and a hamstring injury, the speedster from Auburn is showing a connection with Daniel Jones.  He burned Xavier Rhodes for a 35-yard score and also continues to show the ability to factor underneath as well.

Mecole Hardman – KC (2nd round)

For the second week in a row, the top offense in the NFL has shown signs of being human.  Hardman, who has had an up and down start to his career, caught 4 passes for 79 yards.  Even though he didn’t get in the end zone, it was a solid game for the speedster who is showing signs of improvement as a route runner.

 

TE

Foster Moreau – OAK (4th round)

For the second straight week, Moreau makes the all-rookie team and quietly becoming the class of the position among first year players.  Moreau not only led the team in receiving, but he has been dominant in the trenches as the OAK running game is starting to take off.

 

OT (2)

Justin Skule – SF (6th round)

The Niners' sheer dominance of the Browns on a national stage had several components to it but maybe the most notable was the SF offensive line against the CLE defensive line.  Skule, still playing in place of the injured Joe Staley, completely shut down Olivier Vernon in this one.

Dennis Daley – CAR (6th round)

Daley, a college left tackle, had been working mainly at guard for CAR this year.  However with injuries piling up along the OL, he got the start at right tackle and kept things quiet as the Panthers' offense continues to surge with their backup QB at the helm.

 

OG (2)

Elgton Jenkins – GB (2nd round)

The Packers running game seems to have taken over the Aaron Rodgers era, making him the side dish on an offense where he used to be the main attraction.  Jenkins has been a key cog in the change as the GB offensive line is getting plenty of push and controlling the point of attack.

Dalton Risner – DEN (2nd round)

Risner has become the weekly staple for the all-rookie team inside as he continues to look like the best lineman on the Broncos.  Their win in LAC was very much about the ground attack starting hot and never cooling off, very much thanks to Risner and his effective push at the line and mobility at the second level.

 

OC

Garrett Bradbury (1st round)

The MIN offense was thoroughly dominant in New York as the middle of their offensive line created holes that a bus could drive through.  Bradbury’s quickness off the snap has been a perfect fit for the zone blocking scheme MIN implemented.

 

EDGE (2)

Nick Bosa – SF (1st round)

On the national stage, Bosa had arguably the best game by any edge player in the NFL this season.  4 tackles / 2 sacks / 4 pressures / 1 forced fumble / 1 fumble recovery in a bit of a revenge game against Baker Mayfield.  Bosa’s strength and quickness off the snap was allowing him to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted.

Brian Burns – CAR (1st round)

Burns was a key cog in the CAR defensive prowess against the surging rookie QB Gardner Minshew.  He finished with 3 tackles / 1 sack / 1 forced fumble / 1 fumble recovery.  His speed and burst off the line were obvious but he is showing the knack for getting his hands on the ball to create plays for a defense that has been quietly effective this year.

 

DT (2)

Dexter Lawrence – NYG (1st round)

Lawrence’s production continues to make an appearance week after week.  He finished with 5 tackles / 1 sack / 1 forced fumble.  He also had another sack nullified by a penalty in the secondary.  Lawrence has been the most productive defensive lineman on NYG by far and he is proving that he is much more than a big body that can clog lanes.

Ed Oliver – BUF (1st round)

It has been a somewhat slow start to Oliver’s career but his performance against TEN was the most active we have seen to this point.  He finished with 6 tackles, showing rare sideline to sideline range as an interior defender.

 

LB (2)

Devin Bush – PIT (1st round)

Bush’s appearance on this team has become near-automatic.  He had 8 tackles and an interception in the tight division battle against BAL. 

Bobby Okereke – IND (3rd round)

Okereke finished with just 3 tackles but upon further review, he was a key part in keeping tight end Travis Kelce and the Chiefs passing game under wraps.  He is stout against the inside run but the speed and range and instincts he showed in coverage were vital to the upset win.

 

CB (2)

Byron Murphy – ARZ (2nd round)

Murphy has easily been the top rookie corner all year and his 9 tackle / 1 pass breakup performance in ARZ’s first win of the year may have been his best performance to date.

Rock  Ya-Sin – IND (2nd round)

Ya-Sin, as most rookie corners do, has had an up and down start to his career as he adjusts to the speed of the game while also refining his footwork.  He looked more comfortable against the KC air attack.  He had 6 tackles as he helped seal the edge with physical and willing play.

 

S (2)

Jalen Thompson - ARZ

It isn’t common to see a supplemental draft pick produce early on but Thompson has been earning more and more playing time as the year progresses.  He finished with a team-high 9 tackles, a couple of which were high-level tackles in space by himself. 

Khari Willis – IND (4th round)

Willis, along with Okereke, helped shut down Travis Kelce in IND’s upset win over KC.  He had 3 tackles but also showed savvy coverage to cut off the first read of Patrick Mahomes which caused some discomfort and shut off the timing of their passing game.