Every NFL Wednesday, the Rookie Diary honors the most prominent rookies. The best offensive beginner, his defensive alter ego, the action, the revelation of the week, the flop… And, to finish, the Power Rooking. Everything, you will know everything about the Rookies!
Offensive Rookie of the Week
James Cook – RB – Buffalo Bills (63rd pick)
11 carries, 99 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 reception, 9 yards
Have the Bills finally found their runner? Still early to say, but in any case, James Cook is asserting itself week after week as a reliable solution in the backfield. If he had accustomed us to being mainly used in passing, Dalvin’s brother showed that he also knew how to be a pure runner. 9 yards per rush and a touchdown, ideal to establish Buffalo’s offensive domination a little more. A welcome reinforcement a few weeks before the playoffs.
Defensive Rookie of the Week
Marcus Jones – Cornerback – New England Patriots (85th pick)
14 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defensed, 1 fumble covered, 1 tackle for loss, 1 touchdown
Despite his huge game, his team failed (by little) against the solid Bengals. However, the new darling of the New England secondary had made the end of the game painful for his opponents, with in particular a fumble covered at the end of the game giving the Pats a chance to take the lead. With his pick 6, Jones achieves the incredible performance of having scored a touchdown on the 3 phases of play, special teams, attack and defense. Masterful.
Special Mention: Cobie Durant – Cornerback – Los Angeles Rams (142nd pick)
2 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 passes defended, 1 touchdown
In the card of the week, the Rams punished the Broncos in all aspects of the game. And our revelation of the 2nd week brought its stone to the building. Not only did he intercept Russell Wilson twice, but he returned one of them for a touchdown, digging the Broncos’ head deeper into the ground.
action of the week
Malik Willis – Quarterback – Tennessee Titans (86th pick)
If he could not avoid a new defeat of his people, Malik Willis nevertheless illustrated himself on an action which highlights his ability to advance on the ground. On this 14-yard race, the quarterback resists no less than 4 tackles and shows great shock resistance to go and register his first career touchdown.
First career TD for @malikwillis and it’s an ANGRY run 😡
📺: #HOUvsTEN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/n2EvdAYKap pic.twitter.com/JCFHMCeIpj— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2022
Offensive Power Rooking
1. Garrett Wilson – WR – New York Jets
15 games, 71 receptions, 996 yards, 4 touchdowns
2. Chris Olave – WR – New Orleans Saints
13 games, 63 receptions, 940 yards, 3 touchdowns
3. Kenneth Walker III – RB – Seattle Seahawks
13 games, 176 carries, 803 yards, 9 touchdowns, 25 receptions, 146 yards
4. Christian Watson – WR – Green Bay Packers
12 games, 35 receptions, 496 yards, 7 touchdowns, 5 carries, 68 yards, 2 touchdowns
5. Dameon Pierce – RB – Houston Texans
13 games, 220 carries, 939 yards, 4 touchdowns, 30 receptions, 165 yards, 1 touchdown
Defensive Power Rooking
1. Gardner Sauce – BC – New York Jets
15 games, 65 tackles, 2 interceptions, 16 passes defended
2. Tariq Woolen – CB – Seattle Seahawks
15 matches, 53 tackles, 6 interceptions, 14 passes defended, 2 fumbles covered, 1 touchdown
3. Jalen Pitre – S – Houston Texans
15 games, 126 tackles, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, 7 passes defensed, 8.5 tackles for loss
4. Aidan Hutchinson – EDGE – Detroit Lions
15 games, 44 tackles, 7 sacks, 2 interceptions, 2 fumbles covered, 2 passes defended, 6.5 tackles for loss
5. Kayvon Thibodeaux – EDGE – New York Giants
13 matches, 44 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumables, 2 fumbles covered, 3 passes defended, 3 tackles for loss, 1 touchdown
