ProFootballFocus: NFL Week 16: Rookie Team of the Week

[TheSpecialJuan]

Wide Receiver: Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers – 85.3

One of the more shocking developments of the 2025 NFL season has been the Carolina Panthers’ ascension to the top of the NFC South, which they achieved with Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers. Perhaps nobody has made a bigger difference than former eighth overall pick Tetairoa McMillan, who continued to be a steady presence in the Panthers’ offense. McMillan caught six passes for 73 yards and a touchdown in the win

Tight End: Mitchell Evans, Carolina Panthers – 91.1

Evans only saw the field for 16 snaps, but he was efficient in his limited playing time. He caught all three of his targets for 23 yards on just six receiving snaps while also grading well in pass protection (72.2 grade) and as a run-blocker (68.4)

Edge Defender: Nic Scourton, Carolina Panthers – 77.9

The former second-rounder out of Texas A&M has been a force along the Panthers’ defensive line, and he was a key contributor in Carolina’s huge win over the Buccaneers. Scourton recorded two stops as a run-defender and added another while in coverage. Scourton also tallied his sixth sack of the year while contributing another pressure to the mix

Safety: Lathan Ransom, Carolina Panthers – 75.7

Another Carolina Panther on this week’s list, Ransom has typically been stronger in run defense — he carries an 85.2 grade in that field on the season. But Sunday against the Buccaneers was his best day in coverage. Ransom intercepted his only target, which wound up being the game-winner that put the Panthers in the driver’s seat in the NFC South

[TheSpecialJuan]

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-16-rookie-team-of-the-week

[cranky]

Well earned!

[L-TownCat]

It’s usually easy to pick a favorite from our rookie class but this year I just can’t. Obviously TMac is living up to his top-10 selection and that’s great but there’s something about getting production from the mid-late rounds.

Toss in the UDFA kicking phenom and it’s a good day to be a Panthers fan.

[Packersfan]

3 minutes ago, L-TownCat said:

It’s usually easy to pick a favorite from our rookie class but this year I just can’t. Obviously TMac is living up to his top-10 selection and that’s great but there’s something about getting production from the mid-late rounds.

Toss in the UDFA kicking phenom and it’s a good day to be a Panthers fan.

You guys are a better team than the Bucs. The Bucs are frauds. You guys definitely deserve a playoff berth!

Edited 2 hours ago by Packersfan

[Aussie Tank]

I would love Ransom to take a leap and become a quality starter 

[Butterflyj30]

This is soo wonderful and well deserved 

[SmokinwithWilly]

56 minutes ago, Packersfan said:

You guys are a better team than the Bucs. The Bucs are frauds. You guys definitely deserve a playoff berth!

I'd say we've been less decimated by injury if we're being honest. Godwin, Evans, Irving, Baker.  Bucs offense has been walking wounded for much of the season. That's the nature of the NFL and you play with what you've got. I wouldn't call them frauds though. 

[Packersfan]

23 minutes ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

I'd say we've been less decimated by injury if we're being honest. Godwin, Evans, Irving, Baker.  Bucs offense has been walking wounded for much of the season. That's the nature of the NFL and you play with what you've got. I wouldn't call them frauds though. 

They are  good team when healthy but the  Panthers have beaten the best team in the NFC if not the NFL that might win the Superbowl. The Bucs were out of the game against that same team at halftime.

[SmokinwithWilly]

19 minutes ago, Packersfan said:

They are  good team when healthy but the  Panthers have beaten the best team in the NFC if not the NFL that might win the Superbowl. The Bucs were out of the game against that same team at halftime.

Any given Sunday. Like I said, I wouldn't consider them a fraud. They're a team that's suffered a lot of injuries. We've been fortunate not to have suffered so many at our skill positions. I'd say the same of any team that suffered a ton of injuries. Whichever WR finished best likely gets OROY but I wouldn't count out Jeanty yet if he puts together 2 great final games. He's done a pretty remarkable job behind that rag tag line in Las Vegas. 

[Packersfan]

38 minutes ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

Any given Sunday. Like I said, I wouldn't consider them a fraud. They're a team that's suffered a lot of injuries. We've been fortunate not to have suffered so many at our skill positions. I'd say the same of any team that suffered a ton of injuries. Whichever WR finished best likely gets OROY but I wouldn't count out Jeanty yet if he puts together 2 great final games. He's done a pretty remarkable job behind that rag tag line in Las Vegas. 

You guys have improved a lot from last season with Dave as the coach. He’s doing a great job.