A list of some of this year’s good, bad and obscure rookies, with name, position, team and draft status:
STUDS
– Dwayne Bowe, wr, Kansas City (No. 23 overall). Has rookie-leading 45 catches as Chiefs’ No. 1 wide receiver.
– Marshawn Lynch, rb, Buffalo (No. 12 overall). Eighth in NFL in rushing despite sprained ankle and has helped Bills forget Willis McGahee.
– Amobi Okoye, dt, Houston. (No. 10 overall). 20-year-old leads rookies with five sacks.
– Adrian Peterson, rb, Minnesota (No. 7 overall). Out a few weeks with knee injury, but still leads NFL in yards rushing and set single-game mark with 296 yards.
– Joe Thomas, ot, Cleveland (No. 3 overall). Has rarely looked like a rookie while solidifying Browns’ offensive line.
– Patrick Willis, de, San Francisco (No. 11 overall). Entered Week 12 leading NFL with 92 overall tackles.
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DUDS
– Jamaal Anderson, de, Atlanta (No. 8 overall). Still seeking first NFL sack through first 11 games.
– Craig Davis, wr, San Diego (No. 30 overall). Just 12 catches for 123 yards and one TD.
– Dwayne Jarrett, wr, Carolina (second round). “Next Keyshawn” has measly six catches.
– Robert Meachem, wr, New Orleans (No. 27 overall). Inactive all season with ankle, knee injuries.
– Quentin Moses, de, Miami (third round by Oakland). On third team after being cut by Raiders, Cardinals.
– Ted Ginn Jr., wr, Miami (No. 9 overall). 12 catches and so-so impact on returns belies lofty draft status.
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OBSCURE
– Steve Breaston, wr, Arizona (fifth round). Speedy force for Cardinals on punt and kickoff returns.
– Mason Crosby, k, Green Bay (sixth round). Third kicker selected was leading NFC kickers in points entering Week 12.
– Trumaine McBride, db, Chicago (seventh round). Stepped in as starter because of injuries and has 30 tackles.
– Nedu Ndukwe, db, Cincinnati (seventh round). Has made mark on special teams and as backup DB despite being drafted ahead of only two other players.
– Pierre Thomas, rb, New Orleans (undrafted). Backup to Reggie Bush is special-teams star, especially on kickoff returns.
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