Buffalo Bills cornerback Ronald Darby was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team on Tuesday. Darby was the only Bills rookie to make the list following his strong debut NFL season.
Darby was Buffalo's top selection, chosen in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft after the team traded their first-round pick as part of the deal to obtain Sammy Watkins in 2014. According to Pro Football Reference, Darby had 21 defended passes and 68 tackles to go along with two interceptions in 15 starts. That first stat ranked among the league leaders all season.
Despite Pro Football Focus naming Darby as their Defensive Rookie of the Year, the PFWA named Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters with that title, and Peters is also expected to take that mantle from the Associated Press.
Running backs Todd Gurley and Thomas Rawls were the running backs on the squad, beating out Karlos Williams. Injuries sidetracked what could have been a breakout season for the fifth-round running back. The other potential member of the all-rookie team was John Miller, who started 12 games for the Bills in his rookie campaign. Ali Marpet and Brandon Scherff were the guards named to the team.
The last Bills player to appear on the PFWA All-Rookie Team was Kiko Alonso in 2013. He was also named Defensive Rookie of the Year by the PFWA that year.