NFL 2016: NFL Regular Season Review - Remarkable Rookies

NFL 2016: NFL Regular Season Review - Remarkable Rookies

Led by Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott and Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, NFL rookies made an impact this regular season. Here's a look at the impact that Prescott, Elliott and other outstanding NFL rookies made in the NFL this season

More Regular Season Reviews:
Thriving on Offense | On the Defensive | Records & Milestones | Close Games

[ Also: Wild Card Weekend Preview | What To Look for Wild Card Weekend ]

Remarkable Rookies

Dallas quarterback DAK PRESCOTT completed 311 of 459 passes (67.8 percent) for 3,667 yards with 23 touchdowns and four interceptions for a 104.9 passer rating, the highest single-season passer rating by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.

Prescott's 0.9 interception percentage is the lowest by a rookie quarterback in NFL history (minimum 200 passing attempts). The rookie began his career with 176 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, surpassing TOM BRADY (162) for the most pass attempts without an interception to start a career.

Prescott helped guide the Cowboys to a 13-3 record, tying BEN ROETHLISBERGER (13 in 2004) for the most wins by a rookie starting quarterback in NFL history.

Dallas running back EZEKIEL ELLIOTT led the NFL with 1,631 rushing yards this season, the third-highest single-season total by a rookie running in NFL history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC DICKERSON (1,808 in 1983) and GEORGE ROGERS (1,674 in 1981).

Elliott had five games with at least 125 rushing yards, trailing only Dickerson (seven in 1983) for the most ever by a rookie.

Dallas became the only team in NFL history to have a rookie pass for 20 touchdowns (Prescott, 23) and a rookie rush for 15 touchdowns (Elliott, 15) in the same season.

Chicago rookie running back JORDAN HOWARD finished second in the NFL with 1,313 rushing yards in 2016. Elliott and Howard became the first pair of rookies to finish first and second in the league in rushing yards since PAUL ROBINSON (1,023) and ROBERT HOLMES (866) of the AFL in 1968.

Philadelphia quarterback CARSON WENTZ became the first rookie since 1970 to start and win his team's first three games to begin a season without throwing an interception.

Wentz, who had 379 completions this season, set the NFL record for the most completions by a rookie, surpassing SAM BRADFORD (354 in 2010).

Kansas City rookie wide receiver-return specialist TYREEK HILL had six receiving touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns, two punt-return touchdowns and one kick-return touchdown in 2016, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer GALE SAYERS (1965) as the only players in NFL history to have at least five receiving touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns, a kick-return touchdown and a punt-return touchdown in the same season.

Houston wide receiver WILL FULLER had a five-yard touchdown catch and a 67-yard punt-return touchdown in the Texans' Week 4 win over Tennessee, becoming the fourth rookie in the past 15 years to record both a touchdown catch and a punt-return touchdown in the same game.

More Regular Season Reviews:
Thriving on Offense | On the Defensive | Records & Milestones | Close Games

[ Also: Wild Card Weekend Preview | What To Look for Wild Card Weekend ]

[ Top 20 Passing, Rushing and Receiving leaders ]