With the 2009 draft just over a week old, I put together what I believe are the top ten rookie performances of all time. I am sure there is a lot of debate between people on who these should be and in what ranking, however, here are my choices. Let the debates begin! 

10. Ben Roethlisberger, QB Pittsburgh Steelers 2004

As a rookie, Roethlisberger went 13–0 during the regular season and 1-1 in the playoffs as the starting quarterback for the Steelers. He helped lead the Steelers to become the first American Football Conference (AFC) team to have 15 wins in a single season. Big Ben came into the season as the number two quarterback and replaced Tommy Maddox as the starter in game four of the season. He surpassed former Steeler quarterback Mike Kruczek’s 6-0 record for the best start by a rookie and exceeded the NFL mark for total wins as a rookie quarterback. After his stellar rookie season, the Associated Press unanimously selected Roethlisberger as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was the first quarterback in 34 years to be honored as the rookie of the year.

9. Clinton Portis, RB Denver Broncos, 2002

Portis was a second round draft pick for the Broncos in 2002 and his performance was a surprise for both the Broncos and the NFL in his Rookie Season. Not that they did not expect him to be second round pick good, but after his first two games he had gained only 46 total yards and no one from that point was expecting much from Portis his rookie season. However, in week five he was named the starter, and from that point on, Portis opened up everybody’s eyes in the NFL, including the Broncos. He gained 1508 yards on the ground, an average of 5.5 yards per attempt, along with 364 yards receiving with 17 TDs. Fantastic numbers considering he did not start until week five of the season.

8. Curtis Martin, RB New England Patriots, 1995

The New England Patriots in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft chose Martin. He was extremely impressive in his Rookie season as he rushed for a solid 1,487 yards and scored 14 touchdowns on the ground. Martin also had 30 catches for 261 yards and one touchdown. He was elected to the Pro-Bowl and the Associated Press selected Martin as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as well.

7. Dick "Night Train" Lane, CB L.A. Rams, 1952

Dick “Night Train” Lane was one of the best players to ever play the Cornerback position. In his rookie season, he quickly showed his talents to the football world as he racked up 14 interceptions with 2 touchdowns that year. His 298 interception return yards that year are ranked fifth all-time in the NFL. His 14 interceptions still stands in the NFL Record books not only for a rookie but also for all players. Lane is fourth on the all time NFL interception list with 68.

6. Randy Moss, WR Minnesota Vikings 1998

There are twenty teams in the NFL that are still shaking their heads and wondering to themselves why they did not draft Moss when they had the chance. He was drafted 21^st in the 1998 draft. Moss was projected to be a high first round pick, however, teams were concerned with Moss' well-documented legal problems. Prior to the draft Moss was quoted as saying, “Teams that pass on him will regret it once they see what kind of a player I am and what kind of guy I really am.” To this day those twenty teams still regret it. Moss racked up 69 receptions for 1313 yards receiving with 17 touchdowns, which is a rookie record. Moss was named a Pro Bowl starter and the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

5. Earl Campbell, RB Houston Oilers 1978

Campbell was the first draft pick overall in the 1978 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. Campbell was a freight train who had thighs as big as other player’s waists. He ran over people with ease and not one defensive player looked forward to the job of attempting to tackle him on Sunday afternoons. As a rookie, he had 1450 yards rushing with a 4.8 yards per carry average along with 13 touchdowns.  He was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press as well as the Most Valuable Player in the NFL.

4. Lawrence Taylor LB New York Giants 1981

The NFL’s New York Giants drafted Taylor as the # 2 pick overall in the 1981 NFL Draft as a linebacker/defensive end. He racked up 9.5 sacks and led the Giants with 133 tackles. The Associated Press named Taylor as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and the overall NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Even before Taylors first game with the Giants, his teammates started to call him Superman and they kiddingly said that his locker should be replaced with a phone booth. Quarterback Phil Simms said before the Giants pre-season opener, “On the pass rush, he's an animal. He's either going to run around you or over you.”

3. Adrian Peterson, RB Minnesota Vikings 2007

Peterson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He rushed for over 1300 yards with 13 Rushing TDs in while only playing in nine games his rookie season.  Peterson established Viking team records for a rookie including the most 100-yard games rushing and the longest touchdown run from scrimmage. He also set an NFL single game rushing yard record when he rushed for 296 yards on thirty carries and three touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers. He was named the starting running back for the NFC Pro Bowl team and  he was named The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

2. Eric Dickerson, RB Los Angeles Rams 1983

Dickerson was the number 2 pick in the 1983 draft, selected behind John Elway. He had the greatest rookie season in the history of the NFL. His 2,212 yards from scrimmage during his 1st-year is ranked 18th all-time. Dickerson holds the NFL All-Time Rookie rushing record with 1808 yards on 390 carries with 18 touchdowns for the season. He was also very versatile out of the backfield as he caught 51 passes for 404 yards with 2 touchdowns. His fabulous rookie season earned him All-Pro, the Pro Bowl, the Player of the Year and Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

1. Gale Sayers, RB/KR Chicago Bears 1965

In his rookie year, Sayers scored an NFL record 22 touchdowns. He had 14 rushing touchdowns along with six receiving touchdowns, one punt return and one kickoff return for touchdowns. He gained 1,374 yards from scrimmage and had a record 2,272 all-purpose yards for a rookie. Sayers tied an NFL record for touchdowns in a single game, with six of them in a 61-20 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Sayers averaged an impressive 5.2 yards per rushing attempt and 17.5 yards per pass reception. His kick return averages were even more impressive, with 14.9 yards per punt return and 31.4 yards per kickoff return. He was the unanimous choice for the Associated Press NFL Rookie of the Year honors. The most amazing stat of all for Sayers is that he did all of this in a 12 game season.

Photo Credit: Rich Gabrielson / Icon SMI