Juan Thornhill makes 2019 Pro Football Focus’ All-Rookie Team
By Matt Conner
Kansas City Chiefs second round pick Juan Thornhill made Pro Football Focus All-Rookie Team as one of two safeties on the 2019 edition.
Pro Football Focus has put out their official rookie rankings for yet another year in the form of their All-Rookie Team and the Kansas City Chiefs were fortunate enough to have one of the few defensive backs represented with their (second) second round pick: safety Juan Thornhill.
The Chiefs were quick to install Thornhill as the starting free safety next to Tyrann Mathieu, who has been moved around quite a bit like a chess piece. The results were solid from the outset but only became more and more impressive with each new game of experience. Thornhill ended up starting all 16 games for the Chiefs and put up such a solid body of work that he turned heads all around the league.
Recently, the NFL analysts at Sports Illustrated voted Thornhill fourth overall for their Defensive Rookie of the Year vote, and he was the highest ranked defensive back of the lot. Now PFF has listed Thornhill on their All-Rookie Team for 2019. Check out what they had to say:
"“When looking at the lack of success opposing teams had targeting the Chiefs 20 or more yards downfield, it’s easy to see his impact. On those passes against the Chiefs this year, opposing quarterbacks combined for a 40.9 passer rating. That was the third-best rating of any team in the league, behind only the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots.”"
Unfortunately for the Chiefs, Thornhill is now on the mend after tearing his ACL while trying to blitz Philip Rivers in the regular season finale. Armani Watts will take over some of his snaps at free safety, but cornerback Kendall Fuller will also rotate over and help provide some help as well. The Chiefs can only hope that Thornhill comes back strong from his rehab work, ready to work again before the 2020 season.
Thornhill finished the season with 5 batted passes, 3 interceptions, and 57 total tackles in his rookie season.
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