The 2012 NFL Draft went by almost a month ago. The Draftees are beginning OTA’s and settling in with their new teams. All of them are going to try to help improve the teams they were drafted to. Also, many of them will be in contention for the NFL Rookie Of The Year award, for the side of the ball they play on. Today, I will be going over the top-5 canidates to win the award for the offensive side of the ball. Without further ado… Here you go
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Many people are assuming Andrew Luck will be playing on an offense devoid of talent, that couldn’t be any further from the truth. The Colts drafted Tight Ends; Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener, along with Wide Receivers; T.Y. Hilton and LaVon Brazill. They already had players like; Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, and Anthony Costanzo on the roster, this just gives Luck more weapons ( I understand Costanzo isn’t a Receiver or Tight End, but I consider a good Tackle a weapon). The Colts still have holes on the O-line and Running Back, but teams are going to be reluctant to blitz him with the talent at his disposal. Andrew Luck is smart and will have a seamless transition into the pro’s. He has ran a variant of the pro-style offense since high school , and has an arm that scares defenses. Teams will realize that constant blitzing against Luck just plays into his hands. He can easily have a rookie season similar to Cam Newton’s.
2012-2013 Projected Stats: 3,787 Passing Yards, %60.5 Completion Percentage, 26 Touchdowns, 19 Interceptions
2. Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Doug Martin is a smart, explosive player that gets to go into a great situation. He will have the likes of; Carl Nicks, Davin Joseph, and Donald Penn blocking for him, that’s a Running Back’s dream. Early in the year he will probable split-time with Legarrette Blount, but Greg Schiano will quickly realize that Martin is better Back. By Week 4, Doug Martin should get the majority of the carries. He is an extremely talented Running Back that has one of the best run-blocking Offensive Line’s in front of him, this was an easy pick.
2012-2013 Projected Stats: 1,242 Rushing Yards, 4.6 YPC, 8 Rushing Touchdowns, 412 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown
3. Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans
Kendall Wright was drafted to be a complementary Receiver opposite Kenny Britt. With the possibility of another knee surgery for Kenny Britt, Kendall Wright may be the #1 Receiver for the Titans on Week 1. Whether the starting Quarterback for Titans is Matt Hasselbeck or Jake Locker, Kendall Wright should have an exciting rookie-year. The Titans have a really good pass-blocking Offensive Line, so Kendall Wright should have tons of time to get open and find holes in the opposing defense. Kendall Wright has solid hands and is a good route-runner, the two most-important traits for a Receiver to possess.Even if Kenny Britt is %100 Kendall Wright will be one of the finalists for the OROY award.
2012-2013 Projected Stats: 83 Receptions, 1138 Receiving Yards, 5 Touchdowns
4. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears
Yes, Brandon Marshall is the clear-cut #1 Receiver on the Bears roster, but that doesn’t mean Alshon Jeffery won’t have a impaction rookie-year. Opposing defenses will be focusing on Brandon Marshall, that means Alshon Jeffery will have many mismatches in his favor. Alshon Jeffery is 6’4′ 216lb’s and has a size advantage over most NFL DB’s, and he knows how to use his size correctly. He should also get plenty of Red-Zone targets with the lack of talent at Tight End on the Bears.
2012-2013 Stats: 75 Receptions, 912 Receiving Yards, 9 Touchdowns
5. Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins have plenty of issue’s on their O-line, but Robert Griffin III, affectionately known as RGIII, is athletic, and knows how to make-plays. The Washington Redskins have a lot of talent at Wide Receiver and Tight end, so teams may think twice before blitzing RGIII. MIke Shanahan likes to utilize zone-running, so if RGII can be successful running Play-Action it will help him even more. I expect him to adjust to the NFL well, should have a solid rookie-year.
2012-2013 Projected Stats: 3.218 Passing Yards, %58 Completion Percentage, 21 Passing Touchdowns, 15 Interceptions, 528 Rushing Yards, 3 Rushing Touchdowns
That is it. It is a little early to make predictions like this, but is an educated guess on how these players will preform this year. Agree? Disagree? Let me know. Leave a comment below or get at me on twitter @maxs154. Thanks for Reading!
lol. u think doug martin is gonna get over 1000 yards with legarette blount on the same team. WHAT A TOOL!!! and wright wont get over 1000 yards if julio jones couldnt
Why do you think the Bucs took Martin in the 1st round? Blount is a big liability in pass-protection and he isn’t a factor as receiver out of the backfield, along with a huge fumbling problem. He is an overrated player. Doud Martin will get at least 85 to 90 percent of the carries. Julio Jones is a totally different player from Kendall Wright. Julio Jones is a big-play guy that didn’t get a ton of touches, but made the most out of them. Kendall Wright is a Slot Receiver that catches a lot of balls underneath and can stretch the field as well. Kenny Britt will be having another surgery, so Kendall Wright may be a starter. Even if Britt is there, he will draw coverage down the field, allow Kendall Wright to get his catches.
How far did Andrew Luck and RGIII get their teams in the playoffs and how many TD’s? Think Russel Wilson.