Carl Lawson named to PFWA All-Rookie Team

Carl Lawson was easily one of the biggest bright spots of the 2017 Cincinnati Bengals.

For his efforts, Lawson was named to the 2018 Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team. He was the lone Bengal to make the list.

The fourth-round pick via the Auburn Tigers had a very productive rookie season that’s paved the way for a bright NFL future. Appearing in all 16 games (1 start) Lawson racked up 16 total tackles and 8.5 sacks, which was actually one shy of the rookie franchise record previously set by Carlos Dunlap (9.5).

Prior to the 2017 NFL Draft, Lawson was someone hyped up as a second-round prospect that could possibly sneak into the end of Round 1. However, Lawson’s injury history in college, along with his tweener frame, led to him slipping all the way into Round 4.

That’s where the Bengals scooped him up, and they wound up getting a first-round talent who showcased as much as a rookie.

2017 PFWA ALL-ROOKIE TEAM

Offense

• QB – Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
• RB – Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs; Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
• WR – Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams; Juju Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers
• TE – Evan Engram, New York Giants
• C – Pat Elflein, Minnesota Vikings
• G – Dan Feeney, Los Angeles Chargers; Jermaine Eluemunor, Baltimore Ravens, and Ethan Pocic, Seattle Seahawks (tie)
• T – Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos; Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans Saints

Defense

• DL – Derek Barnett, Philadelphia Eagles; Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns; Carl Lawson, Cincinnati Bengals; Dalvin Tomlinson, New York Giants
• LB – Jarrad Davis, Detroit Lions; Reuben Foster, San Francisco 49ers; T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
• CB – Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints; Tre’Davious White, Buffalo Bills
• S – Jamal Adams, New York Jets; Marcus Williams, New Orleans Saints

Special Teams

• PK – Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs
• P – Rigoberto Sanchez, Indianapolis Colts
• KR – Ryan Switzer, Dallas Cowboys
• PR – Jamal Agnew, Detroit Lions
• ST – Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals

2017 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: RB Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs

2017 CO-OFFENSIVE ROOKIES OF THE YEAR: RB Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs and RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

2017 DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: CB Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans Saints