Six Buckeyes Named to NFL All-Rookie Team
2/13/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
Feb. 13, 2017
COLUMBUS, Ohio — NFL.com released its National Football League’s all-rookie team this weekend and six former Buckeyes were named to the unit as selected by NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt. The six, who were part of a 14-member Ohio State rookie class on NFL rosters this season (plus one on a practice squad), included:
- CB Eli Apple, New York Giants — Apple started 12 games for a New York Giants team that had a veteran, talented secondary and that made the NFL Playoffs. He had 51 tackles, seven pass break-ups and one interception.
- DE Joey Bosa, San Diego Chargers — Bosa was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year and the Pro Football Writers of America Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 10.5 sacks and starting 11 games. Bosa’s season included 41 tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss and, according to Pro Football Focus, 59 quarterback pressures in just 12 games.
- LT Taylor Decker, Detroit Lions — Decker not only started all 16 games at left tackle for the Lions, but he also played every snap and helped his team qualify for the NFL Playoffs. One of only 17 players to play every snap for his team this year, Decker was also named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s all-rookie team.
- RB Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys — Elliott, named the Rookie of the Year and the Offensive Player of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America, led the NFL in rushing this season by over 300 yards with 1,631 and he ranked third with 15 touchdowns. He is only the fifth rookie to lead the NFL in rushing since the NFL merger in 1970.
- LB Darron Lee, New York Jets — Lee compiled 73 tackles with one quarterback sack and three passes defended this season while starting nine games and playing in 13. He had a personal best 11 tackles against the New England Patriots.
- WR Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints — Thomas had the second-most receptions for a rookie in NFL history — 92 — and he also led all rookies in receiving yards (1,137) and touchdowns (nine) this past season. Only Anquan Boldin’s 101 catches as a rookie in 2003 top Thomas’ 92 catches this season. He was also named to the Pro Football Writers of America all-rookie team.
Ohio State’s 2016 NFL rookie class featured 12 NFL draft picks, including records for most picks through two, three and four rounds of the draft, and three free agent signings. For more on all the Buckeyes’ rookies: http://go.osu.edu/NFLRookies16.
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