Fantasy Football 2012: Projecting Best Options by Position from the NFL Draft

The days of apprenticeships and understudying are over in the NFL. First-round players are expected to come in and make an impact immediately and, in the minds of fantasy owners, score early and often despite being rookies.

Players like Cam Newton and A.J. Green have set the bar extremely high for this coming season's rookie class. Both players were fantasy darlings who played huge roles on fantasy championship-caliber rosters.

Here are the names that could be engraved on fantasy trophies after their rookie campaigns in 2012.

Quarterback: Robert Griffin III

If Andrew Luck is the next Peyton Manning, as the Colts hope that he will be, then he will certainly have his fair share of success in the NFL. However, in order to get there it may be likely that he has a rookie campaign like Manning's and tosses 28 interceptions along the way.

Contrast that to the fantasy darling that Cam Newton was coming into the NFL and it is easy to see, that from a fantasy perspective, RGIII is the player worthy of a draft pick for fantasy owners at quarterback.

The Redskins (who are likely to land Griffin) have loaded up with weapons and will look to use every ounce of athleticism that Griffin brings to the table. Like Newton before him, Griffin could be starting on fantasy teams as early as Week 2.

Running Back: Trent Richardson

If the draft projections hold true, then Richardson will become a Brown and in turn see A LOT of carries as a rookie. Even though he finds himself in an extremely tough division defensively, the Browns lack closers in the red zone and Richardson will become their go-to guy up close.

On top of punching in what few touchdowns the Browns are able to put themselves in position for, Richardson has proved in his collegiate career that he can break off his own scoring plays as well.

Other names like Chris Polk or Lamar Miller could be impressive if they land in Cincinnati, but they will not be featured like Richardson will be in Cleveland.

Wide Receiver: Kendall Wright

A lot of people will be wondering why Justin Blackmon isn't filling this spot and that is a legitimate question, but if resident B/R Draft Guru Matt Miller is correct and Kendall Wright heads to the windy city, he may reap the benefits of double coverage on Brandon Marshall.

Jay Cutler did not reunite with former coach Jeremy Bates and wide receiver Brandon Marshall to play a conservative style in Chicago. Wright may be the Wes Welker type of player who racks up catches and yards, while allowing Marshall to hit the home runs.

Wright could see multiple double-digit reception games as well as 100-yard receiving efforts making him a huge asset in PPR leagues.  

Tight End: Orson Charles

Again, if Matt Miler is correct and former Georgia Bulldog Orson Charles lands with the Giants at the end of the first round, he may be poised for a nice rookie campaign catching balls from Eli Manning.

Charles is not the same route runner as Stanford's Coby Fleener, but working with Manning in New York where there are serious injury concerns at the position, he could see a lot of action.

Losing Brandon Jacobs means that the Giants might not be able to rumble over the goal line as often as they used to, and that could give way to short play-action passing inside the 10-yard line to Charles.

Defensive Line: Quinton Coples

Coples was the most impressive player at the Senior Bowl and that had a lot to do with his ability to disrupt almost every play he was a part of. He drew comparisons to Von Miller in that regard and if that comparison continues on the next level, Coples will be a special player.

Regardless of where the former Tar Heel ends up, he is going to see the field immediately and be a regular sight in opposing backfields.

Leagues that reward sacks will be a perfect playground for a player like Coples, who should be able to generate 10 or more next year.

Defensive Back: Morris Claiborne

Last season it was a different LSU Tiger defensive back, Patrick Peterson, that took the NFL by storm. More for his special teams ability than his coverage but still a solid fantasy performer for leagues that have room to add a defensive back.

In 2012, Morris Claiborne will likely be joining the legendary Ronde Barber in Tampa Bay and could author an equally impressive season. Claiborne could contribute more in the turnover game than Peterson was able to, but he isn't a slouch in the return game either.

Claiborne will reward fantasy owners with interceptions and tackles, racking up important points for leagues that are in need of scoring depth.