New York Jet Mark Sanchez made a big splash as a starting rookie NFL quarterback this season, until he began to falter in losses to the Saints, Dolphins and a disastrous showing last Sunday against the Bills. But he’s not the only first-year player making headlines. Matthew Stafford, Percy Harvin, Johnny Knox, Knowshon Moreno, Kenny Britt, Mike Wallace, Jeremy Maclin and Austin Collie are a few of the other rookies making news. Sanchez, the Jets’ top draft pick and fifth overall out of USC, burst onto the scene in the season opener, passing for 272 yards, the third-most for a rookie, along with a touchdown in a win over Houston. He is also the first quarterback to start and win his first three games. The No. 1 overall selection in the draft was Stafford, out of Georgia, who led the Detroit Lions in snapping their 19-game losing streak in Week 3 against Washington. He threw for 241 yards and a touchdown in that game. Harvin and Knox have become receiving and return threats for their teams. Harvin, Minnesota’s top pick out of Florida, caught 18 passes for 233 yards and two TDs through Week 5. He also had 14 kickoff returns for 437 yards, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown in the Vikings’ win over San Francisco. Knox, out of Abilene Christian, has turned out to be a steal after he was selected 140th overall by Chicago in the draft. He had six catches for 70 yards and a touchdown in a win over Pittsburgh, and a 102-yard kickoff return for a TD in the Bears’ victory over Detroit. Through the first five weeks, Knox led the league with an average of 35.8 yards per return. Denver’s No. 1 pick, running back Knowshon Moreno, ranked 11th on the league’s rushing list going into Week 6 with 337 yards and a touchdown. He caught a TD pass in the Broncos’ Week 4 win over Dallas. There is an abundance of rookie wide receivers gaining attention. Tennessee’s first-round choice Kenny Britt topped all rookie receivers with 289 yards through Week 5. Pittsburgh’s Mike Wallace followed him with 246 yards. Others of note include Austin Collie of Indianapolis, a fourth-round, 127th overall selection. His biggest game in the opening five contests came in the Colts’ win at Tennessee in Week 5, with eight receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Also, Philadelphia receiver Jeremy Maclin, the Eagles’ first-round pick, ranked 16th in the NFL before Week 6 with a 15.6 average per catch. He had six catches for 142 yards and two TDs (51, 40) in a Week 5 victory over Tampa Bay. And Hakeem Nicks is becoming a key player in the Giants’ offense. He had a 54-yard TD catch in a win over the Chiefs in Week 4 and another TD reception the following week against the Raiders.