Misc. Monday - 08-01-11 - Rookies to watch in upcoming NFL season
Last year, the NFL was graced with several rookies that stood out for their respective franchises, led by Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Suh was named as a Pro Bowl starter, named to the All-Pro Team, was the Pepsi Rookie of the Year and was the AP Defensive Rookie of the year. Did the Lions actually get one right?
Other great rookies in the league last year included Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams, Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry and your Cleveland Browns safety TJ Ward.
Here are my top five rookies who will make the biggest impact for their team this upcoming NFL season. Let's start at five and work to number one.
5. Ras-I Dowling - New England Patriots
Labeled one of the smartest players in the entire draft, Dowling going to the Patriots is another one of Bill Belichick's cunning moves in the draft. The quick read corner has a ton of experience coming from the University of Virginia in playing both man coverage schemes as well as zone coverage packages.
Now, pair Dowling with the other young Patriots corner Devin McCourty and the Patriots have the best young corners in football going forward. Of all the coaches in the league, Belichick knows best that lock down corners are a dime a dozen and he has the Pats glowing in the secondary after drafting Dowling.
4. Da'Quan Bowers - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dropped to a second round pick because of a knee injury issue, Bowers was once looked at as a possible number one overall pick. But these things usually work themselves out and these injuries are usually completely overrated. These are 20-something-year-old athletes. They recover from these things folks, and I see Bowers recovering just fine and being a beast in the league.
Add in the Buccaneers coaching staff, who is very defense-oriented, and I think it makes Bowers' promising talent nearly unbounded. And his idol was the late Reggie White, who Bowers honors when praying, his number one pre-game ritual.
3. Cam Heyward - Pittsburgh Steelers
OK, yeah, he is a Steeler, but he is also an Ohio State Buckeye. So Buckeye fans, please wipe the drool away from your chin as you read about your boy Heyward.
What a perfect fit this is for Heyward to have landed in Pittsburgh. Coming from the Big Ten, it will be an easy transition to the already great Pittsburgh Steelers defense. And Like Bowers, Heyward will be a result for a great defensive coaching staff. I think this is a bit of a stretch, but look for Heyward to make a big impact in the league this year and for years to come on the defensive line for the Steelers. The Steelers were quick to get the 31st pick overall signed to a four-year deal with an option for a fifth season.
2. AJ Green - Cincinnati Bengals
If there is a down side to AJ Green I am not sure what it is. He is big, has good speed, great hands and he is going to get to play. A lot. The Bengals recently shipped Chad whatshisname to the Patriots to be a headache to that franchise and the stage is set for Green to shine.
What might make Green's season so productive is the fact that, well, the Bengals are going to be pretty terrible and they are going to be throwing the ball a lot because they are going to be trying to come from behind a lot. Looks like Carson Palmer, who it seems has been around for hundreds of years (actually only six), will be running for his life in the back field a lot, but will find AJ Green often. AJ Green is not the next Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson, but he will make a big impact as one of the best rookies this season in the NFL
1. Cam Newton - Carolina Panthers
OK, obvious answer here. I know. But if you are a NFL fan and want the league to do well, then you need to hope for the best for Cam Newton. Someone needs to save the Panthers out of their nothingness state.
After Jamarcus Russell built a stereotype that any spread-style quarterbacks can't make it in the NFL anymore, I want nothing more than Newton to prosper. That doesn't mean that I am not a little hesitant to think that Newton will struggle when he is forced to play from the pocket more… because he is going to struggle in that aspect.
What I think Newton brings to the table is that he can be the next exciting superstar in the league while Brady, Peyton and Brees begin to age. All I know is that it was a blast watching Newton bring Auburn back in games late. And I hope to seem him do that in Carolina.
Or… all these guys could be bust. At least we have an NFL season upcoming and we can watch and see if I'm right about this group of rookies. GO EAGLES!
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