NFL Draft Predictions: Setting Early Rookie of the Year Odds

With the 2012 NFL Draft coming to a close, there are many soon-to-be NFL superstars, but only one can win the coveted NFL Rookie of the Year Award. 

Competition for the distinction from this newest NFL class promises to be stiff beginning in Week 1, and the true winner won't emerge until Week 17. The victor of the prestigious award hasn't come outside of Round 1 since Anquan Boldin took home the prize in 2003, and fans shouldn't expect anything different this year.

Fans have to be salivating from the anticipation of the fresh NFL talent stepping onto a pro field for the first time, and they simply can't wipe that smile from their faces, as 2012 is slated to be a special year for NFL rookies. 

The Extra Point: Morris Claiborne Will Win Defensive Rookie of the Year

The Dallas Cowboys made a statement by trading up to No. 6 in Round 1 of the 2012 NFL Draft to select cornerback Morris Claiborne.

Now coupled with Brandon Carr in the Cowboys secondary, it will be hard for any opponent to air it out against this duo for years to come.

An added bonus—Claiborne is lethal when returning kickoffs, similar to former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson. In 2011, Claiborne returned 22 kicks for a whopping 522 yards and a touchdown. 

Claiborne will become the first cornerback to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award since Charles Woodson did so in 1998. That's some elite company, but Claiborne will be elite player throughout his career.

2012 Bold Predictions: 5 INTs, 428 return yards, 2 TDs

Early Odds: 5-2

The Miami Dolphins Bet the Farm on Ryan Tannehill

The nightmare that many Dolphins fans feared for their franchise came true when Miami selected Ryan Tannehill at No. 8.

After all, Tannehill completed just 61.6 percent of his passes and threw 15 interceptions to just 29 touchdowns while at Texas A&M in 2011.

On top of that, he's coming off an injury, but should be fully recovered by now. 

Regardless, the pick by the Dolphins was a sketchy one. 

Will Tannehill even play in 2012? 

This move will turn out to be the nail in the coffin for Jeff Ireland as Dolphins GM.

2012 Bold Predictions: 482 passing yards, 2 TDs, 6 INTs

Early Odds: 1000-1

The New York Giants Made a Splash with RB David Wilson

Despite winning Super Bowl XLVI, the New York Giants finished dead-last in the NFL when it came to rushing yards per game in 2011. 

The good news for Giants fans is the front office was proactive in finding a solution by drafting running back David Wilson with their first-round pick.

Wilson is a work horse who averaged five-plus yards per carry in his three years at Virginia Tech. The NFC East has gotten deeper across the board, and Wilson is the reason why for the Giants.

2012 Bold Predictions: 4.2 YPC, 672 rushing yards, 6 TDs

Early Odds: 80-1

A.J. Jenkins Was a Calculated Risk for the San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers may have confused their fans by selecting A.J. Jenkins with their first-round pick, but there's plenty of upside to him.

Jenkins had a phenomenal senior season at Illinois, tallying 90 catches for 1,276 yards and eight touchdowns. He's a polished receiver who may not see much playing time in 2012, but is a great pick for the future.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh knows a good receiver when he sees one, and that's why Jenkins was his man. 

2012 Bold Predictions: 42 catches, 600 receiving yards, 4 TDs

Early Odds: 100-1

Is Brandon Weeden the Savior of the Cleveland Browns?

Like it or not, Brandon Weeden will be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 2012.

Although he'll be going on 29 years old at the start of the season, it's now or never for Weeden and the Browns.

Let's face it, incumbent quarterback Colt McCoy isn't the future of the franchise like the Browns hoped for when they drafted him in 2010. Weeden is three inches taller than McCoy and can make all the throws necessary to be a successful NFL quarterback. 

He may not be around for an illustrious 15-year career, but Weeden is a good band-aid for now. Given that the Browns play in the AFC North, where three teams made the playoffs in 2011, he'll have his work cut out for him. 

2012 Bold Predictions: 3,442 passing yards, 28 TDs, 14 INTs

Early Odds: 50-1

Kendall Wright Has Massive Potential, but Isn't a Leading Contender

Wide receiver Kendall Wright burst into the national spotlight when he totaled 108 catches for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2011.

A few questions come to mind in regards to his rise, such as, was he strictly a product of quarterback Robert Griffin III? Or, was RG3 made great by Wright? 

Now the first-round selection of the Tennessee Titans, it will be interesting to see how quickly Wright can adjust to the NFL game. He has great vision and is tough to tackle, which will make him dangerous with the ball in his hands. 

Titans fans need Wright to be great for the Titans to be successful. While it may take him some time to become a premier NFL wide receiver, Wright will dazzle by season's end. 

2012 Bold Predictions: 71 catches, 972 receiving yards, 7 TDs

Early Odds: 40-1

Justin Blackmon Is Now the Man in Jacksonville

Justin Blackmon had the honor to be the first wide receiver taken in the 2012 NFL draft, but that doesn't mean he'll be the best of his rookie class.

Blackmon was taken No. 5 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who desperately needed a receiver and chose Blackmon as the head of the class.

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert struggled in his rookie season as he only average 128.1 yards/game and Blackmon is now his main man.

2012 will be interesting to see if the Gabbert to Blackmon connection has what it takes to succeed in the NFL. Their production is vital in bringing relief to the NFL's leading rusher in 2011, Maurice Jones-Drew.

Blackmon has plenty of talent, but he won't reach his full potential in 2012.

2012 Bold Predictions: 58 catches, 603 receiving yards, 6 TDs

Early Odds: 30-1

Doug Martin Joins a Beefed-Up Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offense

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done a remarkable job this offseason when it comes to improving their team.

With the No. 31 pick in the first round, the Bucs chose running back Doug Martin to bolster their ground game. And Martin will do just that, as he's a wrecking ball on a football field; at 223 pounds, he's perfect for running the ball up the gut. 

Martin is also a well-rounded back who's currently being compared to Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice. 

Those are some big shoes to fill, but the future is bright for Martin. 

2012 Bold Predictions: 4.5 YPC, 1,053 rushing yards, 10 TDs

Early Odds: 25-1

The Second-Round Dark Horse: Alshon Jeffery

While some Chicago Bears fans may be worried about second-round selection Alshon Jeffery, the Bears needed a wide receiver of his caliber. 

Jeffery is a physical specimen who'll be worth his weight in gold in the red zone. Quarterback Jay Cutler has to be thrilled for the opportunity to finally throw the ball to some top-notch receivers in Chicago. Coupled with wide receiver Brandon Marshall, the Bears suddenly have legit receiving targets who will bring balance to the Bears offense.

2012 Bold Predictions: 64 catches, 840 receiving yards, 8 TDs

Early Odds: 20-1

The Arizona Cardinals Got Their Man in Michael Floyd

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald made a special request for Michael Floyd to be selected with the No. 13 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Cardinals front office obliged and jumped on the opportunity to draft the young stud. 

Floyd is the prototypical NFL wide receiver and will instantly make the Cardinals better. 

Arizona fans should be more than excited to see Fitzgerald have a legitimate sidekick again. Floyd will prove to be the best receiver in the 2012 class, and the Cardinals will contend in a much stronger NFC West.

2012 Bold Predictions: 103 catches, 1,112 receiving yards, 11 TDs

Early Odds: 8-1

RB Trent Richardson Is Someone to Root for in Cleveland

The Cleveland Browns made the best possible move by taking running back Trent Richardson with the No. 3 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Richardson reminds one of a bulldozer capable of smashing through a brick wall with ease. And playing in the AFC North, the Browns will need exactly that from Richardson; the team finished 28th in the NFL in the rushing department, so Richardson is a welcome addition.

Look for Richardson to improve his game by developing a knack for catching the ball out of the backfield. When that happens, he'll become one of the biggest threats in the entire NFL.

2012 Bold Predictions: 4.7 YPC, 1,236 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs; 39 catches, 312 receiving yards, 4 receiving TDs

Early Odds: 6-1

Andrew Luck Is Set to Have a Hall of Fame NFL Career

The Indianapolis Colts have had a tumultuous offseason, but all is well now that quarterback Andrew Luck can call Indy home. 

Replacing Peyton Manning is no easy task, but if anyone can do it, Luck can. After all, he's the best quarterback prospect to come into the NFL since Manning.

More impressively,  it's been said that Luck is the best quarterback to come out of college since John Elway and not Manning.

Like Manning, Luck won't win the Rookie of the Year Award. He'll come up just short in a tight battle with Robert Griffin III of the Washington Redskins. 

That's not to say he won't have an excellent season in Indianapolis, though; Colts fans should be thrilled for the future. In the end, Luck will win a couple of Super Bowls, making everyone forget about him missing out on the Rookie of the Year Award.

Bold 2012 Predictions: 4,176 passing yards, 34 TDs, 12 INTs

Early Odds: 9-2

Robert Griffin III Will Win the 2012 NFL Rookie of Year Award

The Washington Redskins had a no-brainer when selecting quarterback Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 pick.

The 2011 Heisman Trophy Award-winner will pay instant dividends for the Redskins and will win the 2012 NFL Rookie of the Year Award. 

RG3 is an all-around athlete, and while his arm will prove his worth in the NFL, his legs will ensure him the biggest accolade for an NFL rookie.

Griffin ran for 699 yards on 149 carries at Baylor in 2011. The thing that makes him special, though, is that he is too smart to continuously take a beating by NFL opponents. He'll prove that he knows when to avoid the big hit. 

Redskins fans should have already purchased all the RG3 apparel they can find. Their franchise quarterback has finally arrived. 

2012 Bold Predictions: 3,972 passing yards, 32 passing TDs, 11 INTs; 521 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs

Early Odds: 3-1

Follow Matt Bowen on Twitter.