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Expectations for rookies usually aren’t very high–unless that player is a top-five pick in their draft class. But there are those rooks that have incredible impacts right from the jump. These five linebackers are the best of the batch.
Lawrence Taylor – New York Giants
Stats: 9.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery
L.T. was selected with the second overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft out of North Carolina. All he did was dominate from the second he stepped foot on the field. In addition to winning the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, he also took home Defensive Player of the Year–the only player in league history to do so.
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