Browns vs. Steelers: 3 Rookies You Must Watch on Thursday Night Football

While the Pittsburgh Steelers don't typically start a lot of rookies, the Cleveland Browns have not been shy about doing so. The Steelers often let their young players ease their way into the NFL by contributing on special teams while slowly getting involved on either side of the ball. The Browns have just thrown their rookies to the wolves early of late in an attempt to see if their young guys can handle themselves.

Cleveland boasts three rookie starters who need to have exceptional performances if the team hopes to beat the Steelers tonight. 

Come inside to check out my breakdown of the three young studs who the Browns hope can help them get by Pittsburgh on the road on Thursday night.

Greg Little, WR, Cleveland

When the Browns selected Greg Little with the 59th pick in the 2011 NFL draft, they hoped they were getting a game-breaking wide receiver who would help young quarterback Colt McCoy develop. The North Carolina product has struggled at times this season but has emerged as a legitimate threat in the passing game.

Through 12 games Little has 50 catches for 513 yards and a touchdown. 

Tonight against the Steelers, Little must find a way to get open against Pittsburgh's veteran secondary. If he can find space and McCoy can get him the ball, the Browns may have a chance to get things going offensively. If not, Cleveland will be in a lot of trouble.

Little is incredibly important to the Browns offense and tonight against the Steelers, he has to have a big game if Cleveland wants to have any chance of winning. 

His one-on-one matchup against cornerback Ike Taylor will be one to watch in this game.

Phil Taylor, DT, Cleveland

The Browns grabbed Phil Taylor with the 21st pick in the 2011 draft and instantly inserted him into the middle of their defensive line. The thinking was that the massive 6'3", 335-pound tackle could anchor their D-line for about the next decade. So far, so good, as Taylor has had an outstanding rookie season. 

The gigantic tackle out of Baylor has played in all 12 games, posting 48 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble. But more importantly, he has eaten up a ton of space in the middle of the defense. His presence has allowed the rest of the Browns defensive linemen to have more room to operate as he has constantly dealt with double-teams. 

Tonight against a Steelers team that is averaging 116.3 yards rushing over the past three games, Taylor needs to continue to take up space in the middle and plug holes in the run game. If he is successful in helping to slow down Rashard Mendenhall and Pittsburgh's rushing attack it will put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger to win the game with his arm. If that happens, the Browns may have a chance to pull an upset as their defense leads the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed (173.3 yards per game).

Taylor needs to have a monster game up front for the Browns to even have a chance at a win Thursday night.

Jabaal Sheard, DE, Cleveland

The Browns focused on improving their defensive line during the 2011 draft, and after taking Taylor in the first round they snagged defensive end Jabaal Sheard with the 37th overall pick. They immediately inserted him at left end and have to be pleased with the results so far.

Sheard is 6'2" and 255 pounds and has been outstanding so far this season. The Pitt product has played in all 12 games, racking up 44 tackles and 5.5 sacks, while forcing five fumbles and recovering another. While his sack numbers don't jump off the page, when you consider that he was a second-round pick and has already contributed as much as he has, you have to believe there are great things in his future.

Sheard has three sacks, three forced fumbles and 15 tackles (including nine on Sunday against the Ravens) over his last three games, which shows that he is really coming on strong over the final stretch of the season.

Tonight against the Steelers, he needs to get to Ben Roethlisberger and hit the veteran quarterback. If he can make Big Ben uncomfortable in the pocket, there is a chance he will make some mistakes down the field that Joe Haden and Cleveland's secondary can take advantage of. 

Sheard needs to continue his strong play if the Browns want to have a chance tonight.