Andrew Luck: Why New Colts QB Is Sure to Win Rookie of the Year

Andrew Luck is a shoo-in to be the NFL’s rookie of the year in 2012.

The consensus No. 1 overall pick has everything he needs and then some to succeed as the starting quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts snatched up Luck’s favorite target, tight end Coby Fleener, in the beginning of the second round Friday night. Fleener replaces the departed Dallas Clark and will be a fixture of the Colts offense for years to come.

The importance of a tight end like Fleener shouldn’t be understated. Luck has all the tools and skills in the world, but will still heavily rely on his tight end as both a safety valve when under pressure and as a big-play target.

Not only does Luck have his favorite tight end to throw to, but the Colts also drafted blue-chip tight end prospect Dwayne Allen.

The Colts have added T.Y. Hilton in response to losing speedster Pierre Garcon to free agency. Hilton’s size and speed are similar to Garcon’s, and he should stick in a wide receiver corps that includes perennial all-pro Reggie Wayne and dynamic slot receiver Austin Collie.

Another factor in Andrew Luck’s success in 2012 will be the team's struggles on the defensive side of the ball. Luck is going to have the chance to put up some big numbers as the defense is not going to win many games for the Colts.

He will also benefit from playing in the pass-first offense of the Colts. His statistics in college suffered somewhat due to the balance of the Stanford Cardinal offense.

That won’t be a problem in Indianapolis. Running backs Delone Carter and Donald Brown are not going to make a major impact. 

Andrew Luck has the tools and the weapons in place to make a splash immediately and take home NFL Rookie of the Year honors. 

Follow Mike on Twitter @Bighoagowski