Tag: All-Rookie Team

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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Chris Olave earns PFWA All-Rookie recognition with college teammate Garrett Wilson

Saints standout Chris Olave earned PFWA All-Rookie recognition along with his college teammate Garrett Wilson:

The awards keep rolling in for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, who was selected for the PFWA All-Rookie team after an impressive 2022 debut. And he’s joining his college teammate Garrett Wilson as the top first-year receivers on PFWA’s list. Olave is the lone Saints rookie to make the cut, however, with fellow first-year pros Trevor Penning, Alontae Taylor, and Rashid Shaheed having been limited during the season with injuries.

Those two former Ohio State Buckeyes dueled throughout the year for the league lead in rookie receiving totals, so it makes sense they would wind up here together at the end of the season. They’re both finalists for the Rookie of the Year award, too.

Here’s the full All-Rookie team from the PFWA:

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Chris Olave selected for PFF’s 2022 All-Rookie Team

Chris Olave has been selected for the Pro Football Focus 2022 All-Rookie Team, having outplayed both of the receivers drafted ahead of him:

Pro Football Focus released their All-Rookie Team for the 2022 season, and just one New Orleans Saints player made the cut. Wide receiver Chris Olave made an impact from his first game in black and gold, and that won him recognition on this all-star list.

The former Ohio State Buckeye finished with 72 receptions for 1,048 yards and 4 touchdown catches, trailing just behind his mentor Michael Thomas for the best first-year performance by a Saints rookie.

Not bad for the former No. 11 overall pick. Here’s what PFF’s Michael Renner wrote of Olave’s selection:

“Olave was as advertised in his rookies season. He was as pro-ready a route-runner as you’ll ever see in the draft, which bore out from Day 1. His 2.42 yards per route run led the rookie class and ranked seventh in the entire NFL — an elite number from a first-year player.”

Olave outplayed both of the receivers drafted ahead of him, outgaining Drake London in total yardage and surpassing his old college teammate Garrett Wilson in both per-catch and per-game averages. If the Saints can find him a quarterback, he’ll be on the fast track to ranking among the best receivers in the league. That’s not to say there aren’t things he can improve on. Olave noted areas of growth potential like his inconsistency on tough contested-catch passes, ball security, and missed run-after-catch opportunities. Look for him to level up in 2023.

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NFL.com predicts 2 Broncos will make league’s All-Rookie Team

The league’s official website sees good things in the future for rookies Broncos rookies Greg Dulcich and Montrell Washington.

Denver Broncos rookies Greg Dulcich and Montrell Washington are already garnering support from the league’s official website, and they haven’t played a single down yet.

NFL.com’s Chad Reuter is using foresight to project this season’s All-Rookie Team. Broncos Country has no complaints with his selections.

Drafted 80th overall in the third round of this year’s NFL draft, Dulcich makes the offensive All-Rookie Team.

“The Broncos have a talented collection of wide receivers for quarterback Russell Wilson to find downfield in Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick and Jerry Jeudy,” Reuter wrote on NFL.com. “However, Dulcich has a chance to see a lot of snaps as either a starter or the running mate of Albert Okwuegbunam at tight end. The former Bruins star could become a safety valve and red-zone threat for Wilson.”

The Broncos love doesn’t stop there. Washington, meanwhile, makes the specialist All-Rookie Team as well. Drafted 162nd overall in the fifth round, Reuter sees Washington’s potential.

“The Broncos averaged just 16.2 yards per kickoff return (last in the NFL) and 8.2 yards per punt return (19th) in 2021. Washington’s ability to attack coverage units after fielding a kickoff (returned one for touchdown at Samford last year) or punt (four returned for TD in his career with the Bulldogs) will bring the excitement that Denver’s special teams units have sorely lacked,” Reuter wrote. “He also scored six times as a runner and nine times as a receiver in 2021.”

Time will be our judge, Mr. Reuter. For now, Broncos Country appreciates the love. We’re now less than a month away from the start of training camp. Let’s ride.

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