The Top 25 NFL Players Who Improved Most Over Course of 2011 Season

The 2011 NFL season has seen many players emerge from relatively good players to some of the league’s best.

During the season, we saw an offensively challenged team rise from the depths of defeat on the back of Tim Tebow and watched some relatively no-named guys become sack sensations. We saw quarterbacks rise from the ashes and saw quarterbacks state their claim for elite status.

These are the top 25 NFL players who have improved the most in 2011.

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow brought a nation down to one knee with his inspirational play, but most of all, he tweaked some mechanics in his throwing motion to make him a better player.

Although he’s had a rough time these past three weeks, Tebow has still done a remarkable job for the Denver Broncos and led them to a playoff berth.

Tebow has thrown for 1,729 yards this season with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that he’s improved as a passer this season.

Victor Cruz

Can you say Pro Bowl snub?

Victor Cruz is third in the league in receiving yards with 1,536, and he’s had a huge impact on the New York Giants' past two games.

He altered the Giants’ game against the New York Jets with a 99-yard touchdown, and Sunday night, he put the Giants on the board first after catching a pass from Eli Manning and rumbling down the field for the 74-yard score.

Cruz is emerging into quite the superstar.

Matthew Stafford

Can Matthew Stafford get a little more love?

Everyone’s too busy talking about Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady (rightfully so) to pay attention to the amazing season Stafford has had this year.

After playing in only three games last season, Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards with 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions this season. That’s an elite year from a young Lion.

Jason Babin

Jason Babin is a sack machine, and he’s letting everyone in Philadelphia know about it.

Babin has 18 sacks this year for the Philadelphia Eagles, and in a year that has had very few positives for Eagles’ fans, Babin has been one of those.

Jason Pierre-Paul

Jason Pierre-Paul showed that he had some skill in 2010, but he showed that he’s a force to be reckoned with in 2011.

Pierre-Paul has impacted game after game with his 16.5 sacks and a blocked field goal against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 that turned out to be the difference-maker.

If Pierre-Paul can disrupt the NFL’s elite quarterbacks in the playoffs, superstardom may be an understatement.

Carlos Rogers

This is about right, isn’t it Washington Redskins' fans?

Rogers certainly didn’t play his best ball in Washington, and now that he’s a member of the San Francisco 49ers, it’s a totally different Rogers we’re seeing.

Rogers recorded nearly half of his career interceptions this season with six, and he’s a big reason why that 49ers’ defense is the best in the league.

Pat Angerer

For Indianapolis Colts’ fans, it’s been a terrible season, but don’t let that take away from your young superstar, Pat Angerer.

In just his second season in the NFL, Angerer recorded 148 tackles, forced two fumbles and had an interception. See, it’s not all that bad, Indy.

Rob Gronkowski

Gronk smash!

It’s hard to believe that Rob Gronkowski has improved after such an impressive rookie season, but he has.

Minutes after Jimmy Graham broke Kellen Winslow’s most receiving yards by a tight end in a single-season record, Gronkowski broke Graham’s record.

Gronkowski finished the season with 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns. Not bad for a tight end, aye?

Jimmy Graham

I could basically just type ditto in this slide after everything I said in the previous slide about Gronkowski.

Jimmy Graham has quadruple the amount of receiving yards he had last season with 1,310 and scored 11 touchdowns for the New Orleans Saints as well.

It’s hard to imagine that this guy only has one year of experience playing football in college.

Plaxico Burress

Plaxico Burress did his time in years previous, and 2011 was his time to shine.

After serving time for shooting himself in the leg, Burress came back with a vengeance in 2011, recording 612 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

That’s pretty good when you consider Mark Sanchez was throwing him the ball.

NaVorro Bowman

Navorro who?

Navorro Bowman is still relatively unknown by the average NFL fan, but San Francisco 49ers’ fans know exactly who he is.

Take Bowman’s total tackles in 2010 and add 97 to it to get an understanding of what he’s done this year. Bowman recorded 143 tackles for the 49ers in just his second season in the league.

Willis McGahee

You might not agree with this statement, but I believe Willis McGahee has had the best season he’s ever had in the NFL this year.

McGahee has had a solid professional career, but I’ve never seen him throw his team on his back and carry them late in the game this consistently.

While Tim Tebow might get most of the credit, you can’t deny McGahee’s running ability and the big plays he’s made all season long for the Denver Broncos. McGahee finished the regular season with 1,199 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Eli Manning

To answer the question before the season, yes, Eli Manning is definitely elite.

Manning faced some heat from the media after saying he was an elite quarterback before the season, but he’s proved this season that he’s every bit elite.

Manning threw for 4,933 yards with 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and he’s shown that he can put the ball on a rope and deliver it with precision and accuracy. He’s also one of the best fourth quarter quarterbacks in the game.

George Wilson

Even though the Buffalo Bills season has collapsed before their eyes, Bills’ fans can point to George Wilson for a positive.

Wilson has played the best football of his career, as he’s managed to collect 96 tackles this season with four interceptions and a forced fumble.

Jordy Nelson

Last year Jordy Nelson was a dangerous slot guy, but in 2011, Nelson was one of the league’s best receivers.

Nelson had 1,263 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns for the Green Bay Packers this year. He’s become a dangerous deep threat for Green Bay, and he’s just another weapon for Aaron Rodgers to have in his arsenal.

Darren Sproles

Darren Sproles has always been a flashy player, but for the New Orleans Saints, he’s become a game-changer.

Whether he’s returning punts, catching the football or receiving a pitch out of the backfield, Sproles has the capability to alter the game’s outcome with a home run strike.

Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, Sproles broke Derrick Mason’s record for most all-purpose yards in a single season. You think Sean Payton knows how to use his personnel?

Eric Decker

Tim Tebow didn’t have a lot of weapons to work with over the regular season, but Eric Decker was his go-to man.

In just his second season in the league, Decker recorded 612 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. That’s pretty remarkable when you consider how often this team runs the football.

Antonio Brown

Antonio Brown has my vote for most improved player of 2011.

Brown has altered his game from being a quick, shifty return man to a dynamic football player. Brown not only did damage in the return game as he returned a touchdown, but he broke the 1,000 yards receiving mark.

Brown recorded 1,108 yards in just his second season in the NFL and had two touchdowns. With Brown on one side and Mike Wallace on the other for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s basically a game of pick your poison for opposing teams.

Alex Smith

Enough can’t be said about the turnaround Alex Smith has had this season.

The 49ers are a great team that has captured win after win because of their great defense and ability to take care of the football, and that’s a credit to their quarterback.

Smith threw for 3,150 yards and 17 touchdowns with five interceptions. With a team that has as many defensive stats as the 49ers have, five interceptions may be the most impressive.

Fred Jackson

Fred Jackson turned in his best season as a pro in 2011.

Jackson rushed for 934 yards and six touchdowns with the Buffalo Bills, and he was a big reason why the Bills started the season 4-1.

LeSean McCoy

LeSean McCoy is the closest player to resemble Barry Sanders in years.

McCoy had a great season in 2010, but McCoy stated his claim as the best running back in the league in 2011. Powered by his shifty moves and ability to shake tacklers, McCoy rushed for 1,309 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Philadelphia Eagles.

In a season that was more of a nightmare than a dream, McCoy gave Eagles’ fans something to cheer for.

Ben Tate

Ben Tate missed his rookie season last year, but he reminded the Houston Texans why they drafted him this season.

Tate rushed for 942 yards and four touchdowns for the Texans. When Arian Foster went down, this Texan rushing attack didn’t miss a beat with Tate in the lineup

Matt Moore

After having a terrible season with the Carolina Panthers, Matt Moore has elevated his game drastically in Miami.

Moore threw five touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2010 but turned things around with the Miami Dolphins with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Moore played extremely well late in the year and was a big reason why the Dolphins were playing good football down the stretch.

D’Qwell Jackson

His name might not be the easiest to spell, but D’Qwell Jackson has what it takes to be a superstar for the Cleveland Browns.

Jackson was a fierce run-stopper for the Browns this season and turned in his best season yet as a pro.

Jackson recorded 158 tackles for the Browns with a forced fumble, interception and three fumble recoveries.

Kyle Arrington

The New England Patriots’ defense is pathetic, and Kyle Arrington is pretty much the only bright spot on the unit.

In his fourth season as a pro, Arrington went off for the Patriots. He made 66 tackles and had a career-high seven interceptions.

Whenever this defense forced a turnover, it was most likely Arrington getting the job done.