Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Bills

• Background: Second-round draft choice made 17 interceptions in 39 games as cornerback at Oregon. Father, Gill, was two-time Pro Bowl corner who is now a Chicago Bears defensive assistant.

• Impact: Byrd (5-10, 200) transitioned to safety and leads NFL with eight interceptions. Tied league mark with three consecutive multiple-interception games. Fine student of game who possesses exceptional ball skills.

• What they're saying: "We thought that he was a natural safety and we thought that he had good ball skills. He could track the ball in the air like a baseball player." —Bills coach Perry Fewell

Aaron Curry, Seattle Seahawks

• Background: Won Butkus Award as nation's top linebacker after piling up 105 tackles last season at Wake Forest. Father, Reggie Pinkney, played in NFL for five years.

• Impact: Curry (6-2, 254) should develop into defensive mainstay after being selected fourth overall. Wide-ranging linebacker ranks fourth among rookies with 40 tackles. Thirty-four of those are unassisted to go with two forced fumbles.

• What they're saying: "Aaron is the kind of guy that he might make a mistake on Wednesday or Thursday, but he gets them corrected. He is not a guy who repeats mistakes." —Seahawks coach Jim Mora

Brian Cushing, Houston Texans

• Background: Played linebacker and defensive end at Southern California, finishing with 178 tackles. Captained 12-1 Rose Bowl champions. Appeared in eight games as true freshman (2005).

• Impact: Cushing (6-3, 260) more than justifying status as 15th pick overall. Linebacker tops all rookies, as well as Texans, with 78 tackles. Quickly gained reputation as ferocious hitter.

• What they're saying: "He has thus far been a tremendous addition to this team. It looks like he's going to be a great one." —Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson

Louis Delmas, Detroit Lions

• Background: Made career-high 111 tackles last season to earn All-America honors at Western Michigan. Ranked sixth nationally among defensive backs with that total.

• Impact: Delmas (5-11, 202) was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month in September, first time a Lions player gained that honor. Safety, drafted 33rd overall, established himself as a punishing hitter with 37 tackles. Also produced an interception he returned 29 yards.

• What they're saying: "We said from the time he got here he didn't perform like a rookie and he didn't practice like a rookie. He's improved every week." —Lions head coach Jim Schwartz

James Laurinaitis, St. Louis Rams

• Background: Started 39 of 51 games at Ohio State. Ranks seventh in school history with 375 tackles. Father, Joe, was a pro wrestler known as "the Animal" of the Legion of Doom.

• Impact: Laurinaitis (6-2, 244) trails only Cushing with 50 tackles, a total that leads the rebuilding Rams. Laurinaitis, taken early in second round 35th overall, elevates teammates with intensity, attention to detail.

• What they're saying: "He's a smart player, he's tough, he can run real well." —Rams first-year coach Steve Spagnuolo

Enlarge By Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images LB Aaron Curry, drafted fourth overall, has become a defensive mainstay for the Seahawks.