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Rookie Report: Johnson runs wild over Eagles; Peters strengthens ROTY case

Jeffrey G. Pittenger-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

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

Offense

David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

If he wasn't already involved in the Rookie of the Year conversation, Johnson certainly will be after his monster performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. He rushed for 187 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries, while adding four catches for 42 yards to help the Cardinals clinch the NFC West.

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Since taking over as starter in Week 13, Johnson has rushed for 378 yards and three touchdowns, and caught 11 passes for 94 yards and another score.

Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders

After being held without a catch a week earlier, Cooper rebounded with a 120-yard, two-touchdown effort in Oakland's 30-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers, becoming the first Raiders receiver to reach 1,000 yards in a season since Randy Moss in 2005.

Though a foot injury limited his playing time and overall effectiveness in Thursday night's win over the San Diego Chargers, Cooper remains a favorite for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He leads all rookies in receptions (70) and receiving yards (1,050).

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Tennessee Titans

It took some time, but things are finally looking up for Green-Beckham after a slow start to his rookie campaign. He caught six passes for 113 yards in the Titans' 33-16 loss to the New England Patriots, marking his second 100-yard performance in three weeks.

"I feel like I'm moving in the right direction," Beckham-Green said afterwards. "When the ball is thrown my way, it's an opportunity and I have to make that happen."

Defense

Marcus Peters, CB, Kansas City Chiefs

Peters strengthened his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year in the Chiefs' 40-17 thrashing of the Philadelphia Eagles, racking up a team-high 11 tackles and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

The Washington product already has one accolade to his name, though, as he was one of five Chiefs players (and the first Kansas City rookie since 2010) named to the 2016 NFL Pro Bowl roster.

Damarious Randall, CB, Green Bay Packers

The Packers were without starting cornerback Sam Shields for their Week 15 matchup against the Raiders, which meant Randall drew the tough assignment of covering Amari Cooper.

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Aside from the 26-yard touchdown he gave up to Cooper, it was a solid performance from the Packers' first-round pick. He notched seven tackles and his team-leading third interception of the season, which he returned 43 yards for a touchdown.

Danielle Hunter, DE, Minnesota Vikings

A third-round pick out of LSU, Hunter was viewed more as a project than a contributor heading into this season, but has emerged as a valuable piece of the Vikings defense.

Hunter played 48 snaps (his second-highest total of the season) in Minnesota's 38-17 victory over the Chicago Bears, finishing with five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two quarterback hurries. He leads all rookies with five sacks, an impressive number considering he totaled just 4.5 in three collegiate seasons.

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