15 of the Best Rookie Seasons in NFL History

Being a top draft pick often carries high expectations in the NFL, especially if the franchise is in desperate need of turning around the ship.

Elite talents are often given the opportunity to play early and make an impact, but sometimes, other rookies break out from irrelevance and make a name for themselves right away. Some NFL rookie seasons are jaw-dropping for the caliber of play many of these future Hall of Famers displayed.

Randy Moss (1998)

Randy Moss had a rookie season that isn’t just the best among first-year receivers, it’s one of the greatest offensive seasons in NFL history.

The Minnesota Vikings took Moss 21st overall in the 1998 NFL Draft, and he rewarded them with a year for the ages. He caught 17 touchdowns to go along with 1,313 receiving yards, helping the Vikings become the No. 1 offense in football on a 15-1 record. They were shocked by the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game, but Moss would earn AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl honors.

Gale Sayers (1965)

Gale Sayers was a Top 5 pick in both the NFL and AFL drafts, but opted to sign with the Chicago Bears. It was the right decision.

Sayers scored 22 total touchdowns in his first season in the NFL, gaining 2,272 all-purpose yards in the process. He’d make history Oct. 17, 1965, when he scored six touchdowns against the Vikings (four receiving, one rushing, and one kickoff return), a feat that wouldn’t be matched until 2016. He was a consensus NFL Rookie of the Year.

Cam Newton (2011)

A rare national champion with two schools (backup at Florida in 2008, Heisman winner for Auburn in 2010), Cam Newton’s college career had him on the doorstep of greatness in the NFL. He would live up to the hype in his rookie season.

The Carolina Panthers took Newton No. 1 in the 2011 NFL Draft, and he responded by collecting multiple Rookie of the Year accolades. Newton scored 35 total touchdowns under center, and passed for more than 4,000 yards. He would also be selected to the Pro Bowl in his first season.

Eric Dickerson (1983)

The Houston Oilers had originally intended to take Eric Dickerson in 1983, but he indicated he would refuse to play for them. As a result, the Los Angeles Rams saw an opportunity to move up and take him, and it’s safe to say it was the right call.

Dickerson was electric in his rookie season with the Rams. He set rookie records for most touchdowns on the ground with 18 and rushing yards with 1,808. Dickerson also got more touches (390) than any previous NFL rookie. He’d be named a Pro Bowler, All-Pro, Rookie of the Year, and would leverage the success of his first season into eventual induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Lawrence Taylor (1981)

Arguably the greatest linebacker ever had one of the greatest rookie seasons ever as well.

Lawrence Taylor carried heavy expectations as the second overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, but immediately lived up to the hype. LT recorded 9.5 sacks for the New York Giants that season, earning both Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. He helped improve the Giants by five wins that year, and within four years, they would win a Super Bowl.

Ben Roethlisberger (2004)

The quarterback class of 2004 will likely have produced multiple Hall of Famers, but even with names like Philip Rivers and Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger’s campaign was the standout.

The 11th overall pick was outstanding for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started camp at third string, but saw game action in Week 2, and never looked back. His 17 touchdowns on a 13-0 record as a starter helped him earn the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, and he would be the face of the franchise for nearly two decades.

Dak Prescott (2016)

Dak Prescott was not supposed to be a starter for the Dallas Cowboys in 2016. He was drafted in the fourth round to be a potential heir to Tony Romo’s throne, but a Week 3 injury to Romo put the ball in Prescott’s hand.

He made the most of his opportunity. Prescott registered 29 total touchdowns for Dallas, made the Pro Bowl, and won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He effectively won the starting job full-time in the process, and is now one of the highest-paid players in American sports.

Ezekiel Elliott (2016)

Prescott had quite a bit of help that 2016 season in the form of Ezekiel Elliott.

Unlike Dak, Zeke was brought in to make an immediate impact as the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft. He delivered big on those expectations, leading the league in rushing with 1,631 yards and finishing the year with 15 touchdowns. He is also one of two Cowboys ever to rush for more than 100 yards in a playoff game, and was named first-team All-Pro.

Patrick Willis (2007)

Patrick Willis made a name for himself right away in San Francisco upon being drafted 11th overall in 2007.

He flourished as a linebacker in head coach Mike Singletary’s 3-4 defense, registering 11 tackles in his first game of the season. He would go on to lead the league in tackles with 174, and finished with four sacks. Willis ultimately made the Pro Bowl, was first-team All-Pro, and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.

Andrew Luck (2012)

No one wants to be the person who has to follow up Peyton Manning as franchise quarterback two seasons later, but Andrew Luck was up for the challenge.

Luck was spectacular in his debut year with the Indianapolis Colts, throwing for a rookie-record 4,374 yards at 23 years old. He tossed 23 touchdowns, and was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Luck made four Pro Bowls in seven seasons, and seemed to be on a Hall of Fame trajectory, but retired at 29 due to injuries.

Odell Beckham Jr. (2014)

Odell Beckham Jr. was the most electric rookie receiver since Randy Moss in terms of playmaking ability, and his intangibles translated to success.

The LSU product was the 12th overall pick in 2014, and missed the first four games of the season due to injury. Even so, he registered 91 catches to go along with 1,305 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He made what is considered by many to be one of the greatest catches in NFL history against the Cowboys that November, and won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors as well.

Barry Sanders (1989)

The Detroit Lions didn’t have much going for them for decades, but Barry Sanders was a guarantee every time he touched the ball.

The former running back broke out big in his rookie season, scoring 14 touchdowns on the ground on 280 attempts. He’d also finish his rookie year with 1,470 rushing yards. He was named All-Pro, got picked for the Pro Bowl, and would lay the groundwork for 10 incredible seasons in the Motor City.

Jevon Kearse (1999)

The 1999 Jevon Kearse rookie season is the benchmark for greatness among defensive linemen, and with good reason.

Kearse set the rookie record with 14.5 sacks in his first year with the Tennessee Titans, capturing the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. He forced eight fumbles that season, which was tops in the NFL. Kearse finished with 57 tackles, and helped take the Titans to the Super Bowl against the Rams.

Matt Ryan (2008)

Matt Ryan was a top quarterback candidate in the 2008 NFL Draft, and took the NFL by storm his rookie season.

The third overall pick was stellar for the Atlanta Falcons, throwing for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns as a rookie. He was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, and provided the Atlanta franchise stability at quarterback it had not had since Michael Vick’s departure. Ryan also started all 16 games his first year.

Micah Parsons (2021)

The Dallas Cowboys have a history of drafting well, and Micah Parsons is no exception to that track record.

The linebacker started every game his rookie season, recording 13 sacks while forcing three fumbles. He would finish the season with 84 combined tackles, including 20 for a loss. Parsons would win AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, be selected first-team All-Pro, and has continued to be one of the most dangerous defensive players in the NFL.