OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Ricky Pearsall – WR / San Francisco
The criteria for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award prevents Pearsall from being considered because he did not miss time last season, obviously, he wasn’t in the NFL. But I’m not so sure it is that easy to overlook what happened this past August, just ten days prior to the opener against the Jets. While shopping, he was shot in the chest by a 17-year old looking to rob his jewelry. The Niners first round pick. A team that was missing number one receiver Brandon Aiyuk for the entire summer due to a contract holdout. A team without their best player due to an achilles injury. All of that seemed secondary to how close Pearsall came to losing his life.
Fast forward to October 20, under two months away from being shot in the chest, he’s back on the field catching passes from Brock Purdy against the Chiefs in a Super Bowl rematch. After his first two games in a pro uniform, Pearsall broke out. He scored his first touchdown, a 46-yarder that in the first quarter. 30 of those yards came after the catch and he fought off a defender for the final eight yards before sneaking the ball over the pilon. His final two catches came on the final drive of the game while it was tied up at 20 on consecutive plays. Both resulted in first downs and got them within field goal range. It was interesting to me that Purdy looked his way when those big plays were needed.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Cooper DeJean – S / Philadelphia
This is a league that is looking for economic value, which is getting the most out of every dollar they can. More specifically, getting the most out of every player they can. This is why versatility is weighed so heavily in the scouting and personnel evaluation process. A team only gets so much money to spend, a team only gets so many players active on gameday. DeJean was born with versatility in his blood. In addition to being an all state dual threat quarterback, he scoored nearly 2,000 points in basketball and was a state champ long jumper and sprinter in high school. Once in college, he played outside corner, linebacker, nickel, and safety. He had 7 career interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns. Take all of that away and this kid would have still been drafted as a special teamer. He was an elite gunner and averaged 13 yards per punt return with a touchdown.
DeJean was not a major part of the defense until week 6. Since then his impact has been strong and steady. In the Eagles win over the Cowboys, a game in which Dallas gaines a season low 146 yards, DeJean was money. All three of his tackles were stops for the defense, quickly getting on receivers post catch and limiting extra yards. He gained 43 yards as punt returner, including a season long for both rookies and the Eagles 31-yarder that setup Philadelphia for a touchdown that put the up by two scores before they took off to a 34-6 victory.
QB
Bo Nix / DEN (Round 1)
Nix nearly pulled off the upset in Kansas City on a 215-yard, two-touchdown (both. Week ten highs among rookies) on the road. He got the ball out in a hurry and showed confidence from start to finish. There is a pure gamer in Nix.
Honorable Mention: Jayden Daniels / WAS
RB
Bucky Irving / TB (Round 4)
Ten weeks in ans Irving leads the 2024 rookies in all purpose yards. He gained 73 yards on the ground on just 13 carries with a touchdown, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt against a stingy San Francisco defense. He also caught all three targets. 61 of his yards came after contact.
Honorable Mention: Trey Benson / ARI
WR
Ricky Pearsall / SF (Round 1)
See above.
Honorable Mention: Marvin Harrison / ARI
TE
Theo Johnson / NYG (Round 4)
It was a quiet week for rookie tight ends. A week after Johnson scored his first career touchdown, he outproduced every other rookie tight end in the league with four catches for 37 yards. All of them came in the fourth quarter in the NYG comeback effort and of equal importance, Johnson’s run blocking has been on the constant ascent all season.
Honorable Mention: Ja’Tavion Sanders / CAR
OT
JC Latham / TEN (Round 1)
The Chargers were very much in play for Latham last April. They ultimately ended up going for Joe Alt at number five overall. Latham played this one like he was holding a grudge. He allowed just one pressure on 35 passes and continued to displace defenders in the run game.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Coleman / WAS
OG/OC
Graham Barton / TB (Round 1)
Barton pitched a shutout in pass protection against San Francisco, always an impressive feat. Tampa Bay put 100+ yards on the board via the running game, only the second time that has happened at San Francisco this season.
Honorable Mention: Dominick Puni / SF
ED
Jared Verse / LAR (Round 1)
The rookie leader in pressures (by 23!) recorded his first strip sack against the Dolphins on a national stage Monday night. He recovered the fumble as well. Verse pressured the quarterback four other times in addition and added three tackles.
Honorable Mention: Chop Robinson / MIA
DT
Jer’Zhan Newton / WAS (Round 2)
Last week’s Defensive Rookie of the Week may be here to stay. He led the interior linemen in snaps played with 42 and four tackles as well. Two of those tackles were stops for the defense. He hit the quarterback once and is now demanding double team attention.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Jefferson / JAX
LB
Omar Speights / LAR (UDFA)
Yet another Rams defender making it to the Ourlads All Rookie Team; this time an undrafted free agent. Speights led the team and all rookie linebackers with nine tackles.
Honorable Mention: Marist Liufau / DAL
CB
Renardo Green / SF (Round 2)
Green was the only rookie with two pass break ups against Tampa Bay as they posted season lows in both total and passing yards. He added four tackles and two stops.
Honorable Mention: Quinyon Mitchell / PHI
S
Cooper DeJean / PHI (Round 2)
See above.
Honorable Mention: Malik Mustapha / SF