NFL Rookie Review

The season has ended and several rookies had successful beginnings. The 2006 draft class may eventually be considered one of the best ever, and the young talent in the NFL is something for all fans to look forward to. Let’s have a look at the most notable rookie performers from this season:

Vince Young - 1st round, 3rd overall, Tennessee
The 2006 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Young came on strong after taking over the starting quarterback position for the Titans. His passer rating of 66.7 wasn’t impressive, but his poise in late game situations vaulted Young into contention for the award. He finished the season with 2,199 passing yards and twelve touchdowns, and his 552 rushing yards with seven scores were a major factor in giving the Titans a shot at the playoffs. The former Longhorn created several memorable moments, but a huge comeback in week twelve against the Giants may be the most notable. Although the team failed to make the playoffs, Young was 8-5 as a starter, his athleticism is working at the NFL level, and the future looks very bright.

Marques Colston - 7th round, 252nd overall, New Orleans
Colston was one of the biggest surprises of the season. Just three players were taken after him in the draft, but head coach Sean Payton gave him a chance. A late season injury slowed the former Hofstra player and forced him to miss three games, but he still finished the season with over 1,000 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Colston topped the century mark for receiving yards in four games and totaled 70 receptions, and could be the main target in New Orleans for seasons to come.

DeMeco Ryans - 2nd round, 33rd overall, Houston
Ryans was overwhelmingly named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and it came as no surprise to those who had seen the linebacker play this season. The former Alabama defensive captain shined brightly all season long and lead the entire NFL with 126 solo tackles and 156 total tackles. He also had three-and-a-half sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. He sniffed out the ball and made plays in every game—hitting double-digit tackle marks in nine games. The Texans may be waiting on their first-round selection to develop into something special, but they don’t have to wait for their second-round choice.

Marcus McNeill - 2nd round, 50th overall, San Diego
Offensive linemen don’t show up in the boxscore very often, but McNeill’s credentials are evident in the performance of the Chargers offense. San Diego was first in scoring and fourth in total yards and McNeill taking over left tackle duties had much to do with it. Running back Ladainian Tomlinson found room to run on the left side—he was the leading rusher overall—and quarterback Philip Rivers benefited greatly from McNeill’s protection blocking. The second round selection paid off in a big way.

Devin Hester - 2nd round, 57th overall, Chicago
Hester didn’t play much on the defensive side of the ball, and aside from his nine total tackles, he failed to register in any significant defensive category. However, Hester was easily one of the best special teams players—if not the best alone—for the Bears. He totaled 528 kickoff return yards with a pair of scores and added 600 punt return yards for three more touchdowns. Hester scored another touchdown on one of the year’s most memorable plays when he took a failed field goal attempt 108 yards for a touchdown—tying teammate Nathan Vasher for the longest touchdown in NFL history. Hester changed games with his return talents and has become a truly dangerous weapon.

Reggie Bush - 1st round, 2nd overall, New Orleans
Bush didn’t prove to be the strongest runner—he cracked 100 yards rushing in just one game—but he proved to be an incredible asset to his team in a variety of ways. He totaled 565 rushing yards and six scores on the ground to go with a punt return for his first touchdown as a pro, but his major contribution came as a receiving option. The former Trojan caught 88 passes that went for 742 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His reception total was good enough for tenth highest in all of the NFL, and more importantly, he has been an asset for the city of New Orleans off the field, donating time and money to further the rebuilding cause.

Maurice Jones-Drew - 2nd round, 60th overall, Jacksonville
Once the Jaguars begin working him into the offense more, Jones-Drew exploded onto the NFL scene. His 941 rushing yards—averaged nearly six yards per carry—were good for the second highest total among rookies, and he added 436 receiving yards as well. And while his 860 kickoff return yards are somewhat impressive, his sixteen total touchdowns—thirteen rushing, two receiving, and one returning—is eye-raising. The issues regarding his size have been addressed, and the rookie touchdown leader is legit.

Joseph Addai - 1st round, 30th overall, Indianapolis
Addai became the first player in NFL history to top 1,000 rushing yards without starting a single game. He averaged nearly five yards per carry and his 1,081 yards on the ground was best among all rookies and eighteenth best league-wide. He added 325 receiving yards, posted eight total scores, and helped the Colts adequately replace Edgerrin James. Addai’s best performance came against the Eagles in week twelve, when he rushed for 171 yards and four scores. Still, perhaps his greatest significance to the offense was in his ability to pass protect when called upon to do so. Quarterback Peyton Manning had the time he needed to throw nearly all season long, and Addai played a large role in that.

Mark Anderson - 5th round, 159th overall, Chicago
Even though he missed a game because of injury, Anderson totaled twelve sacks to lead all rookies and finish eighth in the entire league. His sack total is impressive and Anderson was constantly applying pressure against opposing quarterbacks. His presence and effectiveness on the Bears defensive line was noticed around the world of football.

Kamerion Wimbley - 1st round, 13th overall, Cleveland
Wimbley may have flown under the radar in Cleveland for much of the season, but his 62 tackles and eleven sacks have made people around the game take notice. He finished just a single sack behind rookie leader Mark Anderson and closed out the season on a roll. He could easily become one of the best defensive linemen in the game in the very near future, if he isn’t already.

Thomas Howard - 2nd round, 38th overall, Oakland
While safety and first-round pick Michael Huff totaled 78 tackles and played a crucial role on the top rated pass defense in the league, Howard was the standout rookie on the Raiders roster. The linebacker posted the fifth highest rookie tackle total with 110 combined, but his speed to the ball and ability to help in coverage also played a significant role in the success that the Oakland defense found on his side of the ball. In his final five games of the season, he cracked the double-digit tackle mark on three occasions, so Oakland should be excited about the young talent on defense.

Santonio Holmes, 1st round, 25th overall, Pittsburgh
Holmes started the season slowly, but by week six he was having an impact. He had just two receiving touchdowns, but piled up 824 yards while adding 436 kickoff return yards and 264 punt return yards, including a touchdown. Holmes surpassed the 100 yard receiving mark and scored a touchdown in his final game of the year. The Steelers have to feel good about the way their first round pick finished the season.

Laurence Maroney - 1st round, 21st overall, New England
The Patriots first rounder had his peaks and valleys this season, but his overall performance has given the Patriots great hope for the future at the running back position. Maroney racked up 745 yards from the backfield, nearly 200 yards receiving, 783 return yards, and had seven total touchdowns. He also missed a pair of games because of injury, so his numbers could be higher. Maroney has shown that he has the talents of a top back in the NFL, and he may get the chance to carry the load as soon as next season.

D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold, 1st round, 4th and 29th overall, New York Jets
A healthy Chad Pennington and an improved defense had a lot to do with the Jets making the playoffs this season, and so did these two first round choices. Teammates have said that the center, Mangold, has never played or acted like a rookie, and Ferguson has been solid at left tackle all season. Both players have performed as Jets officials had hoped, and because of that, the team is back to being a playoff contender. Ferguson and Mangold give the Jets a point of strength up front.

Matt Leinart - 1st round, 10th overall, Arizona
Leinart was named the starter for the first time in week five and showed promise from the start. He posted 2,547 passing yards with eleven scores and also added a pair of touchdowns on the ground. He ended the season with a passer rating of 74.0 and showed that he is a capable NFL quarterback. He was 4-8 as a starter, but the team seemed to improve over time under the guidance of the USC graduate.

Richard Marshall - 2nd round, 58th overall, Carolina
Marshall quietly performed for the Panthers, while compiling 83 tackles along with three interceptions and a sack. The Panthers have found the fortune in the pick of Marshall, and with a season under his belt, he could become a defensive star in the future.

Greg Jennings - 2nd round, 52nd overall, Green Bay
Jennings was an early favorite target of Brett Favre, but the receiver’s production dipped dramatically after week five. He surpassed the 100-yard mark twice in the early part of the season, but didn’t find the endzone after week five and missed two games due to injury in that stretch. His final total of 632 receiving yards is respectable, along with his trio of scores, but Packers fan expected more after his fast start. Jennings has room to improve like any rookie, and he has shown he has talent.

Jerious Norwood - 3rd round, 79th overall, Atlanta
Norwood rushed for more than six yards per carry and totaled 633 yards rushing on the season. He also added a pair of scores and just over 100 yards receiving. Atlanta saw flashes of greatness from Norwood, and with Warrick Dunn aging, the rookie running back will be eased into the featured role soon enough.

Mario Williams - 1st round, 1st overall, Houston
The number one overall pick improved over the course of the season, but he still has a ways to go before he can live up to the expectations that Houston has placed upon him. He totaled 47 tackles, forced a fumble, and had four-and-a-half sacks on the season, but didn’t quite live up to the hopes of the fans.

A.J. Hawk - 1st round, 5th overall, Green Bay
The former Buckeye produced. Credited with 121 total tackles, three-and-a-half sacks, a pair of interceptions, and a forced fumble, Hawk was everywhere at times for the Packers defense. He also accounted for ten solo tackles in consecutive weeks during the season. In Hawk, the Packers have found a long-term answer at one linebacker position.

Donte Whitner - 1st round, 8th overall, Buffalo
The safety totaled 105 combined solo and assisted tackles and had an interception. Whitner was the defensive rookie of the month in September and proved to be a solid contributor immediately on the defensive side of the ball.

Ernie Sims - 1st round, 9th overall, Detroit
Sims is another rookie with over 100 totals tackles—125—and his athleticism at the linebacker position was quite welcome in Detroit. The Lions have a bright future ahead of them on the defensive side of the ball and much of it has to do with Sims incredible ability.

Mike Bell - Undrafted Free Agent, Signed by Denver
Bell was able to close the season in a strong fashion, scoring three touchdowns in the final three games. His 677 rushing yards and 158 receiving yards could be considered somewhat strong production for a rookie who shared touches with another back all season long. The undrafted rookie also found the endzone times, making for a quality rookie campaign.

Jay Cutler - 1st round, 11th overall, Denver
Cutler started just five games, gaining 1,001 passing yards and throwing nine touchdowns to five interceptions. Even though he was 2-3 as a starter, the most impressive number from the former Vanderbilt standout may be his 88.5 passer rating. While the Broncos were unable to reach the playoffs, the quarterback position should be set.

Bruce Gradkowski - 6th round, 194th overall, Tampa Bay
Pressed into duty sooner than anyone had hoped or expected, Gradkowski tried to make the best of the situation. While his performance may have been better than anyone expected from a sixth round rookie, he could only lead the Bucs to a 4-9 record in his starts. He totaled 1,661 passing yards with a passer rating of 65.9, while throwing for nine scores and nine picks. He’ll likely be back on the bench next season.