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Two Detroit Lions land on PFWA’s 2017 All-Rookie Team

By Steven Mullenax

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 18: Jamal Agnew #39 of the Detroit Lions returns an 88 yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 18: Jamal Agnew #39 of the Detroit Lions returns an 88 yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants during their game at MetLife Stadium on September 18, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Two first-year players for the Detroit Lions in 2017 have found themselves on the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team.

All-in-all, the Detroit Lions had a very solid draft class in 2017. Those players consisted of linebacker Jarrad Davis, cornerback Teez Tabor, wide receiver Kenny Golladay, linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, cornerback Jamal Agnew, defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter, quarterback Brad Kaaya and defensive lineman Pat O’Connor.

Although many of these rookies shined last season, none were brighter than Jarrad Davis and Jamal Agnew. The Lions’ first round pick, Davis was one of the best first-year linebackers in the entire NFL last season. The former Florida Gator racked up 96 total tackles, 2.0 sacks and an interception in 14 games for the Motor City. Davis also led all rookies in tackles last season.

As for Agnew, he posted an incredible 15.4 yards per punt return in 2017 as a key special teams contributor. The fifth round selection out of San Diego returned 29 punts for 447 yards and two touchdowns last year for Detroit.

Now, both Davis and Agnew have been named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s 2017 All-Rookie Team. See the full list of winners below.

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

Next: Lions 2017 season in review: Matthew Stafford

What both Jarrad Davis and Jamal Agnew represent for the Detroit Lions is a brighter future. Throw in the Lions other promising rookies in Kenny Golladay, Jaylon Reeves-Maybin and Teez Tabor; and this group could be that start of a very talented youth movement in the Motor City.

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