2012 NFL Draft Predictions: Who Will Have Biggest Immediate Impact?

Coming out of the NFL draft, only a few players make immediate impacts with their new teams.

This past season we saw a handful of players step onto the field and make tremendous impacts—such as Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, J.J. Watt and Von Miller.

Heading into the 2012 NFL draft, which players will have the biggest immediate impact? 

Andrew Luck

Well, no surprise here.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Indianapolis Colts have told Andrew Luck he will be the first overall pick in this year's draft.

Luck may not have the best talent surrounding him on the Colts, which will make it hard for him to produce great numbers. Still, he certainly will have a huge impact on the 2012 season for Indianapolis. 

Robert Griffin III

We can almost certainly say that Robert Griffin III will be the second overall pick to the Washington Redskins in this year's draft.

I would assume that RG3 will be an immediate starter for the Redskins. To be quite honest, I also believe that Griffin will produce much better numbers with Washington this season than Luck will with the Indianapolis Colts. 

Why? Because RG3 will have talent around him with the 'Skins while Luck will have next to nothing with Indy. 

Melvin Ingram

Melvin Ingram is going to be a monster. I see him being as productive as Von Miller was this past season. 

Say what you want about Quinton Coples, Nick Perry and Courtney Upshaw, but I see Ingram making a huge impact in the NFL during his rookie season—and I'm talking about 10-plus sacks. 

Matt Kalil

If you ask me, Matt Kalil is the best left tackle prospect that we have seen in years.

Wherever Kalil ends up going, he will start right away at left tackle. He will certainly be a reliable member of that team's offensive line since he'd be protecting the quarterback's blind side. 

Kalil is going to be a beast. 

Michael Floyd

Justin Blackmon may be the top-rated wide receiver in this year's draft class, but I actually believe that Michael Floyd will have a much greater impact during his rookie season in the NFL.

Floyd is a freak of nature. He is built like a tight end but as fast as a wide receiver. He can easily jump in as a team's No. 2 wide receiver—or even the No. 1—and make quite the impact during his first season. 

Justin Blackmon

I actually don't think Justin Blackmon is the best wide receiver in this year's draft; I would have to go with Michael Floyd, but that's just me.

Either way, I still believe that Blackmon will have a huge impact his rookie season in the NFL. However, I don't see him producing the greatest numbers out of this year's rookie class. 

Kendall Wright

I believe that Kendall Wright will be very productive as a rookie.

Wright is the most explosive wide receiver in this year's class and I see him producing his fair share of huge plays this upcoming season. 

David DeCastro

Aside from Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III, I believe that David DeCastro is going to have the greatest career out of everyone in the 2012 draft class.

DeCastro is a once-in-a-decade offensive guard and is going to start right away, no matter which team drafts him. He is going to have quite the impact during his rookie season. 

Trent Richardson

I am a huge believer in Trent Richardson and truly feel that he's part of a dying breed—an every-down running back.

Richardson may be in the same category as Adrian Peterson and Arian Foster, but I don't see him producing those kind of numbers in his first season in the NFL. Still, he certainly will rack up 1,000-plus yards and have a huge impact in his first year. 

Luke Kuechly

Out of all the defensive players in this year's draft, I have to say that Luke Kuechly is the most impressive. 

Kuechly may not be the biggest playmaker, but he is a tackling machine and his skills should translate well at the NFL level.

If you ask me, Kuechly will win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012.