Rookie Report: Mike Evans, Chris Borland continue 2nd-half surge

The Rookie Report provides a running look at first-year standouts, surprises, and Rookie of the Year candidates.

Here's who stood out during the eleventh week of the NFL season, including some of the names to watch heading into Week 12.

Offense

Mike Evans
WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Evans played a big role in the Bucs' 27-7 victory over the Washington Redskins, catching seven passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 536 receiving yards over the past four weeks, the most of any player in the NFL during that span. He still hasn't perfected that touchdown celebration dance, though.

Alfred Blue
RB, Houston Texans

Blue more than made up for the absence of starting running back Arian Foster in Week 11. The sixth-round pick carried the ball a franchise-record 36 times for 156 yards in a 23-7 victory over the Cleveland Browns, marking his highest offensive output of the season.

Jeremy Hill
RB, Cincinnati Bengals

As a kid growing up in nearby Baton Rouge, Hill watched many games at the Mercedes Benz-Superdome. In Week 12, he returned to the Dome for the first time as a member of the Bengals, rushing for 152 yards on 27 carries in a 27-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Hill has 556 rushing yards this season, which ranks first among rookie running backs.

Tre Mason
RB, St. Louis Rams

It's not easy to embarrass Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, but that's exactly what the Rams did in Week 11, defeating the defending AFC Conference champs 22-7. Mason finished the game with 113 yards on 29 carries, becoming the first player this season to rush for 100 yards against the Broncos.

Corey Linsley
C, Green Bay Packers

Linsley was thrust into the starting lineup after J.C. Tretter went down with a knee injury during the preseason, and has been an important part of the team's offensive success since. The fifth-round pick has allowed just one quarterback hit this season and has yet to give up a sack. He's also been given the second-highest grade among centers by Pro Football Focus. That deserves Pro Bowl consideration, teammate Aaron Rodgers says.

Defense

Chris Borland
LB, San Francisco 49ers

While other rookies have cooled off in recent weeks, Borland just keeps on rolling. The third-round pick had a team-high 13 tackles against the New York Giants, along with three passes defended and the first two interceptions of his career. He leads the 49ers with 47 tackles this season.

Aaron Lynch
LB, San Francisco 49ers

Lynch also came up big for the 49ers in Week 11, playing 66 of the team's 70 defensive snaps and recording his third sack of the season. He had two tackles in the victory as well, but it was his pressure on Giants quarterback Eli Manning that was most impressive.

Avery Williamson
LB, Tennessee Titans

Williamson sacked Ben Roethlisberger twice and had three additional hits on the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback on Monday night. He also notched a team-high eight tackles in the loss, bringing his season total to 54.

Aaron Donald
DT, St. Louis Rams

Donald had three tackles against the Broncos, who were held to a season-low seven points, along with a fourth-down sack that helped end a scoring drive in the fourth quarter. He leads all rookie defensive lineman with 27 tackles and four sacks.

Ra'Shede Hageman
DT, Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons moved into first place in the NFC South with their 19-17 victory over the Panthers, but the outcome could have turned out differently had Hageman not blocked Carolina's potential game-winning field goal. The second-round pick also recorded two tackles.

Quick Hits

• Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin posted his second 100-yard game of the season in Week 11, catching nine passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. It was one heck of a touchdown grab, too.
• Brandin Cooks's rookie season came to a premature end Tuesday, as he was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a broken thumb. The Saints' first-round draft pick finished the season with 53 receptions for 550 yards and three touchdowns.
• Bengals first-round pick Darqueze Dennard has seen limited action this season as Cincinnati's fourth-string cornerback, and is admittedly frustrated with his role on the team.
• Of all the rookie wide receivers, Around the NFL writers believe Giants first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. has the brightest future.
• Browns head coach Mike Pettine said the decision to release veteran running back Ben Tate had more to do with the play of rookies Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West than Tate's attitude.