A pair of Broncos have been nominated for the NFL’s Rookie of the Week award following Denver’s 26-7 win over Tampa Bay.
Quarterback Bo Nix and outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman are among the six nominees for the Week 3 honor. Both players were nominated for the first time in their young careers.
Nix completed 25-of-36 pass attempts for 216 yards in the win over the Buccaneers, and he also added 47 rushing yards and a touchdown. Nix was a perfect 4-of-4 for 70 yards and an 118.8 quarterback rating on the Broncos’ opening drive, which set the tone for an impressive win. The Oregon product also started a two-minute drive that led to a field goal with five consecutive completions.
“Our job as coaches, as receivers [is] we have to paint the picture,” Head Coach Sean Payton said of Nix after the game. “When we do that, this guy is going to be something.”
Tillman, meanwhile, earned the nomination following an impressive debut performance.
After being promoted to the active roster ahead of the game in Tampa Bay, Tillman recorded a team-high two sacks. He also recorded three tackles, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits.
Tillman became the fourth undrafted player since 1990 with at least two sacks in his first career game.
“My group of guys, they gave me the confidence,” Tillman said after the game. “They told me all week that I could go out there and do it and [to] just trust myself [and] just do what I do.”
Tillman previous played for the United Football League’s Birmingham Stallions before competing with the Broncos during training camp and earning a spot on Denver’s practice squad.
Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, the New York Giants’ Malik Nabers and Washington’s Jayden Daniels are also nominated for this week’s award.
