QB
Tyson Bagent / CHI (UDFA)
From one of the most unlikely situations to NFL starter, Bagent got the starting nod as Justin Fields was out because of a thumb injury. He led them to a 30-12 drubbing over Las Vegas in front of the home crowd. While the offensive game plan was simplified, Bagent did not turn the ball over and he completed over 70% of his passes. He added a 24-yard run in addition to his 162 yards in the air which included the first touchdown of his career.
Honorable Mention: N/A
RB
Jahmyr Gibbs / DET (Round 1)
There was not much that Detroit could be happy about in their loss at Baltimore. Getting Gibbs back on the field after missing weeks five and six was the one positive. He put some icing on the cake with 126 yards (58 rushing / 68 receiving) on just 20 touches. The Lions' offense ranks in the top seven in both yards per play (5.7) and points (174). Despite the ugly loss, Gibbs proved just how important he is to the balance on that side of the ball.
Honorable Mention: Emari Demercado / ARZ
WR
Jordan Addison / MIN (Round 1)
It was a close call between Addison and Josh Downs (IND), but the fact that the former put up 123 yards on 7 catches with a couple scores without Justin Jefferson on the field gave the rookie from USC the nod. He came down with two contested catches and was the only Vikings' player to cross the goal line with the ball in his hands while up against one of the top defenses in football. Sometimes an injury to a team’s best player can open the door for a rookie to show what he truly is independently.
Honorable Mention: Josh Downs / IND
TE
Dalton Kincaid / BUF (Round 1)
In the near-comeback effort on the road, Kincaid led Buffalo with 8 catches on 8 targets. They lined him up mostly in the slot and did not get him many looks down the field His average depth of target was under five yards but he gained 38 yards after the catch, breaking four tackles and gaining four first downs. Kincaid’s top trait on tape out of college was the sudden burst upfield immediately upon getting the ball and that is what we saw here. Kincaid is due for more action, as he has caught 25 of 26 targets this season and Dawson Knox is leading the team with three drops.
Honorable Mention: Sam LaPorta / DET
OT
Dawand Jones / CLE (Round 4)
Jones is rapidly ascending to the top rookie tackle spot this season after yet another strong performance against a tough pass rushing unit. On 42 drop backs in a high scoring, back and forth win, Jones allowed just one pressure and was not penalized for the fourth straight game. There were a couple losses in the running game but his pass protection more than makes up the difference and more.
Honorable Mention: Anton Harrison / JAX
OG/OC
Olusegun Oluwatimi / SEA (Round 5)
In his first start, the 2022 Rimington Trophy winner more than held his own allowing just one pressure on 29 dropbacks and got push in the running game. His athletic prowess is not the reason he got drafted, but the ability to latch and play smart showed up in their home win against Arizona.
Honorable Mention: Matthew Bergeron / ATL
EDGE
Byron Young / LAR (Round 3)
Forget just the rookies, Young has been one of the most consistent pass rushers in the entire league and he did not slow down against Pittsburgh. He added three more pressures, a number he has hit (or more) in every game this season. The number of snaps he is playing is stunning as well. Only Maxx Crosby has played more than Young among the league’s edge defenders. Only Nick Bosa has hit the quarterback more than Young among the league’s edge defenders. Start paying attention to this kid if you haven’t.
Honorable Mention: Tyree Wilson / LV
DT
Keeanu Benton / PIT (Round 2)
Something may be going on with Benton that we do not know about, as he played just 28% of the snaps in their road win over the Rams. But on those 19 plays, his impact was still felt in a big way. He has 3 pressures and 2 hits on the quarterbacks on just 10 drop backs. His rush moves are complementing his tool set very well, showing he can win multiple ways.
Honorable Mention: Jalen Carter / PHI
LB
Jack Campbell / DET (Round 1)
Campbell played a season-high 54 snaps and while the defense does not have much to hang their hat on, Campbell ended with 5 tackles, including 1 stop. There was not much action at the position league wide.
Honorable Mention: Ivan Pace Jr / MIN
CB
Devon Witherspoon / SEA (Round 1)
What we saw out of Sauce Gardner in 2022 is happening again. Witherspoon is playing like a top shelf corner in the league. He blanketed the Arizona receivers when they did throw in his direction (just twice), he added three tackles, and he remains one of the top blitzers from the position. His impact is felt from everywhere in every situation, a key reason why the defensive coaches move him around so many different roles.
Honorable Mention: Deonte Banks / NYG
S
Sydney Brown / PHI (Round 3)
In his first start of the season, Brown ended with 4 tackles from the free safety role. His fast twitch reaction and physical nature showed up beyond the box score on several plays. His ability to quickly diagnose the play and reckless abandon toward the action was an ideal speed bump against the fastest offense in football. Brown’s playing time may be hurt by the Kevin Byard trade, but what he showed on tape against Miami cannot be overlooked.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Howden / NO