Top NFL Impact Rookies For 2011

Dennis Dillon, of the Sporting News, New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram one of his top five NFL impact rookies, for 2011. See the list, below.

Former Alabama running back and New Orleans Saints draft choice Mark Ingram

Once they were selected in the draft, each of the 254 NFL rookies became subject to the same rules as the veterans. Thus, they now are in football purgatory, unable to meet with their coaches or practice at their new facilities because of the lockout.

We don't know when we will see these newbies on the field next -- it might not be until August or even September if the labor stalemate drags out through the summer -- but when they do return many of them will contribute in their first season.