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The 10 Greatest Rookie Seasons In NFL History

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By @BrianKalchik

The 10 Greatest Rookie Seasons In NFL History

Jadeveon Clowney Texans
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Great rookie seasons have played a big part in making up the rich history of the NFL. First-year players make a huge impact year in and year out, and 2014 will be no different. Many promising rookies will have the opportunity to make their rookie season a historic one. But to be considered one of the best of all time, they will have to have seasons like these 10 former rookies had.

10. Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders, 1982

Marcus Allen Raiders
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10. Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders, 1982

Marcus Allen Raiders
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In the 1982 strike-shortened season, Marcus Allen played in only nine regular season games, but finished with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. The No. 10 overall pick carried the ball 160 times for 697 yards and a league-leading 11 rushing touchdowns, and added 401 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 38 receptions. Allen was a first-team All-Pro and was the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

9. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, 2004

Ben Roethlisberger Steelers
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9. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, 2004

Ben Roethlisberger Steelers
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Ben Roethlisberger's rookie campaign in 2004 was arguably the best season by a rookie quarterback in NFL history. It was his stellar season as a rookie quarterback that set the modern trend of rookie quarterbacks becoming immediate starters. Roethlisberger started 13 games for the Steelers in 2004, and they won all 13 of them. He completed 66.4 percent of his passes and threw for 2,621 yards for 17 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.

8. Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers, 1978

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8. Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers, 1978

Earl Campbell Oilers
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In 1978, Earl Campbell was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1978, the Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Pro selection. Campbell led the NFL with 1,450 rushing yards. On 302 carries, Campbell also ran for 13 touchdowns, the second-highest total in the NFL that season. He still holds Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans rookie records for rushing yards and touchdowns scored.

7. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, 2008

Matt Ryan Falcons
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7. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, 2008

Matt Ryan Falcons
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After Michael Vick's indefinite suspension, the Atlanta Falcons were looking for a franchise QB and found one in Matt Ryan. His first pro pass went for a touchdown, and his rookie season was one of the best in NFL history. Ryan started all 16 games and led the Falcons to the postseason. He won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2008, completed 61.1 percent of his passes, and threw for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns.

6. Ronnie Lott, San Francisco 49ers, 1981

Ronnie Lott 49ers
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6. Ronnie Lott, San Francisco 49ers, 1981

Ronnie Lott 49ers
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Ronnie Lott, like Taylor, had an incredible rookie season in 1981. Lott intercepted seven passes as a rookie and tied the rookie record by returning three of them for touchdowns. He also is the only rookie on this list to make a Super Bowl appearance and win the big game. Lott helped the 49ers to a 13-3 regular season record and a victory in Super Bowl XVI.

5. Eric Dickerson, Los Angeles Rams, 1983

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5. Eric Dickerson, Los Angeles Rams, 1983

Eric Dickerson Rams
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While there are many running backs who had great rookie seasons, Eric Dickerson's in 1983 is still the greatest ever at the position. The No. 2 overall pick set still-standing rookie records with 1,808 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on 390 rushing attempts, and 2,212 total yards from scrimmage. Dickerson scored 20 total touchdowns, the second-highest rookie total of all time.

4. Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants, 1981

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4. Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants, 1981

Lawrence Taylor Giants
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In 1981, the top two picks earned Rookie of the Year honors on their sides of the ball. After the Saints selected George Rogers at the top of the draft, the New York Giants took Lawrence Taylor with the No. 2 overall pick. Taylor redefined the outside linebacker position and ended up becoming one of the NFL's all-time great defensive players. Taylor was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Pro as a rookie.

3. Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins, 1983

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3. Dan Marino, Miami Dolphins, 1983

Dan Marino Dolphins
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Dan Marino entered the NFL in 1983 as the sixth-drafted quarterback that season. The No. 27 overall pick only started nine games in his rookie season, but he made an impression. He completed 58.4 percent of his passes for 2,210 yards and 20 touchdowns while throwing only six interceptions. He helped lead the Dolphins, who went 7-2 in his nine starts, to the playoffs.

2. Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears, 1965

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2. Gale Sayers, Chicago Bears, 1965

Gale Sayers Bears
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The No. 4 overall pick of the 1965 draft, Gale Sayers became an immediate phenom for the Chicago Bears. Sayers led the NFL with 2,272 all-purpose yards as a rookie. He also scored 22 total touchdowns, which still stands as a rookie record. He rushed for 867 yards and 14 touchdowns on 166 carries, and caught 29 passes for 507 yards and six touchdowns.

1. Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings, 1998

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1. Randy Moss, Minnesota Vikings, 1998

Randy Moss Vikings
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Randy Moss had the greatest rookie season for a wide receiver of all time. On 69 receptions, Moss broke Billy Howton's NFL rookie records with 1,313 receiving yards (since broken by Anquan Boldin in 2003) and 17 receiving touchdowns. Moss immediately became the league's most dangerous deep-threat wide receiver in his rookie season. He led the league in receiving touchdowns and was third in receiving yards.

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