Our picks for rookies of the year and the league’s all-rookie team – NFL Nation

When all was said and done last April, 256 NFL hopefuls were selected in the league’s draft.

The quarterbacks, especially the five who were selected in the first round, fueled much of the discussion. But as the season unfolded, the best defenders in the draft showed just how much impact they could have on a team’s fortunes.

Toss in the undrafted revelations such as Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay or a fifth-round pick like Bears defensive tackle Bilal Nichols or a seventh-round pick on a kicker like Jason Sanders for…