OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Bucky Irving – RB / Tampa Bay
Back in the day, drafting a running back that weighed under 200 pounds usually meant one of two things. He was a returner that would fill the back end of the depth chart. Or he was a receiver that would end up with more catches than carries. But a lead back? One that is breaking tackles at a rate that is near the best in the league? One that carries the ball between the tackles? No. In some scouting circles, a sub-200 pound back was a specialist that could not shoulder the majority of touches.
Irving must have skipped school the week that history lesson was taught. Irving weighed in at 192 pounds at last year’s combine. Only one back that light has been drafted since 2021, Demetric Felton. A 2021 fifth rounder that, not coincidentally, had more catches than yards over his short two-year career. Irving ripped through the Giants defense Sunday in Tampa’s dominant win. He rushed for 73 yards on just 12 carries with a touchdown, averaging 7.3 yards per. He wasn’t done there. He added 64 yards on 6 catches, putting him second in the entire league in total yards week 12. Irving, all 192 pounds of him, is top six in the NFL in yards per carry and years after contact per attempt, per PFF. The prototype at running back has changed; Irving is proof.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Chop Robinson – ED / Miami
Quick pressure is measured both objectively and subjectively by teams in different ways. Simply put, in an era of football where passing games are getting quicker and quicker, how fast one can get from their starting alignment to the passer is more valuable than ever. For some, quick pressure is the number one attribute an edge rusher can have. That is why Robinson’s grade varied from top ten to top thirty around the league. Like Irving, his size was a negative. But there may not be a team in the NFL that values speed more than Miami and following 4.48 forty at the combine, this was clear match for the two draft weekend.
Robinson set a new 2024 season rookie record. His 10 pressures against New England were most among all edge defenders in the entire league and it set a new bar for rookies. He forced a fumble and turned two of those pressures into sacks. Robinson did not come out of the dark. Over the last four weeks, Robinson leads the NFL in pressures and pressure rate. Simply put, the frequency and efficiency of his production is as good as anyone the NFL has put on the field over the last month. His game is built on quick pressure, yes, but watching his variety of attack and underrated power leads me to believe this kid is here to stay.
QB
Bo Nix / DEN (Round 1)
For the third straight week, Nix did not turn over the ball once as he led the Broncos to yet another win. The 17 incompletions were a season high, but his 273 yards were the third highest of the season and he broke 94 in the passer rating column for the fourth time in five weeks while taking just one sack.
Honorable Mention: Caleb Williams (CHI)
RB
Bucky Irving / TB (Round 4)
See above.
Honorable Mention: Tyrone Tracy Jr. (NYG)
WR
Devaughn Vele / DEN (Round 7)
The seventh rounder has fought his way up the depth chart and finished with 80 yards on six catches, which tied for the most among rookies in week 12. The Utah alum quietly ranks seventh in the league in receptions by a first-year player ahead of names like Xavier Worthy, Keon Coleman, and Adonai Mitchell.
Honorable Mention: Ladd McConkey (LAC)
TE
Ja’Tavion Sanders / CAR (Round 4)
Sanders led all rookies with 16.3 yards per catch. All three of his catches and 49 yards came in the first half, as he was taken off the field on a stretcher after landing awkwardly on his head/neck.
Honorable Mention: Cade Stover / HOU
OT
Brandon Coleman / WAS (Round 3)
For the second time this season, Coleman pitched a shutout in pass protection while playing a full slate of snaps. They are inching up his responsibility, offering less help than they were a few weeks ago. His body control and ability to stay square have been impressive.
Honorable Mention: Roger Rosengarten / BAL
OG/OC
Jackson Powers-Johnson / LV (Round 2)
Power-Johnson led all rookies in snaps played, showing prowess in both the running and passing games. His comfort level at center is natural and the slight movement issues are much easier to hide.
Honorable Mention: Tanor Bortolini / IND
ED
Chop Robinson / MIA (Round 1)
See above.
Honorable Mention: Laiatu Latu (IND)
DT
Braden Fiske / LAR (Round 2)
Fiske is on fire. He led the interior defensive linemen with four pressures and ended with multiple tackles for loss for the third time in four weeks. The ability to re-direct and pursue at such a high rate of speed has been a huge problem for opposing offenses.
Honorable Mention: Evan Anderson (SF)
LB
Payton Wilson / PIT (Round 3)
Wilson did not play a full slate of snaps but his six tackles and effective coverage on a snow-filled field in Cleveland displayed his elite athleticism and feel for the game. Wilson is such a football player. He has not missed a tackle since week eight.
Honorable Mention: Tyrice Knight (SEA)
CB
Storm Duck / MIA (UDFA)
The Dolphins have made a habit out of getting undrafted defensive backs on the All-Rookie team. Nik Needham in 2019. Kader Kohou in 2022. Duck has been added to the list. Only one of four passes thrown his way were completed and he added three tackles, two of which were stops for the defense.
Honorable Mention: Kamari Lassiter (HOU)
S
Cooper DeJean / PHI
DeJean continues to stay hot. He had seven tackles and was one of two rookies with two pass break ups.
Honorable Mention: Javon Bullard (GB)