The Rookie Report provides a running look at first-year standouts, surprises, and Rookie of the Year candidates.
Offense
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Despite losing rookie phenom Thomas Rawls to a broken ankle, the Seahawks cruised to their fourth straight victory in Week 14. Lockett had a big hand in the win, reeling in six catches for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
With that performance, Lockett became one of only two rookies in NFL history with at least five touchdowns, a kick return touchdown, and a punt return touchdown in a season (Gale Sayers being the other).
Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams
With rapper/Roc Nation boss Jay Z looking on, Gurley reminded the NFL world just how dangerous he can be in the Rams' 21-14 win over the Detroit Lions.
The Georgia product finished with 140 yards - his third-highest output of the season - and two touchdowns on 16 carries after averaging just 16.5 yards on nine carries over the previous two games.
Gurley rushed for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Rams' Week 15 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, becoming just the third rookie in franchise history to reach 1,000 rushing yards.
Nelson Agholor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Agholor had three receptions for 62 yards, including a 53-yard touchdown - the first of his career - in the Eagles' 23-20 victory against the Buffalo Bills. It was a big confidence builder for the first-round pick, whose season has been somewhat of a disappointment.
"You're eager for more," Agholor said. "But at the end of the day, we're in a position right now where we want to win football games. So if it means I have to score for us to win, or block, whatever, I've got to make more plays to win games."
Defense
Ben Heeney, LB, Oakland Raiders
Most of the spotlight in the Raiders' 15-12 win over the Denver Broncos was on second-year linebacker Khalil Mack and his five-sack performance, but Heeney had a productive day of his own.
The fifth-round pick played 43 defensive snaps (54 percent) against the Broncos, finishing with a season-high eight tackles and the first forced fumble of his career.
Nate Orchard, LB, Cleveland Browns
The Browns had their strongest defensive performance of the season in the team's 24-10 victory over the 49ers, holding San Francisco to 221 yards and racking up nine sacks - their highest total since returning to Cleveland in 1999.
Orchard accounted for two of those sacks, ending a sack-less streak that dated back to his final college game at Utah in the 2014 Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl. He also contributed two tackles for the Browns.
Anthony Harris, S, Minnesota Vikings
Harris, an undrafted free agent out of Virginia, spent the first 13 weeks of the season on the Vikings' practice squad before being promoted to the active roster to help offset a rash of injuries at the safety position.
Overall, it was a promising first start for Harris. He made some mistakes in pass defense, but did break up one pass and finished with a team-high eight tackles. He was also one of only three players to play all 67 defensive snaps.
Quick Hits
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht is impressed by the maturity of quarterback Jameis Winston and guard Ali Marpet.
- Miami Dolphins cornerback Tony Lippett could see his first extended playing time of the year - and possibly his first NFL start - Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.
- What do Packers rookies do for fun in Green Bay? Jimmy Carlton of OnMilwaukee.com investigates.
- Wide receiver Daniel Brown talks about the ups and downs of his first season with the Baltimore Ravens.
- After months on the practice squad, linebacker John Timu is eager for his chance with the Chicago Bears.
