OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Bo Nix – QB / Denver
An NCAA record 61 starts. 61! We called Nix to Denver last January. Because we knew how much Denver Head Coach Sean Payton values getting the protecting the ball, getting out fast, and hand size, yes; hand size! No stones unturned here at Ourlads. Nix, who is the seventh all-time leading passer in FBS history, won the starting job in year two of the Sean Payton era over the likes of Zach Wilson and Jarrett Stidham. It’s only been eight weeks, but what a roller coaster it’s been for the Nix. He’s taken all but two snaps at quarterback for Denver. We saw him throw four picks over his first two starts, but only once since. We saw just one touchdown pass in the month of September, but then 7 in October. We’ve seen a game with just 60 yards passing, but then two straight games with over 60 yards passing.
Week 8 was the new climax of Nix’s rookie season. He is now the first rookie quarterback in franchise history to reach five wins and he reached that with a 285-yard performance and four total touchdowns. He set new career highs in yards, completions, yards per attempt, and completion percentage. Payton let Nix loose and it looks like the development plan is working for the second place Denver Broncos.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Jer’Zhan Newton – DT / Washington
The hype surrounding the first two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft was real. Caleb Williams vs. Jayden Daniels. Two rookie quarterbacks inching toward a monumental race for the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. While both flashed in this battle that went down to the final second, it was Newton that shined brightest among the first year players. To remind you, Newton had first round tape during his tenure at Illinois. Ourlads graded him as the top interior defensive lineman in the class. Here is the final line from our report: “In the right scheme, he can be elite”.
To remind you, Newton had surgeries on both of his feet after the 2023 college season. He missed the entire pre-draft process and was limited through most of training camp. They used the first few weeks of the 2024 season to ramp him up and they now have a new weapon along that front that is giving opponents headaches. He recorded his first career sack but he wasn’t done there. He pressured Caleb Williams seven times and hit him three times. More than every other interior defender in the NFL. The biggest play of the night was a fumble recovery at the goal line on a 3rd and 1 run in the third quarter while the Commanders were up 12-7. Dan Quinn experimented with Newton lining up over center eight times, a spot we hadn’t seen him line up at more than twice in a game, and this entire defensive front changed. Newton’s first round talent is showing up for the biggest surprise team in the NFL.
QB
Bo Nix / DEN (Round 1)
See above
Honorable Mention: Jayden Daniels / WAS
RB
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Round 5)
The NFL’s week eight leading rusher was a firth round rookie from Purdue that was a wide receiver up until the 2023 season. Tracy was the lone bright spot for the Giants, as he ran for 145 yards on just 20 carries including a 45-yard touchdown run. He had three runs of 15+ yards with first downs, both of which led all rookies.
Honorable Mention: Isaac Guerendo / SF
WR
Ladd McConkey / LAC (Round 2)
McConkey was one of two receivers to bring in triple digit receiving yards (111) but he also scored twice in the Chargers tight win over the Saints. He caught all six targets, five of which either resulted in a first down or score.
Honorable Mention: Marvin Harrison / ARI
TE
Brock Bowers / LV (Round 1)
The NFL has a new leader in receptions. Bowers caught all five targets and now looks down on every offensive player in the NFL when it comes to receptions. He continues to more-than hold his own as a blocker as well.
Honorable Mention: AJ Barner / SEA
OT
Joe Alt / LAC (Round 1)
Alt pitched a shutout in pass protection, the first of his career, in the team’s win over the Saints. In addition, for the fourth time in six games he did not get flagged. His game is has been both smooth and reliable, that of a 10-year pro and it has immensely helped the overall operation of the Chargers offense.
Honorable Mention: Taliese Fuaga / NO
OG/OC
Cooper Beebe / DAL (Round 3)
The Cowboys have a lengthy list of personnel issues but their new center is not one of them. His versatility and the ability to lead block out in space is a weapon. Beebe did not allow a single pressure against the Niners on the road as the Cowboys offense nearly pulled off the comeback.
Honorable Mention: Dominick Puni / SF
ED
Jared Verse / LAR (Round 1)
Once again, Verse led all rookie edge defenders in pressures and he came out with his second multiple-sack performance of the season. In fact, it was his first sack since week one. Missed tackles have been an issue for Verse this year and he has limited his production, but for the second time in three weeks he did not miss a single one.
Honorable Mention: Austin Booker / CHI
DT
Jer’Zhan Newton / WAS (Round 1)
See above
Honorable Mention: Braden Fiske / LAR
LB
Edgerrin Cooper / GB (Round 2)
Cooper is a fun weapon for Packers Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley to work with. For the second straight week, he blitzwed Cooper four times and it resulted in his third sack of the season. He finished with seven tackles and a pass break up in coverage. The usage and skill set is similar to some of the tape I have seen on Niners All Pro linebacker Fred Warner over the years.
Honorable Mention: Omar Speights / LAR
CB
Jarrian Jones / JAX (Round 3)
Primarily lining up in the slot, Jones played his best game of the season that included his first career interception. With the Packers driving in a tie game, Jones picked off Jordan Love near the sideline on the move, running the route for the receiver.
Honorable Mention: Renardo Green / SF
S
Demani Richardson / CAR (UDFA)
The Panthers are molding this roster for the future, and it looks like Richardson will be a part of it. He led all rookies with 11 tackles and added a pressure in his first regular season action. Richardson was all over the field against the run and he limited yards after catch to just eight total yards.
Honorable Mention: Malik Mustapha / SF