NFL Rookie Watch

NFL Rookie Watch

Joseph Addai

AP

Last Week: 8 <br><br>This week's Rookie Watch starts off with the speedy running back out of LSU. Addai ran for 100 yards on 15 carries in the Colts' loss to the Texans last week. Addai has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark and has made it easy for Indianapolis fans to forget about Edgerrin James.

Jay Cutler

Byron Hetzler/US PRESSWIRE

Last Week: 10 <br><br>Cutler threw two touchdowns to help the Broncos beat the Bengals 24-23, puting Denver in good position to make the playoffs. Now that Cutler has led the Broncos to two straight wins, no one questions coach Mike Shanahan's decision to pull starter Jake Plummer.

Marques Colston

Nick Laham/Getty Images

Last Week: 6 <br><br>Colston's ankle injury derailed his campaign for Offensive Rookie of the Year. But he looks like he's getting back into shape. Last week he had an impressive touchdown catch to help the Saints beat the Giants.

Marcus McNeill

Peter Read Miller/SI

Last Week: 5 <br><br>McNeill missed part of last week's game with a neck injury, but should be back this week for the regular-season finale. At this point, McNeill has already done plenty to prove he's a candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Mark Anderson

AP

Last Week: 9 <br><br>Anderson had two more sacks and forced a key fumble in the fourth quarter of Chicago's win over Detroit last Sunday. The fifth-round pick out of Alabama is tied for sixth in the NFL with 12 sacks this season.

Reggie Bush

Nick Laham/Getty Images

Last Week: 7<br><br>Bush ran for 126 yards and a touchdown to help the Saints beat the Giants 30-7 last week. Bush looks a lot more comfortable in the Saints' offense and should be a dangerous weapon in the playoffs.

Devin Hester

AP

Last Week: 4 <br><br>Hester is playing more as a third cornerback, so the Bears have given him some relief returning kickoffs. Last week, Hester had an impressive breakup of a pass that would have been a Lions' touchdown. But he didn't do much in the return game. Hester even drew a flag for accidentally trying to return a punt after signaling for a fair catch.

DeMeco Ryans

John Iacono/SI

Last Week: 3 <br><br>Ryans, second in the NFL with 143 tackles, is still the front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year award and has helped the Texans improve dramatically. Ryans helped Houston beat Indianapolis 27-24 last Sunday.

Maurice Jones-Drew

AP

Last Week: 2 <br><br>Jones-Drew had an impressive 74-yard touchdown run against the Patriots last Sunday. The diminutive running back bounced off an offensive lineman and hit the ground, but no defender touched him. Jones-Drew picked himself up and sprinted down the field for the score. Jones-Drew has 14 touchdowns on the season and has become the Jags' top playmaker.

Vince Young

AP

Last Week: 1 <br><br>Young continued his incredible rookie campaign with his best statistical performance of the season in a 30-29 win over the Titans. Young completed 13 of 20 passes for 183 yards, two touchdowns and no picks for a season-high 127.7 rating. Young also ran for 61 yards and a touchdown in his fourth fourth-quarter or overtime comeback victory.