Slant Route's 2020 All-Rookie Team - Justin Herbert, Justin Jefferson and Chase Young highlight the picks
Just like the NFL All-Pro team, I don’t have a vote when it comes to to All-Rookie team. This won’t count towards the honor given by the Pro Football Writers of America.
With that out of the way, I am constantly evaluating and noting standout performances while watching NFL film throughout the season. This All-Rookie team would be the roster if I had a say in the matter.
First Team Offense
Quarterback - Justin Herbert
The favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Justin Herbert became the starter early in the season because of an unfortunate pregame medical incident involving Tyrod Taylor. From there, Herbert set the league on fire with his passing numbers. Herbert finished with 31 passing touchdowns, an NFL record for rookies, while completing 66.6% of his passes and chucking 289 yards per game.
Running Back - Jonathan Taylor
A late season surge allowed Jonathan Taylor to pass James Robinson in rushing yards. In 15 games, Taylor posted nearly 1,500 total yards and 12 touchdowns for the playoff-bound Colts. Part of the reason they’re headed to the playoffs is Taylor’s week 17 performance, where he scampered for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Wide Receiver - Justin Jefferson
The only player that could steal the Rookie of the Year Award away from Justin Herbert, Justin Jefferson’s rookie production has been remarkable. Jefferson produced 88 receptions, 1,400 yards and 7 receiving touchdowns. Those numbers actually outdid former Viking receiver Randy Moss’ rookie season.
Wide Receiver - CeeDee Lamb
Despite losing starting quarterback Dak Prescott for 11 games and competing with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup for targets, CeeDee Lamb posted over 1,000 total yards and 6 touchdowns.
Flex - Chase Claypool
During Pittsburgh’s 11-0 start to the season, Chase Claypool asserted himself as a potential star. During that stretch, Claypool had 45 receptions for 611 yards and a whopping 8 touchdowns. While his production tapered off down the stretch along with the rest of the Steelers team, Claypool easily showed the potential of a future WR1.
Tight End - Harrison Bryant
There were really only two rookie tight ends with any noticeable production, but I was impressed with Harrison Bryant’s ability to carve out a role on a loaded Browns offensive depth chart. He finished with 24 receptions and 3 touchdowns, including 5 separate games with at least 3 catches.
Offensive Tackle - Tristan Wirfs
Tristan Wirfs’ rise to one of the best right tackles in football was remarkable. He only allowed 1 sack on the season - to Khalil Mack - and had some devastating reps in the run game. I went as far to name Wirfs to the All-Pro team.
Offensive Tackle - Michael Onwenu
Despite being a Day 3 selection and a guard in college, Michael Onwenu was inserted into the Patriots lineup as an extra offensive tackle. He was physical and consistent early in the season, eventually filling in at guard and then right tackle. He settled in at right tackle, grading out as the best rookie offensive lineman according to Pro Football Focus.
Offensive Guard - Damien Lewis
The former National Champion at LSU, Damien Lewis was a Day 1 starter for Seattle and played over 90% of the snaps on the season. There were lows (12 penalties, 3 sacks allowed), but a lot more positives moving forward. Lewis graded out as the 6th best run blocking offensive guard in the NFL (per PFF).
Offensive Guard - Jonah Jackson
Jonah Jackson’s season was far from perfect, but that was typical of most players in Detroit. Jackson gained valuable experience with over 1,000 snaps played, and was continually solid in his run blocking as a rookie.
Center - Tyler Biadasz
Thrust into the starting lineup for a midseason, Tyler Biadasz performed admirably for the Dallas Cowboys. While it wasn’t perfect, he only allowed 1 sack on the season on over 400 snaps.
First Team Defense
Edge Defender - Chase Young
Chase Young lived up to the hype as the #2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, finishing the season with 7.5 sacks. Even more impressive was Young’s full production profile, which included 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 batted passes, 10 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits. Young has the potential to be the best pass rusher in the NFL.
Edge Defender - K’Lavon Chaisson
K’Lavon Chaisson’s production didn’t jump off the page, but I was impressed with him in limited reps. Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash is famous for bringing rookies along slowly, but Chaisson consistently flashed while playing about 50% of the snaps. His 9 quarterback hits will take a major step forward in his second season.
Defensive Tackle - Javon Kinlaw
Javon Kinlaw’s play this season was inconsistent, but there were serious flashes and games that he stood out. The highlight of his season was a pick-6 of Jared Goff, but Kinlaw’s pass rush snaps against the New Orleans Saints showed a potentially dominant player down the line.
Defensive Tackle - Derrick Brown
It’s difficult to measure a nose tackle’s impact with statistics, so trust me when I say that Derrick Brown started to dominate near the end of the season. Brown finished with 2 sacks, 8 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits.
Linebacker - Jordyn Brooks
Jordyn Brooks was brought along slowly, but from week 7 through the end of the season he was the best rookie linebacker in the league. Over those 11 games, Brooks produced 56 tackles including 34 solo. Brooks was lost at times in coverage, but that can be normal for rookie linebackers.
Linebacker - Patrick Queen
Patrick Queen was relied on to be a major factor on the Ravens defense, and played 80% of the snaps on the season. Placed in an advantageous position behind the Ravens stout defensive line, Queen’s production jumps off the page (106 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries).
Cornerback - Jaylon Johnson
After a hot start to the season, Jaylon Johnson’s play tailed off down the stretch. Still, Johnson’s early season performance was impressive for a player just entering the NFL. For the season he allowed a completion percentage of just 56.4%.
Cornerback - L’Jarius Sneed
Despite a midseason injury, L’Jarius Sneed held up well throughout the 9 games he played in as a rookie. He was thrown at 59 times, intercepting 3 of them while only allowing 32 receptions for 250 yards and 1 touchdown.
Safety - Jeremy Chinn
While Jeremy Chinn allowed a few touchdown receptions, he was a playmaker for the Panthers defense. He recovered 2 fumbles for touchdowns, had an interception, 5 pass breakups and 68 solo tackles. His versatility was a weapon as a rookie and that will continue throughout his career.
Safety - Antoine Winfield Jr.
The rookie safety with the most range, Antoine Winfield Jr. jumped off the film as a rookie. He was on the field for 97% of the snaps for the Buccaneers defense that finished top 10 in points and yards allowed.
Defensive Back - Julian Blackmon
Similar to Antoine Winfield, Julian Blackmon played over 90% of defensive snaps for a top 10 defense in Indianapolis. He was everywhere for the Colts, collecting 94 tackles and 3 sacks while forcing 2 fumbles and intercepting a pass.
Second Team Offense
Quarterback - Joe Burrow
Running Back - James Robinson
Wide Receiver - Tee Higgins
Wide Receiver - Laviska Shenault
Flex - Antonio Gibson
Tight End - Cole Kmet
Offensive Tackle - Jedrick Wills
Offensive Tackle - Mekhi Becton
Offensive Guard - Kevin Dotson
Offensive Guard - Ezra Cleveland
Center - Lloyd Cushenberry
Second Team Defense
Edge Defender - Alex Highsmith
Edge Defender - Alton Robinson
Defensive Tackle - Justin Madubuike
Defensive Tackle - Raekwon Davis
Linebacker - Kenneth Murray
Linebacker - Isaiah Simmons
Cornerback - Trevon Diggs
Cornerback - Michael Ojemudia
Safety - Jordan Fuller
Safety - Kyle Dugger
Defensive Back - Cameron Dantzler