NFL Rookie Watch

NFL Rookie Watch

Chad Jackson

Damian Strohmeyer/SI

Every week SI.com will monitor how the first-year players are doing and will rank the Top 10. This week we kick off with the talented Pats receiver. Jackson missed Week 1 and most of the preseason with a hamstring injury but had a brilliant 29-yard catch and ran very well in New England's win over the Jets. His numbers -- two catches for 42 yards -- aren't that impressive yet, but considering he has barely practiced, the Pats have to be ecstatic about the receiver out of Florida.

Jerious Norwood

Simon Bruty/SI

The rookie out of Mississippi State is a big part of the Falcons' unstoppable rushing attack. He has 111 yards on the ground with an average of 5.8 yards per run. He's bigger than starting running back Warrick Dunn, which gives Atlanta a nice change of pace.

Ernie Sims

Bill Frakes/SI

He leads the Lions with 17 tackles and has already been fined for an illegal hit on Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, which is likely a point of pride for a tough linebacker. Sims is a big hitter and adds a physical presence to Detroit's defense.

Joseph Addai

Only a goal-line fumble kept Addai from being perfect in his second pro game. In Indy's easy win over the Texans, the rookie out of LSU ran for 82 yards on 16 carries and caught two passes for 22 yards and a touchdown. Addai is splitting time with Dominic Rhodes, but don't be surprised if he eventually gets more work.

Marques Colston

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A seventh-round pick out of Division I-AA Hofstra, Colston has quickly become one of Drew Brees' favorite targets. Colston has eight catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns this season. At 6-4, 231 pounds, he has a nice size advantage and uses it well.

Donte Whitner

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A lot of experts ripped Buffalo for taking the former Ohio State safety with the No. 8 overall pick, but so far he's been impressive. He had 15 tackles and an interception in helping the Bills beat the Dolphins 16-6 last Sunday.

Demeco Ryans

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He has stood out while No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams has done little for the Texans. Ryans has 20 tackles in two games and, despite a couple of mistakes, has added a lot of energy to this defense.

Manny Lawson

Robert Beck/SI

San Francisco desperately needs a pass rush, and the No. 22 overall pick is providing it. Lawson had two sacks in a 20-17 win over the Rams last Sunday. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound North Carolina State product has also been effective against the run.

Laurence Maroney

David Bergman/SI

He's splitting time with Corey Dillon and has run for 151 yards in two games. The shifty Maroney is a great complement to the bruising Dillon, and the rookie should have a couple of 100-yard games coming soon.

Reggie Bush

John Biever/SI

He has yet to break a long run or get in the end zone, but it's a matter of time for the exciting Saints rookie. He has an impressive 15 catches for 120 yards and has run for 72 yards in two games. The potentially damaging investigation into whether his family received excessive benefits while he was at USC shouldn't affect his play on the field.