Mid Season All Rookie Team
By Joe Mazzulo
Every week, Withthefirstpick.com will be selecting a weekly All-Rookie team, featuring the stars of the previous weekends games. In addition to the Weekly All-Rookie team, keep an eye out for the Mid-season All-Rookie team and the regular season All-Rookie team later in the year
Offense
Geno Smith – Quarterback, New York Jets
158-272, 58.1%, 1,997 yards, 8 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 6 fumbles and 36 carries, 172 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
Smith has provided a playmaking spark to the Jets offense and has helped win games, but he has one touchdown to 9 interceptions in 4 Jets losses.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Eddie Lacy – Running Back, Green Bay Packers
134 carries, 596 yards, 4 touchdowns and 12 catches for 78 yards.
Eddie Lacy has brought balance to the Green Bay offense and much needed relief for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Giovani Bernard – Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals
81 carries, 361 yards, 4 touchdowns and 30 catches for 267 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Bernard has been a touchdown machine in Cincinnati’s offense as the Bengals have finally found a versatile playmaker at the running back position.
Keenan Allen – Wide Receiver, San Diego Chargers
34 catches, 527 yards, and 3 touchdowns
Allen found his way onto the starting line up due to injuries, but has seized the moment and quickly developed a chemistry with Philip Rivers.
Terrance Williams – Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys
28 catches, 477 yards, and 4 touchdowns
Stepped up in the absence of Miles Austin and has been a big play option opposite of Dez Bryant for quarterback Tony Romo.
Jordan Reed – Tight End, Washington Redskins
38 catches, 425 yards, 2 touchdowns.
The athletic Reed has been the focal point of the offense at times in 2013 and thus far has been a perfect fit within Mike Shanahan’s offense.
David Bakhtiari – Left Tackle, Green Bay Packers
Bakhtiari’s surprising play has helped solidify a Green Bay offensive line which has protected Aaron Rodgers well while opening running lanes for Eddie Lacy and the Packers new found running game.
Kyle Long – Right Guard, Chicago Bears
Long has been a starter all season long and has been one of the Bears best offensive lineman. At times has been dominant in the running game.
Travis Frederick – Center, Dallas Cowboys
A controversial pick in April, Frederick has made the Cowboys look brilliant and has been a rock in the middle of Tony Romo’s offensive line.
Larry Warford – Right Guard, Detroit Lions
An earth mover in every sense of the word. Warford has been a pleasant surprise in pass protection while thriving in the running game.
D.J. Fluker – Right Tackle, San Diego Chargers
Fluker has flashed dominant ability, while providing perimeter protection for Philip Rivers. His arrival has helped Ryan Matthews and the Chargers running game get back on track.
Defense
Ezekial “Ziggy” Ansah – Defensive End, Detroit Lions
19 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
Ansah is still in need of development but he has been a disruptive force for the Lions defensive line. His progression will be key for the Lions chances of closing the season strong.
Star Lotulelei – Defensive Tackle, Carolina Panthers
23 tackles, 1.0 sack, 4 run stuffs.
Lotulelei has been a brick wall in the middle of the Carolina defense. His presence has allowed Luke Keuchly, Greg Hardy, and Charles Johnson to flourish and is a big part of the Panthers defensive turnaround.
Chris Jones – Defensive Tackle, New England Patriots
30 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 1 run stuff.
Jones was picked up after being waived by Tampa Bay and has been a key contributer for the Patriots while filling in for the injured Vince Wilfork. The Patriots have had to rely heavily on their defense in the wake of the offensive struggles.
Sheldon Richardson – Defensive Lineman, New York Jets
41 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass defensed, 4 run stuffs.
Richardson has been all over the field for the surprising Jets defense. His athleticism is a perfect fit in Rex Ryan’s aggressive penetration based scheme.
Barkevious Mingo – Rush Linebacker, Cleveland Browns
23 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 1 pass defensed, 1 run stuff.
Mingo has been an impact player in a rotational role in the Browns blitz heavy 3-4 defense. He has a long way to go before becoming an every down stud, but he is already a threat as a rush end.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Kiko Alonso – Inside Linebacker, Buffalo Bills
89 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovered, 4 interceptions, 4 passes defensed, 6 run stuffs.
The best defensive rookie in the NFL. An immediate starter and among the NFL’s most productive players, Alonso has a nose for the ball and arrives with nasty intentions.
Alec Ogletree – Outside Linebacker, St. Louis Rams
59 tackles, 3 forced fumbles, 1 interception, 5 passes defensed, 3 run stuffs, 1 touchdown
The long and rangy outside linebacker has been all over the field for the under rated Rams defense. Impressive production for a supposed “project”.
Marcus Cooper – Cornerback, Kansas City Chiefs
18 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovered, 2 interceptions, 14 passes defensed, 1 run stuff.
An absolute waiver wire steal for Kansas City. Cooper has thrived in a reserve role and has been all over the field, leading the league in passes defensed.
Tyrann Mathieu – Safety, Arizona Cardinals
49 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions, 5 passes defensed, 4 run stuffs.
Mathieu’s playmaking prowess has translated well to the NFL. Lining up in a variety of positions in the defensive backfield, Mathieu is a key component of the Arizona defense.
Eric Reid – Safety, San Francisco 49ers
39 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, 3 interceptions, 6 passes defensed.
The 49ers tabbed Reid to replace the departed Dashon Goldson, to which he has done an admirable job. Reid has been a steady playmaker and has improved weekly.
Logan Ryan – Cornerback, New England Patriots
15 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, 2 passes defensed, 1 touchdown.
Ryan has been a steady contributor on a defense which has needed to be stout. He has made plays while blitzing and in coverage.
Kenny Vaccaro – Defensive Back, New Orleans Saints
42 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 5 pass break ups, 2 run stuffs.
The versatile Vaccaro has been an important chess piece for defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Vaccaro has made plays from corner, safety, and linebacker.