50 NFL Players Who Have Improved Their Stock Most in 2011

Every season, a handful of players have a stellar season while there's just a few who simply lower their stock value.

In this case, we're going to be talking about the players that have improved their stock the most.

For starters, guys like Cam Newton, Ben Tate, Michael Bush and Mike Tolbert all have the criteria to be mentioned in this list. They're guys that came into the 2011 season with some questions but have certainly silenced the critics.

In that spirit, here are the 50 players that have improved their stock the most in 2011.

Tim Tebow

All I have to say is that it's Tebow Time!

But seriously. Tim Tebow is having an incredible season for the Denver Broncos has he's recreating the style of how the quarterback position is played in the NFL.

Tebow may not be the best passer, but he's a winner and has posted a solid 4-1 record as a starter for the Broncos thus far.

Kyle Arrington

Just a year ago, Kyle Arrington was a rotational cornerback who played significant time as New England's No. 2 cornerback. 

Now in 2011, Arrington has emerged as an absolute ball magnet. Thus far, Arrington has a league-high seven interceptions. 

Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford has emerged as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL this season. 

So far, Stafford has played in all 10 games while tossing 25 touchdowns compared to only 10 interceptions and recording a solid 93.4 quarterback rating. 

Jason Campbell

Prior to breaking his collarbone, Jason Campbell was having a pretty damn good season for the Oakland Raiders.

The Auburn product had completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 1,170 yards while throwing six touchdowns and four interceptions. 

Campbell will be a free agent once the season is over and should receive some major interest. 

Matt Hasselbeck

After throwing 12 touchdowns and a putrid 17 interceptions a year ago for the Seattle Seahawks, Matt Hasselbeck has bounced back tremendously with the Tennessee Titans.

The 36-year-old veteran has thrown 14 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions while recording a stellar 86.1 quarterback rating.

Hasselbeck's career is not over quite yet. 

Steve Smith

2010 appeared to be the end of the road for Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith, but he has come back strong this season.

With Cam Newton at quarterback, Smith has reeled in 56 catches for 992 yards and five touchdowns in just 10 games this season. 

Carlos Rogers

Carlos Rogers had a bit of a shaky season last year with the Washington Redskins, but now as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Rogers has played very well.

Rogers is a key part to San Fran's success this season, as they're the top defense in the entire league. 

Pat Angerer

One of the very few positives of the Indianapolis Colts' 2011 season is how productive Pat Angerer has been in his second year in the NFL.

Angerer recorded 88 tackles last season and has already accumulated 105 thus far in only 10 games. 

Cam Newton

Many speculated about Cam Newton's ability to succeed at the NFL level—but he's done a fantastic job at silencing most of the critics in his rookie season as a Carolina Panther.

Newton has likely locked up the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award with his solid 80.0 quarterback rating, 2,885 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, 411 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in 10 games this season. 

Rob Gronkowski

If Rob Gronkowski's stock wasn't high enough after his incredible 10-touchdown rookie campaign, 2011 has just pushed it even higher.

Gronkowski has emerged as possibly the best tight end in all of football with his 56 receptions and 10 touchdowns. 

In New England's 34-3 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night, Gronkowski became the fastest tight end to catch 20 touchdowns in his career in just 26 games. 

Plaxico Burress

After spending nearly two years in prison, Plaxico Burress has returned to the NFL and has been very effective.

Plax has played in 10 games for the New York Jets this season, making 30 receptions for 425 yards while reeling in six touchdowns.

Many questioned if Plax would be able to compete at a high level again, and he has silenced his critics for the most part in 2011. 

Carson Palmer

After Carson Palmer sat out the first part of the 2011 season, the Cincinnati Bengals traded him to the Oakland Raiders, and Palmer has been a fantastic asset for the Raiders' offense.

In four games, Palmer has a 80.0 quarterback rating while accumulating 911 passing yards and tossing six touchdowns—not too shabby for a guy that was sitting around for all of August, September and October. 

Jimmy Graham

In just his second year in the NFL, Jimmy Graham has emerged as one of the best tight ends in all of football.

In 10 games for the New Orleans Saints, he has reeled in 62 balls for a total of 873 yards while recording six touchdowns. 

NaVorro Bowman

NaVorro Bowman has been an absolute tackling machine for the San Francisco 49ers this season.

In just his second season in the league, Bowman has racked up 95 tackles, which is incredible compared to his 46 tackles a year ago. 

Bowman has quietly emerged as one of the best linebackers in all of football. 

Willis McGahee

In Willis McGahee's first season as a Denver Bronco, he has proven that he can still be a lead back in the NFL.

The Miami product has played in nine games for the Denver Broncos, as he's accumulated 658 rushing yards while averaging 4.7 yards per carry and punching in three touchdowns on the ground. 

Jackie Battle

Did anyone know who Jackie Battle was before this season? I can guarantee you that no one did.

Battle is playing in his fifth season in the NFL and has taken on quite the chunk of playing time thanks to the injured Jamaal Charles. The undrafted running back has run for 436 yards and one touchdown on just 95 carries for the Chiefs this season—definitely respectable numbers. 

Michael Bush

Michael Bush has been a human bowling ball for the Oakland Raiders this season. 

Bush has been receiving a lot of touches this season due to the injured Darren McFadden, and he has been flourishing in every aspect of the game.

The 27-year-old has run for 599 yards and five touchdowns while reeling in 16 passes for 249 yards and one touchdown. 

Eli Manning

It's certainly hard to believe, but Eli Manning has increased his stock in 2011.

Entering the season, we all heard how Manning stated that he was an elite quarterback and all of that—but he's actually backing it up with quite a nice stat-line.

Manning has completed 62 percent of his passes for 2.952 yards while throwing 18 touchdowns and being picked off only nine times. 

Desmond Bishop

Desmond Bishop is a much improved linebacker than he was a year ago for the Green Bay Packers.

Bishop has tallied 93 tackles so far while recording five sacks for the reigning Super Bowl champions. 

Andre Carter

Who would have thought that Andre Carter would have been playing this well for the New England Patriots? Carter has a solid nine sacks this season while forcing a fumble.

After Carter's past few seasons with the Washington Redskins, I'm sure that everyone had already written him off. 

Jason Pierre-Paul

After recording a solid 4.5 sacks in his rookie season a year ago, Jason Pierre-Paul has emerged as one of the NFL's elite pass rushers in 2011.

Pierre-Paul has racked up 10.5 sacks thus far for the New York Giants and appears to have a very bright future ahead of him. 

George Wilson

George Wilson has been an absolute play-maker for the Buffalo Bills' defense this season.

The team's strong safety has picked off four passes while recording an outstanding 79 tackles. 

Mike Tolbert

Mike Tolbert is having a pretty solid season for the San Diego Chargers, as he's taken care of a lot of snaps as Ryan Mathews has been dinged up. 

Tolbert has run in four touchdowns while catching 42 passes for 351 yards and another two touchdowns. 

Mike Wallace

Mike Wallace was known as one of the most explosive wide receivers a year ago, but in a year's time, Wallace has emerged as a well-rounded wide receiver. 

Wallace has been incredible for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season, as he's already caught 53 passes for 922 yards and six touchdowns. 

Dan Connolly

Dan Connolly has done a phenomenal job for the New England Patriots this season, as he's stepped right in as the team's starting center after Dan Koppen went down in the season opener against the Miami Dolphins.

Quite frankly, it's hard to even notice that Koppen is gone, considering how well Connolly is playing. 

Jake Locker

In the time that Jake Locker has been on the field, he's done a terrific job as the Tennessee Titans' quarterback.

Locker has a 103.7 quarterback rating while playing in three games and tossing two touchdowns and no interceptions. 

Matt Moore

It's kind of hard to believe, but Matt Moore has raised his stock quite a bit as a quarterback in the NFL.

Moore was a career backup before being thrown into the mix this season with the Miami Dolphins. He's posted an 85.8 quarterback rating so far with seven touchdowns compared to five interceptions. 

Victor Cruz

Victor Cruz simply jumped onto the scene in 2011. I mean, no one knew who he was last year.

In just his second year, the New York Giants wide receiver has caught 46 passes for 800 yards for five touchdowns while averaging an impressive 17.4 yards per-reception. 

Jordy Nelson

I may be in the minority on this one, but I firmly believe that Jordy Nelson is the NFL's most explosive wide receiver. 

In 10 games this season for the Green Bay Packers, Nelson has managed to catch nine touchdown passes—how unreal is that? Nelson has 40 receptions for 756 yards, which is a stellar average of 18.9 yards per reception. 

Ben Tate

After missing all of his rookie season a year ago, Ben Tate has really turned it on as a legitimate running back in the NFL.

While playing behind Arian Foster, Tate seemed like he wouldn't have enough touches to get things going, but the Auburn product has been outstanding thus far.

He has 686 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per-carry. 

Torrey Smith

Torrey Smith certainly had a lot of doubt from scouts this past year, but the Baltimore Ravens made the right decision by drafting the Maryland product.

In his rookie season, Smith has proven to be the NFL's fastest player, as he's caught 29 passes for 590 yards and five touchdowns so far this season—that's a 20.3 yards per-reception average. 

Dez Bryant

Dez Bryant had a rather shaky rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys but has really turned it on this season.

Bryant has played in nine games for the Cowboys, making 35 receptions for 585 yards and six touchdowns, which matches his total from a year ago. 

Pierre Garcon

Pierre Garcon may be the only offensive player who is actually producing for the Indianapolis Colts this season.

Garcon clicked with Curtis Painter early in the year, as he now has 43 catches for 621 yards and four touchdowns. 

Chris Long

Chris Long's stock has been getting better each season.

In 2011, Long has already a career-high nine sacks while playing in 10 games for the lowly St. Louis Rams. 

Darren Sproles

Darren Sproles has really flourished in his first season as a New Orleans Saint.

The Kansas State product has played in all 10 games for New Orleans, as he's run for 348 yards, reeled in 448 receiving yards while scoring a grand total of five touchdowns. 

Sproles is arguably the NFL's top change-of-pace running back. 

Ahmad Brooks

Ahmad Brooks has been a key factor in San Francisco's defensive success this season.

On the NFL's top-rated defense, Brooks has played in 10 games, starting all 10 of them, while tallying six sacks, which matches a career high for the Virginia product. 

Eric Decker

After making not too much of an impact as a rookie last season, Eric Decker has flourished in Denver's offense this season.

Despite having Tim Tebow at quarterback, Decker has managed to catch 34 balls for 462 yards and an impressive seven touchdowns.  

D'Qwell Jackson

After missing all of 2010, D'Qwell Jackson has bounced back impressively this season with the Cleveland Browns.

The 28-year-old has accumulated 71 tackles thus far as well as 2.5 sacks, an interception as well as a forced fumble. All in all, Jackson has been active this year. 

Sean Weatherspoon

Sean Weatherspoon is having one hell of a sophomore season with the Atlanta Falcons.

The 23-year-old has recorded 79 tackles while sacking the quarterback two times—he's been producing and that's all you can ask from your outside linebacker. 

Kavell Conner

After missing most of last season, Kavell Conner has played very well for the Indianapolis Colts in 2011.

Conner has 77 tackles in 10 games so far for the Colts as well as forcing one fumble. He is certainly one of the few bright spots on the Colts. 

Mark Anderson

The former sack machine for the Chicago Bears has had one hell of a season for the New England Patriots in 2011.

Mark Anderson has seven sacks in 10 games for the Patriots and has been one of the better pass rushers in the league this season. 

Antonio Brown

In 2010,, Antonio Brown recorded only 16 receptions; in 2011 he has 44 through 10 games.

Also, Brown has 626 receiving yards for one touchdown.

Brown has definitely taken a lot of the burden off Mike Wallace this season. 

DeMarco Murray

DeMarco Murray has played like an elite running back so far for the Dallas Cowboys.

In just his rookie season, Murray has already run for 674 yards while averaging an unbelievable 6.7 yards per carry. 

I'm thinking that Murray has a very bright future in this league. 

Alex Smith

Alex Smith is finally playing like the quarterback everyone thought he would be after being selected first overall in the 2005 NFL draft. 

Smith has posted a 93.9 passer rating while leading the San Francisco 49ers to an incredible 9-1 start. 

Beanie Wells

2011 has been a very productive season for Beanie Wells.

Wells has run for 588 yards for the Arizona Cardinals this season, as he's averaged 4.0 yards per carry and scored a total of seven touchdowns. 

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Despite struggling as of late, Ryan Fitzpatrick has been a completely different quarterback this season for the Buffalo Bills.

Fitzpatrick has posted an 82.4 quarterback rating while throwing 16 touchdowns and a solid 2,285 yards. 

Matt Forte

Matt Forte is making a serious case for the NFL's MVP.

Forte has run for 926 yards and three touchdowns while catching 46 passes for 465 yards and a touchdown.

All in all, Forte is an incredible offensive weapon and a complete running back—he is the Chicago Bears' best player. 

Fred Jackson

Fred Jackson has had a phenomenal season for the Buffalo Bills in 2011 thus far.

The 30-year-old has run for 934 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per-carry as well as punching in six touchdowns.

As a receiver, he's just as effective, as he's caught 39 balls for 442 yards. 

LeSean McCoy

This may be a bit hard to believe, but LeSean McCoy has improved his stock value tremendously in 2011.

McCoy has emerged as arguably the NFL's most lethal running back, as he's run for 1,019 yards and10 touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry while snagging 34 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. 

The 23-year-old was a phenomenal running back last season, but this season he's playing at a whole new level. 

Antwan Barnes

So far in 2011, Antwan Barnes has already recorded a career-high six sacks while accumulating 21 tackles and two forced fumbles. 

The San Diego Chargers have been a huge disappointment thus far, with a lousy 4-6 record, but Barnes has been one of the few bright spots on San Diego's roster.