OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Bo Nix – QB / Denver Broncos
Let’s turn back to Chapter One of Nix’s pro career. The opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft we saw Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye come off the board 1-2-3, as expected. The biggest curveball of the night was Michael Penix to Atlanta. Then, Minnesota trades up for JJ McCarthy. Nix was indeed a first rounder – but the sixth one taken in this draft class. Let’s come back to the current chapter. Williams and the Bears are spiraling after firing Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron. Daniels has cooled down a bit after his sizzling start. Maye leads the NFL in turnover worthy plays since becoming a starter week six. Penix is a project-backup. And McCarthy is missing the entire year with a knee injury. Nix, a starter since day one, is top seven in the NFL in adjusted completion percentage and passer rating since October.
After a devastating loss to Kansas City week ten, Denver hosted first place Atlanta. He tied for the NFL lead with four touchdowns to four different targets without turning the ball over once. He completed 21 of 27 passes to nine different receivers. He got the ball out on time and knew exactly where to go and where the pass rush was all afternoon. Nix looked exactly like the experienced veteran he is when it comes to his history of being a starting quarterback in this game. Only Jared Goff had a better passer rating in week eleven than Nix.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Kamren Kinchens – S / Los Angles Rams
Just two weeks ago Kinchens was named the Defensive Rookie of the Week for his two fourth quarter interceptions against Seattle. The Rams went back on the road and they continue to ride on the back of their 2024 rookie class which is undoubtedly going to go down as one of the most impactful year-one groups in NFL history.
Against fellow rookie Drake Maye, Kinchens helped Los Angeles win their fourth game in five weeks. He made an impact in multiple ways. First, his ability to read and react has improved so much that he gets on top of the receivers post-catch in a hurry. He was limiting yards after catch with precision and violence. He finished with eight tackles, most of which were solo and in space, without any misses. He forced a fumble and came up with the game-sealing interception with under two minutes left and the Rams up by six. He is developing the reputation of a closer, as it was his third fourth quarter interception in three weeks.
QB
Bo Nix – DEN (Round 1)
See above
Honorable Mention: Drake Maye / NE
RB
Blake Corum – LAR (Round 3)
It was a quiet week for rookie backs. It was Corum that led the group in rushing and total yards, gaining a career high 4.2 yards per carry in the Rams win over New England. His five carries were the most he’s had in a game since week five.
Honorable Mention: Audric Estime / DEN
WR
Ladd McConkey – LAC (Round 2)
McConkey was the only rookie receiver to accrue over 100 yards. He did so on just six catches, as all six went for a first down. He has turning into the go-to-guy when a first down is needed for the ascending Justin Herbert.
Honorable Mention: Xavier Worthy (KC)
TE
Brock Bowers – LV (Round 1)
After a buy week in which some of the other rookie tight ends had a shot to take this spot, Bowers came back and put himself right back in. He led the NFL with 13 catches on 16 targets. He led all rookies with 126 yards while gaining nine first downs and he scored third touchdown of his career.
Honorable Mention: Brevyn Spann-Ford (DAL)
OT
Matt Goncalves – IND (Round 3)
In just his second career start, Goncalves shut down a formidable group of New York (A) edge defenders. He allowed just one pressure and the Colts had a lot of success running to the left side. This is a guy that missed almost all of 2023 with an injury and had questions about length and athleticism. Question no more, Indianapolis has another home-grown keeper.
Honorable Mention: Joe Alt (LAC)
OG/OC
Zach Frazier – PIT (Round 2)
Frazier was born for this kind of matchup. The rock of the constantly-improving Pittsburgh offensive line held the point of attack against the stout Baltimore front. He did not allow a single pressure and his ability to reach the second level and stay attached to his man is now a weekly assumption at this point.
Honorable Mention: Beaux Limmer (LAR)
ED
Chop Robinson – MIA (Round 1)
Robinson is heating up. His quick pressure and pad level helped him accrue a career-high six pressures, which led all rookies. His burst is so effective that he rarely even needs a secondary rush move.
Honorable Mention: Laiatu Latu / IND
DT
Braden Fiske – LAR (Round 2)
Lost in Jared Verse’s enormous success is his college teammate. Fiske took down Drake Maye for two sacks, the only rookie with more than one in week eleven. His movement traits are off the charts and he knows how to pursue and finish.
Honorable Mention: T’Vondre Sweat / TEN
LB
Omar Speights – LAR (UDFA)
For the second straight week, Speights lands the top rookie linebacker spot after an eight-tackle performance in the Rams hard-fought win over the Patriots. His solo tackles in space were not easy but because he is always moving in the right direction initially, he finishes. Speights has not missed a single tackle in the four games he’s played.
Payton Wilson – PIT (Round 3)
CB
Mike Sainristil – WAS (Round 2)
In a short-week division game against the first place Eagles, Sainristil allowed just two of five passes to be completed while break up two passes. One of them was underneath where he displayed short area burst and body control and the other one was on a deep pass to the end zone against DeVonta Smith.
Honorable Mention: Tarheeb Still / LAC
S
Kamren Kinchens – LAR (Round 3)
See above
Honorable Mention: Malik Mustapha (SF)