5 NFL Rookies Who've Matured the Most This Season

It's nothing new that rookie players can easily have a breakout first year in the league, and this year there have been a slew of notable names coming out of the 2011 draft class.

Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers top this slideshow examining the five first-year players who have made great strides in just a few short weeks into becoming ones who will have an impact season after season.

QB Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have a surprising 6-4 record through 11 weeks, considering that heading into this season they were pegged as one of the most likely candidates to go winless, with a rookie quarterback and rookie wide receiver leading the team.

Instead, rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has been one of the most effective quarterbacks in the NFL and one of the most impressive rookies of the year.

Dalton has taken well to his role as starter, completing 173 of his 287 passes for 1,866 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Though he threw three picks in his team's Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and has thrown two or more interceptions in three of his last four games, he's handling the setbacks with maturity, aware that such mistakes are part of the game for a rookie quarterback.

With more time and experience, Dalton will prove to be one of the better passers in the AFC; that he's been so solid as a rookie bodes well for his future.

QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton is another rookie quarterback who has also emerged as a shining example of how a player can be thrown directly into the fire and still manage to produce. Though his team sits at 2-8 at the bottom of the NFC South, that isn't for lack of effort nor for lack of stellar play.

With 12 passing touchdowns, nine rushing touchdowns and 14 interceptions (four coming in Week 11 in a high-scoring loss to the Detroit Lions), Newton has proven that he's the Panthers quarterback of the future.

With increased protection, a bigger variety of weapons and a stronger defense, he has a shot to elevate the struggling squad into a serious contender in 2012.

Despite the team's issues with actually winning games, Newton doesn't act angry at his teammates nor deflect blame from his own mistakes. He's exceeded expectations as both a rookie and a quarterback and has clearly grown up to a legitimate professional worthy of a starting job.

RB DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

While rookie DeMarco Murray seemed only to serve as depth at running back for the Dallas Cowboys, injuries and a bit of luck has promoted him to the starting rusher for the team.

Waiting patiently for a chance that's never guaranteed to come, Murray's taken his new responsibility and made a real name for himself in just a handful of games, not squandering his chances and proving that he's there simply to work hard.

Since replacing an injured Felix Jones in Week 7, Murray has rushed 100 times for 674 yards and two touchdowns and has 113 receiving yards.

Once Jones returned, he found himself as the No. 2 to Murray, who made the best of a rare opportunity and is now clearly one of the most exciting true featured running backs in the league.

WR Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens

Like DeMarco Murray, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith served as little more than depth and relief for the team's starting wideouts until veteran Lee Evans injured his ankle in Week 2.

And though Smith's production has been irregular (owing to his rookie inexperience, dropped passes and inconsistent play from his quarterback Joe Flacco), he hasn't complained, instead keeping his head down and working hard to prove himself as an asset to the restructured Baltimore offense.

And that hard work appears to have paid off in Week 11, with six receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown in his team's win over the Cincinnati Bengals and 29 catches for 590 yards and five scores total on the year.

Though Evans has just returned from that ankle injury, Smith won't likely lose his starting position; high praise for a rookie receiver on a team that seemed to need veteran presence more than youth going into the year.

WR Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

A rookie doesn't need to see a glut of playing time to make an impact on his team, nor to evolve as a professional player, and thus is the case for the Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb.

The wide receiver and return man has a mere 15 receptions for 234 yards and a score and 651 return yards with one touchdown. He's dynamic and fast, to be sure, but on a team with so many viable targets for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, his production is limited.

But that doesn't mean his presence hasn't been felt. Each of those yards and those receptions were extremely useful to his undefeated team, and for a rookie to get such inconsistent playing time and not complain says a lot for his ability to have a fruitful career with the Packers.

The only way to get more playing time in such a crowded roster of receivers is by hard work and taking advantage of the limited opportunities afforded. Cobb's certainly taken that to heart and has shown that he's got the maturity and skill set to be one of the Packers' future stars.