QB
Gardner Minshew – JAX (6th round)
After 2 straight losses, JAX headed to winless CIN and got themselves a double-digit road victory. Minshew was a little off in the passing game, going 15/32 for 255 yards and a touchdown but he also added 48 yards on the ground and didn’t turn the ball over. He continues to make things happen after the pocket breaks down, keeping his eyes downfield with a lightening-quick release.
RB
Josh Jacobs – OAK (1st round)
While OAK got their butts whooped by Aaron Rodgers and company, Jacobs continued his ways as the workhorse back for the Raiders. He rushed for 124 yards on 21 carries including a 42-yarder that saw him run with power and grace in addition to lateral quickness and excellent vision.
WR (2)
Olabisi Johnson – MIN (7th round)
With Adam Thielen exiting early with a hamstring injury, Johnson came in and set season highs in snaps and targets. He finished the day with 4 rec / 40 yards / 1 TD and set himself up nicely for a short week as MIN faces off against WAS Thursday night. Expect Johnson to get the opportunity of his season in this one.
Preston Williams – MIA (UDFA)
The talented but troubled receiver has been making an impact for MIA from week 1 and he finally makes his first appearance on the all rookie team. Williams had 6 catches for 82 yards in their loss to BUF. He has had issues with drops this year but the skill set is improving and he is on the verge of breaking out.
TE
Foster Moreau – OAK (4th round)
While his stat line may not impress (2/24/1), Moreau crossed the goal line yet again and continues to make the biggest impact in the trenches of all the rookie tight ends in the league. Moreau is sharing the snaps with Darren Waller, but his ability to produce on multiple fronts is notable each week and he appears to be set for more playing time in the coming weeks.
OT (2)
Jawaan Taylor – JAX (2nd round)
The JAX offensive line was consistent and productive despite some adversity hit during the game while up against a powerful and underrated CIN defensive line. Taylor had no issues on the right side, however. His footwork looks improved and those heavy hands were constantly stymieing the CIN ends and linebackers.
Justin Skule - SF (6th round)
In a game that was played in mud and rain from start to finish, SF was forced to run the ball often. Skule and the SF offensive line responded as well as a unit could, controlling the point of attack and finishing their blocks. Skule was challenged on multiple stunts and twists and he never seemed faze. He looked like a natural out there and he was up against a really talented front.
OG (2)
Elgton Jenkins – GB (2nd round)
Jenkins has been making his presence known as a run blocker early on but his performance in the 5-touchdown game by Aaron Rodgers was undeniable. He is winning with quick set ups, a strong initial punch, and veteran-caliber awareness.
Michael Deiter – MIA (3rd round)
It has been a tough start for Deiter’s career, as he was forced into action too early and he had to learn the NFL on the fly right away. He has struggled this season but his performance against BUF was his best of the year by far. He stuck to his man and helped a MIA running game to get off to a hot start. Both in line and at the second level, Deiter got it done.
OC
Erik McCoy – NO (2nd round)
The Saints' offense continues to not skip a beat despite Drew Brees remaining on the sideline with a thumb injury. They went to Chicago, host of one of the top defenses in the NFL, and put up 36 points. Alvin Kamara missed the game with injury but Latavius Murray still rushed for 119 yards, the majority of which were up the middle as McCoy continues to be a bulldozer in the straight ahead game.
EDGE (2)
Nick Bosa – SF (1st round)
Bosa is not only emerging as the top rookie edge defender in the NFL, but he could have his name thrown into the tier-1 group of the league altogether. He finished with 7 tackles / 4 TFL / 1 sack in a rain soaked win over WAS.
Malik Reed – DEN (UDFA)
Reed, one of my top sleepers in the 2019 Draft, has accelerated quicker than anticipated and appears to be next in line for quality DEN edge defenders. The young, bendy, twitchy, undersized linebacker has 4 tackles , 1 TFL, and 1 pressure and Vic Fangio continues to increase his snaps.
DT (2)
Jeffery Simmons – TEN (1st round)
Considered one of the biggest freaks of the 2019 class, Simmons played in first game since being a 1st round pick that tore his ACL in a workout as he prepared for the Combine. Just 8 months later, Simmons played in a third of the defensive snaps and made an impact with 4 tackles / 1 TFL / 1 sack / 1 pressure. He was as disruptive as a defender can be in such a small amount of snaps. TEN has got to be excited for what he is adding to a team that continues to hover the .500 line.
Cortez Broughton – LAC (7th round)
First rounder Jerry Tillery is getting the starts and majority snaps but it is Broughton who is forcing his way i to production via penetration and efficient footwork. He finished with 4 tackles and a pressure on just 18 snaps.
LB (2)
Jahlani Tavai – DET (2nd round)
Tavai finished with 4 tackles and 1 TFL against the potent MIN offensive attack in a losing effort. It wasn’t a good performance by the DET defense as a whole but Tavai remains a bright spot and an argument can be made he is the top linebacker on that team.
Germaine Pratt - CIN (3rd round)
While playing just 27% of the snaps, Pratt walked away with 5 tackles while adding another on special teams. He was challenged twice on play action and he easily sniffed it out while JAX also tried to run right at him a couple times with no success. I expect to see more and more playing time for Pratt as the season goes on. He proved he can handle both the mental and physical side of things.
CB (2)
Ken Webster – MIA (7th round)
Webster made his first career start for MIA as Xavier Howard was out with an injury. Webster finished with 4 tackles and took away the deep ball on two occasions. The waiver wire pickup from NE has quietly been playing better each week.
Lonnie Johnson – HOU (2nd round)
Johnson and the HOU defense gave up 4 passing touchdowns in their loss to IND. While he got beat by Eric Ebron on a couple of occasions, he showed physical play against the run and forced Jacoby Brissett to look elsewhere on a few occasions.
S (2)
Marquise Blair – SEA (2nd round)
Blair has been flashing all year but his game against BAL was his best of the year. He finished with 6 tackles and a couple pass break ups. The fast and physical Blair is the answer to a lot of problems that offenses with quality tight ends can present.
Roderic Teamer – LAC (UDFA)
Teamer has been forced into action because of injuries for a few weeks now and he has seen his fair share of struggles. But he continues to fly around with aggression and it paid off against TEN, finishing with 6 tackles / 1 TFL / 1 INT. Teamer is part of a young defense that is still figuring it out but if and when they all do, watch out.