FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Julian Edelman's practice role as Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow drew recognition from the Patriots' coaching staff this week.

Edelman was named one of the team's practice players of the week, the honor given to the players who best prepare the club in the days leading up to a victory. Edelman, a college quarterback at Kent State, ran the option package in practice last week.

When the Patriots worked on the more traditional passing game with Tebow, it was rookie Ryan Mallett playing the role.

In addition to Edelman, practice squad tight end Dorin Dickerson, practice squad linebacker Mike Rivera and offensive lineman Donald Thomas earned practice player of the week honors.

The breakdown of practice players of the week:

Week 15
TE Dorin Dickerson
WR/DB/PR/KR Julian Edelman
LB Mike Rivera
OL Donald Thomas

Week 14
G Donald Thomas
DE Markell Carter
P Zoltan Mesko
DE Alex Silvestro
S Ross Ventrone

Week 13
DE Alex Silvestro
DE Markell Carter
QB Brian Hoyer
G Donald Thomas
TE Garrett Mills
WR Tiquan Underwood

Week 12
DE Markell Carter
RB Shane Vereen
CB Malcolm Williams

Week 11
LB/DE Jermaine Cunningham
QB Brian Hoyer
LB Mike Rivera

Week 10
OL Donald Thomas
CB Phillip Adams
LB Niko Koutouvides
RB Shane Vereen
TE Garrett Mills
DE Alex Silvestro
DE Markell Carter

Week 6
DE Markell Carter
OL Matt Kopa
CB Antwaun Molden
DE Alex Silvestro
OL Thomas Welch
C/G Ryan Wendell

Week 5
DE Markell Carter
QB Ryan Mallett
TE Garrett Mills
CB Antwaun Molden
OL Ryan Wendell

Week 4
DL Kyle Love
OT Matt Kopa
CB Antwaun Molden
RB Shane Vereen
CB Josh Victorian

Week 2
QB Brian Hoyer
OT Matt Kopa
TE Garrett Mills
CB Antwan Molden
LB Jeff Tarpinian

Week 1
WR Julian Edelman
LB A.J. Edds
OT Matt Kopa
S Ross Ventrone