NFL: Six Impact Rookies for the 2012 Season - jmik58's Blog

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NFL: Six Impact Rookies for the 2012 Season Stuck

Posted on August 7, 2012 at 10:31 AM.

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First-round draft choices expect big money and each respective franchise sets on-field expectations just as high. Many of this year's first-round selections will go on to fantastic careers and others will bust out.

It's the natural cycle of the NFL. The circle of life if you will.

Going into each season teams are well aware of what they expect out of their rookie selections. Some are drafted to add depth, others to be groomed into future stars. Then there are the select few players who are expected to start right away and make a significant impact from day one.

Many players hope to be the instant fix their team desperately hopes for, but not everyone steps into a situation capable of adding specific skills that could make a huge impact to correct their team's glaring weakness.

Here are the six rookies I expect to have the biggest impact on the 2012 NFL season:

6. Stephon Gilmore - DB - Buffalo Bills - #10 Overall Pick
The Bills weren't horrible against the pass in 2011, but average won't get you too far in a division that houses the likes of the New England Patriots and New York Jets. Buffalo gave up 232.1 ypg through the air -- 19th in 2011. More telling, however, was an ugly 30 passing touchdowns surrendered -- 30th in the league last year.

The Bills did notch 20 interceptions as a team, but more discipline and consistency is needed to keep opponents off the board. The franchise focused heavily on the secondary in the 2010 and '11 drafts -- highlighted by Gilmore who is expected to start on day one.

5. Luke Kuechly - LB - Carolina Panthers - #9 Overall Pick
Thanks to his blue-collar work ethic and self-made success story, Luke Kuechly won't have to do much to become a fan favorite. The rookie out of Boston College likely won't rest on his reputation as he's earned glaring reviews in training camp thus far for the Panthers. Carolina -- which gave up an average of 130.8 ypg on the ground in 2011 (25th in the NFL) -- is projecting Kuechly as their starter at weakside linebacker.

But the two-time leading tackler in the nation in college is showing promise beyond his play-recognition, pursuit and tackling skills. Coaches are raving about his ability in defending the pass thus far in camp -- something most expected would take him longer to develop.

4. Robert Griffin III - QB - Washington Redskins - #3 Overall Pick
The quarterback of the future and the face of the franchise for years to come is squarely one man: RG3. The success of the team, however, may not be that dependent on his skills in the short term. Despite the hype over what Griffin III brings to the 'Skins, the team was 14th in passing yards per game at 235.8 in 2011. The problem at quarterback appears to tie instead to quarterback rating (73.3, 27th in 2011) and sacks allowed (46, 5th most in '10 -- 41, 11th most in 2011).

Chances are that RG3 won't blaze onto the scene with a stellar passer rating in his first year. But his mobility in and out of the pocket combined with his football intelligence should help to improve on the dismal sack numbers.

3. Andrew Luck QB - Indianapolis Colts - #1 Overall Pick
Being the guy that follows Peyton Manning should be one of the toughest jobs in NFL history. As luck (and Luck) would have it, a disastrous season in 2011 for Indianapolis may be the perfect buffer between impossible expectations and a chance to start anew for the top overall draft choice out of Stanford.

Luck's biggest obstacle may be the problem of winning with a cupboard less-than-full. Peyton Manning's skills as a field general and de facto coordinator allowed the Colts to win despite major talent gaps. The team went from the 2nd best passing attack in 2009 and the best in 2010, only to fall to 27th in the league last year. Indianapolis threw for an average of 187.2 yards per game, a QB rating of 72.2 (30th in NFL) while looking equally down at rushing -- 99.6 rush yd/gm (26th in the league).

There's nowhere to go but up for the Colts and no better man to take them than rookie Andrew Luck

2. Matt Kalil - OT - Minnesota Vikings - #4 Overall Pick
The Vikes have the players -- if only they could get the wins. The problem for Minnesota in recent years has been trying to find the balancing point. A stellar running attack but a scarce passing game. A stingy defense but a bipolar offense.

Minnesota ranked in at 27th in the NFL in 2011 by allowing 49 sacks on the year. It was no surprise then to see the franchise grab a book-end tackle in Kalil. With question marks lingering at the receiver corps, the last thing the club needs is another year of Christian Ponder picking himself up off the ground. So far in training camp things have been looking very promising for Kalil and company as the young tackle has had plenty of one-on-one experience with sack-master Jared Allen. Kalil certainly has All-Pro potential, but it's his ability to fill an instant hole and limit sacks that allows him to jump to number two on my list.

1. Michael Brockers - DT - St. Louis Rams - #14 Overall Pick
Despite all the struggles that the Rams had as a team in 2011, the defense showed some signs of promise. While it could be a sign of the porous rush defense, the pass-D of St. Louis ranked in at 7th in the NFL at yards allowed per game. The Rams also notched a respectable 39 sacks last year -- good enough for 15th in the league.

So naturally, the place the club needs the biggest boost is in stopping the run. With only one team worse in 2011, the Rams gave up an ugly 152.1 rushing ypg in 2011. With so many NFL squads committed to the 3-4 defense, Michael Brockers slid down to the 14th overall pick as a more traditional defensive tackle that fits the Rams' 4-3 style. With less pressure on the former LSU Tiger to produce as a pass-rusher, Brockers can focus on his impact as a run-stuffing tackle -- something he should have no problem with -- allowing his large athletic frame to cause havoc among NFL backfields.

What NFL rookies do you think will make the biggest impact in 2012?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.

Comments

# 1 oneamongthefence @ Aug 7

I would make a case for Justin Blackmon. If he can get up to speed quickly, he can be a good security blanket for Blaine Gabbart and also help with his development.