Odell Beckham Jr., Jeremy Hill, Khalil Mack: Top NFL Rookies of 2014

Each NFL rookie spends their first season learning things about himself and the league around him. It's a constant learning process, and this season was no different. But, as usual, this season saw a slew of young stars figure it out enough to emerge onto the scene as real difference makers. With Week 17 upon us, it's time to highlight the first-year players who impressed the most.

3. Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland Raiders

Mack was something of a question mark coming out of the little-known University of Buffalo, but he was talented enough to jump to the No. 5 overall pick in last year's NFL Draft. Decades's worth of first-round busts have left a dark cloud over all early Raiders draft picks, but Mack's gone through his first season unaffected. Mack is the top-rated outside linebacker, ahead of even Denver's Von Miller, according to CBS Sports, and a favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award. He's second to only JJ Watt in tackles for loss and has collected 51 quarterback pressures and four sacks.

2. Jeremy Hill, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals are playoff-bound for the fourth year in a row, in no small part to Hill, the rookie runner out of Louisiana State University. According to Sports Illustrated, Hill has 1,024 rushing yards on the season after torching the Denver Broncos for 147 yards on 22 carries Monday, Dec. 22. Hill turned out to be sort of a steal as a second-round draft pick who the Cincinnati Bengals now trust in high-pressure situations.

1. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants

Another LSU Tiger tops our list. Beckham has been a bright spot shining down on a dismal New York Giants season, even without that one catch. You know which one.

Overall, Beckham has made 79 receptions for 1,120 yards and 11 touchdowns, all while missing a month early in the season. He leads the NFL in catches and yards over the last eight weeks, according to Sports Illustrated, and looks like a force to be reckoned with for years to come.