Tag: All-Rookie Team

Vikings pass-rusher Dallas Turner named to NFL.com All-Rookie team

Minnesota Vikings rookie EDGE Dallas Turner has been named to NFL.com’s all-rookie team by NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter.

The 2024 crop of rookies has yet to step on the field and make their mark in the NFL, but that hasn’t stopped the class from racking up preseason accolades. Chad Reuter of NFL.com has released his 2024 All-Rookie team, and the Minnesota Vikings first-round pick, Dallas Turner, has made the cut.

During his time in Tuscaloosa, Turner was a standout defensive end for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Last year alone, the star EDGE product stacked the box score with 53 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and ten sacks, adding one pass defended and two forced fumbles.

But Turner was far from a one-year-wonder for the Tide, amassing 120 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 22.5 sacks over three years. That production made Thomas the 17th-overall selection by the Vikings in this year’s draft, and it’s that kind of production that Reuter expects to (eventually) see from Turner at the pro level:

I suspect Turner will be a defensive force for the Vikings by the midway point of his rookie campaign, possibly starting the year as a designated pass rusher (and ultimately approaching a double-digit sack total) but eventually proving he’s able to drop into zones and fight tackles playing the run.

Turner has some big shoes to fill, taking over for former All-Pro edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who left in free agency for the Houston Texans. Turner likely won’t replicate Hunter’s production right away, but if he can come close, that should be enough for the defense to not miss a beat from the 2023 team. It was a vast improvement over the previous season.

Was Cam Whitmore an All-Rookie second-team snub? Rockets teammate Tari Eason thinks so

Rockets forward Tari Eason: “Go and watch film. Tell me if you can definitively say there are nine rookies better than Cam Whitmore.”

Houston Rockets rookie Amen Thompson, who was drafted in the 2023 first round, was named Monday to the NBA’s All-Rookie second team for the 2023-24 regular season. Combined, the first- and second-team honors go to 10 players from the previous year’s draft class.

Fellow rookie Cam Whitmore, also a 2023 first-round draftee of the Rockets, received votes but not enough to make the team.

Someone who disagreed with that result is second-year forward Tari Eason, who was a second-team member in his rookie season one year ago.

After Monday’s announcement, Eason posted this message to X (complete with thinking and face-palm emojis):

Go and watch film. Tell me if you can definitively say there are nine rookies better than Cam Whitmore.

Much of this debate comes down to voting criteria. Whitmore averaged 12.3 points (45.4% FG, 35.9% on 3-pointers) and 3.8 rebounds in only 18.7 minutes for the Rockets. On a per-minute basis, those numbers make him one of the most dynamic scorers of his class.

However, Whitmore only played in 47 NBA games. While very athletic, he entered the league at 19 years old and was viewed by many around the league as being a raw talent. Thus, he spent much of his first two months as a professional with Houston’s G League developmental affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers.

When the calendar turned to 2024, Whitmore made himself a rotation fixture, and there’s a strong case to be made that he’s among the top-10 players from his draft class when it comes to potential and upside. Thus, by film and deciding who the currently “better” player is — seemingly Eason’s criteria — it’s hard to argue against it.

But, some voters likely made their selections based on total production to date, including the sheer volume of rookie-year output.

There are cases to be made both ways, but Whitmore’s teammate clearly has his back, and perhaps that’s the most important thing.

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Rockets’ Amen Thompson named to NBA’s All-Rookie second team

After a dynamic debut season with the Rockets, Amen Thompson was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie second team for the 2023-24 campaign.

Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson was named Monday to the NBA’s All-Rookie second team for the 2023-24 season. A dynamic and versatile defensive player and an immediate off-ball threat on offense, Thompson missed 20 of 82 games due to injury or illness, which may have cost him a potential first-team selection.

In all, Thompson appeared in 62 games while averaging 9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 22.4 minutes per game.

He became the fourth player in NBA history to average at least 9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steals while playing under 23 minutes per game. Others on this list are George Johnson (1980-81), Nikola Jokić (2015-16) and Greg Monroe (2016-17).

In 23 games as a starter, including his final 17 games played, Thompson averaged 13.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 spg while shooting 58.4% from the floor. According to the Rockets, Thompson joined Dallas superstar Luka Dončić as the only starters with more than two appearances in the 2023-24 season to have averaged at least 13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.4 steals.

Thompson ranked ninth among rookie qualifiers in scoring, fourth in rebounding, seventh in assists, first in steals and third in field-goal percentage. He also ranked third among 2023-24 rookies with 13 double-doubles, including his first career triple-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in the April 14 regular-season finale in Los Angeles versus the Clippers.

Thompson also had 3 steals and 3 blocks in that game, joining Lonzo Ball as the only rookies with that stat line in NBA history.

It is the fourth straight season in which the Rockets have had at least one representative on an All-Rookie team. Jae’Sean Tate and Jalen Green were first-team selections in 2020-21 and 2021-22, while Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. were on the 2022-23 second team.

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Pair of Chargers named to CBS Sports’ 2023 preseason All-Rookie Team

The Chargers were represented by two players in CBS Sports’ 2023 preseason All-Rookie Team.

There is plenty of buzz surrounding the Chargers as they enter training camp, and one of the biggest attractions will be the team’s rookies.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso released his annual Preseason All-Rookie Team, highlighting players he believes will break out in their first professional season, and Los Angeles was well-represented.

Kicking off the group was first-round pick Quentin Johnston, tabbed as first-team perimeter wide receiver.

Johnston is the final piece of the puzzle in the receiver group for Justin Herbert. He has the size and skill set unlike anyone else on Los Angeles’ roster. I’m most fascinated by his run-after-the-catch prowess. Easiest path to production as a rookie for a receiver, beyond being an absolute freakshow athlete or route runner — the former is natural and the latter typically takes at least a season to fine-tune as a pro. While occasionally clunky as a rebounder at his stature, Johnston is an agitated gazelle in the open field. Oh and if you call Herbert an elite quarterback, you won’t hear gripes from me — he’s capable of elite quarterbacking flashes every time out. That helps.

Johnston will have to further refine his route-running prowess and clean up drops issues that he had in college. But if and when he does, he has the size and speed combo to be a threat to opposing secondaries for years to come.

Third-round pick Daiyan Henley was also given first-team honors alongside Lions’ Jack Campbell.

Henley is an older prospect but glides in coverage and plays with the ball skills of a safety. While Los Angeles isn’t rock-solid in the middle of its defensive line, there are plenty of stars on that side of the ball that’ll help get Henley into advantageous situations as a rookie.

Henley is a complete player with excellent speed and range, good vision to play through blocks, an understanding of pass concepts that allows him to excel in coverage, burst and aggression as a blitzer and plenty of special teams experience.

A wide receiver and defensive back convert, Henley’s only been playing the position for three years, so he needs to refine the little details of the position. But he has the necessary traits and makeup to be special teams ace from the jump and a steady starter for the Bolts in his second season.

Colts’ Josh Downs a sleeper for the All-Rookie team?

Mike Garafolo likes Josh Downs as an under-the-radar player to make the All-Rookie team.

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Bringing in a massive rookie class means there are several first-year players who could hold significant roles for the Indianapolis Colts during the 2023 season. Wide receiver Josh Downs is chiefly among those candidates.

The craft slot receiver who plays much bigger than his size is our favorite to win the starting slot receiver role during his rookie campaign, and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network believes he’s an under-the-radar candidate for the All-Rookie team.

Garafolo cited the fact that the Colts have little competition in the wide receiver room for Downs, which creates a clear path for a significant role. On top of that, Garafolo mentioned Downs’ ability and desire to make plays over the middle of the field.

The selection of Downs was an intriguing one, especially considering it goes against what general manager Chris Ballard has typically done at the position in the draft.

As long as the rookie isn’t hampered by the knee injury that forced him to miss a good chunk of the spring workouts, Downs should be right in the mix for the starting slot role to begin the season.

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NFL draft scout predicts 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie Team

Bryce Young poised for massive rookie season according to NFL Draft analyst

Even though he enters the NFL as the first overall pick from the 2023 NFL draft with sky-high expectations, former Alabama quarterback, [autotag]Bryce Young[/autotag], knows that everything is earned at the professional level, not given. Through about two months with the Panthers, Young has blown his teammates away with his swagger and preparation and many believe he is primed for a massive breakout year.

Chad Reuter has spent 20 years covering the NFL draft as a researcher and analyst and he believes that Young will shine right out of the gate. He goes as far as to project the entire 2023 All-Rookie team which will be headlined by Young at the quarterback position, but he includes the entire offense.

Reuter says of Young, “Young has already taken the reins of the Panthers’ offense. He will make some mistakes, just like all rookie quarterbacks, and his surrounding cast is average — at best. However, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner’s intelligence, maturity and athleticism will shine through this fall. He’ll prove himself a leader and playmaker.”

The surprise on the list comes in at the running back position. They list two RBs, one of which is the No. 8 overall pick Bijan Robinson which is to be expected, but Jahmyr Gibbs, the No. 12 overall pick to the Lions, doesn’t appear on the team. Instead, Reuter opted for the Los Angeles Rams 6th round selection, Zach Evans.

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Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason named to NBA’s All-Rookie second team

#Rockets forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason were each named Monday to the NBA’s All-Rookie Second Team, one year after teammate Jalen Green made the All-Rookie First Team.

One year after the Rockets had 2021 first-round pick Jalen Green receive All-Rookie first-team honors, Houston can enjoy a further endorsement of its young talent. Two of its 2022 first-round selections were named to the 2022-23 All-Rookie second team.

In Monday’s announcement from the NBA, rookie forwards Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason were voted to the second team along with Detroit’s Jaden Ivey and Jalen Duren and San Antonio’s Jeremy Sochan. The first team consisted of Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams, Utah’s Walker Kessler, Sacramento’s Keegan Murray and Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin.

Of the 100-person media voting panel, 70 voted Smith to the second team, and one voter had him on the first team. That gave him 72 total points (a first-team vote counts for two points), which was easily enough for Smith to make the 2022-23 second team.

Eason, on the other hand, held off Indiana’s Andrew Nembhard for the final spot on the second team by the slimmest of margins, 47 points to 46. Eason finished with 43 second-team votes and two first-team votes, while Nembhard had 45 second-team votes but no first-team votes. That first-team discrepancy was the difference.

Smith played in 79 of Houston’s 82 games and started all of those, averaging 12.8 points (40.8% FG, 30.7% on 3-pointers) and 7.2 rebounds in 31 minutes. Meanwhile, Eason was one of only two players on the Rockets (joining KJ Martin) to play in all 82 games, having averaged 9.3 points (44.8% FG, 34.3% on 3-pointers), 6.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 21.5 minutes. He made five starts.

Smith was drafted at No. 3 overall out of Auburn, while Eason was picked at No. 17 after playing at LSU. As prospects, both forwards were well-regarded for their defensive intensity and versatility, and that’s a big part of their future value proposition as they supplement a young Houston core that already has strong scoring and playmaking from Green, Kevin Porter Jr. and Alperen Sengun.

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The 2022 PFWA NFL All-Rookie team

These were the best rookies at every position in the NFL in 2022.

The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) is comprised of writers who cover the NFL and the 32 franchises all over the country. At the conclusion of the season, they vote on on-field awards and recognitions, including an All-NFL team, all-conference teams and all-rookie teams.

Who were the best rookies in 2022?

Below is the complete roster of the 2022 PFWA All-rookie team.

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