4 NFL Rookies Who Have Improved Most over the 2011 Season

While it's not uncommon for a rookie to struggle in his first year in the NFL, it's just as normal for a rookie to have quite the impressive showing as well.

In the following slides, I detail four rookies on both sides of the ball who have played well in 2011, seemingly getting better with every passing week.

QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

In the preseason, Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton looked like he wouldn't have much success in his rookie year. Then, he opened the year with back-to-back games with over 400 passing yards.

Though he's had just one other 300-plus yardage passing day, he's still just 18 yards away from setting the single-season passing record for a rookie quarterback.

He entered Week 16 with 3,722 passing yards for 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He's also rushed for a record-setting 13 touchdowns and has carried the ball 114 times for 609 yards.

While Newton's efforts haven't resulted in a winning season for the Panthers, he's not to blame. He's performed better than any offensive rookie this year and should only get better in 2012.

QB Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

Rookie starting quarterbacks have the most pressure on their shoulders of any player, but the Cincinnati Bengals' Andy Dalton has handled that pressure surprisingly well.

Coming into a losing team that divested themselves of both of their veteran receivers, Dalton's chances for success seemed slim. But he managed to play well, ignore the chatter that said he was in over his head and take his team to the brink of a playoff berth.

On the year, Dalton has gone 260-of-441 for 3,012 yards, 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and has a rushing touchdown to his name.

Thanks to him, the Bengals should be serious contenders in 2012. They need to add a few more components, to be sure, but at least they have their quarterback situation under control.

WR A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals

One of the biggest reasons that Cincinnati Bengals rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has had such a good first year in the league comes courtesy of another rookie, wide receiver A.J. Green.

Green has been an invaluable weapon for Dalton. He's capable of making plays only veterans seem to make, and he has all the indications of being an elite-level wide receiver in a very short amount of time.

This season, Green has caught 61 passes for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns, and he's averaging 774 receiving yards per game. There are few wideouts—rookie or veteran—that have had the kind of impressive 2011 that Green has had.

In concert with Dalton, the Bengals are shaping up to field one of the most effective offenses in the league.

LB Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have had a top defense for years now, but it's not until 2011 that the group has gotten their due recognition.

This makes sense—the Niners have their first winning season since 2002 and are the most surprising team of the year. They're atop the NFC West, they're going to the playoffs and while the team's offense has been efficient, it's that defense that's truly carried them this season.

One reason why the Niners defense has gone from great to spectacular this year can be pinpointed to the addition of rookie linebacker Aldon Smith. Smith has 31 tackles to his name this year (26 solo and five assisted), an astounding 13 sacks and two forced fumbles with one recovery.

Smith had high expectations placed on him headed into his rookie season, but he's managed to exceed them. There's no better defensive rookie on the field this year.