Life in the NFL is hard, as rookies everywhere are finding out after their first taste of action. While in your typical year rookies have the preseason to be phased into the realm of professional football, the rookie class of 2020 has to endure a baptism by fire. We're playing for keeps right out of the gate.
Which rookie performers were able to make the most of the pro action in Week 7? We, along with our partners at Panini, are recognizing the best of the best each week. Here are the Defensive Rookies of the Week from each conference for Week 7 of the 2020 NFL season.
AFC DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
CB Dane Jackson, Buffalo Bills
The once-proud Buffalo Bills pass defense that ranked in the top four of the NFL in each of the last two seasons has been a shell of itself so far in 2020. Entering Sunday’s contest against the New York Jets, the Bills were surrendering 256 passing yards per game, which ranked No. 24 in the NFL. One of the primary reasons for the slumping pass defense has been the persistent injuries Buffalo has dealt with at cornerback, where top options Tre’Davious White, Levi Wallace, and Josh Norman have all missed time.
With Wallace and Norman both out on Sunday, Buffalo turned to seventh-round pick Dane Jackson to man the cornerback spot opposite of White. Jackson has spent the season on the practice squad but was called up to the active roster for Week 7 and inserted into the starting lineup. Playing 100% of the defensive snaps against the New York Jets, Jackson shined. For the contest, Jackson collected three tackles, two pass breakups, and an interception in Buffalo’s 18-10 win over the Jets. Jackson was competitive and sticky in coverage while making game-changing plays on the football that helped Buffalo improve to 5-2.
Jackson was a key piece in a Buffalo defensive performance that limited the Jets to just 10 points, 190 total yards (four in the second half), six sacks, and two turnovers. It remains to be seen what Jackson’s role is moving forward but he certainly made a strong case for more opportunities.
NFC DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
DE Chase Young, Washington Football Team
The first defensive player off the board in the 2020 NFL Draft had another dominant outing this week as part of Washington’s 25-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Feasting off a depleted Cowboys offensive line with Andy Dalton at quarterback, Young and the Washington defense limited Dallas to just 12 first downs, 142 total yards, and three points.
While Young will always be known for his elite pass-rushing skill set, the impressive part of his performance against Dallas was his ability to defend the run. While he still made his presence known with regular pressure on the passer, Young’s ability to set the edge, squeeze gaps, and find the football was on full display on Sunday. Young led Washington with six total tackles and five solo tackles.
In a game where superstar running back Ezekiel Elliott was likely to be the focal point of the Dallas offense and the key for Washington to stop, Washington limited the Cowboys to 26 rushes for 83 yards, which averages out to 3.2 yards per carry. Washington bottling up the run limited the Dallas offense and it never got going on Sunday as Washington improved to 2-5 and is in the thick of the race for the NFC East crown.
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