The National Football League playoffs is still in session as next week begins conference championship games, but Pro Football Writers of American unveiled its All-Rookie Team on Tuesday.
Linebacker Reuben Foster and defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson both were recognized in representing the University of Alabama. Foster and Tomlinson were members on the Crimson Tide’s national championship squad in 2015, and while Foster was a five-star recruit upon signing in 2013, both players achieved Southeastern Conference titles from 2014-16.
Here is the 2017 NFL All-Rookie Team, as selected by the PFWA: pic.twitter.com/rsrTfopIsu
— Pro Football Writers (@PFWAwriters) January 16, 2018
Despite the dysfunction in the New York Giants’ front office, Tomlinson produced on the field with 50 total tackles and one sack. A second-round pick, he finished eighth on the team in tackles through 16 regular games and has teammates impressed with him moving forward.
As for Foster, he missed five games (weeks two through six) due to ankle injury yet made the most of his return. He collected 38 tackles in November to earn NFL Rookie of the Month, including a pair of double-digit tackling outings versus the Giants (10) and Cardinals (14).
He finished the season with 72 stops in 10 matchups, which was good for second on San Francisco’s roster behind Dontae Johnson (77). Foster, the 31st pick in last year’s draft, was the recipient of the 2016 Butkus Award and one of 17 unanimous All-Americans under Nick Saban.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
