Unlike my midseason top 50 list, this is a year-to-date honor. In the top 50, I judged where every player is overall -- not just how well he has played in 2012.
For this list, it is an honor based on who have been the best rookies at each respective position up until the midway point and not what I necessarily think of them as a prospect overall.
Also, although this class overall is getting better as the season progresses, it still doesn't approach the rookie crop from a year ago.
Quarterback
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis
Honorable mention:
Robert Griffin III, Washington; Ryan Tannehill, Miami; Russell Wilson, Seattle; Brandon Weeden, Cleveland