2012 PFF All-Rookie Team

[RI Patriots fan]

For all you PFF haters...move along.

For those who care, (3) Patriots rookies make the team along with (1) honorable mention. The (4) mentions are the most of any team in the NFL.

"Jones has played through injury which has seen his production suffer. Still, Jones has been an every-down player from Day 1 for the Patriots.
Hightower has proven to be a versatile player for New England and he’s excelled as a pass rusher. He’s picked up 14 pressures on his 65 rushes, good for a PRP of 17.3 that puts him fourth at the position.
Dennard’s emergence, along with the trade for CB Aqib Talib, has allowed New England’s secondary to play more aggressive man coverages that have helped turn the defense around in the second half of the season. He’s graded at +5.0 in coverage with three interceptions and six passes defensed."

Tavon Wilson received an Honorable Mention at the Safety position.


https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/01/15/2012-pff-all-rookie-team/


Not bad for our beloved Patriots

But it gets even better.....The Jest, Bills, and Phins all combine for only (1) All-Rookie selection (Miami, Oliver Vernon, special teams) and (1) Honorable Mention (Jest, Quinton Coples, DE). Our future keeps looking brighter

One more thing....only (3) teams had (3) selections to the All-Rookie team and all 3 made the playoffs ( NE, Seattle, and Minnesota) and teams that had (2) or more selections to the All-Rookie team, (5) out of the (7) of those teams made the playoffs.

 

[JackBauer]

PFF sucks, but I appreciate that they're high on our rooks.

 

[mayoclinic]

The rookies should all get better in 2013. Jones will hopefully take a big leap as an impact RDE. Hightower has steadily improved into a playmaker, and the Pats haven't really tapped in to all his versatility. Dennard should only get better with a year's experience, and benefit from continuity if the Pats can re-sign Talib. Wilson has shown flashes. At worst he's probably a solid sub. At best, he could be a quality starter, or a significant rotational player with some limitations to his game (like Brandon Spikes), which would certainly justify his draft status.

Justin Francis has been a nice surprise as a UDFA, and Nate Ebner has been promising as a STer, with long term upside. Jake Bequette's been the main disappointment, but there's still time for him to develop.

 

[DarrylS]

This team starts up to four rookies and we are going into the AFC title game, pretty good drafting and very good coaching...

The lack of experience effected this defense early on..

 

[RI Patriots fan]

I think this makes it official now....(3) good to great draft years in a row for the Patriots.

 

[patsinthesnow]

The rookies should all get better in 2013. Jones will hopefully take a big leap as an impact RDE. Hightower has steadily improved into a playmaker, and the Pats haven't really tapped in to all his versatility. Dennard should only get better with a year's experience, and benefit from continuity if the Pats can re-sign Talib. Wilson has shown flashes. At worst he's probably a solid sub. At best, he could be a quality starter, or a significant rotational player with some limitations to his game (like Brandon Spikes), which would certainly justify his draft status.

Justin Francis has been a nice surprise as a UDFA, and Nate Ebner has been promising as a STer, with long term upside. Jake Bequette's been the main disappointment, but there's still time for him to develop.

You can also throw in Bolden. He's Ridley's primary backup and has starting potential if he puts the work in next year.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Hightower has been the most consistent of all our Rookies.

Very underrated compared to Chandler Jones

 

[mayoclinic]

You can also throw in Bolden. He's Ridley's primary backup and has starting potential if he puts the work in next year.

Thanks for the reminder about Bolden.

There are a number of other potential contributors for the long term. The Pats effectively "red shirted" 2 rookies in Jake Bequette (healthy scratch most of the year, though he garnered some practice player awards) and Jeff Demps (IR). I'm hoping they can contribute next year, especially Demps in the return game. Marcus Forston also got several practice player awards, and could challenge for a roster spot as a backup DT/interior pass rusher. And Markus Zukevics earned a roster spot though he didn't see the field, and could be in the mix for depth at tackle or guard.

Add those guys in, and the 2012 class hsould be a big part of the Pats' future. Note that though the Pats had many fewer draft picks, they ended up with no less than 11 guys who could be a long term part of the team:

1. Chandler Jones - 1st round pick, foundation player at RDE
2. Dont'a Hightower - 1st round pick, significant contributor/cornerstone in the front 7
3. Alfonzo Dennard - 7th round pick, starting outside CB
4. Tavon Wilson - 2nd round pick, big nickel safety, possible future starter
-----------------
5. Brandon Bolden - UDFA, significant contributor on STs and in the RBBC mix
6. Justin Francis - UDFA, reserve DE, contributed significantly down the stretch
7. Nate Ebner - 6h round pick, ST ace, possible upside at DB
------------------
8. Jake Bequette - 3rd round pick, way down depth chart as rookie, work in progress
9. Jeff Demps - UDFA, on IR, but should be an impact kick returner and possibly in the RB/WR mix as a big play threat
10. Markus Zusevics - UDFA, reserve OT/OG, down depthy chart
11. Marcus Forston - UDFA, PS DT

So it seems like we got pretty good returns given what we had to work with.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Still down on the Tavon Wilson pick, but I guess you can't complain much when the rest of our picks turned out so well.

 

[ausbacker]

Still down on the Tavon Wilson pick, but I guess you can't complain much when the rest of our picks turned out so well.

Wilson was one of the better rookie Safeties in the NFL this season. I'd like to read your rationale. Don't use the 2nd round pick either. That's not a good enough reason to be down on his selection.

 

[Big-T]

Wilson was one of the better rookie Safeties in the NFL this season. I'd like to read your rationale. Don't use the 2nd round pick either. That's not a good enough reason to be down on his selection.

The only 2 rookie safeties rated higher than him were the 2 picked before him right? Can't ask for more...especially when he played FAR less snaps compared to the other 2.

 

[RI Patriots fan]

The only 2 rookie safeties rated higher than him were the 2 picked before him right? Can't ask for more...especially when he played FAR less snaps compared to the other 2.

I think sometimes that people forget that rookies sometimes are...rookies.