Week 11 Rookies of the Week

By
Kosta Boskovic
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Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

In another week full of impressive rookie performances, wide receivers and defensive backs sweep the honors. Several players make their return to this series, while one receiver earns recognition for the first time this season. Let’s dive into our Week 11 Rookies of the Week!

Offensive Rookie of the Week: Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints

Chris Olave has been a star wide receiver for the Saints when his quarterback can get him the ball. This week against the Rams, Olave hauled in five receptions for 102 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown on which he beat Jalen Ramsey, one of the best cornerbacks in football. Olave has really shown his speed, which makes him such a dangerous deep threat. Some, including us, questioned the pick of Olave with the 11th selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he is paying immediate dividends for the Saints and is their clear-cut WR1. With a more consistent quarterback, I am confident Olave would be performing even better than he has this season. Olave has arguably been the best rookie wide receiver this season and should be a contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Runners-Up:

Treylon Burks, WR, Tennessee Titans

Burks had a breakout game on Thursday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers, hauling in seven receptions for 111 yards, including a 51-yard catch on Jaire Alexander to seal the Titans’ victory.

Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants

Robinson, unfortunately, tore his ACL towards the end of the game against the Detroit Lions but was having a great game before that, recording 100 yards on nine receptions while displaying his speed and elusiveness.

Defensive Rookie of the Week: Kerby Joseph, S, Detroit Lions

Joseph is proving to be a true diamond in the rough for the Lions, who picked the safety from Illinois with the 97th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. On 51 coverage snaps against the New York Giants on Sunday, Joseph was targeted once and didn’t allow a single catch. Additionally, his interception on a Giants fourth down in the third quarter was crucial in leading to the Lions’ 31-18 win over the Giants. To add insult to injury for the Giants, Joseph was selected by the Lions with the compensatory pick they received in return for free agent wide receiver Kenny Golladay signing with the Giants. After recording only 521 receiving yards in 2021, Golladay has only hauled in four catches for 51 yards in 2022, while the Lions are thrilled with their return for their compensatory selection. 

Runners-Up:

Jaquan Brisker, S, Chicago Bears

Brisker continued a dominant rookie season in a close loss against the Atlanta Falcons, allowing just one catch for two yards on 23 coverage snaps, in addition to recording 11 total tackles and forcing a fumble. 

Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, CB, New York Jets

A regular in this series, Gardner impressed in a loss to the New England Patriots that cannot be blamed on the defense, which allowed only three points. Gardner allowed just two catches for 19 yards on 34 coverage snaps and added a pass breakup. 

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