Nike NFL Jerseys: Predicting How New Elite 51 Uniforms Will Impact Players

Nike didn't change much to the aesthetics of the NFL uniform, but as we're now fully aware, they made major changes to the performance of the new threads. 

The NFL line, known as the "Elite 51," apparently will provide the NFL player with a variety of advantages based on its lightweight and form-fitting design.

Nike's website does a better job describing what they did with the jerseys than I ever could:

"

This uniquely engineered chassis and baselayer combination provides everything an athlete needs and nothing he doesn’t need. Rooted in body-led design, the uniform system is built for a body-contoured fit resulting in zero distractions in order to help amplify speed.

Nike continues to perfect, crafting a fully integrated system of dress where the athlete’s baselayer works in concert with his entire uniform – true innovation from the inside out. Lightweight padding is integrated directly into the crucial “hit zones” in the baselayer.

New innovations include integrating Flywire technology into the neckline to reduce weight and provide lockdown fit over pads, increasing sleeve articulation for better range of motion, and integrating new four-way stretch fabrication to provide a streamlined shrink-wrap fit. A design that enables speed without compromise.

"

Get all that? 

I did.

I think. 

What will all these supposed advancements in uniform technology ultimately mean for the player? For the sake of this article, I'm going to assume everything Nike said about making guys more comfortable, flexible and faster is true. 

These are my rapid-fire predictions for the impact they'll have on NFL'ers this year. 

- Chris Johnson will have a bounce-back 2012, and lead the league in yards per carry. He's quite the burner once he hits the second level. We all know that.

- Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson, not tied down by restrictive tops, will each have two more touchdown catches than they did in 2011—on jump balls.

- Have fun catching DeSean Jackson, another player who'll post considerably better numbers in 2012. 

- Big backs like LeGarrette Blount, Steven Jackson and Arian Foster will have the extra speed to go the distance on a handful of longer runs. 

- Patrick Peterson and Devin Hester will each return three kicks or punts for touchdowns. 

- There will be an all-time low number of holding calls. 

In total seriousness, I believe a less-restrictive uniform will pay huge dividends for all the players, even the offensive and defensive linemen that get their uniforms tugged on every play. 

I'm not sure how much faster they'll make every player, but the lighter the weight, the quicker they'll burn down the sidelines. 

Don't take my word for it, this is what some high-profile NFL guys had to say about the new unis. 

They seem to be happy. 

If they're happy with their outfits does that mean they'll make big plays on a more consistent basis?

Let's hope so. 

Follow @ChrisTrapasso