2011 NFL Draft: Top 9 Players Drafted on Day 2 Who Could Start as Rookies
The transition from college football to the NFL is tough, even for the most gifted players. Even Peyton Manning, struggled mightily as a rookie completing only 56.7 percent of this passes and tossing a career high 28 picks.
To a man every rookie will tell you how much faster the game is and how much harder NFL players hit. It takes a special talent to make the transition as a rookie and even then immediate success is rare.
Do any of the players taken in the second day of the 2011 NFL Draft have a chance to make an impact as a rookie?
Check out the nine with the best shot.
Andy Dalton
1 of 9
The Cincinnati Bengals took stud TCU QB with the 3rd pick of the second round.
Dalton jumped up draft boards in the last few weeks. He impressed teams with his intelligence, demeanor and experience as a starter.
Carson Palmer has made it no secret that he wants out in Cincy and the Bengles only other option is his, significantly less talented brother, Jordan.
If the Bengles struggle in the first half of next season don't be surprised to see Dalton starting games by early December.
Demarcus Van Dyke
2 of 9
The Raiders took Miami's cornerback/track star hybrid, Demarcus Van Dyke, with the 17th pick of the third round.
Van Dyke should have put a Raiders uniform on the day he blew away the field at the combine with his 4.25 40 time.
Al Davis loves speed, and it is no secret around the league that Davis runs the show in Oakland; he gets what he wants, regardless of weather or not it makes sense.
Van Dyke will get playing time next year (especially if the Raiders can't resign all-world corner Nnamdi Asomugha) simply because Davis wants to watch him play.
Brandon Harris
3 of 9
The Houston Texans took Van Dyke's Miami teammate, cornerback Brandon Harris, with the 28th pick of the second round.
Harris is likely to see substantial playing time next year, not because of team politics, but because he is ready to contribute to an NFL team.
More importantly the Texans had the worst pass defense in the NFL in 2011 and will be looking to shake it up.
In 2011 Harris was a Jim Thorpe Award semi-finalist and recognized as an All-ACC performer for his role in the Hurricanes nationally ranked pass defense.
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Marvin Austin
4 of 9
The New York Giants took North Carolina DT Marvin Austin with the first pick of the second round.
The former Tar Heel is a former top ranked 5-Star DT recruit who dominated opponents in his three seasons at UNC.
The only reason Austin was not a top-10 pick is that the NCAA suspended him for his entire senior season as punishment for taking gifts from an agent.
Austin is very good at disrupting the opponents' back field, once he gets into camp his talent will be undeniable.
With the core of the Giants front seven beginning to show its age Austin is likely to see some time in the trenches as a rookie.
Aaron Williams
5 of 9
The Buffalo Bills took Texas' beastly DB Aaron Williams with the second pick of second round.
Williams was a star in his three years at Texas. In 2010 he earned All-Big 12 honors as he recorded 46 tackles, one sack, six TFLs and caused three fumbles.
Williams was also a star on special teams in Austin as he finish his career as the second most prolific punt blocker in Longhorns' history with five.
His special teams skills will likely lead to his first action in the NFL as many teams use kick and punt coverage to break rookies into the NFL.
Don't be surprised in Williams earns a starting job in the secondary before the end of the season.
The Bills defense was awful last year (24th in the NFL) and if they struggle again this year Chan Gailey is likely to be up for giving the rookie a shot.
Kyle Rudolph
6 of 9
The Minnesota Vikings took Notre Dame's beastly TE with the 11th pick of the second round.
Kyle Rudolph has the 6'6" 265-pound size of a prototypical NFL TE and has proved he can produce against good competition.
The Vikings are likely to throw Rudolph in the mix sooner rather than later.
Weather it be Jackson, Webb or Ponder Minnesota will be starting an inexperienced QB in 2011 and a big target check down target is a green QBs best friend.
If Rudolph gets to start it will be interesting to see how long the oft injured TE can last in the hard hitting NFL game.
Stephen Paea
7 of 9
The Chicago Bears bolstered their defense when they traded up with the Washington Redskins to land Oregon State DT Stephen Paea with the 21st pick of the second round.
Paea is a beast in the trenches. He proved his strength at the NFL combine by setting the 225 lb bench press record with 49 reps.
The scariest part about the Oregon State product's display of strength is that the only reason he stopped at 49 was because he "lost count" and thought he was at 50.
The Bears probably already have Paea penciled in as Tommie Harris' replacement at DT and if his combine performance is any indication he will have no trouble with the physicality of NFL offensive linemen.
Stefan Wisniewski
8 of 9
The Oakland Raiders took dominant Penn State offensive lineman, Stefan Wisniewski with the 16th pick of the second round.
Wisneiwski is a shoe in to start for the Raiders in 2011 for three reasons.
1. He is that good. Wisniewski was a two-time All-American at Penn State and dominated Big Ten defensive lineman throughout his career in Happy Valley, he even played well against Alabama's fierce pass rush.
2. Connections. Wisniewski's uncle, Steven is the Raiders offensive line coach. I'm pretty sure he will give his nephew all the opportunities in the world to win a starting spot.
3. His Versatility. Stefan was drafted as a center, but he can also play either guard position.
Da'Quan Bowers
9 of 9
Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers' epic draft day free fall finally ended when the Tampa Bay Bucs took the former No. 1 overall prospect with the 19th pick of the second round.
Bowers' stock fell not because of lack of talent or work ethic but because of reports that he will have to have massive knee surgery sometime in the next four years and may never be the player he once was.
Bowers' talent is still there and the Bucs will want to get what they can out of him before his knees betray him for good.
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