NFL Rookie Recap: A Look Back at The Class Of '08

The NFL rookie class of 2008 has been full of surprises, both good and bad.

Not even Mel Kiper could have predicted that the rookie QB who would lead his team to a conference championship game, much less THE PLAYOFFS, would be the one drafted from the University of Delaware.

Not even Todd McShay could have foreseen that the top QB taken in the draft would have thrown a touchdown pass on his first NFL throw.

Neither Chris Berman or Mike Tirico could have picked three rookie running backs to finish with more rushing yards than LaDanian Tomlinson AND in the top 10 of the league.

What a strange year it has been.

I thought I would just throw out some stats I found to be pretty interesting about the rookie class of '08.

Most passing yards: Matt Ryan, Atlanta (3,440 yards) (1st QB drafted)

Most TD passes: Matt Ryan, Atlanta (16 TDs) (1st QB drafted)

Most rushing yards: Steve Slaton, Houston (1,282 yards) (10th RB drafted)

Highest yards per carry: Jamaal Charles, Kansas City (5.3 YPA) (9th RB drafted)

Most rushing TDs: Tim Hightower, Arizona (10 TDs) (13th RB drafted) AND (Jonathan Stewart, Carolina (10 TDs) (2nd RB drafted)

Most fumbles lost: Darren McFadden, Oakland (3 Fumbles) (1st RB drafted)

Most receptions: Eddie Royal, Denver (91 catches) (5th WR drafted)

Most receiving yards: Eddie Royal, Denver (980 yards) (5th WR drafted)

Highest yards per catch: Josh Morgan, San Francisco (16.0 YPC) (24th WR drafted)

Most receiving TDs: Josh Carlson, Seattle (5 TDs) (2nd TE drafted) AND Eddie Royal, Denver (5 TDs) (5th WR drafted)

Most points scored: Dan Carpenter, Miami (103 points) (undrafted kicker)

Most punt/kick return TDs: Clifton Smith, Tampa Bay (2 TDs) (undrafted RB)

Most sacks: Cliff Avril, Detroit (5 sacks) (6th OLB drafted) AND Jason Jones, Tennessee (5 sacks) (9th DE drafted) AND Trevor Scott, Oakland (5 sacks) (15th DE drafted)

Most interceptions: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Arizona (4 INTs) (2nd CB taken) AND Aqib Talib, Tampa Bay (4 INTs) (3rd CB taken)

Number of playoff teams led by rookie QBs: 2 (Atlanta and Baltimore)

Number of playoff teams led/partially led by rookie RBs: 3 (Carolina, Tennessee, Arizona)

Combined record of rookie QBs: 22-10 .688 winning percentage

Combined record of rookie head coaches: 45-31 .592 winning percentage

Most NFL Rookie of the week nominations: Joe Flacco, Baltimore (10 noms)

Most NFL Rookie of the week wins: Matt Ryan, Atlanta (3 wins) AND Felix Jones (3 wins)

So what did we learn from this year's rookie crop?

We learned that the best RB drafted (D-Mac) doesn't always finish as the best rookie RB. That DOESN'T bode well for you Beanie Wells.

We learned that the most productive defensive backs are usually the top ones that are drafted. That DOES bode well for you Mr. Michael Jenkins.

Also, that we should never believe it when Kiper and McShay tell us that petite RBs (Steve Slaton, Matt Forte and Chris Johnson) can't handle running the ball full-time in the NFL.

Or that rookie WRs need height to be productive (Eddie Royal 5'10'', Desean Jackson 5'10'', Davone Bess 5'10'' and Donnie Avery 5'11'').

Or that rookie QBs can't handle the pressure of the playoffs (Joe Flacco, zero INT, zero sacks, 2-0 record).

I can't wait to see what the class of 2009 brings us.