2012 NFL Mock Draft: Top 2012-2013 Rookie of the Year Candidates
Cam Newton ran away with the 2011-2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year award as did Von Miller with the Defensive Rookie of the Year equivalent. Remember, they were the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in last April's NFL draft.
Which top prospects, based on their overall skill and the team they'll ultimately be selected by, are on the fast track to win these two awards next season?
Let's take a look.
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2012 NFL Mock Draft (Pre-Combine Edition)
1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
2. Washington Redskins (trade with St. Louis Rams): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT, USC
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
6. St. Louis Rams (trade with Washington Redskins): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
8. Carolina Panthers: Michael Brockers, DL, LSU
9. Miami Dolphins: Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama
With Cameron Wake playing the other defensive end/outside linebacker spot, Upshaw has a prime opportunity to wreak absolute havoc in his first NFL season.
Wake is a respected pass-rusher that constantly needs attention on the edge. Jared Odrick came back from injury in 2011 and finished the season with six sacks from his 3-4 defensive end position.
There are many defenders that need to be accounted for when playing the Dolphins, especially in terms of protecting your quarterback. With more one-on-one matchups than usual, Upshaw could have a double-digit sack campaign.
10. Buffalo Bills: Melvin Ingram, DE, South Carolina
11. Seattle Seahawks: Whitney Mercilus, DE/OLB Illinois
12. Kansas City Chiefs: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
13. Arizona Cardinals: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa
14. Dallas Cowboys: David DeCastro, OG, Stanford
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
A linebacker has won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 10 of the last 12 seasons. Julius Peppers and Ndamukong Suh were the only defensive linemen to win the award since Javon Kearse won it in 1999 with the Tennessee Titans.
At 6'3" and 250 pounds with great suddenness and athleticism, Burfict will be placed in a starting position in the middle of Philadelphia's defense to make an immediate impact.
He sometimes overpursues on plays in an attempt to deliver the big hit, but expect that to be scaled back a bit when he enters the NFL.
Burfict is big and strong enough to shed blocks and moves smoothly from sideline-to-sideline. He is a major thumping linebacker with star potential.
16. New York Jets: Nick Perry, DE/OLB, Southern California
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
In 2009, Minnesota Vikings wideout Percy Harvin won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. In 2003, Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin won the award. Every other winner since 1999 has either been a quarterback or running back.
That's the first reason why I have Trent Richardson as one of the primary ROY candidates.
He's quite talented, too. Let's not forget that.
At 5'11" and 215 pounds, he has the body to run between the tackles and was one of the most difficult players to take to the ground in the entire country this season.
He showed a great burst through the second and third levels during his time with the Crimson Tide and is about as feature back-ready as you can be entering the NFL.
If he falls to the Bengals, they'll jump at the chance to pick him and Richardson will join a team on the rise with a poised quarterback in Andy Dalton and a legitimate deep threat in A.J. Green.
Not to mention, Cincinnati's defense is solid and is loaded with young talent.
It's a perfect situation for Richardson to flourish.
18. San Diego Chargers: Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia
19. Chicago Bears: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
20. Tennessee Titans: Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
22. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta): Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
23. Detroit Lions: Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford
25. Denver Broncos: Doug Martin, RB, Boise State
26. Houston Texans: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
27. New England Patriots (from New Orleans): Mark Barron, S, Alabama
28. Green Bay Packers: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama
29. Baltimore Ravens: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
30. San Francisco 49ers: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
31. New England Patriots: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
32. New York Giants, Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
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