This season, rookies have made significant contributions all over the field. Through the first 15 weeks, a total of 118 rookies have started at least one game this season, which is already among the highest totals for a season since the current seven-round draft format was implemented in 1994.

There have been a number of impact rookies this season on the defensive side of the ball. With two weeks to play, the race for Defensive Rookie of the Year is still too close to call.

"I think everyone thinks about it," says Green Bay rookie linebacker CLAY MATTHEWS. "Everyone wants to win it for themselves. This is a really good rookie class. There are a lot of names who are all deserving of such an award."

Following are some of the impact rookies in the NFC:

Brian Orakpo

Linebacker, Washington Redskins (first round, No. 13 overall, Texas)

The Redskins' first-round pick out of Texas, Orakpo has paid immediate dividends. He leads NFL rookies with 11 sacks and is chasing JEVON KEARSE's NFL rookie record of 14.5 set in 1999. In Week 14, Orakpo had six tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble. His four sacks tied a franchise record and he became the first rookie with four sacks in a game since CORNELIUS BENNETT in 1987. For his performance, Orakpo was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

"It was an honor," says Orakpo about the award. "I just played with relentless effort and tried to make plays."

That effort and ability to make plays have endeared the rookie to his teammates.

"Brian is just a very talented young player," says Washington defensive end ANDRE CARTER. "His approach and the way he plays are the kinds of things you want to see all young players do."

"He plays the game the right way," adds Redskins linebacker LONDON FLETCHER. "He's an extremely mature rookie. He's not your typical rookie. He's not distracted easily. He's very focused. When he's at the facility, he understands what he's there for. It's all about football for him. I appreciate that about him. He wants to get better. He works hard and has a tremendous work ethic. And it shows on the field."

Clay Matthews

Linebacker, Green Bay Packers (first round, No. 26 overall, USC)

The rookie linebacker from USC has started 11 of 14 games and has played a key role in the Packers' 9-5 start. Green Bay's defense leads the NFC allowing 290.9 yards per game.

Matthews has recorded 45 tackles and a team-high 10 sacks, the second-most among rookies. He has added six passes defensed, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries, including a 42-yard touchdown. In Week 13, Matthews had six tackles and two sacks and was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

"He's a rare person in the 3-4 defense," says Packers outside linebackers coach KEVIN GREENE, who played 15 seasons in the NFL. "I've seen a lot of outside linebackers playing in the 3-4, and he is a special man. He's got 10 sacks but he's doing a lot of other things in this defense other than just rushing the passer.

"He's doing things in coverage I wish I could have done when I played. He's dropping into coverage with the best of them and covering people vertically up the seam. He does everything you want from an outside linebacker playing the run. He reads well. He fits where he needs to fit to redirect the ball where it needs to be directed. And he sticks his face in there."

Louis Delmas

Safety, Detroit Lions (second round, No. 33 overall, Western Michigan)

The safety from Western Michigan, who was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month in September, ranks third among NFL rookies with 82 tackles and has scored two touchdowns this season.

"We said from the time he got here that he didn't perform like a rookie and he didn't practice like a rookie either," says Detroit head coach JIM SCHWARTZ. "He keeps improving each week."

He is the first rookie in NFL history to record an interception-return touchdown (100 yards vs. Arizona, Week 15), a fumble-return touchdown (65 yards vs. New Orleans, Week 1) and a safety (vs. Green Bay, Week 12) in the same season. Delmas' 100-yard interception-return touchdown tied for the longest by a Lions rookie (VERN HUFFMAN, vs. Brooklyn, 10/17/37) and was the longest in the NFL since Dallas' MIKE GAECHTER (100 yards) in 1962.

"He plays with so much passion," says Lions tackle JON JANSEN. "He plays hard all the time. You can't ask for anything more."

James Laurinaitis

Linebacker, St. Louis Rams (second round, No. 35 overall, Ohio State)

Laurinaitis, the Rams' second-round selection from Ohio State, has started all 14 games for St. Louis and leads the team with 109 tackles, the second-most among rookies (BRIAN CUSHING, Houston, 119). His 96 solo tackles are the most among rookies, 23 more than the next highest player (Cushing, 73).

"James has been terrific," says Rams head coach STEVE SPAGNUOLO. "He's been thrust into a role that's very, very tough as a rookie. He's a smart football player. He's tough and he can run real well. He's picked things up pretty quickly. As the volume has grown heavier and heavier throughout the season, he's handled it. He's still a rookie and we expect rookie mistakes. But the one thing about James is when you correct him once or point something out to him, you usually don't see him make that same mistake again."

Laurinaitis has also recorded two interceptions, three passes defensed, one sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

"He's been great," says Rams second-year defensive end CHRIS LONG. "He's got the mindset of a veteran as a rookie and that's a good thing. He was ready when he got here.

"This is a complex defense and he's the guy who runs it. We're happy to see that he's a guy who feels like he can take over and tell some of the veterans what the calls are with confidence."

NFL 2009 - Impressive NFC Rookie Class Makes Presence Felt