NFL Rookie Watch

NFL Rookie Watch

A.J. Hawk

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Last week: unranked <br><br>The No. 5 overall pick is starting to get it for the Packers. Although the defense is still very questionable, Hawk is making plays. He had his first sack against the Lions last week and has 24 tackles this year.

Manny Lawson

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Last week: No. 3 <br><br>He didn't do much last Sunday against the Eagles but still earned NFL Rookie of the Week. He'll continue to get to opposing quarterbacks throughout the season.

Cortland Finnegan

AP

Last week: unranked <br><br>His tackle of Daunte Culpepper was changed to a sack, which ties him for the lead among rookies with two. Not bad for a seventh-round pick out of Samford. Finnegan had a huge sack of Chad Pennington that almost helped the Titans catch up to the Jets in Week 1, and he's earning more and more playing time.

Ernie Sims

Jerry Lai/US PRESSWIRE

Last week: No. 8 <br><br>He ranks 11th in the league with 27 tackles and is one of the few bright spots in a dismal Lions season.

Laurence Maroney

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Last week: No. 2 <br><br>He was totally stuffed in the running game last week against the Broncos but did catch five passes for 61 yards. The Patriots fell in love with him early in offseason workouts because of his ability to catch the ball, and that skill should keep him on the field all season.

Demeco Ryans

Brian Spurlock/US PRESSWIRE

Last week: No. 4 <br><br>The Texans' defense is struggling, but Ryans continues to produce. He's third in the NFL with 30 tackles, 26 of them solos.

Greg Jennings

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Last week: unranked <br><br>Jennings' 75-yard touchdown reception keyed a 31-24 Packers win over the Lions last week. With defenses concentrating on Donald Driver, Jennings has drawn single coverage and become a dangerous weapon for Brett Favre.

Marques Colston

Bob Rosato/SI

Last week: No. 6 <br><br>When you watch Colston play, it's hard to figure how he lasted until the sixth round, other than the fact that he went to Hofstra. He caught seven balls for 97 yards last Monday night against the Falcons and is already an expert at using his 6-foot-4 frame to box out smaller defenders.

Maurice Jones-Drew

David E. Klutho/SI

Last week: unranked <br><br>Jones-Drew broke out with a 13-carry, 103-yard performance against the Colts last week, and he ranks sixth in the NFL with a 26.0-yard kick-return average. Look for the Jaguars to make the 5-foot-7 spark plug a big part of their offense the rest of the season.

Reggie Bush

Bob Rosato/SI

Last week: No. 1 <br><br>Bush has been slow and steady for the Saints, which is just fine as long as they keep winning. For the most part, he looked decisive in running for 53 yards on 13 carries Monday night in New Orleans' huge win over Atlanta.