NFL All-Junior Team (3rd-Year Players)

When players come into the NFL, it's hard to identify who the superstars are going to be.  

Some players break out in their rookie year, others take time to develop.  Matt Ryan is one of the elite QBs in just his third year, yet Brian Brohm has not shown the ability that made him a second-round draft pick.  

Let's take a look back at the 2008 draft class and see which players are having great seasons this year.

Quarterback

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 07: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Georgia Dome on November 7, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

QB Matt Ryan (first round, Falcons)

Ryan’s sophomore slump is a thing of the past.  “Matty-Ice” is living up to his nickname and is proving to be one of the most clutch QBs in the league despite his young age.  This is one position the Falcons shouldn't have to worry about for a long time.

Honorable Mention:  Joe Flacco (first round, Ravens)

Running Back

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 21: Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball during the game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 21, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

RB Jamaal Charles (third round, Chiefs)

Charles is second in the league in rushing yards and has an amazing 6.3 YPC, yet the back is incredibly underutilized by the Chiefs.  The big-play back is quickly becoming a household name in the NFL.

Honorable Mention: Chris Johnson (first round, Titans), Peyton Hillis (seventh Round, Browns*),   Darren McFadden (first round, Raiders)

*originally drafted by Broncos

Wide Receiver

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Steve Johnson #13 of the Buffalo Bills runs for a touchdown during NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bills won 49-21. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

WR Steve Johnson (seventh round, Bills)

Despite last week’s disappointing drop in the end zone and twitter controversy, Johnson is putting together a terrific season and already has nine touchdown grabs.  He is a reason for hope for the bottom-dwelling Bills.

Honorable Mention: DeSean Jackson (second round, Eagles)

Tight End

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MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 26: Tight end Dustin Keller #81 of the New York Jets catches a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

TE Dustin Keller (first round, Jets)

Keller is having his best season as a pro and is one of Sanchez’s favorite targets, especially around the red zone. 

Honorable Mention: Jacob Tamme (fourth round, Colts)

Offensive Tackle

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Offensive lineman Jake Long #77 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after a touchdown by Ronnie Brown #23 against the New York Jets at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-27. (Phot

OT Jake Long (first round, Dolphins)

The first-overall pick of the 2008 NFL draft had high expectations, yet has found a way to exceed them.  Long is already considered to be one of the top two lineman in the league along with the Brown’s Joe Thomas.

Honorable Mention: Sam Baker (first round, Falcons)

Offensive Guard

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 28: Josh Sitton #71 of the Green Bay Packers awaits the snap against the Detroit Lions on December 28, 2008 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 31-21. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

OG Josh Sitton (fourth round, Packers)

He’s a big reason why the Packers have improved their protection of Aaron Rodgers, which was terrible last season.

Honorable Mention: Carl Nicks (fifth round, Saints)

Center

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Mike McGlynn #77 of the Philadelphia Eagles against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

C Mike McGlynn (fourth round, Eagles)

Important part of the Eagles offensive line, which has their work cut out for them with Vick’s scrambling abilities.  He is a very good run blocker who is able to create holes for LeSean McCoy up the middle. 

Honorable Mention: John Sullivan (sixth round, Vikings)

Defensive End

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 03: Justinn Forsett #20 of the Seattle Seahawks carries the ball as Chris Long #72 of the St. Louis Rams defends on October 3, 2010 at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

DE Chris Long (first round, Rams)

Howie Long’s son was the second-overall pick in the draft and has been steadily improving each year.  He is already one of the Ram’s best players and is second on the team in sacks with 6.5. 

Honorable Mention: Wallace Gilberry (undrafted, Chiefs)

Defensive Tackle

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 09: Sedrick Ellis #98 of the New Orleans Saints pulls down Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings at Louisiana Superdome on September 9, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 14-9. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

DT Sedrick Ellis (first round, Saints)

The Saints defense has been improving the last few years ever since they drafted Ellis.  He is the anchor of the D-line and is a good pass rusher and run stopper.  Ellis will likely keep improving to become one of the best tackles in the league. 

Honorable Mention: Jason Jones (second round, Titans)

Linebacker

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 26: Rob Ninkovich #50 of the New England Patriots tackles quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

LB Jerod Mayo (first round, Patriots)

A tackle machine, Mayo has been one of the Patriots’ best players.  Mayo’s defensive leadership has helped smooth the transition of a Patriots defense that has gotten younger.

Honorable Mention: Curtis Lofton (second round, Falcons)

Cornerback

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: Aqib Talib #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reacts to his interception against the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty

CB Aqib Talib (first round, Buccaneers)

This young ball-hawk is helping Tampa Bay fight for a playoff spot, which is a surprise to many who didn’t expect much from a young Buccaneers team.  He isn’t far from becoming one of the top two or three corners in the league.

Honorable Mention: Antoine Cason (first round, Chargers)

Safety

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 03: Tight end Jeremy Shockey #88 of the New Orleans Saints drops a pass against Charles Godfrey #30 of the Carolina Panthers at the Louisiana Superdome on October 3, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty I

S Charles Godfrey (third round, Panthers)

He is unfortunately on a team going nowhere this season, but Godfrey has been a playmaker in the Panthers’ respectable pass defense.  He is a very solid tackler and reads QBs well.  

Honorable Mention: Kenny Phillips (first round, Giants)

The End

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates a defensive stop against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bills 34-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/G

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