With all the talk around star rookies like Jayden Daniels and Brock Bowers, it’s time to appreciate the young stars who aren’t getting recognition. A handful of rookies have shone all season but aren’t being talked about, so here’s a little acknowledgment for those players.
Mike Sainristil
Mike Sainristil did it all for Dan Quinn’s defense this year. He recorded 93 total tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 2.5 stuffs, and two interceptions. He also led all rookies with 14 pass breakups. He also finished the season strong when the rookie of the week in the final game of the season.
What makes Sainristil’s season even more impressive is this is only his third season playing defensive back. He began his career at Michigan as a wide receiver and converted to cornerback for his final two seasons. This means Sainristil still has a ton of room to grow, even after an incredible start.
And back in April legend Nick Saban called Sainristil “pound of pound” the best player in the draft, and he’s followed through so far.
Zach Frazier
Zach Frazier was an immediate plug-and-play starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over the past few seasons, the Steelers have struggled to find quality offensive linemen, but they have seemed to find a star in the former Mountaineer.
Frazier only allowed pressure on 2.2% of his pass block snaps this season. That is the second-lowest rate by any rookie linemen since 2020. The only rookie who was better was Chiefs superstar Creed Humphrey, pretty good company for Frazier. He also ranked 17th amongst all interior linemen with a 95% pass block win rate.
He kept up that elite level of play in the postseason, allowing zero pressures against the Baltimore Ravens in the Wildcard round. The Steelers have found their guy in the middle of their line, and Frazier should be great for years to come.
Roger Rosengarten
Zack Frazier isn’t the only elite rookie lineman in the AFC North. Roger Rosengarten has been an anchor at right tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. He went viral after his wholesome interaction with Myles Garrett, but he should be getting more recognition for his play on the field. Even though he claimed he was a “nobody” he handled Myles Garrett. In that Week 18 matchup, Rosengarten allowed just one QB pressure, and zero sacks and QB hits. That game wasn’t just a one-hit wonder. The very next week Rosengarten locked down TJ Watt. Watt didn’t record a single stat in the Raven’s Wildcard matchup.
Rosengarten hasn’t just been a wall for Lamar Jackson, but he’s also been paving the way for Derrick Henry. He ranks second amongst all tackles in run block win rate at 84%. He’s also second in the amount of wins at 338. The only player with more in future Hall of Famer Lane Johnson. It’s safe to say Baltimore has found a franchise tackle.
Jalen Coker
Coker went undrafted in the 2024 NFL draft. But the Holy Cross start didn’t let that stop him from making an impact in Carolina. After the departure of Diontae Johnson Coker really broke out onto the scene. He finished with 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns. But those numbers don’t tell the whole story.
When Bryce Young targeted Coker he had a 108.8 passer rating, which was the highest on the team, and he led all receivers in yards per catchable target against man coverage. Coker was also sixth amongst all rookies in yards per route run.
Panthers UDFA WR Jalen Coker has the highest receiving grade out of any rookie receiver this season, according to PFF. (81.9)#KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/DGPcGzJ7i8
— 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙨 🌨 (@ThomasWrrld) October 28, 2024
It is truly shocking that he went undrafted, as he checks all the boxes for an NFL wide receiver. He has great ball skills and is excellent at contested catches using his 6’3″ frame. Coker came on strong at the end of 2024, and with more opportunity he’ll be a breakout candidate for next season.
T’Vondre Sweat
Sweat is a refrigerator in the middle of the Titans’ defense, at 6’4″ and 362 pounds. But Sweat isn’t just a big body, he’s a true athlete and proved to be a valuable asset to Tennessee’s defense. He finished with stats you don’t typically see from nose tackles.
He racked up 51 total tackles along with a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery, and nine stuffs. Sweat also showed off some impressive athleticism on a 30-yard fumble recovery against the Bengals. Sweat still has room to grow, but if his rookie season is any indication of his skill, he’ll be a lethal duo with Jeffery Simmons.
When T’Vondre Sweat gets the ball, you do not want to be in the way.pic.twitter.com/w6dn0lxluM
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 15, 2024
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