2012 NFL Draft: Setting Early Rookie of the Year Odds

The NFL draft is coming, and with it, a new group of NFL stars.

This year's group of players features two of the most highly touted quarterbacks in years.

Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III are both considered surefire franchise quarterbacks, whereas last year's draft was full of wild cards and marginal quarterbacks.

Meanwhile, this year's draft also features a multitude of unique and talented defenders.

Luke Kuechly looks like a plug-and-play type of middle linebacker, while Morris Claiborne looks like the NFL's next shutdown cornerback.

Beyond the aforementioned players, there are numerous players ready to make a huge impact on the NFL in 2012. Here are some who will likely be competing for Rookie of the Year.

Robert Griffin III

With respect to Andrew Luck, RG3 is the most likely candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Griffin has a few things working in his favor that Luck doesn't.

First, Griffin will likely have a veteran roster around him with a veteran coach. Mike Shanahan has proved that he is a competent head coach when he has a talented quarterback, and he should enjoy using Griffin's many talents.

Further, Griffin will almost certainly have a better running game helping him than Luck. Shanahan was able to coax production out of Ryan Torain and Roy Helu in 2011, so the Redskins running game should be solid. That will help keep pressure off of Griffin to win games on his own.

Most importantly, though, is the type of player that Griffin is. Dual-threat quarterbacks tend to do better earlier in their careers simply because they can use their athleticism as a crutch.

With his enormous athletic ability, Griffin will be able to regularly escape pressure and produce jaw-dropping plays. Griffin will produce both on the ground and through the air, making the game more simple for him.

Whereas Luck will have to execute an intricate offense, Griffin has the raw ability to just go out and play football without thinking too much.

While Griffin is fully capable of executing an intricate offense, the learning curve will be lessened for him, since he won't be required to find success right away.

Odds: 3:2

Andrew Luck

While Griffin is the favorite, don't discount Andrew Luck, as he is talented enough to carry the Colts on his own and claim Rookie of the Year honors.

Luck won't produce incredible plays like Griffin can, but he will immediately be able to execute a complex and intricate offense.

What Luck brings to the table is pure competence. He won't kill his team with mistakes; he will simply take what's given to him and continuously make his offense productive.

Though Luck may never have jaw-dropping stats, he could grow into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL. If that happens immediately, he could overtake Griffin in the race for Rookie of the Year.

Odds: 3 to 1

Trent Richardson

Don't be surprised when Trent Richardson runs for well over 1,000 yards in 2012, regardless of what team he plays for.

Simply put, Richardson is the prototype at running back, with elite size, speed and power.

With that kind of talent, Richardson will immediately become the top option for whichever team drafts him, and don't be surprised if they ride him early and often.

That should translate to big yardage totals for the rookie runner, and his ability near the goal line will also produce a good amount of touchdowns as well.

All in all, Richardson could be the fantasy rookie of the year, but ultimately, he will fall short of the quarterbacks in becoming the true Rookie of the Year.

Odds: 5 to 1

Other Candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year

This isn't a tremendously deep group of offensive-skill-position players, but there are a few other players who could have a say in the Rookie of the Year race.

Ryan Tannehill will be the third quarterback selected, and he should be given the chance to start immediately. He is talented enough to make some noise, but he really doesn't compare to the top prospects.

Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd are both excellent receiver prospects who should immediately step in as starters. Both should be productive, but receivers traditionally have a tough transition to the NFL.

Some dark-horse candidates include Chris Polk, who profiles as a "bell cow" running back, and Brandon Weeden, who will have to start at quarterback sooner rather than later given his age.

Luke Kuechly

Linebackers are always safe bets for Rookie of the Year, and Luke Kuechly is the best of the bunch.

Kuechly should immediately step in as a starter and rack up a ton of tackles. He is also capable of making splash plays, with solid coverage ability to make a few interceptions.

After an excellent combine performance, Kuechly has proved that he is a top athlete in addition to his instincts and football intelligence. Kuechly really is the total package as a player.

Most importantly, Kuechly should easily become a leader on whatever defense he becomes a part of. He is such a solid player and person that he should immediately become an integral part of his new team's locker room.

All in all, Kuechly has a good chance to lead all rookies in tackles, and his leadership ability should help his Rookie of the Year odds.

Odds: 7 to 3

Morris Claiborne

Probably the top defensive prospect in the draft, Morris Claiborne should immediately become a solid starter at corner for his new team.

Claiborne isn't the same caliber athlete that his former teammate, Patrick Peterson, is, but he is more instinctive and truly plays like a shutdown corner.

His status as a surefire Top 10 pick ensures that he will immediately become a starter, and with teams wanting to test the rookie corner, he will get plenty of chances for interceptions.

If Claiborne is as good as advertised, he has an excellent shot to rack up interceptions and make some noise in the Rookie of the Year race.

Odds: 3 to 1

Mark Barron

Safety is possibly the easiest position to learn on defense, and Mark Barron, as the top safety in the class, has a chance to make a big impact in 2012.

Barron is solid in defending both the run and the pass, so he could rack up a good amount of tackles and interceptions.

The risk here is that while young safeties are generally solid at making plays, they are also susceptible to opposing offenses taking advantage of them.

While Barron is highly talented, if a few passes are completed over his head, it hurts his chances to be considered for Rookie of the Year.

All in all, Barron is talented enough to limit opposing offenses' ability to complete deep passes, and he should rack up solid stats in his rookie year. That makes him a big player in the race to be the top rookie.

Odds: 6 to 1

Other Candidates for Defensive Rookie of the Year

Defensive Rookie of the Year is a tough one to predict, as so many rookie defenders are poised to make major impacts.

Linebackers are traditionally the most likely to rack up solid production in their rookie years, and players like Courtney Upshaw, Dont'a Hightower, Zach Brown and Ronnell Lewis could all make a push to be the top defensive rookie.

Pass-rushers are difficult to predict, but any rookie who can reach 10 sacks has to be considered a potential Rookie of the Year candidate. The lead pass-rushers in this year's class are Whitney Mercilus and Quinton Coples.

Finally, this is a strong group of cornerbacks, and one of them could make a big enough impact to be considered Rookie of the Year. Janoris Jenkins is a name to look out for, as he is a big-time talent if he can handle the pressure of being an NFL corner.

Really, this is a wide-open race, but the linebackers will likely be the names to watch in the battle for Rookie of the Year.