Andy Dalton and the Top 5 Most Pleasant NFL Surprises of 2011

This season we've had quite a few surprises in the NFL.  Many players have overachieved and shown us why we shouldn't have doubted them and their respective teams in the first place.  Others have came out of nowhere and shown us why they made it on an active roster to begin with.

Every year we usually have the same suspects at the top of the league in Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Adrian Peterson.

This year we have seen the level of play these surprise individuals bring to each game, and they're making their case to one day be in the same conversation as those greats.

Obviously, not all of these players will attain greatness, due to various circumstances, but these are the top surprises so far this season.

Andy Dalton (QB), Cincinnati Bengals

Obviously I'd have him on here since he's in the title; in my book, he is the biggest surprise so far this season.

Many thought the Cincinnati Bengals would be rebuilding for the next two to three years at least after losing their franchise quarterback and top two wide receivers in the offseason. They drafted two rookie replacements in the first two rounds in last April's draft. 

Many thought they would be in the conversation for worst team in the league, since they only won four games last season with a solid group.

No one saw what they're doing this season coming.

The Bengals sit at 5-2, tied at the top of the AFC North standings.  They've already won more games this season than all of last.

The main reason for this surprise is quarterback Andy Dalton.

Dalton was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.  Many questioned his size, arm strength and delivery.  He was rated in the bottom five in almost everyone's analysis of the Week 1 starting quarterbacks entering the season.

Dalton has silenced those doubters by completing 136 of 218 attempts, a 62.4% completion percentage.  He's thrown for almost 1,500 yards and already has nine touchdown passes.

He has the best passer rating (82.7) and completion percentage of any rookie.

With the Bengals a serious playoff threat, Dalton is truly a surprise.

A.J. Green (WR), Cincinnati Bengals

Rookie A.J. Green is the other reason for the Cincinnati Bengals' surprise turnaround this season. Green was the Bengals first-round pick in last April's draft, and he's shown why he was picked there.

He's been Dalton's favorite target from day one in training camp.

This explosive receiver has 33 receptions already, for 516 yards and five touchdowns. He ranks 15th in the NFL in receiving yards and is tied for fourth in touchdown receptions.

Many didn't seem him or the Bengals being this good yet. Now I consider Green a front-runner for Rookie of the Year.

Matthew Stafford (QB), Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford has shocked the world this year. 

He's been injury prone since the Lions made him the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.  Many questioned whether he should be the long-term quarterback of the Lions due to his frequent injuries.

He has more than silenced his doubters this year.

The Lions are 6-2 and in position for their first playoff game in many years, and Stafford is a big reason for it.

Stafford has completed 183 of 299 passes this year for 2,179 yards and 19 touchdowns, and we're just now halfway through the season.  He's only thrown for four interceptions, so he's not turning the ball over, either, and he has one of the best touchdown-interception ratios in the league.

Stafford also has a quarterback rating of 99.1.

Many people have Stafford in their NFL Player of the Year ballots, and he continues to show that he's very deserving.

Jimmy Graham (TE), New Orleans Saints

Jimmy Graham has not only been a pleasant surprise to the New Orleans Saints, but he's also been a welcoming surprise to the any fan of football.

Graham did not have a good life growing up.  He remembers falling asleep as an 11-year-old in the back seat  of his mom's car.  When he woke up, he was in a group home watching his mom sign papers to give him away. He remembers his mom dropping off his clothes and toys in a trash bag and leaving. In the group home, Graham was beaten up often by other kids and didn't have anyone to turn to.

Graham later turned to sports and earned a spot on the University of Miami basketball team. He played there all four years and in his senior year tried football as well.

Fast-forward three years and he's the leading receiver as a tight end on the Saints. He has 49 receptions for 713 yards and five touchdowns so far.

Graham is quarterback Drew Brees' favorite target.  Graham shows the natural talent to be a long stay and finally have a family in the NFL.

Graham ranks in the top five in all three major receiving categories.  Graham's 49 receptions rank third in the league, his 713 yards rank fifth, and his five touchdowns tie him for fourth. 

Many people entering the year had no idea who Jimmy Graham is, but once the year is over millions will.

DeMarco Murray (RB), Dallas Cowboys

DeMarco Murray has made the most of himself after injuries to other Cowboys running backs Felix Jones and the recently released Tashard Choice.

Murray made a big debut in his start a few weeks ago against the St. Louis Rams.  He set the Cowboys rushing record for a rookie with 253 yards on the ground.

Before that, many thought he wouldn't get much playing time as a third-string running back in the Cowboys system. Now the Cowboys have released Choice and want to make Murray their main running back.

Never would I have thought Murray could be in the position of being one of the next Cowboy greats.

He has 58 attempts for 400 yards and one touchdown this season, but he just started playing a little more than two weeks ago.

I look for him to not just be a fluke, but instead one of the great surprises of the whole season.