8 Bold Predictions for How the 2012 NFL Rookie Class Will Fare

With the 2012 NFL draft in the books, it is time to toggle our prognostication switches from where players might get drafted and by whom to how they will perform come September.

With an assortment of fascinating scenarios having presented themselves over the weekend, this list could literally have no end. But narrowing it down highlights some of the more pertinent players to look out for.

Here are bold predictions for eight players for the 2012 NFL season.

Andrew Luck

The Indianapolis Colts offseason send-off to Peyton Manning guaranteed a huge void on their roster at the quarterback position. Enter Andrew Luck.

Luck is expected to make a seamless transition into the NFL and to the Colts. However, even Manning himself endured a very rocky rookie campaign, throwing for a career-high 28 interceptions and a career-low 56.7 completion percentage.

Although he will have a veteran wide receiver in Reggie Wayne and a college teammate in rookie tight end Coby Fleener to lean on, Luck will experience some major growing pains as he attempts to prove the hype is legit.

With a less-than-average supporting cast, Luck will fail to throw for 20 touchdowns in his debut season, while also approaching Manning's interception total with 25 of his own.

Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III is the latest big-time dual-threat quarterback to be taken with a premium pick in the NFL draft.

With the NFL evolving seemingly every season with new ways to put the ball in the end zone, versatile players at every position seem to be the next big thing. But having a quarterback that can win games with his arm and legs brings an interesting wrinkle to any team. Just ask the Carolina Panthers how the Cam Newton experiment worked out for them last season.

With Mike Shanahan possibly in a make-or-break situation as head coach of the Washington Redskins, look for him to unleash RGIII in hopes to save his job in the nation's capital.

Newton threw for 21 touchdowns and ran for another 14 as a rookie last season for the Panthers. Look for Griffin to match those numbers this season with a successful blueprint now in place for quarterbacks of his caliber.

Trent Richardson

The Cleveland Browns moved up one spot to ensure themselves the opportunity of drafting Trent Richardson with the third overall pick.

With expectations now extremely high and previous high-round pick Adrian Peterson as the measure of success, the Browns offense, or lack thereof, will prevent Richardson from living up to the hype during his rookie season.

Although running backs seem to be able to walk their way to 1,000-yard seasons these days, Richardson will fail to achieve the mark as the Browns find themselves near the bottom of the league offensively in 2012.

Michael Floyd

As the No. 2 wide receiver prospect in the 2012 NFL draft, depending on who you ask, Michael Floyd wound up falling into a near perfect situation.

Rookie wideouts tend to struggle in the NFL, but winding up with the Arizona Cardinals alongside future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald will prove to be very beneficial for Floyd and his career.

Less expectations, along with learning under Fitzgerald, will open up a lot opportunities for Floyd on the football field. The addition of Floyd will remind Cardinals fans of when Boldin lined up opposite Fitzgerald a few years back.

While Fitzgerald will garner the most attention from opponents, Floyd will sneak under the radar to the tune of 12 touchdowns in 2012—more than his mentor.

Justin Blackmon

Unlike Michael Floyd, wide receiver Justin Blackmon was not drafted into the greatest of possible situations to start his career in the NFL.

Although the Jacksonville Jaguars needed a pass-catching playmaker and made a huge statement in trading up to the fifth pick to acquire one, their offense—especially through the air—is still a year or two away from being successful.

Major growing pains for rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert last season have many around the organization questioning whether he is the long-term answer under center. That doesn't bode well for Blackmon, who already had questions raised about his ability to transition from a niche offense at Oklahoma State.

As the Jaguars struggle all season long to score, look for Blackmon to not crack 50 receptions, 750 yards, nor five touchdowns. 

Dontari Poe

The Kansas City Chiefs filled their most immediate roster need by selecting a defensive tackle in the first round of this year's draft.

Being taken with the 11th pick, you would think Dontari Poe would be expected to come right in and make an impact across the defensive front. However, despite his impressive showing at the combine, most see Poe as a project player that might take time to come around.

The Chiefs should continue to look for help at nose tackle as the offseason progresses, bringing in someone that Poe can learn from to attain a more sound technique. With this as the case, and barring injuries on the depth chart, look for Poe to make zero starts during his rookie season in Kansas City.

David DeCastro

Considered the best interior lineman in the draft, David DeCastro slipped all the way to the 24th pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Although offensive guards aren't coveted, and the primary reason he fell so far down, DeCastro might be the safest pick in the entire NFL draft. And being drafted by the Steelers might prove to be the best situation for him to make all the teams that passed on him to eat crow.

Playing next to one of the best centers in the NFL in Maurkice Pouncey will help DeCastro make a seamless transition into the pro game. And the Steelers offense will also propel the rookie to a Pro Bowl (if the NFL decides to have one) in his debut campaign.

Janoris Jenkins

If it wasn't for his troubles at the University of Florida, Janoris Jenkins might have been a top 10 pick in this year's draft.

No one has ever denied his talent, but the multiple problems off the field severely hampered Jenkins' reputation, causing most teams to shy away from using an early pick on him.

However, playing his senior season at Division II North Alabama might have brought Jenkins down to earth a bit, making him grasp a new sense of devotion to the game of football.

With great cover skills, opposing teams wanting to test the rookie, and the Rams still a year away from seriously competing in the NFC West again, look for Jenkins to pick off eight passes while defending another 15 on his way to being named Defensive Rookie of the Year. 

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