Taken in consecutive picks at the top of the 2011 draft, Falcons receiver Julio Jones and 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith now have something else in common -- besides having the most common last names.
They’re the NFL rookies of the month for December/January.
Jones, the sixth pick in the draft, caught 24 passes for 461 yards and six touchdowns in five games. Along the way, the Falcons made their way back to the postseason. Smith added 6.5 sacks, giving him 14 for the season -- 0.5 sacks short of the all-time rookie record.
They could have one more thing in common. If the Falcons beat the Giants and the Lions beat the Saints this weekend, the rookies of the month will get together on the field in San Francisco on Saturday, January 14.