NFL Rookie Report

By: Mike Wagenman

As the first week of July comes to a close, and as the first scheduled day of NFL training camps approaches quickly, the football world has finally been told some exciting news: the owners and players are making rapid progress, and the NFL lockout may be lifted before the end of the week. With this news in place, teams and players will be scrambling harder than ever to get organized and incorporate new pieces into their offensive, defensive, and special teams systems. Rookies will be behind the eight ball most of all, due to the lack of communication with their new organizations. When the season kicks off in early September, which rookies will be on the field in prominent roles? Which rookies will have trouble adjusting to the harder, faster, and meaner NFL? And which rookies will thrive and earn themselves a permanent spot in the league? These are the top five NFL rookies that will have the most productive rookie campaigns in the 2011 NFL season (in descending order).

5. Mark Ingram: RB New Orleans Saints (University of Alabama): This most likely was not the former Heisman Trophy Award winner that readers expected to make this list (Cam Newton). However, the former Crimson Tide halfback will surprise NFL fans in the coming season by showing flashes of the Mark Ingram that won a Heisman and a National Title with Alabama in 2009. Coming into the NFL, Ingram's main comparison wasn't to another NFL star; it was to a bowling ball. This is because Ingram is so adept at staying low to the ground (he'll hear a lot of “lower man wins” at practice) and running over and through oncoming tacklers. The key reason why Ingram makes this list at number five is not just because of his overload of broken tackles; it is because of his new team's offense. The Saints offense, led by quarterback Drew Brees, is wide open and scores a ton of points. The threat of pass is always on the opposing defense's mind, resulting in running room for Saint running backs. And, although Reggie Bush, Chris Ivory, and Pierre Thomas are all still under contract, Ingram may in fact become the feature back, and rack up huge numbers.

4. Von Miller: LB Denver Broncos (Texas A&M University): Most would expect the second overall selection in the draft to be ranked a bit higher than four on the biggest impact list. Even I, myself, ranked Miller as the second best talent coming into the draft (behind Patrick Peterson). But, this isn't a list of the most talented rookies, it has to deal with who will perform the best on the field this season. The only reason why Miller isn't higher on this list is the Denver Broncos team defense. It was ranked dead last in 2010 in total defense (allowing 390 yards per game), and although they welcome back sack-machine Elvis Dumervil from injury, they still have some areas of concern. However, Miller is such a freakishly athletic player at the linebacker position, that he will still succeed even on a sub-par defense where most of the blocking attention is focused on him. Miller is a good pass defender, a top pass rusher, and a plus run defender, and with double teams on him on almost every play, Miller's already incredible ability to shed and avoid blocks will only improve. The Butkus Award recipient as the nation's top linebacker of a year ago should have little problem adjusting to the NFL.

3. Patrick Peterson: CB Arizona Cardinals (LSU): Many experts and myself had Peterson ranked as the best overall player going into the 2011 Draft. He is joining the 29^th ranked defense from a year ago in Arizona, but in 2011, their pass defense should drastically improve. Number one cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie did a stellar job in 2010, but had little help from other defensive backs. Peterson is the help DRC needed. Both players are six feet tall and over 220 pounds, very oversized for cornerbacks. However, these two can run and cover just as well, if not better, than the smaller guys. Peterson helps Rodgers-Cromartie shut down not only the quick, speedy receivers, but the taller ones who can jump out of the gym as well. Peterson has some of the best cover skills and ball recognition ability of any rookie cornerback in the past five years, and he is not afraid to hit the ball carrier. His incredible hands had Les Miles and LSU questioning if he could be a three-way player at LSU and play slot receiver. That's right, three way. Peterson's incredible ability to return kicks and punts gives him the edge at number three on this list. At a moment's notice, he can stop on a dime and accelerate as well as Deion Sanders used to do, and bring it to the endzone. Peterson's four interceptions and two punt return touchdowns last season at LSU will have opponents very wary of his whereabouts between the lines.

2. Nick Fairley: DT Detroit Lions (Auburn University): At one point during the offseason, Nick Fairley was a lock to be taken first overall by the Carolina Panthers. But then, allegations of him being a dirty player surfaced, and Marcell Dareus of Alabama (another defensive tackle) recorded better times at the NFL Combine. Fairley's work ethic was then questioned, and the former assumed top pick slipped on many expert's draft boards. He fell into the perfect situation at number 13, when the Detroit Lions snagged him and inserted him into one of the league's most ferocious defensive lines. Fairley's raw ability, plus the opportunity to learn how to play on the defensive line in the NFL alongside Kyle Vanden Bosch and Defensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowler Ndamukong Suh lands him in the second spot on this list. Fairley has the hunger to push right through offensive linemen on his way to the quarterback or ball carrier, and with Suh and Vanden Bosch also on the line, opponents will not have the opportunity to double team him. This will make it rather easy for a player of Fairley's stature and quickness (6'4” 291 lbs., 4.84 40-yard dash) to get into the backfield. And, when he gets there, he will not be denied. Fairley wrapped up opponents left and right while playing in the SEC, and very, very few got away from his monstrous grip (five tackles, three for a loss, one sack, and a forced fumble in the National Championship Game vs. Oregon). The Lions d-line is a force to be reckoned with come 2011.

1. Julio Jones: WR Atlanta Falcons (University of Alabama): Another former Crimson Tide makes the top five list, as Julio Jones lands at number one of players who will make the biggest splash in 2011. Julio Jones and A.J. Green were stride for stride in the running for best wide receiver in the 2011 Draft. It was only fitting that Green and Jones were separated by two picks (four and six respectively) in the Draft. Jones makes this list and Green does not for one reason, and it is the same reason that some of the other talents made this list: supporting cast. The Atlanta Falcons had a potent offense (fifth in the NFL in points per game) and finished the regular season atop the NFC at 13-3. With young stud quarterback Matt Ryan at the helm, the Falcons will only continue to improve. Now add one of college football's top two wideouts to play alongside Michael Turner, Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, and Tony Gonzalez. What do you have? Potency. Jones was exactly what the Falcons were missing last season. They had a good defense. They recorded a ton of takeaways. They had a stellar special teams unit. And they scored a ton of points with a star quarterback. All they were missing was a big-time wide receiver to play alongside All-Pro Roddy White so Michael Jenkins could move back to the slot. Julio Jones is that big-time wide out. He can run like the wind (4.39 40-yard dash) and can jump to the ceiling of the Georgia Dome (38 ½ in. vertical). His hands were a bit suspect at times, but he was the best in the nation at making the spectacular diving or leaping catch. With Matt Ryan delivering balls right to his chest, hands shouldn't be too much of a problem. Jones will require safety help on almost every play, but so will Gonzalez and White. This will leave the field wide open for Jones and his teammates, so be prepared for him to put up huge numbers. When he gets behind the corner, it's all but over for the defense. Do not be surprised to see Jones in Hawai'i for the Pro Bowl in 2011.