Offensive Rookie of the Week:
TreVeyon Henderson - New England
Defensive Rookie of the Week:
Abdul Carter / New York (N)
Quarterback
Tyler Shough / NO (Round 2)
For the second time in six weeks, Shough led the Saints to an upset win over the Panthers who are tied for first place. He is now 3-3 as a starter (New Orleans is 1-9 without him under center). Shough led all rookie passers with 272 yards and 8.4 yards per attempt. He added 32 more yards (and two first downs) on the ground and did not turn the ball over once.
Honorable Mention: Cam Ward / TEN
Running Back
TreVeyon Henderson / NE (Round 2)
Henderson led the league with 148 rushing yards in week 15, no other player went for more than 110 and no other rookie finished with over 96. He had the two longest plays of the game, a 52-yard score and a 65-yarder. He leads the entire league with four touchdowns of 50+ yards; nobody else has more than two.
Honorable Mention: Jacory Croskey-Merritt / WAS
Wide Receiver
Luther Burden III / CHI (Round 2)
In a typical freezing Chicago December afternoon, Burden and the Bears dismantled the Browns defense rather early. He led all rookie receivers with 84 yards and 6 catches. Nearly all of that production (minus one catch for six yards) came in the first half. He gained 47 yards after the catch as he forced four missed tackles; no other rookie had more than two as a pass catcher. The slippery and strong ball carrier has been heating up with Rome Odunze still out with a foot injury.
Tight End
Colston Loveland / CHI (Round 1)
Another rookie pass catcher for Caleb Williams who has stepped up during Chicago’s impressive season, Loveland finished with four catches and a rookie-high 63 yards. Each one of his receptions went for nine or more yards, all of which were first downs for the offense in their 30-point performance.
Honorable Mention: Gunnar Helm / TEN
Offensive Tackle
Armand Membou / NYJ (Round 1)
Do not let the Jets record and recent history fool you. Membou continues to be rock-solid on the right side of the line. He did allow one sack against the Jaguars but it was not a true beat, as undrafted rookie Brady Cook evaded the pocket and opened up the lane for Dennis Gardeck. Membou was left alone often and he did not allow a single pressure beyond that sack that really was not his fault.
Honorable Mention: Jalen Travis / IND
Guard/Center
Jared Wilson / NE (Round 3)
Lost in the horrific blown lead by New England was the rock-solid performance of the Patriots offensive line despite missing its left tackle Will Campbell. Wilson, who came back from an injury of his own, pitched a shutout in pass protection for the third straight week and helped create explosives in the run game.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Booker / DAL
Edge
Abdul Carter / NYG (Round 1)
Carter has been in the news for the wrong reasons of late. Team-benchings because of his behavior during the week have put a black eye on a season that has been more than solid. The rookie-leader in pressures has struggled to finish off plays but not in week fifteen. He finished with 7 tackles, 4 pressures, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The most impressive tape he has shown has been as an interior rusher where he can make guys whiff in a phone booth.
Honorable Mention: James Pearce Jr. / ATL
Defensive Tackle
Walter Nolen / ARI (Round 1)
The one source of hope for the Cardinals future revolves around the talent and upside they have along the defensive front when healthy. Nolen is the focal point. He finished with a rookie-high five pressures and a sack. He lined up in three different spots, showing versatility on a near-300 pound frame that is not common. For a guy who missed the first eight weeks, Nolen has hit the ground running.
Honorable Mention: Kenneth Grant / MIA
Linebacker
Carson Schwesinger / CLE (Round 2)
Once again the rookie leader in tackles belongs to Schwesinger with 10. Half of those were stops for the defense and he added a pressure. While the team gave up 31 points to Chicago, Schwesinger was the one back seven defender who produced all over the field and never looked fooled.
Honorable Mention: Demetrius Knight Jr. / CIN
Cornerback
Shavon Revel / DAL (Round 3)
Revel is experiencing what most rookie corners do. The up and down nature to his game can be tough to plan around but when he is right, the 6’3/193-pounder looks special. He had five tackles without any misses for the first time in four weeks. He allowed just two of four targets to be completed in coverage against a strong group of receivers.
Honorable Mention: Marcus Harris / TEN
Safety
Nick Emmanwori / SEA (Round 2)
The versatile production continues for one of the most diverse defensive talents in the NFL. Emmanwori had six tackles (all stops), one of which went for a two-yard loss. He added a sack and two pressures in addition to breaking up a pass on a surprise downfield throw to running back Jonathan Taylor.
Honorable Mention: Malaki Starks / BAL