2012 NFL Draft: Trent Richardson and Prospects Who Will Shine as Rookies

There are three players who jump out at me immediately as players who will have an immediate impact as rookies in the 2012 NFL season. Being effective from day one is dictated by three key components: talent, opportunity and scheme.

The player must have the talent to perform on a high level. He must be in the right situation to get the playing time needed to shine, and the offensive or defensive scheme must fit the player he is from the get-go. Some players will develop into a fit for a scheme, while some fall right into place—those are the players who will shine in their rookie seasons.

Here are three examples from the 2012 draft:

Trent Richardson

Running back is the easiest position to have an immediate impact, as it is primarily about instincts. A young player can increase his playing time if he isn't worthless on pass-blocking assignments.

Matador-style blocking will make you strictly a first- or second-down option. Richardson certainly has the size and strength to block effectively, and this amateur video displays the power ability to pick up the blitz:

He should still improve in that category, and that leaves the aspect of the game where he already excels, running the football. Richardson is a hard nose, between-the-tackles-style runner, with deceptive speed and agility. Richardson was the best player for Alabama and led them to the National Championship with 1,679 yards and 21 TDs.

Who can forget what I thought was going to be his Heisman moment against Ole Miss. Check these three Richardson runs, include the "shake and bake" against the Rebels. All his skills on the ground are on display:

Richardson has the strength and low center of gravity to take the NFL's pounding and stay healthy. He reminds me of Emmitt Smith. He isn't always spectacular with tons of spins and jukes, but he eats up yardage and stockpiles TDs.

Richardson could go anywhere from sixth to Washington through the first round. The best fits from a scheme standpoint are in Seattle and Denver.

Both of those teams employ a run-first, power-blocking style that running backs like Marshawn Lynch and Willis McGahee have thrived in. Richardson is ready to explode and he's a solid pick for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Quinton Coples

The easiest role to make an immediate impact on defense is as a pass-rusher. Be it as a pass-rushing defensive end or OLB in a 3-4 scheme—if the player can get to the QB, he can have an immediate mark.

Coples is a big, athletically-gifted defensive end. He's 6'6", 285 pounds, and he can bring it off the edge. As a rookie, on the right team, his ability to get to the QB could be felt early. Look at what players like Jevon Kearse and Mark Anderson did in their rookie seasons.

Kearse had 14.5 sacks as a rookie for the Tennessee Titans in 1999, and that team went to the Super Bowl. Anderson had 12 sacks for the Chicago Bears in 2005, and that team went to the Super Bowl as well.

Coples can have that type of an effect. He amassed 24 sacks in his collegiate career at North Carolina, but many were down on him after his senior season. His sack total dropped from 10 in his junior season to 7.5 this year. 

Much of that could be attributed to the exit of DT Marvin Austin, who bolted for the NFL draft. Coples saw more double teams and much more attention. Still, the 7.5 sacks were an impressive number. Coples can still wreak havoc, take a look at him here:

If Coples is selected eighth by the Miami Dolphins, or ninth by the Carolina Panthers, he'll be in a great situation to succeed.

Across from Cameron Wake in Miami will allow him to play on the opposite side of one of the league's best pure pass-rushers. With Wake and Coples, the Dolphins would have an awesome set of pass-rushers whether they play a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.

In Carolina, Coples could play alongside the mending Robert Johnson. That would also be a formidable set of defensive ends. If Johnson isn't 100 percent, or is injured again, Coples offers the Panthers a pass-rusher who can play and contribute immediately.

Coples' size also allows for him to be moved along the defensive line ala another Tar Heels grad, Julius Peppers.

Coples will have a big rookie season.

Kendall Wright

The speedster from Baylor will make an immediate impact because he's a home-run threat who also happens to be a solid receiver. He isn't very big, but he makes up for it with leaping ability, speed, good route-running skills and ball skills.

Wright is a threat to go the distance every time he touches it. One talent evaluator said that he reminds him of Greg Jennings, and I believe that comparison is on the money.

Wright put up big-time numbers in Waco, catching passes from Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. Wright had 108 catches for 1,663 yards and 14 TDs in his senior season.

The two teams that need him most are the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos.

In Chicago, he would finally be the deep threat with receiving skills Jay Cutler has lacked. Both Johnny Knox and Devin Hester can run with anyone, but their competitiveness for the ball (in Knox's case) and route-running (in Hester's case) held them back. Aside from height, Wright has the total package.

These videos display Wright's great hands and agility:

In Denver, he could provide a run-dominated offense a legitimate deep threat to stretch the field. He could help force teams to play the Broncos honest, as teams just crowded the line of scrimmage and dared Tim Tebow to beat them last season.

Wright has the ability to turn a slant into a 60-yard TD run. Look at this speed:

Wright is going to be an impact player in the NFL for a while.