NFL: Week One Rookie Report
The season is underway and there are some rookies who had impacts on their team’s fortunes in week one. The Pickle is here to give you the skinny on how the league’s top draft picks performed in their regular season debuts.
Quarterbacks
Mark Sanchez, New York Jets – Sanchez sparkled in his debut leading the Jets to a 24-7 upset of the Texans. Completed 18 of 31 passes for 272 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Owns an 84.3 QB rating after week one.
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions – Stafford was a disaster in his first regular season game as a pro as the Lions took one on the chin to the Saints 45-27. Completed just 16 of 37 passes for 202 yards and threw three interceptions against one of the more mediocre secondaries in the league.
Running Backs
LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles second round draft pick is the league’s top rookie rusher after week one. Ran for 46 yards on 9 carries and caught one pass for one yard.
Donald Brown, Indianapolis Colts – Indy’s top pick had a solid debut in the Colts’ season opening win against the Jaguars. Ran for 33 yards on 11 carries and caught a pair of passes for 16 yards.
Chris “Beanie” Wells, Arizona Cardinals – Beanie is still stuck behind Tim Hightower on the depth chart but turned in a solid performance running for 29 yards on 7 carries.
Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos – The top back taken in the draft had a rather disappointing showing in Broncos’ 12-7 win in Cincinnati. Ran for just 19 yards on 8 carries backing up Correll Buckhalter.
Aaron Brown, Detroit Lions – Brown picked up nine yards on one carry in limited action during the Lions lose to the Saints.
James Davis, Cleveland Browns – There are big expectations for Davis who disappointed in his debut during Cleveland’s 34-20 loss to the Vikings. Ran for just 5 yards on four carries and caught 3 passes for a paltry 4 yards.
Wide Receivers
Louis Murphy, Oakland Raiders – Murphy was the week’s top rookie pass catcher hauling in four passes for 87 yards and a touchdown in Oakland’s loss to San Diego on Monday Night.
Kenny Britt, Tennessee Titans – Played a key role in Tennessee’s passing game catching 4 passes for 85 yards against the Steelers.
Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings – Harvin made an immediate impact in his debut for the Vikings scoring a touchdown and picking up 58 yards of total offense in helping the Vikings down the Browns.
Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers – A bit of a surprise for the Steelers catching 3 passes for 35 yards including the pass that set up the winning field goal against the Titans.
Johnny Knox, Chicago Bears – Knox was a bit of a one-hit wonder for the Bears catching two passes for 81 yards including a 68-yarder from Jay Cutler.
Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants – Caught two passes for 18 yards before leaving the game with an apparent ankle injury.
Tight Ends
Shawn Nelson, Buffalo Bills – Nelson caught only two passes for 13 yards but he did score the Bills first touchdown of the season.
Defensive Players
James Laurinaitis, St. Louis Rams – The rookie linebacker had a stellar debut ringing up 14 tackles and a fumble recovery in the Rams loss to the Seahawks.
Brian Cushing, Houston Texans – Cushing had 8 tackles starting at outside linebacker in the Texans’ loss to the Jets.
Rey Maualuga, Cincinnati Bengals – Cushing’s college mate recorded 8 tackles as well in the Bengals loss to Denver.
Louis Delmas, Detroit Lions – The rookie free safety had a strong debut in the Lions loss to the Saints recording six tackles and taking a fumble back for a touchdown.
Derek Cox, Jacksonville Jaguars – The rookie corner was the lone rookie to record an interception in week one. He also knocked a pair of passes away, recovered a fumble, and recorded three tackles in a strong debut in the Jags loss to the Colts.
