2008 NFL Midseason All-Rookie Team: Broncos Lead a Very Deep Class

The 2008 rookie class has been nothing short of spectacular this season, and here is who I think has stood out as the best amongst an impressive class of youngsters.

Quarterback

   Matt Ryan, (Third overall)

Ryan has led the Falcons to a 5-3 record and out of the NFL cellar, living up to his first-round expectations so far. His 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio is proof he has made great decisions. This kid has a bright future.

Running Backs

  Chris Johnson, (24th overall)

Johnson is currently fourth in the NFL in rushing yards with 715, and has six total touchdowns. He has helped the Titans in the running, receiving, and return game, and looks like a future Pro Bowl regular. He is tough, instinctive, and he uses his 4.24 speed to his advantage.

  Matt Forte, (44th overall)

Forget rookies, Forte is currently one of the most complete backs in the NFL. He is second among rookies in rushing yards, and third in receptions. He has touched the ball 199 times and has six total touchdowns.

  Tim Hightower, (149th overall)

Hightower has burst on the NFL scene as a goal-line back, ranking third in the NFL with seven touchdowns. The bruising fifth-round pick out of Richmond could turn out to be the Cardinals' back of the future after such a strong rookie campaign.

Fullback

  Peyton Hillis, (227th overall)

Hillis had his best game last week against the Dolphins, but he has been a great blocker and special-teams player throughout the season. Hillis' game against the Dolphins netted him seven receptions for over 120 yards and a touchdown.

Wide Receivers

  Eddie Royal, (42nd overall)

Royal leads NFL rookies with 46 receptions, as well as yards per game and touchdowns. He has given Jay Cutler a reliable target and if not for an ankle injury, he would rank in the top of the NFL in catches. He also had a key two-point conversion catch in Denver's controversial win over San Diego in Week Two.

  DeSean Jackson, (49th overall)

Aside from a mistake against the Cowboys earlier this season, Jackson has been absolutely electrifying. Whether it is from a kick return, punt return, or even on some reverses, Jackson has been a threat to score every time he touches the ball. 

He is averaging almost 16 yards per catch and leads NFL rookies in receiving yards and is tied for second in the NFL with 11 plays of 20 or more yards.

  Donnie Avery, (33rd overall)

Avery finally came on about three or four weeks ago, and since then the first receiver taken in the 2008 draft has been living up to his status. His two touchdown catches have come on 69-yard pass plays, and he has also been a threat rushing the ball with a 37-yard touchdown score.

Tight End

  John Carlson, (38th overall)

Carlson is the leader of a fairly weak tight end class, but he has been impressive as the Seahawks' starter. He ranks first in rookie tight ends in catches, yards, and touchdowns.

Offensive Line

  Ryan Clady, (12th overall)

Clady has looked like a five or six year NFL veteran starting at left tackle for the Broncos. In eight games, he has led the Broncos offense to a top 10 ranking in passing, and top 20 in rushing. Oh yeah, he has not allowed a sack yet this season.

  Jake Long, (First overall)

No surprise here, Tony Sparano and Bill Parcells' experiment at left tackle has combusted, as Long has exploded onto the scene as one of the best tackles in the game today and has helped revive the career of Ronnie Brown.

  Duane Brown, (26th overall)

The much maligned first rounder out of Virginia Tech has made Kubiak look like a genius once again. Houston's passing offense has flourished thanks large in part to the blindside blocking skills of Brown.

  Branden Albert, (15th overall)

Albert missed most of training camp, but he has been a solid player for the Chiefs this season. Even though the Chiefs are awful, the last couple of weeks they have put up some impressive offensive numbers. Albert will be a stalwart here for years to come.

  Sam Baker, (21st overall)

The Falcons were 4-2 in the games Baker started before going down with an injury. He helped lead Michael Turner to being one of the top rushers in the game, as well as leading the Falcons to nearly 1,000 yards on the ground. He was also great help for the development of rookie quarterback Matt Ryan.

Defensive Line

  Chris Long, (Second overall)

Long has been great so far for the Rams, despite the fact that the Rams are terrible. He leads all NFL rookies in sacks with four and has the most tackles of any defensive lineman taken in 2008.

  Jason Jones, (54th overall)

I'll be honest, I thought Tennessee had one of the worst drafts in the league back in April, in hindsight, they had one of the best first days of any team in the entire league.  Jones has been a rotational guy, and he has put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

  Glenn Dorsey, (Fifth overall)

Dorsey hasn't really dazzled anyone, but he has been productive as the Chiefs starting nose tackle. He has 22 tackles and one fumble forced in eight games with Kansas City so far.

  Lawrence Jackson, (28th overall)

Jackson has been a good pass-rushing specialist for the Seahawks. He has 18 total tackles highlighted by two sacks. He and Patrick Kerney form one of the better pass rushing duos in the NFC.

Linebackers

  Jerod Mayo, (10th overall)

New England knew something I didn't know, because I had this guy going second or third round. I was wrong obviously, as Mayo has stepped right in as a starter for the Pats and leads all NFL rookies with 59 tackles.

  Curtis Lofton, (37th overall)

Right behind Mayo in tackles is Lofton with 47, but he also has a sack and a fumble forced. Lofton was a great addition in the second round out of Oklahoma and gives the Falcons stability at the MLB position for the next few years.

  Keith Rivers, (Ninth overall)

Rivers hasn't gotten the recognition he deserves because he plays for the Bengals, but he has been a very consistent playmaker. He has 37 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and two passes defended, displaying his versatility.

Defensive Backs

  Chris Horton, (249th overall)

Horton was a compensation pick in the seventh round, and nobody expected him to make any kind of an impact this season, maybe ever. Horton proved the doubters wrong, and is a strong candidate to be the defensive rookie of the year with three picks, 42 tackles, and a fumble recovery.

  Aqib Talib, (20th overall)

Talib has been great as the nickelback for the Bucs, netting three interceptions. Talib's contributions have helped the Bucs achieve another top 10 defensive ranking.

  Brandon Flowers, (35th overall)

What can you say about this Chiefs draft except "Wow?" Kansas City nabbed Flowers in the second round, even though he was rated by many as the most complete cornerback in the draft. He has proven those critics correct, netting two picks along with 37 tackles and a fumble recovery. He also scored a touchdown off of one of his interceptions.

  Brandon Carr, (140th overall)

The other Brandon the Chiefs picked up in the draft, one of three, has been the most productive of the trio. He has 39 total tackles, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. This rookie duo of corners will be tough for opponents to throw on in the future.

Special Teams

Kicker

  Dan Carpenter, (Undrafted)

Carpenter came out of nowhere in the preseason to become one of the most accurate kickers in the league, and he currently leads all rookies in scoring.  He has hit almost 86 percent of his field goals and has converted all of his extra points.

Punter

  Brett Kern, (Undrafted)

Before the draft, Denver knew it needed a punter to replace Todd Sauerbrun, and Kern was tops on their list. They had to gamble a bit that he would still be there in free agency, and he was. He is sixth in the NFL in yards per punt and has gotten 30 percent of his kicks inside the 20.

Return Man

  Leodis McKelvin, (8th overall)

Coming out of Troy, McKelvin didn't have a great shot at top draft pick status, but he shined in the offseason and raised his draft stock because of his versatility. That versatility has paid off for Buffalo, as McKelvin leads all rookies in kick return yardage. 

Special Teamer

   Spencer Larsen, (183rd overall)

Larsen has displayed versatility for the Broncos in 2008. The sixth-round draft pick out of Arizona has contributed to the Broncos at linebacker, fullback, and on special teams as a blocker and tackler. He has two of the hardest hits of anyone in the NFL this year (see Spencer Larsen hit on YouTube). Larsen could be one of those players who make it in this league a long time because of how versatile he is.

So that does it for my Midseason All-Rookie Team. This class is abundant with playmakers, so abundant that I don't have time for an honorable mention list. This class will be remembered for a long time to come for its depth and talent.