The 9 Best Rookies of the AFC and NFC Championship Games

The first thing prognosticators look at when assessing NFL rosters in the playoffs is experience.

It is, after all, the players who have been there before who are the best known because they’ve done it before and are known quantities.

But each of the four finalists in the NFL derby this time around have gotten big production from rookies, and it’s safe to say that none of these teams would be the same without the contributions from the kids.

9. Pernell McPhee, DE, Ravens

A player Baltimore drafted in the fifth round with the idea that he might be helpful in 2012 or beyond, Pernell McPhee instead had an immediate impact in 2011.

The Ravens used him on third down as a pass-rushing specialist, and he made the most of his opportunities.

By season’s end, he had six sacks and a forced fumble in addition to 23 tackles as his playing time kept going up.

8. Bruce Miller, FB, 49ers

It’s true that the 49ers running game is all about Frank Gore, but the running back has gotten more than a little help from rookie Bruce Miller.

He’s spent most of his time in the San Francisco backfield as a blocking back, and it’s been a role in which he’s been exceptionally proficient, picking up blitzing linebackers and cornerbacks.

And while he hasn’t been a major threat carrying the ball, he’s been a good outlet receiver for quarterback Alex Smith.

7. Nate Solder, OT, Patriots

The Patriots were looking at the 17th pick in the draft, Nate Solder, as more of a player of the future, but injuries to Matt Light and Sebastian Vollmer have forced New England to accelerate the process.

And Solder has been up to the task. As the season has progressed, he’s learned how to deal with the quickest pass rushers in the game.

And for that, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, among others, can be nothing but extremely grateful.

6. Greg Jones, LB, Giants

The New York Giants have an experience linebacking corps, so Greg Jones hasn’t been a starter.

He has been a major factor on the club’s special teams, and that’s one reason the Giants have made it as far as they have.

Jones could be a starter down the line, but for now, look for him to contribute a big play or two Sunday.

5. Jimmy Smith, CB, Ravens

An injury at the start of the season kept Jimmy Smith from having an immediate impact on the Baltimore defense, but as the season as progress and as he’s gotten healthier, that’s changed.

Smith has worked his way into major playing time. He’s a big corner (6'2", 210 pounds) who has the ability to match up with some of the league’s bigger receivers.

He has 20 tackles, a couple of interceptions and the knowledge that things are only going to get better.

4. Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots

When New England drafted Ridley out of LSU, he was supposed to be a player who would develop over the course of the next few years.

Instead, he developed over the course of the season.

He isn’t the main rusher on the Patriots roster to be sure, but he got 441 yards on 87 carries, and that 5.1 average per carry is the best on the roster.

3. Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens

The second-round pick of Baltimore, Torrey Smith has come on quickly to be a vital cog in the Joe Flacco-led offense.

Smith tied the Ravens’ rookie record for touchdowns with seven, making 50 catches for 16.8 yards per catch.

That kind of deep play threat has forced defenses to try and double Smith, who is fast enough to challenge the speed of any defensive back in the NFL.

2. Jacquian Williams, LB, Giants

New York took some abuse from the blogosphere and the pundits when they took South Florida’s Jacquin Williams.

The Giants have had that choice vindicated as Williams has gone on to be one of the most skilled linebackers in the 2011 crop of NFL rookies.

He has 78 tackles and one sack and seems to have a good future ahead of him. His present isn’t bad, either.

1. Aldon Smith, LB, 49ers

It was something of a surprise when the San Francisco brain trust took outside linebacker Aldon Smith with the seventh pick in the draft.

There were many who thought that a quarterback would have been a better choice, given the lack of success before this season of Alex Smith.

But the more Smiths, the merrier.

While Alex has settled in at quarterback, Aldon Smith has done a huge job. He doesn’t start, but he plays as a situational pass-rusher, and no one has done better.

He finished with 14 sacks, one shy of a new rookie record, and he’s a strong candidate for NFL defensive Rookie of the Year.