**THE 2022 ALL ROOKIE TEAM WILL BE POSTED NEXT WEEK**
QB
Sam Howell / WAS (Round 5)
In his first career start that matched up against the stingy DAL defense in a game they needed, Howell rose to the occasion and led WAS to a blowout win. He dropped back 25 times and went just 11/19 passing but for 169 yards and a touchdown. He also added 35 yards on 5 carries and scored a second touchdown on the ground. WAS will be throwing their hat into the QB-search ring again this offseason, but Howell needs to be a part of the discussion.
Honorable Mention: Brock Purdy (SF)
RB
Tyler Allgeier / ATL (Round 5)
Allgeier finished his strong back half with his second 130+ yard rushing performance in ATL’s win over TB. He gained 99 yards after contact and finished top five in the NFL in that category per rush. He is their running back of the future.
Honorable Mention: Isaiah Pacheco (KC)
WR
Drake London / ATL (Round 1)
Good to see London build some chemistry with fellow rookie Desmond Ridder. ATL had struggled to use him (and Kyle Pitts) in their ideal forms. They changed a couple things up and London put out his best performance of the year, catching 6 balls for a season high 120 yards. He lined up a season-high 13 times and his average depth of target was a season-high 18.8 yards. Keep notes for 2023, Coach Smith.
Honorable Mention: George Pickens (PIT)
TE
Isaiah Likely / BAL (Round 4)
BAL force fed Likely for the entire game. He led the team 12 targets, by far a season high for him, and responded with career highs 8 catches and 103 yards. Next up, the playoffs. Likely is a sneaky-important component to that offense that lines up all over the place.
Honorable Mention: Teagen Quitoriano (HOU)
OT
Abraham Lucas / SEA (Round 3)
Seattle made the playoffs with two rookie tackles starting from week one. An amazing and overlooked feat by many. On a more micro level, SEA won their vital week 18 matchup against LAR many thanks to the control their offensive line had upfront. Lucas continued his bully-play in the running game and pitched a shutout in pass protection.
Honorable Mention: Trevor Penning (NO)
OG/OC
Cole Strange / NE (Round 1)
One of the best rookie seasons in the league ended with yet another shutout in pass protection (his seventh of the year) and zero penalties (for the twelfth time) in their intense game against BUF. Strange has been performing at a high level against all kinds of pass rushers. Big and powerful, small and quick, and everything in between. He is already one of the better pass blocking guards in the league.
Honorable Mention: Ed Ingram (MIN)
EDGE
Aidan Hutchinson / DET (Round 1)
As expected, Hutchinson finished as the league’s top rookie defensive lineman. He added 4 tackles, 1 pressure, and another 2 sacks in DET’s emotional win over GB in the league’s final game of the season. His second half put him in Defensive Rookie of the Year discussions, no question.
Honorable Mention: George Karlaftis (KC)
DT
John Ridgeway / WAS (Round 5)
The top 10 DAL rushing attack was held to their second lowest total of the season. Ridgeway was a main catalyst on just thirteen snaps. He made 5 tackles, 4 of which were at the line of scrimmage, and added a pressure. Something many people forget that Ridgeway was selected by DAL last April before getting cut and then scooped up by division rival WAS. Major personnel win.
Honorable Mention: Eyioma Urizurike (DEN)
LB
Micah McFadden / NYG (Round 5)
A tall order for the NYG defense to be matched up against the #1 seed in the NFL. An even tougher matchup considering PHI had a lot to play for and NYG rested their starters. McFadden rose to the occasion with his best game of the season. He had 7 tackles, 2 TFL, and 1 sack in a near upset.
Honorable Mention: Leo Chanel (KC)
CB
Kader Kohou / MIA (UDFA)
Kohou was the league’s top undrafted rookie in 2023. He’s been the starter since week three technically but dating back to week one, he’s been a key component to their defense. He finished with two tackles and two pass break ups in their finale against NE. He was targeted five times and allowed just one catch that resulted in 13 yards.
Honorable Mention: Coby Bryant (SEA)
S
Kerby Joseph / DET (Round 3)
The upset win in DET was largely a result of the play we saw out of the rookie defensive leaders on this resurgent team. Hutchinson was listed above, but it was Joseph that made the impact plays. He had 6 tackles and 2 PD and a fourth quarter interception. Joseph leaves his rookie season with all the credibility over Aaron Rodgers one can ask for. He picked the future Hall of Famer off three times in 2022. He even had another one called off because of a penalty earlier in the game.
Kyle Hamilton (BAL)