Long gone are the days when first-round picks rode the pine during their rookie season.
Now, players selected early in the draft are expected to contribute immediately after signing their name on their first NFL contract. Whether that expectation is fair or not, it's one of the realities of the league.
Of course, guys like Cam Newton haven't been doing future rookies any favors. After passing for more than 4,000 yards and racking up 35 total touchdowns, Newton raised the bar to a whole new level.
While I doubt any of this year's prospects will come close to Newton's first-year numbers, a few will have major positive impacts on their teams. I'll highlight the most likely candidates in this week's 2012 mock draft.
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)
Luck will be the starter from day one in Indianapolis, so he'll obviously have a big impact on his team's season.
Although drafting quarterbacks is often a crap shoot, Luck is as much of a "sure thing" as you can have. He's got every tool—size, accuracy, arm strength, intelligence, leadership, sneaky athleticism—that a franchise quarterback needs.
He'll certainly have some struggles, and the team around him is terrible, but I'm expecting a great rookie year from Luck.
2. Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)
The Redskins desperately need to put the Rex Grossman era behind them, and RG3 is the perfect replacement.
He can torch defenses with his blazing speed or sit back and pick them apart from the pocket. He's a natural-born leader, and with his charismatic personality he should quickly become the most popular athlete in the nation's capital.
With his versatile and advanced skill set, Griffin will be one of the NFL's best quarterbacks in a few years. Look for him to have a strong start to his career by putting up solid numbers as a rookie.
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)
Kalil is one of the best offensive line prospects in recent memory. He'll be a saving grace on the Minnesota offensive line that allowed 49 sacks last season
4. Cleveland Browns: Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
While Luck and RG3 dominating the headlines, Richardson often seems to go unnoticed. However, I'm expecting him to make his presence known in a big way next season.
Richardson is an absolute monster in the backfield. He's got good speed, incredible size, and he runs with a pleasingly nasty demeanor.
I'm picking Richardson to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2012.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)
With his size (6'2"), long arms and exceptional balance, Claiborne has the potential to be a shutdown corner in the NFL.
Seeing as how the Bucs allowed the third-most passing touchdowns (30) last season, Claiborne's impact can only be positive.
6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)
The Rams need another weapon for Sam Bradford and Blackmon is unquestionably the best receiver in this class.
He doesn't have blinding speed, but he makes up for it with his size, strength, hands and willingness to go over the middle.
I'm expecting some big numbers from Blackmon this season, especially if he and Bradford both play up to their potential.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)
Last year, he struggled against double teams and chip blocks from running backs. If he doesn't learn to deal with the extra attention, he won't have much of an impact this season.
8. Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill, QB, (Texas A&M)
If I were running the Dolphins, Tannehill's rookie impact would be minimal because he's just not ready to play yet.
A former wide receiver, Tannehill only started 19 games as a college quarterback. And seeing how Miami already has a decent quarterback in Matt Moore, it would be foolish to throw the rookie to the wolves this season.
Tannehill has the potential to be a great NFL quarterback. He just needs to sit and watch for a couple years first.
9. Carolina Panthers: Fletcher Cox, DT (Mississippi State)
Fletcher Cox is a disruptive force in the middle of the line, capable of dominating games with his run-stopping and pass-rushing ability.
I'm expecting him to make plenty of noise next season.
10. Buffalo Bills: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB (Alabama)
Upshaw is a versatile linebacker who can play in 3-4 or 4-3 schemes. He needs to improve his pass coverage, but he can definitely get after the quarterback.
He needs to make some improvements in his game before reaching Pro Bowl status, but given his talent and commitment, I'm not too worried about that. He'll have a solid rookie year.
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, ILB (Boston College)
Kuechly's lack of elite athleticism could hurt him in the NFL, but I'm confident in his ability to contribute. He's one of the smartest defensive players in the draft, using his exceptional instincts and knowledge of the game to rack up tackles.
Look for him the be one of the Chiefs' leading tacklers next season if they choose to select him.
12. Seattle Seahawks: Nick Perry, DE (USC)
The Seahawks defense registered just 33 sacks last season, so Perry's quick burst off the line will be a welcome addition in Seattle.
If they select him, he'll get every opportunity to hold on to the starting job. Smaller, faster defensive ends have started taking over the league, and I wouldn't be surprised if Perry contributes to the revolution.
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)
The Cardinals' offensive line situation is terrible, so Martin will likely be the starter early on. He'll definitely struggle at times, but his impact should be positive overall.
14. Dallas Cowboys: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
The Cowboys have glaring holes all over the secondary, so Barron is the logical choice here.
The versatile safety excels in both run and pass coverage. He'll have a major positive impact on a Dallas secondary that allowed 244 passing yards per game last season.
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)
I don't like him as much as Fletcher Cox, but Brockers would be a great addition for the Eagles.
Last year, Philly could get after the quarterback but it couldn't stop anything up the middle. Brockers would solve that problem immediately.
16. New York Jets: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB (South Carolina)
The Jets desperately need someone who can put pressure on the quarterback. The versatile Ingram is the perfect solution, and at No. 16 overall he could end up being the biggest steal in the draft.
17. Cincinnati Bengals (from Oakland): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)
Kirkpatrick's stock as fallen in recent months, but he's still the second-best cornerback in this class. With his size and physicality, he will give wide receivers fits as they try to come off the line.
18. San Diego Chargers: Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)
If the Chargers convert Reiff to a right tackle, he'll make a very positive impact. He'll struggle a bit at first, but his overall play will be good.
If they keep him on the left side, however, they're setting him up for failure. He just doesn't have the natural ability to keep speed rushers from attacking his QB's blind side.
19. Chicago Bears: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
Adams is absolutely massive and possesses solid agility. Unfortunately, a disappointing performance at the combine could cause him to slide.
Still, he's worth a first-round pick, especially considering the Bears allowed 49 sacks last season. If they don't fix that problem ASAP, it will be another injury-plagued year for Jay Cutler.
20. Tennessee Titans: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
21. Cincinnati Bengals: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)
The Bengals have a hole at the guard position and DeCastro is one of the best interior offensive line prospects in the last five or six years. They should select the Stanford product and immediately reap the rewards in their running game.
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)
I'm expecting someone to trade up and draft Floyd in the top 20, but if he falls to the Browns they will gladly pick him up.
I can't imagine him having a great rookie season given the quarterback situation in Cleveland, but his potential is through the roof. If he can form a good relationship with Colt McCoy or any other QB the Browns bring in, Floyd will eventually be a Pro Bowl performer.
23. Detroit Lions: Dont'a Hightower, ILB (Alabama)
Hightower is the real deal at inside linebacker, using his size and intelligence to perfection. He's a violent tackler, he can disrupt passes with his height and he reads plays at a highly advanced level.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)
With so many great defenders in this draft, the Steelers are almost guaranteed to add another stud to their already vicious defense. If the first round shakes out like I'm predicting, Still will be their man.
Still is a monster on the line of scrimmage. With his ability to penetrate, he will wreak havoc on opposing offenses next season.
25. Denver Broncos: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
Peyton Manning could use a few more toys in Denver, making Wright the logical selection here.
With his speed and elusiveness, he reminds me of Carolina's Steve Smith. I'm expecting him to have a prolific career after receiving some valuable lessons from the best quarterback of this generation.
26. Houston Texans: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
The Texans need a second option to take some pressure off Andre Johnson. Jeffery would fit in nicely as the No. 2 receiver in Houston.
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Andre Branch (Clemson)
The Patriots also have glaring needs in the secondary, but I think they'll address their D-line here. Branch has a quick first step and good burst off the line, so he should help New England put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
28. Green Bay Packers: Harrison Smith, S (Notre Dame)
Smith is a versatile safety who excels in pass coverage. Seeing as how the Packers finished dead last in opponents' passing yards last season, he's a smart pickup here.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C (Wisconsin)
Konz would be the perfect successor to Matt Birk, but I doubt he'll have much of an impact next season. Birk can still play, and I'm sure the Ravens would rather ride the veteran as they compete for the playoffs.
30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR (Georgia Tech)
The 49ers need to improve their passing game if they want to get over the hump. Hill, with his size (6'4") and top-end speed, would provide Alex Smith with a great downfield weapon.
31. New England Patriots: Janoris Jenkins, CB (North Alabama)
Jenkins is one of the most talented defensive backs in this class. He's an elite athlete and his ball skills are very advanced for his age.
He should contribute immediately to a Patriots defense that allowed 293.9 passing yards per game in 2011.
32. New York Giants: Lamar Miller, RB (Miami)
After letting Brandon Jacobs go, the Giants need another running back to complement Ahmad Bradshaw.
I like Miller here because of his speed and ability to contribute in numerous ways. If the Giants select him, he will have plenty of opportunities to make an impact.
Washington Wizards Kevin Garnett Ray allen kendrick Perkins Rajon Rondo Glen Davis
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen