Ourlads Archives

All-Rookie Team - WEEK 8

Dave Syvertsen, Senior Draft Analyst
10/30/2023 4:06PM ET

QB

Kenny Pickett / PIT (Round 1)

Once again, there wasn’t much competition at the position this week.  Pickett wins almost by default.  He went 25/38 and 191 yards while adding another 37 yards on the ground in PIT’s 23-point loss to PHI.  Pickett added another interception to his season total (8) and was sacked six times.  PIT went down early, putting them in a must-pass offense which plays to the strength of the undefeated PHI defensive scheme.  A rough game for Pickett but he continues to show the requisite toughness and competitive traits.

Honorable Mention: Malik Willis / TEN

 

RB

Tyler Allgeier / ATL (Round 5)

With Cordarelle Patterson still sidelined, Allgeier remains the lead back for the surprising ATL offense, who has scored the sixth most points in the league.  He rushed for 39 yards on a season-low 2.8 yards per carry but added a season high 3 catches and 46 yards which included 25-yard touchdown in the team’s overtime divisional win.

Honorable Mention: Kenneth Walker III / SEA

 

WR

Garrett Wilson / NYJ (Round 1)

NYJ got off to a hot start, taking a 10-6 lead into halftime against their divisional opponent NE.  Wilson was a huge part of that, finishing with 89 yards on 4 catches over those first two quarters.  From there, NE put some extra attention on him, and he finished with 6 catches / 115 yards.  This was the second time Wilson eclipsed 100 yards in a game and this was a season-high for the fast-emerging top 10 pick, who leads all rookies in receiving yards.

Honorable Mention: Romeo Doubs / GB

 

TE

Isaiah Likely / BAL (Round 4)

The team’s top receiver, tight end Mark Andrews, went down with shoulder and ankle injuries, forcing a season-high 51 snaps for Likely.  He responded by igniting the team’s passing game, leading the team with 77 yards on 6 catches and a touchdown where he showed elite ball skills and footwork near the back of the end zone.

Honorable Mention: Greg Dulcich / DEN

 

OT

Ikem Ekwonu / CAR (Round 1)

Ekwonu is running away with the top-OL label in this class and should be in the running for Offensive Rookie of the Year.  He pitched a shutout (0 pressures) for the second time in three weeks and continues to be one of their main weapons in the running game at the second level in space.

Honorable Mention: Tyler Smith (DAL)

 

OG/OC

Dylan Parham / LV (Round 3)

There wasn’t much to be happy about when looking at the LV offense on tape.  They were shutout in NO, but Parham had arguably his best performance of the season and was the team’s best lineman.  He transitioned well on stunts and was able to stay sticky to blitzers with more speed and quickness.  In true pass sets, he was 100% successful on an island.

Honorable Mention: Tyler Linderbaum / BAL

 

EDGE

Tomon Fox / NYG (UDFA)

In a class where edge defenders went 1-2 overall in the draft, an undrafted free agent takes this spot on the Week 8 All Rookie Team.  Fox had 8 tackles and 2 TFL in NYG’s loss at SEA.  The way he set the edge and beat up on the rookie SEA tackles to make plays against a running game that came leading the league in yards per carry, mightily helped the defense hold SEA to their lowest rushing total since week 2.

Honorable Mention: Travon Walker (JAC)

 

DT

Jordan Davis / PHI (Round 1)

Davis' afternoon was cut short because of a high ankle sprain but before that occurred, he was playing some of the fastest football I have seen out of him this season.  He had 2 tackles and was showing penetration in one-gap looks, causing the PIT run game off schedule.  His injury will hurt this defense even though they are deep along the front.  He has been an important player to their second level. 

Honorable Mention: Neil Farrell (LV)

 

LB

Damone Clark / DAL (Round 5)

A great story of perseverance for Clark, who was considered one of the top three linebackers in the class pre-draft before a spinal injury, made his first appearance of the season.  He got thrown right into the fire, playing 40 snaps.  Clark’s speed stood out in a big way.  He finished with 6 tackles and showed elite range in coverage.

Honorable Mention: Malcolm Rodriguez (DET)

 

CB

Martin Emerson / CLE (Round 3)

The dominant CLE defensive performance was a complete team effort.  Emerson was tested on an island often and avoided giving up the big plays downfield.  He had 9 tackles, often limiting the CIN receivers from gaining yards after contact in their short passing game.  He broke up a pass on 3rd down in the first half and broke up another in the fourth quarter on 4th down.

Honorable Mention: Roger McCreary / TEN

 

S

Kyle Hamilton / BAL (Round 1)

Hamilton is seeing an uptick in playing time, as he appears much more comfortable with his versatile role in the BAL scheme.  He played 36 snaps after not seeing more than 30 since week 2.  He finished with 3 tackles, a pass break up, and a pressure.

Honorable Mention: Jalen Pitre (HOU)