Top NFL Rookies: Nos. 9-12

MORE TOP NFL ROOKIES: Nos. 13-16

With the NFL season at its midpoint, it’s time to take a look at how the league's top rookies are faring and how far they came from since high school. We rank the top 16 rookies in the NFL, continuing today with Nos. 9-12.

Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.

The skinny: Fuller originally committed to Penn State before flipping to Notre Dame following a visit to South Bend. Selected with the 21st overall pick by Houston, Fuller’s impressive preseason performance led to him being named a starter opposite DeAndre Hopkins. While his level of production has tapered off a bit after a torrid start to the season, the 24 receptions, 349 yards and two touchdowns he has totaled gives the Texans another weapon in the passing game.

Farrell’s take: In college, just like in high school, the more you watched Fuller the more you liked him. That’s the way he has started his NFL career. Fuller is hard to cover because he’s so shifty and that top-end speed keeps defenses honest. Even though he developed a reputation for drops in college, that's more about concentration because he has good hands and body control. Fuller's size has always been a question, especially in high school, but he has added strength and shown that he can take a hit. Fuller just kept getting better every time we saw him in high school and he continues to improve.

The skinny: Henry committed to Arkansas prior to his senior season, but flirted with Alabama and Auburn after the Razorbacks underwent a coaching change. Henry, a second-round selection, was the first tight end taken in the 2016 NFL Draft. With injuries hampering Antonio Gates, Henry has been able to step in and become a viable receiving target for quarterback Phillip Rivers. Having already totaled 20 receptions for 326 yards and three touchdowns, the Chargers’ tight end position seems to be in good hands once Gates’ playing career comes to an end in San Diego.

Farrell’s take: I liked Henry as much as almost any high school tight end I scouted because he was huge, agile, willing to block and could flex out and be a nightmare matchup. He was, to me, someone that could have been drafted near the end of the first round. We should have had Henry ranked higher out of high school and that's on me. Now he’s showing how those skills can translate to the NFL.

The skinny: Bosa committed to Ohio State, over a group of finalists that included Michigan, Florida State and Alabama. Selected with the third overall pick by San Diego, Bosa may be seen as a surprise on this list considering he has only played in three games due to his much publicized contract holdout. However, while his time on the field has been limited, his production has not been, as he already has 11 tackles and four sacks for the Chargers.

Farrell’s take: Bosa, the son of former Boston College defensive end great John Bosa, was a monster in high school. He was physically imposing and had the ceiling to warrant five-star status, so we missed there. Bosa's play at Ohio State was great in the beginning but up and down as a junior. Perhaps he was already looking ahead to the NFL, but he was still dominant at times. His contract holdout was expected to put him behind the eight ball a bit as a rookie but he has hit the ground running and is already a dominant pass rusher.

The skinny: Poole committed to the Gators in the summer leading up to his senior season, but then took official visits to Notre Dame and Western Kentucky. He ultimately signed with the Gators after an official visit to Gainesville solidified his decision. With Vernon Hargreaves and Keanu Neal receiving a majority of the attention in Florida’s secondary, Poole went undrafted during the spring. Signed by Atlanta as a free agent, he has become one of the biggest rookie surprises in the first half of the season. Poole has logged 25 tackles and four pass break-ups for the Falcons so far in 2016.

Farrell’s take: Poole was a cornerback out of high school that I thought would have to move to safety because he seemed a step too slow to cover outside. We still liked his potential enough to have him as a Rivals100 prospect and ranked in the top five at his position. Poole's instincts are better than his pure speed and he makes up for a lack of length with good vision and the willingness to play physical. He broke on the ball well in high school and college because he reads plays so well. Poole was overshadowed by Hargreaves but could rival him for NFL success based on his start.