It’s not easy for an NFL rookie to step right up and make an immediate impact, but this year’s rookie class is churning out incredible performances on a weekly basis and bagging some victories in the process.
Quarterbacks Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck have combined for 15 wins under center in their first year so far while running backs Trent Richardson and Doug Martin have combined for 1,427 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs.
Luck, who will visit New England this weekend for his first career matchup against Tom Brady and the Patriots, is fourth in the AFC with 2,631 passing yards. The Stanford alum has 15 touchdowns (five rushing) to go with four games of at least 300 passing yards. Luck was the No. 1 overall pick this past spring, plucked just ahead of Griffin, who was nabbed by the Redskins at No. 2 overall. RGIII has 14 TDs (six rushing) to go with 2,552 total yards in nine games, despite getting knocked out of a Week 5 loss to the Falcons.
Wilson has turned some heads in the Great Northwest as the third-round pick out of Wisconsin has led the Seahawks to a 6-4 start. The 5-foot-11 slinger has thrown 15 touchdowns to go with 1,827 yards.
A third-overall pick out of Alabama, Richardson has 575 yards and five rushing TDs to go with 240 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Martin, the 31st-overall pick out of Boise State, has racked up 862 rushing yards and eight TDs (one receiving). His breakout performance came against the Raiders, when he scored on runs of 45, 67 and 70 yards in the second half alone. He also added a 1-yard touchdown with less than two minutes left to seal the win.
Which rookie is most exciting to watch? Vote below.
